Services along Nordkalott Trail

The services mentioned on this page are those found on the part of Nordkalott Trail running through Finland, except wilderness huts in which case those in Norway and Sweden are included.

Drinking Water

Water is mostly drinkable in the area's rivers. However, water is not examined and the use is at one's own risk. If the weather is warm, water should be boiled. In the vicinity of the huts, water can be taken upstream of the nearest river and far enough from the buildings.

Waste Management

• It is the responsibility of each hiker to dispose of waste that accumulates during your trip.
• There are waste bins at wilderness huts except Kuonjarjoki wilderness hut.
• You can get more information on recycling and waste management on the Hiking Without Littering page.

Firewood Supply

Ready chopped firewood is supplied to all open and reservable wilderness huts in early spring. Firewood is only intended for burning inside the hut wood stoves, never in campfires. As wood is brought to Käsivarsi Wilderness Area from far away and transportation is expensive, please burn wood sparely.

Maintenance and Management

• In Finland Metsähallitus is responsible for transportation of firewood and management of waste on Nordkalott Trail.
• More information from Kilpisjärvi Visitor Centre or Fell Lapland Visitor Centre. Visitor Centres receive feedback from the Finnish side of the route. Feedback about Finnish side trails and huts can also be given at Luontoon.fi/palaute.

The use of Metsähallitus' services is subject to a fee for companies

If a travel company takes its customers to destinations maintained by Metsähallitus, it is subject to a fee (metsa.fi). Fees are paid in advance via the Eräluvat.fi online store. Invoicing can be agreed with contract companies on a seasonal basis.

Overnight Stays

Open Wilderness Huts and Reservable Wilderness Huts in Finland

Metsähallitus has 8 open wilderness huts and 6 reservable wilderness huts along the Nordkalott Trail. Hiker can stay overnight for 1 to 2 nights in an open wilderness hut or rent a bunk from a reservable wilderness hut for 1 to 2 nights. To book reservable hut places, first see the reservation calendar at the hut page.

• Kuohkimajärvi open and reservable wilderness hut are in the Malla Strict Nature Reserve. Two different huts are in the same courtyard near the three nations border point.
• Saarijärvi open and reservable wilderness hut are two separate huts in the same courtyard.
• Kuonjarjoki open and reservable wilderness hut are in the same building.
• Meekonjärvi open and reservable wilderness hut are located at Lake Meekonjärvi about a half kilometer from each other.
• Pitsusjärvi open and reservable wilderness hut are in the same building.
• Halti open wilderness hut is about two hundred meters away from the other open and reservable hut of Halti. 
• Halti open and reservable wilderness hut are in the same building.
• Kopmajoki open wilderness hut is located near the Norway border.

Wilderness Huts in Norway

• A majority of the wilderness huts along the Norwegian part of Nordkalott Trail are owned by Den Norske Turistforening (english.turistforeningen.no): DNT. There is a standard key for all the huts owned by DNT.
• More information on DNT huts gives Troms Turlag (troms.turistforeningen.no, in Norwegian)
• Along the Nordkalott Trail there are huts owned by Statskog (statskog.no, in Norwegian)

Wilderness Huts in Sweden

• The wilderness huts on the part of the trail running through Sweden are owned by Svenska Turistförening (svenskaturistforeningen.se): STF. During peak season there is a STF employee at each hut who accepts payment for the huts and can give information and guidance.
• Huts along Sweden's Kungsleden Trail have kiosks which sell basic necessities incl. foodstuff.

Lodging in the Surrounding Area

Information on lodging in the area surrounding Kilpisjärvi Village can be found on the page partners.

Equipment Rental

Information on renting hiking equipment:

• Enterprise of Käsivarsi Wilderness Area