Hiking

Being in nature is part of everyday life here. The roadless lands are not empty: reindeer herders, fishers, hunters and postmen have walked the wilderness for ages. Step to their centuries-old routes and become part of their legacy.

You’re never going to run out of places to hike in Enontekiö

There’s everything from kid-friendly nature paths to demanding wilderness epics. If you want to immerse yourself in Enontekiö’s nature and history, consider hiring a local guide. They offer trips from short hikes to multi-day treks.

The best time for hiking is from late June till September. Do remember that the wilderness is unpredictable and weather can change without notice. It’s not rare to see the first snowflakes fall while the autumn colours are at their brightest.

Day trips

For beginners, the best hikes are the short trails found in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park and villages of Hetta and Kilpisjärvi.

One such destination is Lake Hietajärviin Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. The popular lakeside lean-to can be reached via an easy 2.5-kilometre trail. You can experience the vast space of the open fells by scaling Pyhäkero from Hetta or Montellinmaja from Vuontispirtti.

In Hetta, various marked trails into the Jyppyrä hills start at the Fell Lapland Visitor Centre. Here, you can wander among stark pines, jagged birches and serene marshlands. In early summer, native flowers dot the trails. When summer starts turning to autumn, you can pick berries on your way.

In Kilpisjärvi, you can take day trips around Saana, Salmivaara and Malla Strict Nature Reserve. The lean-to at Tshakaljärvi is one of the most popular picnic spots in the region. Simply follow the easy trail to the lake and you’ll be rewarded with a gorgeous view of Saana. If you want to challenge yourself, hike the trail around Saana or even climb to its summit!

Hikes

Hetta-Pallas is one of the most iconic hiking trails in Finland. The marked trail is an unforgettable experience even for seasoned hikers, but it’s also great for your first multi-day excursion. However, you need to be prepared and strong enough for the open fells.

Halti and the other great fells await expert hikers in the Käsivarsi Wilderness Area. The marked Nordkalott trail will take you through incredible landscapes from Kilpisjärvi to Halti. Along the way, you can stop at a number of wilderness huts and see the Pihtsusköngäs waterfall

If you’re looking for a true wilderness experience, the roadless vastness of Käsivarsi, Pyörisjärvi, Tarvantovaara and Pulju are full of unforgettable experiences. Note that you need to rely on your own wilderness skills, as they have no marked trails. There are a few wilderness huts here and there, but don’t rely on them. Also keep in mind that the wilderness is home to the local people – you’re welcome to visit as long as you have respect and leave no trace.

Hiking trails

For more information about routes and conditions at the National Park and wilderness areas please contact the local Visitor Centres.

 

Learn more at nationalparks.fi

Visitor guidelines

Take care of our uniques nature

  1. Respect nature - leave no trace in it. Keep your pets on a leash.
  2. Mainly use marked trails and follow the rules for different modes of travel. Check the areas and times in which access is possibly restricted at your destination.
  3. Camp only where it is allowed. Do not wash the dishes or yourself directly in a water body. Follow the rules of wilderness huts.
  4. Light your campfire only where it is allowed and use a camping stove where possible. Do not light a fire when a forest or grass fire warning is in effect.
  5. Do not litter.

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Companies offering hiking gear for hire

Hetta Huskies

Husky Farm & Other Activities

Unique and responsible experiences with huskies. Get to know the life of our dogs, participate on a husky safari, a snowmobile or a canoeing trip. We rent snowshoes, skis, e-fatbikes, kayaks, and other outdoor exercise equipment. Welcome to stay overnight at our cabin and get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of life on a working husky farm.

Hetantie 211, Hetta

Website

Näkkälä Adventures

Guiding & Programme Services | Hetta

Guided trips – disorientations – experiences. We organise everything that your trip to the wilderness requires to be successful all year round. We offer wilderness transports, safaris, guided trips, a wide variety of rental equipment and memorable accommodations to be the base for your trips.

Ounastie 44, Hetta

Website
Online booking

Opastettuja retkiä järjestävät yritykset

Kilpissafarit

Programme Services & Rentals | Kilpisjärvi

Kilpissafarit offers guided trips in the Käsivarsi area with local guides and rental equipment for unforgettable independent trips. Through us you can reach the best Arctic char waters at the Luohtojärvi fishing base or spend a night in the wilderness admiring the northern lights. From the vast selection of the rental shop, you can find snowmobiles, electric bicycles and other camping gear needed in the area, among other things.

Tsahkalluotkantie 14, Kilpisjärvi

Website
Online booking

Hetta Huskies

Husky Farm & Other Activities

Unique and responsible experiences with huskies. Get to know the life of our dogs, participate on a husky safari, a snowmobile or a canoeing trip. We rent snowshoes, skis, e-fatbikes, kayaks, and other outdoor exercise equipment. Welcome to stay overnight at our cabin and get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of life on a working husky farm.

Hetantie 211, Hetta

Website

The Lapland Connection / Destination Kilpisjärvi

Activities | Kilpisjärvi

Visit Kilpisjärvi with Martti & Sinikka, locals who furnish you with privately guided experiences during the eight seasons of the Arctic year. We live our dream here – let us share it with you.

Pulmusentie 4 B 3 Kilpisjärvi

Website
Online booking

Yläperän safarit

Reindeer Farm Visits & Activities | Kilpisjärvi

We are a family business at the foot of Saana fell in Kilpisjärvi. We offer reindeer rides and other authentic program services related to the history of reindeer herding, Sámi culture and our own family history at the same time. We belong to an old reindeer-herding Sámi family that has been engaged in this trade in the Käsivarsi-area for several generations.

Harjuntie 15, Kilpisjärvi

Website

Roimaelämys

Guide services and ski cáfe | Hetta

We want to offer experiences that consist of small simple things, and which highlight locality and the closeness of nature, not forgetting a good, packed lunch. Activities around the year, local food, ski cáfe at Pyhäkero and much more.

Ounastie 270, Hetta

Website
Online booking

Näkkälän kala ja poro

Programme Services | Näkkälä

Sometimes it`s good to break away from everyday life and experience something completely new! How sounds a reindeer ride in a small Sami village? Or how sounds ice net fishing with a local fisherman with reindeer sleight ride? From us you can get a program services tailoret just for you in Näkkälä, which is surrounded by the Lapland Wilderness. Näkkälän Kala ja Poro Oy is a family company that offers many program services. You can build an unique experience just for you. Come visit us and our reindeers!

info@nakkalankalajaporo.com

Näkkälä Adventures

Guiding & Programme Services | Hetta

Guided trips – disorientations – experiences. We organise everything that your trip to the wilderness requires to be successful all year round. We offer wilderness transports, safaris, guided trips, a wide variety of rental equipment and memorable accommodations to be the base for your trips.

Ounastie 44, Hetta

Website
Online booking

Vilu Arctic Experience

Guided Nature Tours & Glamping

We organize various excursions for you to experience the beauty of nature in Lapland surrounded by fells and wilderness, silence and natural lights. For experience seekers we have to offer glamping accommodation where to spend a night in the luxury tent surrounded by arctic nature.

Tuolpajärventie 10, Vuontisjärvi

Website
Online booking

Saivaara-mökit

Accommodation & Programme services | Kilpisjärvi

Welcome to family-owned Saivaara Cottages for your Arctic Lapland holiday in Kilpisjärvi. We offer cozy, well-equipped accommodations with scenic views and guided experiences in Käsivarsi wilderness.

Harjutie 21, Kilpisjärvi

Website

Arctic Wilderness Guide

Fishing & Guiding | Kilpisjärvi

Arctic Wilderness Guide offers fishing experiences and takes you to the best catching spots. You can spend a day with us by ice fishing in the snowy wilderness of Northern Finland or flyfishing great graylings or arctic chars with the help of an inflatable boat. Come and experience the magic of Lapland, one cast at a time!

Skierrikuja 1, Kilpisjärvi

Website

Cahkal Hotel

Boutique Hotel, Restaurant & Guided Activities | Kilpisjärvi

A boutique hotel and restaurant at the magnificent landskapes of Kilpisjärvi. We offer also e-fatbike, skitouring, flyfishing and norther lights tours with a professional wilderness guide. We are perfect for experiential travelers who seek unforgettable experiences and relaxed luxury in a totally unique and pure arctic wilderness setting.

Revontulentie 4, Kilpisjärvi

Website
Online booking

Johka Arctic Experience and Villas

Guided tours and Accommodation | Karesuvanto and Kilpisjärvi

Experience the beautiful Arctic Lapland and enjoy your stay in our cosy villas and cottages! We operate in the Karesuvanto - Kilpisjärvi area.

Karesuvanto - Kilpisjärvi

Website

Resources for planning your trip

Trails in Enontekiö

Trails in Enontekiö

Experience our Northern trails however you like – be it on foot, ski, canoe or mountain bike

Tourist Information

Is there snow on the Hetta-Pallas Trail? How high is the summit of Saana? Where can I rent fatbikes? Don’t worry, Tourist Information has all the answers.

Tourist Information

Sustainable Travel

Sustainable Travel

We have clean air, clear waters and room to breathe. When you're out and about in Enontekiö, do remember that while the environment may seem barren, it's actually full of life. You’re in someone’s home: the local people, animals and plants all co-exist here.