Out Onto The Fell Theme Trails
The themed Out onto the Fell trails offer both seasoned and beginner outdoor enthusiasts a way to experience the stories of the area. All Out onto the Fell trails are built around a theme connected with the observation of nature. The trails are also suited for first-time hikers and families with children.
Aurorapolku, 2,1 km, Circle Trail
The Aurorapolku Trail close to the centre of Saariselkä takes you into the lap of nature in the Urho Kekkonen National Park. On Aurorapolku, you can enjoy the midnight sun during the summer. In winter, you can experience the polar nights and get in touch with wintry nature. If the sky is clear, you can admire the starry northern sky or may even see the magnificent northern lights, the aurora borealis. The day-trip hut along the
trail provides shelter from the frost, snowstorms, rain and mosquitoes and forms an excellent base for nature observation.
Available all year round as a hiking trail. The trail is maintained throughout the year.
Travel time 1 h.
Starting Point
Saariselkä starting gate (excursionmap.fi), Lutontie 12, 99830 Saariselkä.
Coordinates: WGS84 lat: 68° 25.0985' lon: 27° 25.6142', ETRS-TM35FIN P: 7589563m I: 517523m.
Aurorapolku (excursionmap.fi)
Sights
River Luttojoki and the nature of the northern fells. The day-trip hut along the trail is an excellent place to observe nature in shelter from freezing temperatures, snowstorms, rain and mosquitoes.
Hiking Structures
Aurorapolku trail is illuminated. An arch bridge across the river Luttojoki. Day-use hut, half of which is an open day-use hut (the other half is locked and available by booking). Three campfire sites, firewood shed and dry toilet for hikers.
Route Description
Route markings: The trail is marked on a post with purple color and Aurora trail signs.
This circular trail follows the edge of a fell gorge east of the River Luttojoki.
Please Note
Gravel has been laid on the trail but it is unsuitable for wheelchairs due to its slopes. The trail is ideal for adults with children.
Iisakkipää, 3 km Or 7 km, Circle Trail
Summer arrives abruptly, the forest suddenly blooms, but nature soon begins to prepare for the autumn. Trail invites travellers to explore Lapland’s natural landscape during one of its shortest seasons. Northern nature is beautiful but austere with a limited number of species. The summer growing period is extended by 24-hour sunlight. Admire the views and learn about northern nature in all its details. The Iisakkipää Nature Trail provides information on birds, plants and their habitats in four very different seasons.
Available in summertime hiking and in winter with snowshoes.
Travel time 3 km trail 1–2 hours, 7 km trail 2–3 hours.
Starting Point
Saariselkä starting gate (excursionmap.fi), Lutontie 12, 99830 Saariselkä.
Coordinates: WGS84 lat: 68° 25.0985' lon: 27° 25.6142', ETRS-TM35FIN P: 7589563m I: 517523m.
Hiking Structures
There are no services along the trail, but from its beginning there is a direct connection to the Aurorapolku Trail, along which there is a wilderness hut. Half of the hut is locked while the other half is an open day-use hut. In the yard, there are three campfire sites, firewood shed and dry toilet for hikers.
Sights
Fell nature, nature trail information boards and the rugged Pääsiäiskuru Gorge along the seven-kilometre trail option.
Route Description
Route markings: The route is marked on a post with brown Iisakkipää signs.
The Iisakkipää Trail starts from the gate of the Urho Kekkonen National Park in Saariselkä. At its outset, the circular Iisakkipää Trail follows the Aurorapolku Trail, which is maintained even in winter. Follow the route signs and cross the River Luttojoki via a hanging bridge to enter the forest. Around 600 metres from the starting gate, the Iisakkipää Trail departs from the Aurorapolku Trail. You cannot put your snowshoes on until you reach the brink of the Ristikuru Gorge. Continue for approximately 400 metres from this crossing to a spot where you can choose either the longer or the shorter trail. The shorter 3 kilometre trail takes the traveller to a forest-covered slope on the edge of the gorge. The trail winds along stream banks and continues slightly higher up the slope until close to the tree line at the lower slope of Iisakkipää Fell. The longer, 7-kilometre trail leads to Iisakkipää. The highest point of the trail is the top of Iisakkipää Fell (approximately 454 metres above sea level). From there, the trail gently descends towards the Pääsiäiskuru Gorge. When you reach the brink of the gorge, you are almost halfway along the trail. The trail follows the rim of the Pääsiäiskuru Gorge, first along even terrain and then slightly downwards towards the forest and the village of Saariselkä.
Please Note
You can take the trails in either direction.
Prospektor, From Laanila 7,4 km Or From Saariselkä 9 km, Circle Trail
The Prospektor Trail tells you about the history of gold-mining and the importance of gold in Saariselkä and Luttojoki. The highlight of the trail is an old gold mine established by the mining company Prospektor in 1902. At the mine, you can see an old mine shaft and a hut built on top of it, in which you can peek into the shaft and hear a recording of the sounds of work. In the yard, you can see rock piles and a mine car on rails.
Available in summertime hiking.
Travel time 7,4 km trail 2-3 hours, 7 km trail 3-4 hours.
Starting Point
Saariselkä starting gate (excursionmap.fi), Lutontie 12, 99830 Saariselkä and Laanila (excursionmap.fi).
Coordinates Laanila: WGS84 lat: 68° 23.460', lon: 27° 23.965', ETRS-TM35FIN P: 7586512m I: 516415m.
Coordinates Saariselkä: WGS84 lat: 68° 25.0985' lon: 27° 25.6142', ETRS-TM35FIN P: 7589563m I: 517523m.
Hiking Structures
A dry toilet and firewood shed in the yard of the Prospektor mine hut.
Sights
Prospektor mine hut.
Route Description
Route markings: The route is marked on a post with brown Prospektor signs.
When leaving Saariselkä, the western section of the trail runs close to residential houses. You can also take a quick walk to the Prospektor mine and back from Laanila, which is only 2.3 kilometres in length. The Prospektor Trail is easy to walk. It is level throughout and covered with crushed stone. Its wetland section is equipped with duckboards. The trail is wide enough for several persons to walk side by side. In terms of its landscape, the trail is not as varied as the other trails in the area; its variations in altitude are minor and gentle. The trail runs through youngish pinewood, but here and there you can see approximately 300-year-old pines with shield-shaped bark, large branches and flat tops. To the west of the mine, the trail crosses a small branch stream of the river Latvajoki. Finland’s largest gold nugget ever was found around here – the precise location is unknown – by Eevert Kiviniemi in 1935. The nugget weighed 392.9 grams; a replica of it is displayed in Tankavaara Gold Museum.
Please Note
You can take the Prospektor Trail in either direction. If you would like to extend your excursion, you can combine other trails with the Prospektor Trail.
Rumakuru, 14 km, Circle Trail
The Rumakuru Trail allows you to admire the Rumakuru Gorge which, despite its Finnish name (literally, Ugly Gorge), is far from ugly. The highlight of this trail is the steep-walled gorge created by meltwaters during the last Ice Age. The gorge is one of the must-see natural attractions of the Saariselkä area. However, we recommend that you admire it from a safe distance due to the risk of avalanches in winter and rock falls in summer.
Available in summertime hiking. A day trip destination requiring a higher level of fitness.
Travel time 3-6 hours.
Starting Point
Saariselkä starting gate (excursionmap.fi), Lutontie 12, 99830 Saariselkä.
Coordinates: WGS84 lat: 68° 25.0985' lon: 27° 25.6142', ETRS-TM35FIN P: 7589563m I: 517523m.
Hiking Structures
Rumakuru new day-use hut with campfire sites, and a dry toilet and firewood shed in the yard. Campfire shelter of Piispanoja and a dry toilet and firewood shed in the yard.
Sights
Rumakuru Gorge, which the last Ice Age formed into a rugged, steep-walled gorge.
Route Description
Route markings: The route is marked on a post with brown Rumakuru signs.
From the Saariselkä starting gate, walk around 0.5 kilometres, after which the trail runs along the south-western slope of the Iisakkipää Fell for around 4 kilometres. When you reach the brink of the Pääsiäiskuru Gorge, the Rumakuru Trail will depart from the Iisakkipää nature trail. Continue along the western slope of Vahtamapää Fell until the crossing between four hiking/skiing trails. From there, the distance to the Rumakuru day-use hut is around 1 km. To return from the Rumakuru day-use hut in the summer, take the same trail back for around 0.5 km. From there, the trail will ascend to the top of the Vävypää Fell. From the summit, the trail will descend to the Piispanoja campfire shelter, from which the remaining distance to the Saariselkä starting gate is 4 km.
Please Note
You can take the Rumakuru Trail in either direction. To extend your excursion, you can combine other trails with the Rumakuru Trail.
- Rumakuru (pdf, 3 Mb, julkaisut.metsa.fi).
- Read a story: Laanila Guest House Becomes the Saariselkä Tourist Centre with 15 Ski Slopes.
Ahopää, 14 km, Circle Trail
The Ahopää Trail is a truly scenic route and a journey into the origins of this scenic wilderness. The Ice Age had an enormous effect. As the immense masses of ice moved and shaped the scenery, what remained were the fells, which are actually mountain roots. Today, this rugged but beautiful natural landscape offers a glorious hiking environment. Enjoy fell views alternating with gorges and streams!
Available in summertime hiking.
Travel time 4-6 hours.
Starting Point
Kiilopää starting gate (excursionmap.fi), Kiilopääntie 620, 99830 Saariselkä.
Coordinates: WGS84 lat: 68° 20.7882' lon: 27° 27.7299', ETRS-TM35FIN P: 7581564m I: 519031m.
Hiking Structures
The old Rumakuru day-use hut with campfire sites, a dry toilet and a firewood shed in the yard. A café is open in the Luulampi hut during the autumn foliage and skiing seasons.
Sights
Traces of the Ice Age, fell scenery and the cultural heritage sites of the Luulampi pond area.
Route Description
Route markings: The route is marked on a post with brown Ahopää signs.
Starting from Kiilopää, the Ahopää Trail ascends for 0.5 kilometres towards a reindeer fence. For the next 1.5 kilometres, the trail runs through a mountain birch copse along the fence and the slope of the Ahopää Fell. To the west of the trail, you can see a stony pit which was once used for storing meat. From there, the trail leads away from the reindeer fence and gently ascends for approximately two kilometres to the Vävypää Fell. For the next 1.5 kilometres, the trail descends until you reach the old Rumakuru day-use hut. From there, the distance to Luulampi pond is approximately 4 km. The most demanding leg of the Ahopää scenic trail is the section from Luulampi to Kiilopää. The trail descends, steeply in places, for 1.5 kilometres until you reach the reindeer fence. After this, it descends for the last 2.5 kilometres towards the Kiilopää village and the Kiilopää Fell Centre. North of the trail, a view opens over the Ahopää Fell. South of the trail, you can catch a first glimpse of the massive Kiilopää Fell.
Please Note
You can take the trail in either direction. To extend your excursion, you can combine other trails with the Ahopää Trail.
Ahopää (pdf 3,8 Mb, julkaisut.metsa.fi).
Read a story: The Ahopää - A Journey To The Origins Of The Landscape.
Kiirunapolku, 6 km, Circle Trail
The information boards on the Kiirunapolku Trail, which winds around the Kiilopää Fell, tell hikers about the barren fell nature and its plants, birds and other animals. A sharp-eyed traveller may see a rock ptarmigan, the bird that has given its name to the trail, or hear its rattling call. The Kiilopää area is ideal for spotting this and other Arctic bird species.
Available in summertime hiking and in winter with snowshoes.
Travel time 2-3 hours.
Starting Point
Kiilopää starting gate (excursionmap.fi), Kiilopääntie 620, 99830 Saariselkä.
Coordinates: WGS84 lat: 68° 20.7882' lon: 27° 27.7299', ETRS-TM35FIN P: 7581564m I: 519031m.
Hiking Structures
Stairs to the top of the Kiilopää Fell and information boards about northern nature.
Sights
The top of Kiilopää Fell, open fell views.
Route Description
Route markings: The route is marked on a post with brown Kiirunapolku signs.
You can begin the trail from the Kiilopää starting gate. The trail gently ascends along the lower slope of the Kiilopää Fell. Above tree level, the slope becomes slightly steeper and the view opens up. The most rocky sections are equipped with stairs to make the walk easier. If the weather is clear when you reach the top of the fell, you can also admire the fells forming part of the Urho Kekkonen National Park to the north and east. In the south, you can see the sharp peaks of the Nattastunturit Fells located in the Sompio Strict Nature Reserve. The distance from the Kiilopää starting gate to the top of Kiilopää Fell is 2 km; this is the most demanding section of the Kiirunapolku Trail. From the top, the trail descends the north-facing slope of the fell. After about 0.5 kilometres, you will cross the border between the municipalities of Sodankylä and Inari. Although you can see the border on a map, it is not marked in the open fell environment. Around 200 metres from the municipal border, you will cross the Luulampi Trail. You will then continue to the north for approximately 0.5 kilometres and recross the Luulampi Trail. The remaining 2 km of the trail runs towards the Kiilopää Fell. Towards the end of the trail, you will cross a branch of the Kiilo-oja stream.
Please Note
The Kiirunapolku Trail is ideal for novice hikers. You can take this circular trail in either direction. If you wish to extend your excursion, you can combine other trails.
- Kiirunapolku (pdf 1,4 Mb, julkaisut.metsa.fi).
- Read a story: The Story of the Rock Ptarmigan (kiiruna) Trail.
Luulampi, 11 km, Circle Trail
The Luulampi ponds and the sandy land surrounding them offered a favourable dwelling site for the people that lived in the area thousands of years before Christ. Remains of Stone Age dwelling sites have been
found in the vicinity. The hilly terrains were also good for deer hunting: there are deer hunting pits a couple of kilometres from the Luulampi ponds.
Available in summertime hiking.
Travel time 4-5 hours.
Starting Point
Kiilopää starting gate (excursionmap.fi), Kiilopääntie 620, 99830 Saariselkä.
Coordinates: WGS84 lat: 68° 20.7882' lon: 27° 27.7299', ETRS-TM35FIN P: 7581564m I: 519031m.
Hiking Structures
Luulampi hut with exhibitions, a café during the autumn foliage and skiing season. Campfire sites, dry toilet and firewood shed in the yard.
Sights
Traces of the Ice Age, fell scenery, exhibitions presenting the cultural heritage sites of the Luulampi pond area and fell nature.
Route Description
Route markings: The route is marked on a post with brown Luulampi signs.
A hiker starting out from the Kiilopää Fell and heading towards Luulampi immediately enters the fell environment. Ascents and descents make the trail more demanding. The trail winds along the north-facing slope of the Kiilopää Fell. Although it does not lead to the fell’s highest point, the open views are amazing. You then descend the slope along a fell stream and reach a fence gate, from where the distance to Luulampi hut is only a couple of hundred metres. The highlight of the trail is the Luulampi pond area, where remains of a Stone Age dwelling site have been found. In the immediate surroundings of the ponds, visitors are urged to stick to the existing paths. On your way back from Luulampi towards the Kiilopää Fell, you can ascend the fell’s slope for approximately two kilometres to reach the reindeer fence. From the fence, the distance to Kiilopää is around 2.5 kilometres. A bridge takes you across a branch of the Kiilo-oja stream. The wetlands towards the end of the trail are equipped with duckboards. In some outdoormaps, the border fence is not marked. However, there is no risk of getting lost if you stay on the marked route.
Please Note
You can take the trail in either direction; the route description is based on taking it counter-clockwise. If you wish to extend your excursion, you can easily combine other trails with the Luulampi Trail.
- Luulampi (pdf, 3 Mb, julkaisut.metsa.fi).
- Read a story: Cultural History and Ancient Monuments of Luulampi.
Poropolku, 5,3 km, Circle Trail
Admire the barren yet beautiful scenery through the eyes of a reindeer. This agile, long-legged animal sheds its antlers and grows new, larger ones every year. It is well adapted to the northern environment. The information boards tell you about reindeer, the original inhabitants of the northern wilderness, which people domesticated from the Eurasian tundra reindeer. The boards provide details about reindeer as an animal, their lives through the annual cycle and their importance to humans.
Available in summertime hiking and in winter with snowshoes.
Travel time 2-3 hours.
Starting Point
Kiilopää starting gate (excursionmap.fi), Kiilopääntie 620, 99830 Saariselkä.
Coordinates: WGS84 lat: 68° 20.7882' lon: 27° 27.7299', ETRS-TM35FIN P: 7581564m I: 519031m.
Hiking Structures
A campfire site, firewood shed and children’s playground towards the end of the trail.
Sights
A rugged but beautiful fell environment and the branches of the Kiilo-oja stream.
Route Description
Route markings: The route is marked on a post with brown Poropolku signs.
The beginning of the trail follows the Kiilo-oja stream. After around 1.5 kilometres, you can cross a fence dividing the pastures of the Lappi and Ivalo Reindeer Herding Cooperatives and ascend to the lower ridge of the Ahopää Fell. The circular trail follows the reindeer fence all the way back to its starting point. The Poropolku Trail is easy to walk and the wettest sections are equipped with duckboards.
Please Note
The trail is ideal for novice hikers. You can take the trail in either direction. If you would like to extend your excursion, you can combine other trails (in winter, snowshoeing routes) with the Poropolku Trail.
Vasapolku, 1 km, Circle Trail
What is the wind whispering? What are the big things in the life of Siiri, a small lemming? Do trees grow a beard? This activity trail for children and the young at heart begins from the Kiilopää starting gate. The information boards present Elska the Gnome from the Ukselmapää Fell, who will guide your exploration of nature while engaging all five senses.
Available in summertime hiking and in winter with snowshoes.
Travel time 1 hour.
Starting Point
Kiilopää starting gate (excursionmap.fi), Kiilopääntie 620, 99830 Saariselkä.
Coordinates: WGS84 lat: 68° 20.7882' lon: 27° 27.7299', ETRS-TM35FIN P: 7581564m I: 519031m.
Hiking Structures
At the end of the trail, there is a playground for ”climbing like a bear cub”, a campfire site and firewood shed.
Sights
Fell environment.
Route Description
Route markings: The route is marked on a post with brown Vasapolku signs.
The trail begins from the Kiilopää starting gate. The information boards along the trail suggest various nature observation activities.
Please Note
The Vasapolku Trail is intended for the youngest family members and hikers looking for fun experiences. If you would like to extend your excursion, you can combine other trails.