Activities in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park

A man and a woman sitting on a pier and dipping their feet in lake. A fell rises from the shore of the lake in the background.

The fells provide myriad ways to enjoy the most pristine air of Europe. Visitors can climb to fell tops and hike at their own pace.

Cross-Country Skiing

The highland of the National Park is perfect for cross-country skiing. The total length of skiing trails in the Ounastunturi, Pallastunturi, and Yllästunturi Fell area is around 500 km. Part of the skiing trails are wilderness trails, with the only man-made tracks being those of the park maintenance snowmobiles. The beautiful fells in the National Park are perfect for trek skiing, even without a skiing trail. 

Ski Trail Maps

Hiking

The most popular hiking trail of the area is Hetta-Pallas (55 km), a classic within the hiking community since its establishment in 1934. The Fell Lapland trail network connects villages and tourist resorts surrounding the National Park, and can be hiked independently or through the services provided by cooperating partners. 

The total length of hiking trails, suitable for day trips, is 350 km. There are also nature trails in the National Park, which are easy to walk for the most part.  There are information boards about the nature of the fell area along the nature trails.

Mountain Biking

Magnificent landscapes, unique summer light and long, meandering paths guarantee an unforgettable cycling experience in the National Park. Cycling is allowed on almost all officially marked summer trails with a few exceptions: Palkaskero (pdf 376 kt), Pirunkuru (321 kt), Varkaankuru (pdf 312 kt), Tuomikuru (318 kt) and Keimiötunturi Fell. Please, remember, it is not allowed to deviate from the officially marked summer trails. 

Ylläs area (yllas.fi) has a number of marked mountain bike routes, including the Ylläs-Levi Trail. There are also unmarked mountain bike routes in Enontekiö area (enontekiolapland.com).

Glimpses of a window and wall of a building can be seen between the snow-covered trees. Two snowshoers are walking past the building. A fell slope can be seen in the background.

Other Activities

  • Geocaching: There are several geocaches in the Pallas-Yllästunturi Fell area.
  • Fishing:  The National Park offers some opportunities for fishing. Get familiar with the fishing rules and permits (eraluvat.fi) first, please. FishingLapland.com offers more information about fishing in the surrounding areas.
  • Bird-watching: Fell Lapland is the home to rock ptarmigan, golden plover, Eurasian dotterel, sanderling, and long-tailed skua.
  • Visitor Centres: Fell Lapland Visitor Centre and Yllästunturi Visitor Centre Kellokas offer deepening experiences on the nature, culture, everyday life, and history of the fell chain. Services of the visitor centres include nature shops, exhibitions, information services, and permit sales.
  • Nature trails: A week is too short time to hike all of the National Park's 17 nature trails – a return trip is a must!
  • Berry and mushroom picking: Fell slopes are among the few places where blueberries (Vaccinium myrtillus) can be picked from a standing position. Ripe cloudberries (Rubus chamaemorus) can be picked during the hike at hanging bogs. Mushrooms must be shared with the local reindeer, however.
  • Canoeing and rowing: In the past, Tornion-Muonionjoki and Ounasjoki Rivers were the highways of Fell Lapland. Today, they are shared by fishers, canoeists, and boaters.
  • Sights and the views:  There are few places in Finland that offer views as magnificent as Fell Lapland, which has one of the national landscapes of Finland.
  • Events: Visitor Centres provide nature information, exhibitions, culture, and trips.
  • Swimming: Swimming in fell lakes in summer and ice swimming in winter are experiences that will stay with the visitor for a long time. There is no official beach.
  • Volunteer activities: Most of the National Park needs constant management. Visitors can participate in volunteer activities at the huts, along the trails, and in the fell area.

World’s Purest Air with Breathtaking Views

Midnight Sun Hike to  Taivaskero Fell

Suggested Trips

Suggestions for Winter:

Half a Day: Visit one of the three Visitor Centres and go snow shoe walking the nearby winter trail.

1 Day: Make a snowshoe trip to fell tops.

2 Days: Take a ski trip from village to village in Ounastunturi, Pallastunturi, and Yllästunturi Fells.

3 Days: Take a winter photography holiday and capture northern lights, moonlit landscapes, and the fells with red winter clouds or snow-covered trees.

Suggestions for Spring:

Half a Day: Enjoy the spring sun on maintained ski trails.

1 Day: Take a ski trip to a fell hut, stopping for coffee and grilled sausages along the way.

2 Days: Go ice fishing and skiing on a frozen lake to enjoy the Arctic sun and fell sceneries. Visit the nature evenings organized at visitor centres.

3 Days: Rest and enjoy the services of cooperating partners in between trips to the fells. Try dog or reindeer sledge rides and horseback riding in the wilderness. A ski trek from a wilderness hut to another is a good option too.

Suggestions for Summer:

Half a Day: Hike a nature trail.

1 Day: Climb onto the fells and hike for a day carrying coffee and a packed meal with you. Enjoy the fresh air.

2 Days: Climb on a bike and cycle from village to village through the fells. Let local operators organize accommodation, delicious food, and luggage transportation for you.

3 Days: If hiking from a wilderness hut to another is not your cup of tea, make day trips to different destinations. Hike to Varkaankuru and Keskisenlaen kierros on the day one, in Teuravuoma on the next, and from Lake Pyhäjärvi to Aakenustunturi Fell on the third.

Suggestions for Autumn:

Half a Day: Visit the Fell Lapland Visitor Centre and Jyppyrä vantage point.

1 Day: Cross Lake Ounasjärvi on a boat and hike to Pyhäkero.

2 Days: Hike from Hetta to Ketomella and spend the night in between in Sioskuru or Pahakuru. Those who are fit enough will have time to hike onwards to Lake Vuontisjärvi in Ylikyrö via Hannukuru.

3 Days: Autumn is the best time for travelling from village to village. In addition to pleasant accommodation and excellent food, you will meet the locals and can enjoy the freedom of not having to carry any luggage with you.