Out onto the Fell Theme Trail
The hiking routes in the Urho Kekkonen National Park are divided into Out onto the Fell trails, which are easy and theme-based, and Out into the Wilderness trails, which are more demanding. The nine thematic Out onto the fells, which are ideal for day trips, begin from Saariselkä and Kiilopää. Each of the trails is marked with its own symbol, which allows hikers to focus on enjoying the scenery instead of map-reading.
Ahopää, 14 km, Circle Trail
When there is no snow on the ground, travel time 4-6 hours.
Trail is suitable for daytrips
Starting point: Kiilopääs´starting gate.
Ahopää Trail description (pdf 3,8 Mb, julkaisut.metsa.fi)
Read the story: A journey to the origins of the landscape.
Aurorapolku, 2,1 km, Circle Trail
Available all year round.
Travel time 1 hour.
Trail is suitable for Families
Starting point: Saariselkäs´starting gate
Aurorapolku Trail description (pdf 2 Mb, julkaisut.metsa.fi)
Read the story: Under Aurora, observing northern nature.
Iisakkipää, 3 km or 7 km, Circle Trail
Available all year round. Travel time 2-5 hours.
Trail is suitable for in a good condition due of its surge.
Starting point: Saariselkäs´starting gate
Iisakkipää Trail description (pdf 3,8 Mb, julkaisut.metsa.fi)
Read the story: Iisakkipää Fell
See the video "When Summer comes to the Fells" (youtube.com).
Kiirunapolku, 6 km, Circle Trail
Available all year round. Travel time 2-3 hours.
Trail is suitable for daytrips and families.
Starting point: Kiilopääs' starting gate
Kiirunapolku Trail description (pdf 1,4 Mb, julkaisut.metsa.fi)
Read the story: The story of the Rock Ptarmigan (kiiruna) trail.
Luulampi, 11 km, Circle Trail
When there is no snow on the ground, travel time 4-5 hours.
Trail is suitable for daytrips
Starting point: Kiilopääs´starting gate
Luulampi Trail description (pdf 3 Mb, julkaisut.metsa.fi)
Read the story: Cultural history and ancient monuments of Luulampi.
Poropolku, 5,3 km, Circle Trail
Available all year round. Travel time 2-3 hours.
Trail is suitable for families
Starting point: Kiilopääs’ starting gate
Poropolku Trail description (pdf 2,3MB, julkaisut.metsa.fi)
Read the story: On reindeer paths, along brooks.
Prospektori, 7,4 km or 9 km, Circle Trail
Available all year round. Travel time 3- 4 hours.
Trail is suitable for light outdoor walking
Starting point: Kiilopääs´starting gate
Prospektor Trail description (pdf 2 Mb, julkaisut.metsa.fi)
Read the story: Saariselkä gold rush.
Rumakuru, 14 km, Circle Trail
Trail demands a good condition.
Starting point: Saariselkäs´starting gate
Read the story: Laanila guest house becomes the Saariselkä tourist centre with 15 ski slopes.
Vasapolku, 1 km, Circle Trail
Trail is suitable for families.
Starting point: Kiilopääs´starting gate.
Vasapolku Trail description (pdf 2 Mb, julkaisut.metsa.fi)
Read the story: The story of Ukselmapään Elska.
Out into the Wilderness Trails
Hiking excursions lasting several days offers challenge and diverse sceenerys for experienced hiker with orientation skills.
There are no marked routes in the park's wilderness areas, but there are some well-established trails along the most popular hiking routes and particularly on the stretches in between the huts.
Be sure to bring a map and compass with you and know how to use them. In the wild, GPS alone is not necessarily enough to keep you from losing your way.
The national park's huts are about a day's journey apart from one another and it is recommended that you use them, especially in winter conditions. Make reservations for the reservable huts and turf huts well in advance to guarantee that you have a place to stay.
Old Track to Luirojärvi -lake 70-80 km, Circle Trail
Old Track to Luirojärvi -lake 70-80 km, Circle TrailWhen there is no snow on the ground, travel time 4-5 days. Track is a no marked route, so you need a map and a compass. This route is average difficulty in terms of terrain conditions.
Starting point: Kiilopääs' gate, parking area, Lutontie (road) 620, 99830 Saariselkä (Inari).
Luirojärvi -lake Trail Description.
Ruijanpolku Trail 35 km / each way
When there is no snow on the ground, travel time 2 days. The Trail is marked with an old wooden poles and hiking is only permitted on marked trail in Sompio strict nature reserve. From the Sompiojärvi lake there is a stony and wet lands, in between pop onto the Pyhä-Nattanen Summit and the rest of the trail is typical woodland.
Starting point: Sompiojärvi lake, Sompiojärventie (road), Vuotso (Sodankylä). Ruijanpolku Trail Description.
Nuortti Hiking Trail 40 km / Direction / Circle trail
When there is no snow on the ground, travel time 2-4 days. The trail is marked in the terrain with orange paint markings. The trail can be hiked as a circle trail. The river is crossed twice along the circle trail.
Starting point: Haukijärvenoja parkingarea.
Nuortti Hiking Trail Description.
Kemihaara–Korvatunturinmurusta-trail 20km / each way
Available when there is no snow. Travel time: 2-3 days, length 40 km total.
Route markings: wooden X -signs.
Starting point: Kemihaara parking area, Korvatunturintie 1062, Savukoski.
Route Description.
Other Hiking Trails, under 10 km
Urpiaislenkki, 1 km, Circle Trail
Available all year round. Travel time 0,5 hours. In Summertime hiking and in winter with snowshoes.
The gravelled path is accessible by a wheelchair and with a pram.
Starting point: Tankavaara's parking area, Tankavaarantie 11, 99695 Tankavaara.
The Trail of Warhistory, 1,5 km / each way
Available all year round. Travel time 1-2 hours. In Summertime hiking and biking and in winter with snowshoes. Nature Trail for those who are interested in war history of the Area.
Starting point: Tankavaara's parking area, Tankavaarantie 11, 99695 Tankavaara.
Koppelolenkki, 3 km, Circle Trail
Available all year round. Travel time 1 hour. In Summertime hiking and biking and in winter with snowshoes.
Suitable for families to learn about a taiga forest.
Starting point: Tankavaara's parking area, Tankavaarantie 11, 99695 Tankavaara.
Trail Description.
Kuukkelilenkki, 6 km, Circle Trail
Available all year round. Travel time 2-3 hours. In Summertime hiking and biking and in winter with snowshoes. Trail rises through the spruce forest to Pikku-Tankavaara hill, which has a magnificent view over Nattastunturi Fells.
Starting point: Tankavaara's parking area, Tankavaarantie 11, 99695 Tankavaara.
Geological Trail, 7 km, Circle Trail
Available all year round. Travel time 2-4 hours. InSummertime hiking and biking and in winter with snowshoes.
See the traces left by the ice age.
Starting point: Tankavaara's parking area, Tankavaarantie 11, 99695 Tankavaara.
Other Hiking Trails, over 10 kilometers
Rautulampi Hiking Trail, 22 km, Circle Trail
Available all year round. Travel time 3-10 hours. InSummertime hiking and biking and in winter crosscountry skiing.
The Classic of the National Park with awesome scenery over fells and variations in altitude.Starting point: Kiilopääs' starting gate, Kiilopääntie (road) 620, 99830 Saariselkä (Sodankylä)
Taajoslaavunpolku Trail, 26 km, Circle Trail
Available all year round. Travel time 3-10 hours. At Summertime hiking and biking and in winter crosscountry skiing.
Enjoyable needle trail and joy of skiing trek.
Starting point: Saariselkä's starting gate, Lutontie (road) 12, 99830 Saariselkä and Kiilopääs' starting gate, Kiilopääntie (road) 620, 99830 Saariselkä (Sodankylä)
Moitakuru Route, 25 km, Circle Trail
Available all year round. Travel time 3-10 hours. In Summer hiking and biking and in winter crosscountry skiing.
Like a training trail for hikers, bikers and skiers.
Starting point: Saariselkä's starting gate, Lutontie (road) 12, 99830 Saariselkä (Inari)
Mountain Biking Trails
Mountain biking code of conduct in the national park
Did you check the rules?
You are riding into a nature reserve. Read more on restrictions in the national park at each destination´s Instructions and rules pages at Nationalparks.fi Everyman’s rights are restricted in the national park.
Keep to the trail
In the national park, you can ride on trails marked for cycling. Check the trails that allow biking at each destination´s trails page at Nationalparks.fi Feel free to enjoy the varied trails and ride downhill. When you stay on the trail, the surrounding nature is protected from wear and tear.
Alert others and slow down!
Alert others of your approach with a bell or other sound to let them know you’re coming. It’s the polite thing to do! Slowing down makes other trail users feel safer and more comfortable. The trails belong to everyone - let’s enjoy exercise and nature together!
1. Kaunispää OFB, 6 km, loop
1. Kaunispää OFB, 6 km, loopThe Kaunispää trail is an excellent way to start exploring the scenery and terrain of Saariselkä. Accessible during snow-free season. Easy/demanding.
Riding time: 0.5–1 hours
Starting point: Saariselkä's starting gate, Lutontie 12, 99830 Saariselkä.
2. Moitakuru, 27 km (13 km), loop
2. Moitakuru, 27 km (13 km), loopThe Moitakuru trail is well-suited for beginners. Accessible during snow-free season. Easy/moderately demanding.
Riding time: 2–4 hours
Starting point: Saariselkä starting point, Lutontie 12, 99830 Saariselkä
3. Iisakkipää panoramic trail, 11 (13) km, loop
3. Iisakkipää panoramic trail, 11 (13) km, loopThe initial climb to the flanks of Iisakkipää and Vahtamapää via Aurorakuru is demanding in places but the scenery is worth the effort. Accessible during snow-free season. Easy/moderately demanding.
Riding time: 0.5–1 hours
Starting point: Saariselkä starting point, Lutontie 12, 99830 Saariselkä
4. Vellinsärpimä, 31 km, loop
4. Vellinsärpimä, 31 km, loopThe long terrain section between Taajoslaavu and Vellinsärpimä day trip huts presents challenges for both beginners and experienced mountain bikers. Accessible during snow-free season. Demanding.
Riding time: 3–5 hours
Starting point: Saariselkä starting point, Lutontie 12, 99830 Saariselkä
5. Rumakuru Gravel, 25 km, loop
5. Rumakuru Gravel, 25 km, loopAccessible during snow-free season. Accessible during snow-free season. Easy/demanding.
Riding time: 3–5 hours
Starting point: Saariselkä starting point, Lutontie 12, 99830 Saariselkä
6. Rautulampi 24 (22) km, loop
6. Rautulampi 24 (22) km, loopThe Rautulampi trail, characterised by magnificent scenery and substantial elevation differences, is the classic trail of the Urho Kekkonen National Park. Accessible during snow-free season. Demanding/extremely demanding.
Riding time: 3–5 hours
Starting point: Kiilopää entrance gate, Kiilopääntie 620, 99830 Saariselkä. Trail Description.
7. Sivakkaoja 22 (15) km, Circle Trail
When there is no snow on the ground. Helppo - Keskivaativa.
Biking time 1 - 2 hours.
Different kind of sceneries, but still very modest with altitude variations.
Starting Point: Kiilopää starting gate, Kiilopääntie (road) 620, 99830 Saariselkä.
8. Kultareitti Route, 13 km / each way
When there is no snow on the ground. Biking time 1-2 hours.
An easy montain bikiking trail will lead you to the history of Gold of Lapland.
Starting Point: Kakslauttanen, Tullipalontie (road) 1, 99830 Sodankylä and Laanila, Viskitie (road), 99830 Saariselkä (Inari). Trail Description.
Kulmakuru, 30 km
When there is no snow on the ground. Biking time 4-6 hours. Demanding/extremely demanding.
Starting Point: Neste Saariselkä, Kiveliöntie 8, 99830 Saariselkä.
