Sallatunturi scenic trail, mountain biking, 6 km, circle trail
In snow-free season, riding time approx. 1 h
Demanding trail
Starting point
Address: Sallatunturi Resort Centre, Revontulentie, 98900 Salla
Coordinates: WGS84 66° 45.5567', 28° 46.1984'
ETRS-TM35FIN 7405652, 577929
Trail description
Sallatunturi scenic trail climbs to the top of Pieni Pyhätunturi. A beautiful view of Salla National Park and all the way to Russia opens out from the top. On the top of the fell, there are hammocks, a campfire hut and a sign saying Salla - in the middle of nowhere. There is a viewing point on the roof of the hut.
The trail climbs to the top of the fell along a service road and descends along the Eastern slopes of the Resort Centre. From here it returns along the unpaved Itärinteentie road close by the boundary of Salla National Park. After the Northern slopes, a paved road that goes past Keselmäjärvi lake is reached. There is a bathing area on Keselmäjärvi lake next to the road, where you can go for a refreshing dip. The trail returns to the starting point at the Resort Centre.
Sallatunturi scenic route is maintained by the municipality of Salla.
Please note
The trail mainly goes along unpaved roads and, on the last section, an asphalt road. While the foundation of the trail makes for easy cycling, the long and steep uphill and downhill sections make it demanding. The climb up to the top of the fell requires a good level of fitness. Unpaved roads may have loose gravel, especially in steep places. There may be pedestrians on the trail, and as cyclists are travelling faster, it is up to them to yield. There is no water supply point along the route. The trail has no specific markings.
Visitors should bring cycling gear suitable for the weather conditions, weatherproof clothing, spare clothes, a map, a charged phone, tools for repairing the bike and a puncture kit, and enough to drink and eat. There is no water supply point along the route. The trail can be wet in places. You should bring matches if you intend to light a fire, and your own toilet paper.
Kaunisharju trail, mountain biking, 11 km, circle trail
In the snow-free season, riding time 1 to 2 hours.
Easy to medium difficulty trail
Cycle along eskers shaped by the Ice Age, through old-growth spruce forests and past lakes and streams in Salla National Park
Starting point
Address: Sallatunturi Resort Centre, Revontulentie, 98900 Salla
Coordinates: WGS84 66° 45.5567', 28° 46.1984'
ETRS-TM35FIN 7405652, 577929
Address: Salla Visitor Centre (Salla Wilderness Park, formerly Reindeer Park/Poropuisto), Hautajärventie 111, 98900 Salla
Coordinates: WGS84 66° 44.3297', 28° 49.4223'
ETRS-TM35FIN 7403441, 580361
Hiking structures
Tunturilampi lean-to shelter, Kaunisharju lean-to shelter
Sights
Cycle along eskers shaped by the Ice Age, through old-growth spruce forests and past lakes and streams in Salla National Park
Trail description
Trail markings: blue squares on trees, partly red squares on trees (UKK trail section)
Recommended direction of travel: clockwise
The Kaunisharju trail leads through a beautiful forest dominated by spruce trees, partly in Salla National Park. The trail follows the edges of the steep-sloped eskers of Kaunisharju shaped by the Ice Age, crosses several forest streams and takes in beautiful fell, mire and lake views. According to legend, a hermit lived in his hiding place in Kaunisharju and stayed away from the beaten tracks. The Kaunisharju trail runs along a wider ski track base, which makes this route also suitable for faster speeds.
The Kaunisharju trail starts at the Resort Centre and follows the same route at the beginning and end. At the starting point, select the left-hand path, which starts climbing up a hill after a while. On top of the hill, turn right and continue downhill. After a small valley with a stream, go straight at the following junction and pass under a power line. The trail starts to climb gradually. Take a right turn at the next junction. You soon reach the first rest stop of the trail at Tunturilampi lean-to shelter. Magnificent views of Iso Pyhätunturi open out from the shores of Tunturilampi lake.
After Tunturilampi, the trail crosses into Salla National Park. Next comes a fast downhill section through the magnificent ancient spruce forests of Kontiokangas. The following rest stop is Kaunisharju lean-to shelter in a small depression with a stream and a pond. The trail continues along a ski track base on the edge of the esker. At the following junction you can make a detour to Salla Visitor Centre if you wish. For the rest of the journey the trail runs parallel with the Salla–Kuusamo road, however deep in the forest. After the Salla Visitor Centre junction you cross a stream and leave Salla National Park. The trail crosses an unpaved road and, shortly before Sukkalampi, turns right and starts going uphill. After the uphill section, the trail joins the path you took at the start, and the rest of the way to the Resort Centre is mostly downhill. On a sunny evening, you can enjoy the setting sun which hits the old pine wood on a steep slope just before you reach the Resort Centre. Water is available at both rest stops on this trail, but water from natural sources must always be boiled before use.
The starting points of the Kaunisharju trail are at the Resort Centre, in which case the length of the mountain biking trail is 11 km, or at the Salla Visitor Centre, which gives a total length of 11.6 km. You can also return from the Kaunisharju trail to the Resort Centre via the Salla Visitor Centre and Kontiolampi. In this case, you should go right after the Salla Visitor Centre past Tammakkolampi lake and Kontionkankaanharju. There is a lean-to shelter on Kontiolampi lake. The trail continues past the spring of Sotka, climbs a small hill, and goes on towards the lean-to shelter of Sallatunturin Tuvat. After the hut the trail crosses a mire and then follows a ski track base from behind Sallatunturin Tuvat. It slips underneath the Salla–Kuusamo road and returns to the starting point at the Resort Centre.
Please note
The greatest part of the trail follows a wide ski track base which has a lighted ski track in winter. The trail is uneven in places and has some slightly steeper parts, mainly on the Kaunisharju-Salla Visitor Centre-Sallatunturi section. There are also sections of narrower duckboards on the trail. Kaunisharju observation site for natural phenomena is located on top of the esker on the Salla–Kuusamo road, not on this trail. There may be pedestrians on the trail, and as cyclists are travelling faster, it is up to them to yield.
Visitors should bring cycling gear suitable for the weather conditions, weatherproof clothing, spare clothes, a map, a charged phone, tools for repairing the bike and a puncture kit, and enough to drink and eat. There are natural water sources along the trail, but as the water quality in them is not tested, the water should always be boiled before use. The trail can be wet in places. You should bring matches if you intend to light a fire, and your own toilet paper.
Ruuhitunturi trail, mountain biking, 17.5 km, circle trail
In the snow-free season, riding time 2 to 3 hours.
Demanding trail due to its rockiness and height differences
For safety reasons, the Ruuhitunturi mountain biking trail may be temporarily closed in September-October due to the reindeer rutting season. Contact Salla Visitor Centre for updated information.
Siberian spruces, lakes and distant views across the Russian border
Starting point
Address: Sallatunturi Resort Centre, Revontulentie, 98900 Salla
Coordinates: WGS84 66° 45.5567', 28° 46.1984'
ETRS-TM35FIN 7405652, 577929
Address: Salla Visitor Centre (Salla Wilderness Park, formerly Reindeer Park/Poropuisto), Hautajärventie 111, 98900 Salla
Coordinates: WGS84 66° 44.3297', 28° 49.4223'
ETRS-TM35FIN 7403441, 580361
Hiking structures
Siskelilampi campfire hut, Ruuhitunturi day hut (both maintained by the municipality of Salla), Ruuhitunturi viewing tower, Hangasjärvi lean-to shelter, Sallatunturin Tuvat lean-to shelter.
Sights
Siberian spruces, lakes and distant views across the Russian border
Trail description
Trail markings: Blue and red squares on trees and posts with blue tips, no markers in places
Recommended direction of travel: clockwise
The Ruuhitunturi trail takes you to variable terrain, old-growth spruce and pine woods, commercial forests, mire and pond landscapes as well as to a fell top. A view all the way to Russia opens out from the viewing tower on top of Ruuhitunturi. On the slopes of Ruuhitunturi, you go through pristine forests of magnificent Siberian spruces. The trail offers technically demanding uphill sections, ski track base that makes for fast cycling and wet areas.
The starting point of the Ruuhitunturi trail can be found either at the Resort Centre or Salla Visitor Centre. This trail description starts from the Resort Centre. At the starting point, select the left-hand path, which starts climbing up a hill after a while. Turn right at the top of the hill. After a downhill section and a stream valley, go downhill and turn right shortly before the power line. The trail then joins a wider ski track base, and you continue to the left. You cross an unpaved road and a stream, and then the boundary of Salla National Park. Turn right at the next junction and cycle towards Salla Visitor Centre. Take care when crossing the road. You come out of Salla Nationa Park shortly before you reach the road.
From Salla Visitor Centre the trail continues to the left along a wide unpaved road. Shortly after Tuohenlusikka lake the trail turns to the left and becomes a path. Be sure to close any reindeer gates you go through/open on this section. The first rest stop on the trail is Siskelilampi campfire hut. The trail then begins to climb towards Ruuhitunturi. Take a right turn at the next junction. The climb is steep at first. The next rest stop is Ruuhitunturi day hut. Next to the hut, there is a larger building that serves as a winter café for skiers. It also has one room available to rent.
From Ruuhitunturi day hut, you can take a 600-metre detour to Ruuhitunturi viewing tower, from which a magnificent panoramic view opens out all the way to Russia. The trail leading to the top of Ruuhitunturi fell branches off to the right from a wider snowmobile track before the huts and starts climbing towards the viewing tower. This trail section is poorly marked an not very easy to see. You return from the top the same way as you came. This dead-end trail is not part of the official mountain biking trail.
From Ruuhitunturi, the trail continues along the right-hand path towards Hangasjärvi lake, mostly downhill. You should note that this section may be wet in places. The next rest stop is Hangasjärvi lean-to shelter on a scenic headland. The trail goes on over the esker and past the spring of Sotka towards Sallatunturin Tuvat lean-to shelter. It then crosses a mire and follows a ski track base from behind Sallatunturin Tuvat. It slips underneath the Salla–Kuusamo road and returns to the starting point at the Resort Centre.
Please note
At the beginning and end, the trail runs along a ski track base and partly an unpaved road, on which you can ride a regular mountain bike. The trail also has soft sections, however, which is why a fatbike, or at least a bike with plus size tires, is recommended for this trail. There are many path and road junctions on the trail, which means that cyclists need a map. There may be pedestrians on the trail, and as cyclists are travelling faster, it is up to them to yield.
Visitors should bring cycling gear suitable for the weather conditions, weatherproof clothing, spare clothes, a map, a charged phone, tools for repairing the bike and a puncture kit, and enough to drink and eat. There are natural water sources along the trail, but as the water quality in them is not tested, the water should always be boiled before use. The trail can be wet in sections. You should bring matches if you intend to light a fire, and your own toilet paper.
Hangasharju mountain biking trail, 13.5 km, circle trail
In the snow-free season, riding time 1 to 2 hours.
Easy trail
Starting point
Address: Sallatunturi Resort Centre, Revontulentie, 98900 Salla
Coordinates: WGS84 66° 45.5567', 28° 46.1984'
ETRS-TM35FIN 7405652, 577929
Address: Sallatunturin Tuvat, Hangasjärventie, 98900 Salla
Coordinates: WGS84 66° 45.3379', 28° 45.9431'
ETRS-TM35FIN 7405240
Hiking structures
Sallatunturin Tuvat lean-to shelter, Hangasjärvi lean-to shelter, Hangasharju viewing tower, Ämminpolku lean-to shelter (180 metres from the trail). All hiking structures on this trail are maintained by the municipality of Salla.
Trail description
Hangasjärvi lake and Hangasharju esker treat visitors to beautiful pine forests and undulating eskers. In Hangasjärvi, you can enjoy great views towards Ruuhitunturi fell. Hangasjärvi trails are maintained by the municipality of Salla. They are linked to Metsähallitus’ hiking trails.
The starting points of the Hangasharju mountain biking trail are either at the Resort Centre or Sallatunturin Tuvat. From the Resort Centre, the trail runs along roads, and after Sallatunturin Tuvat, an unpaved road. There are path and duckboard sections near Hangasjärvi lake. There is also a lean-to shelter on Hangasjärvi. After the path and duckboard sections you return to the road, taking a right turn when reaching it. After a long straight stretch, the road turns slightly to the left; this section of the road used to be a wilderness airport. Shortly before the end of the runway you turn right and soon right again. The trail follows a road on Hangasharju esker, where you can stop at a viewing tower and admire the scenery. After the tower, you turn downhill to the left and return to the starting point along roads, following the same route as at the beginning.
Sallatunturin Tuvat is another popular starting place for the Hangasharju trails. Signposts can be found on the edge of the mire.
Please note
The trail mainly runs along unpaved or forest roads. The path sections are mainly easy, with a few more challenging points and also steep hills.
Visitors should bring cycling gear suitable for the weather conditions, weatherproof clothing, spare clothes, a map, a charged phone, tools for repairing the bike and a puncture kit, and enough to drink and eat. There are natural water sources along the trail, but as the water quality in them is not tested, the water should always be boiled before use. The trail can be wet in sections. You should bring matches if you intend to light a fire, and your own toilet paper.
