Pyhä-Luosto Hiking Trails

Rykimäkero Trail, 12-14 km, circle trail

Summer trail, duration 3-4 h.

Easy trail, partly gravel

Along the trail, you will see the handsome Rykimäkuru gorge. It is a tear in the rock bed, whereas the ravines in the region have been shaped by melt waters of the Ice Age.

Starting Point
Address: the Rykimäkero parking area (excursionmap.fi), by Pyhä-Luosto Road (roughly 19 km from Pyhä in the direction of Luosto, about 5.5 km from Luosto).  
Coordinates: WGS84 lat: 67° 07.1405' lon: 26° 58.8467'
ETRS-TM35FIN N: 7444644m E: 499169m

Hiking Structures
Rykimäkero Campfire hut (excursionmap.fi) and campfire site, Rykimäkuru lean-to shelter (excursionmap.fi), Pyhälampi day-use hut and a lean-to shelter, Lampivaara lean-to shelter (excursionmap.fi); all these rest spots have a dry toilet and a woodshed. There is an accessible toilet at Lampivaara and Rykimäkero. Take toilet paper with you. You can take drinking water from the Rykimäkero household water well all year round.

Sights
A storage hold on a pole, a wooden storehouse, Lampivaara Amethyst Mine, Rykimäkuru Gorge.

Trail Description
Trail marking: red squares on trees.
Recommended direction: can be done in both directions.

The trail runs via Lampivaara and Pyhälampi, crossing the River Pyhäjoki a couple of times. There is a nature trail with information boards between Rykimäkero parking area and Lampivaara, this trail section also has wooden duckboards over the wettest parts. Along Rykimäkero trail, you will see Rykimäkuru, the most handsome gorge in the region. A wide range of bird species thrive along the trail – you will probably see or hear bramblings, common redstarts and Siberian jays when hiking along the trail. From the trail, there is a connection to Pyhä-Luosto Hiking Trail.

Rykimäkero Campfire hut is accessible from the parking area by wheelchair, with an assistant, as well as with a pushchair (a trail accessible to all: 0.7 km in one direction).

In summer, the trail also serves as a mountain biking trail.

Please Note
There is a 75-metre-section of steel duckboards when heading south from Pyhälampi day-use hut. However, dogs can fairly easily run alongside the duckboards.

Summit of Ukko-Luosto Fell, 4-6,5 km

Summer trail, duration 3-5 h.

Intermediate trail due to altitude differences, long stairs and some steeper hills.

Amazing views open out from the summit of Ukko-Luosto and from Ukko-Luosto Scenic Hut.

Starting Point

Address: Luoston portti (excursionmap.fi), Luostontie, 99555 Luosto
Coordinates: WGS84 lat: 67° 09.2725' lon: 26° 54.6508'
ETRS-TM35FIN N: 7448610m E: 496137m.

Hiking Structures
Tikkalaavu lean-to shelter (excursionmap.fi); a dry toilet and a woodshed. Ukko-Luosto Scenic Hut (day-use hut), a dry toilet (non-composting) and a woodshed. Take toilet paper with you.

Sights
Views from the summit of Ukko-Luosto Fell and from Ukko-Luosto Scenic Hut.

Trail markings: blue squares on trees, on the stairs of Ukko-Luosto yellow and green squares
Recommended direction: can be done in both directions.

The summer trail to the summit of Ukko-Luosto Fell - the highest peak of Luosto - starts from Luoston portti. First, it runs along the base of a skiing trail to Ukko-Luosto stairs. 575 wood covered steps take you almost to the top of the fell, after the stairs the trail continues mainly as a gravel path with some stone steps. From the summit and the lookout point magnificent views open out. There is also a white weather station on the summit, a landmark that can be seen from afar. If you return to Luostonportti along the stairs the total length of the trip will be about 5 km. If you want to take the 6,5 km circle trail you continue north from the summit on a gravel path. The circle trail takes you to Ukko-Luosto Scenic Hut, a great spot for having a break and admiring views. You can also check the small exhibition inside the hut, "Lightscapes of a Fell". From the scenic hut the trail descends as a gravel path with some steep downhills (there are stairs in the steepest parts) to the crossing near Tikkalaavu lean-to shelter from where you can return to Luoston portti starting point.

Please Note
There is no winter maintenance on the trail or on the stairs. Shoes with good traction or walking poles may be of help in the steep trail parts.

Karhunjuomalampi Trail, 10 km, circle trail

Summer trail, duration 3-4 h.

Easy trail for the most part, partly intermediate due to steep ascents and stairs.

Along this trail, you will experience the national park's most famous sights: the impressive Isokuru Gorge as well as Pyhänkasteenputous Waterfall and Uhriharju Ridge considered sacred by the ancient forest Sámi.

Starting Point
Address: Naava Visitor Centre, Luontotie 1, 98530 Pyhätunturi
Coordinates: WGS84 lat: 67° 01.1655' lon: 27° 15.1473'
ETRS-TM35FIN N: 7433567m E: 510998m

Hiking Structures
Isokuru Campfire hut (excursionmap.fi) and Karhunjuomalampi day-use hut; at both rest spots, lean-to shelters, dry toilets (equipped with a vacuum tank, not composting toilets) and woodsheds. Take toilet paper with you.

Sights
Pyhänkasteenputous Waterfall, Isokuru Gorge, Uhriharju Ridge, a splendid cross section of local geology.

Trail Description
Trail markings: red squares on trees.
Recommended direction: can be done in both directions.

For the first 600 metres, the trail runs along the asphalt pedestrian and bicycle road beside Pyhäntie Road. As the trail enters the national park it becomes a wide gravelled path running though varied heath forests. At Isokuru campfire site long stairs descend to the bottom of Isokuru Gorge and from there wide duckboards continue through the gorge, to Pyhänkasteenputous Waterfall. After the waterfall long, steep stairs ascend to Uhriharju Ridge. Karhunjuomalampi rest spot is approximately halfway through the trail. The trail continues as a wide gravel path via the northern slopes of Kultakero Fell eventually passing Hotels Pyhätunturi and Kultakero and descending back to Visitor Centre Naava along the asphalt road Kultakerontie (no red trail markings along the road). From Karhunjuomalampi Trail there are connections to Tunturiaapa Nature Trail, Trail to Noitatunturi Fell and Pyhä-Luosto Hiking Trail.

Please Note
Isokuru gorge is a restricted area, and it is therefore forbidden to move off from the marked summer trail for the good of nature and for the safety of the hikers. In winter, there is a risk of avalanches in the Isokuru gorge, so there is no marked winter trail. The wooden duckboards and stones can be very slippery in wet weather and at the time of autumn frost.

Other hiking trails over 10 km

Luosto-Yli-Luosto trail, 8-12 km/each way

Summer trail, duration 4-6 h.

Intermediate trail due to rocky terrain, at parts the trail can also be difficult to notice 

See the excellent views to Ukko-Luosto Fell and the surrounding mires, check also the old Yli-Luosto open wilderness hut.

Starting Point
Address: Luoston portti (excursionmap.fi), Luostontie, 99555 Luosto
Coordinates: WGS84 lat: 67° 09.2725' lon: 26° 54.6508'
ETRS-TM35FIN N: 7448610m E: 496137m

You can also set off from Luostonloma parking area (excursionmap.fi) (Torvisen Maja hut/café). Coordinates WGS84 lat: 67° 10.3173' lon: 26° 50.8411' ETRS-TM35FIN N: 7450557m E: 493391m.

Hiking Structures
Tikkalaavu lean-to shelter (excursionmap.fi) and Yli-Luosto open wilderness hut; at the rest spots, a dry toilet and a woodshed. Take toilet paper with you.

Sights
Views to Ukko-Luosto Fell and the surrounding mires. Yli-Luosto open wilderness hut.

 

Trail Description
Trail markings: red squares on trees, wooden poles with blue-and-white walker symbols. Signposts at the crossroads.
Recommended direction: this is a one-way trail that can be walked both ways

Luosto‒Yli-Luosto Trail takes you to breathtaking landscape. Some of the fell slopes are very steep and rocky. When setting off from Luoston portti, first walk along the base of a skiing trail, to the Luostonloma parking area. Cross the road and then walk along the fell ridge to Keski-Luosto Fell and continue to Yli-Luosto Fell. Yli-Luosto open wilderness hut, built in 1949, is located close to the River Luostonoja, on the lower slope of Yli-Luosto Fell. The River Luostonoja is the only place for taking water along the trail, be sure to boil the water before consumption. When returning along the same trail, the length of your hike will double.

 

Please Note
We recommend that you wear proper hiking boots, as the trail is very rocky and partly steep. The rocks can be slippery in wet weather as well as at the time of autumn frost. There is no winter trail to Yli-Luosto.

Trail to Noitatunturi Fell, 14,5 km, circle trail

Summer trail, duration 5-6 h.

Demanding trail, due to very rocky parts and a steep ascent to the summit.

Wonderful views from the summit of Noitatunturi Fell, the highest point in Pyhä-Luosto National Park.

Starting Point
Address: Naava Visitor Centre, Luontotie 1, 98530 Pyhätunturi
Coordinates: WGS84 lat: 67° 01.1655' lon: 27° 15.1473'
ETRS-TM35FIN N: 7433567m E: 510998m

Hiking Structures
Isokuru Campfire hut, Oravalampi lean-to shelter (excursionmap.fi), Karhunjuomalampi day-use hut and lean-to shelter; at the rest spots, a toilet and a woodshed. An accessible toilet (including a vacuum tank, not a composting toilet) by the Isokuru Campfire hut. Take toilet paper with you.

Sights
The summit of Noitatunturi Fell, Kuorinkikuru Gorge, Uhriharju Ridge, Isokuru Gorge.

Trail Description
Trail markings: green squares on trees, and poles with green ends in the bare fell landscape.
Recommended direction: clockwise.

This is a challenging, but rewarding trail. The Noitatunturi Fell, which used to be a sacred site for the forest Sámi people of the area, ascends to the height of 540 metres. For the first 600 metres, the trail runs along the pedestrian and bicycle route by Pyhäntie Road. The trail runs along the other marked hiking trails, branching off to Oravalampi lean-to shelter at the south end of Isokuru Gorge. This section includes 70 metres of duckboards made of steel (please take this into account if you are accompanied by a dog). There is a steep and rocky ascent from Oravalampi onto the summit of Noitatunturi. From the summit, a wide view opens out to surrounding aapa mires and fells. The northern slope of the fell is not as steep, and there is mostly a visible path descending from the summit. After the descent the trail connects to the narrow gravel path taking you to Karhunjuomalampi day-use hut and Uhriharju Ridge, and down to Isokuru Gorge via long, steep metal stairs. Wide duckboards take you through the bottom of Isokuru Gorge and in the southern end of the gorge you ascend a couple of hundred metal steps to Isokuru Campfire site. From there you return to Visitor Centre Naava. From the trail, there are connections to Tunturiaapa Nature Trail, Karhunjuomalampi Trail and Pyhä-Luosto Hiking Trail.

Please Note
The trail is very rocky and it is challenging to follow the trail markings in poor weather. We recommend that you conquer Noitatunturi Fell in clear weather. Isokuru is a restricted area and it is therefore forbidden to branch off from the marked summer trail for the good of nature and for the safety of the hikers. The wooden duckboards and the stones can be very slippery in wet weather and at the time of autumn frost. There is no winter trail to Noitatunturi Fell.

Luosto Nature Hiking Trail, 17 km, circle trail

Summer trail, duration 6-8 h.

Intermediate trail due to the length and some steep ascents and rocky parts up on the fell.

See the vast aapa mires and beautiful old-growth forests of Luosto, and admire the views from the summit of Ukko-Luosto Fell.

Starting Point
Address: Luoston portti (excursionmap.fi), Luostontie, 99555 Luosto
Coordinates: WGS84 lat: 67° 9.2725' lon: 26° 54.6508'
ETRS-TM35FIN N: 7448610m E: 496137m

Hiking Structures
Yrjölä rental hut, Tikkalaavu lean-to shelter and Pyhänlatva lean-to shelter (excursionmap.fi), Ukko-Luosto Scenic Hut; at the rest spots, a dry toilet and a woodshed. Take toilet paper with you.

Sights
Old-growth forests of Luosto, the aapa mires, the lookout point on the summit of Ukko-Luosto Fell, the Ukko-Luosto Scenic Hut.

Trail markings: green squares on trees.
Recommended direction: anticlockwise.

The trail runs through the versatile landscape of central Lapland, circling around and on top of the Ukko-Luosto Fell. Along the trail, you can admire old-growth forests and wide aapa mires as well as rocky fell nature. When travelled counter-clockwise, the first part of the trail takes you high on the northern slope of the fell, to the Ukko-Luosto Scenic Hut. From there the trail descends as a partly quite rocky path through beautiful old-growth forests. After the forests the trail takes a tour on the vast mire of Pyhänlatva-aapa with beautiful views towards the fell you just came from. In the final part the trail ascends to the bare top (514 m) of the Ukko-Luosto Fell along its beautiful but partly very rocky southern slope. On the top of the is a lookout point with a view back towards Pyhänlatva-aapa. There is also a white weather station, a visible landmark. From the top you descend back to the Luostonportti starting point via the Ukko-Luosto stairs (575 wood-covered steps) and a wide gravel path. There are nature information boards along the trail and the duckboards make walking easier in the mire areas.

Please Note
During spring floods, we recommend that you wear rubber boots, and waterproof hiking boots in the summer. There is no winter maintenance on the trail.

Ukko-Luosto Hiking Trail, 18 km, circle trail

Summer trail, duration 3-6 h.

Intermediate trail due to length.

Admire the old-growth forests of Ukko-Luosto Fell or drop by at Lampivaara Amethyst Mine.

Starting point
Address: Luoston portti (excursionmap.fi), Luostontie, 99555 Luosto
Coordinates: WGS84 lat: 67° 09.2725' lon: 26° 54.6508'
ETRS-TM35FIN N: 7448610m E: 496137m.

You can also set off from the Luostonloma parking area (excursionmap.fi) (the Torvinen hut). Coordinates WGS84 lat: 67° 10.3173' lon: 26° 50.8411' ETRS-TM35FIN N: 7450557m E: 493391m.

Hiking Structures
Tikkalaavu lean-to shelter, Ukko-Laavu lean-to shelter and Ukko-Kota Campfire hut, Lampivaara lean-to shelter (excursionmap.fi), as well as the Torvinen and Lampivaara ski trail cafés; at the rest spots, a dry toilet and a woodshed. There is an accessible toilet at Lampivaara. Take toilet paper with you.

Sights
Lampivaara Amethyst Mine, the old-growth forests of Ukko-Luosto Fell.

Trail Description
Trail markings: wooden poles with blue-and-white walker/skier symbols.
Recommended direction: can be done in both directions.

The trail runs, via Luostonloma, to the Torvinen hut. From the Torvinen hut, the trail continues, along the back slope of Ukko-Luosto Fell, through an old-growth forest, to Lampivaara. At Lampivaara, you can enjoy the view opening out to Pyhätunturi Fell before returning to Luoston portti. The trail has been classified as intermediate, but you must be in a good condition, as the hike is long. From the trail, there are connections to the Luosto Nature Hiking Trail and the Pyhä-Luosto Hiking Trail.

In summer, the trail serves as a mountain bike trail and in winter as a cross-country skiing trail.

Please Note
There are no water points along the trail. The distances in the metal signs in Pyhä-Luosto National Park are flat distances, which means that if a route has great height differences, the real distance can be slightly longer.

Pyhä-Luosto Hiking Trail, 30 km/each way

 

Summer trail, duration 2-3 days. Intermediate trail, but also suitable for beginners. The trail is also included in the longer 45-kilometre-long Pyhä-Luosto Hiking Trail. This trail is more challenging, due to its length and a rocky section from Yli-Luosto open wilderness hut to Ukko-Luosto.

Pyhä-Luosto hiking trail connects the fells. Even though the trail has been classified as intermediate, it is also suitable for beginners, as the distances between the rest spots are short and the trail markings are easy to follow.

Starting point
Address: Luoston portti (excursionmap.fi), Luostontie, 99555 Luosto
Coordinates: WGS84 lat: 67° 9.2725' lon: 26° 54.6508'
ETRS-TM35FIN N: 7448610m E: 496137m

You can also set off from the Naava Visitor Centre, Luontotie 1, 98530 Pyhätunturi.
Coordinates: WGS84 lat: 67° 01.1655' lon: 27° 15.1473'
ETRS-TM35FIN N: 7433567m E: 510998m

Hiking Structures
Huttuloma open wilderness hut, Huttujärvi and Kuukkeli rental cabins, Karhunjuomalampi, Kapusta and Pyhälampi day-use huts, the Oravalampi, Porontahtoma, Lampivaara and Isokuru lean-to shelters (excursionmap.fi); at all rest spots, a dry toilet and a woodshed. Take your own toilet paper. 

You can take drinking water from the household water wells of the Rykimäkero Lapp ‘kota' hut and the Huttujärvi rental cabin throughout the year. At Kuukkeli, take drinking water from the river and boil it before drinking.

Sights
Views from Ukko-Luosto Fell, Lampivaara Amethyst Mine, Isokuru Gorge, Pyhänkasteenputous Waterfall and Pyhänkasteenlampi Pond.

Trail Description
Trail markings: yellow squares on trees.
Recommended direction: can be done in both directions.

From the trail, there is a connection to most of the day hiking trails of Pyhä-Luosto National Park. Along this versatile trail, you will see round, bare felltops, rugged ravines and a number of geological and historical destinations. You can make your excursion suitable for you (the length and the difficulty) by choosing the suitable trail parts. The trails that run on fell and hill summits are narrow and rocky, whereas some of the trails on the slopes run along a wider skiing trail base or along a gravel trail that is also suitable for mountain biking. There is a 75-metre-section of steel duckboards when heading south from Pyhälampi day-use hut. However, dogs can fairly easily run alongside these duckboards. You can also bypass it by hiking the Lampivaara‒Latvavaara section via Rykimäkero and Rykimäkuru. There are bridges across the river Pyhäjoki. In both ends of Isokuru Gorge there are long, steep stairs with metal steps with narrow wood-covered section for dogs.

Please Note
There are only few water points along the trail, check the location of the water points before setting off. Isokuru is a restricted area and it is therefore forbidden to branch off from the marked summer trail for the good of nature and for the safety of the hikers. The wooden duckboards and the stones can be very slippery in wet weather and at the time of autumn frost. In summer parts of Pyhä-Luosto Hiking Trail are also mountain biking trails. In winter (from week 8 onwards) you can ski between the fell resorts of Pyhä and Luosto, but the cross-country skiing trails follow the summer hiking trail only partly.