Saivonkierros nature trail leads you through a pine forest to a steep rock Seitapahta and a ravine lake surrounded by rocks, Äkässaivo. Äkässaivo is located just at the border of Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park in Finland. Ylläs and Kellokas Visitor Centre are twenty minutes away by car.
There are info boards along the Saivonkierros nature trail that talk about the history, nature and attractions of the River Äkäsjoki area. In the middle of the route, near the ravine lake, there is a Lappish hut and a campfire site for a break.
The 3.5 km (2.1 miles) Saivonkierros route is marked with orange-headed poles and a turquoise square with the Saivonkierros Trail sign.
The starting point and parking lot of the Saivonkierros Trail
The Saivonkierros Trail starts from the side of Aakenuksentie road, about 17 km (10.5 miles) from Ylläs. You can park your car either in the parking lot on the north or south side of River Äkäsjoki (address: Aakenuksentie 271, Muonio). On the south side, there is room for a couple of cars.
On the north side of the river there is a larger parking area with a Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park infoboard and map. Google Maps directs you to this parking lot.
Saivonkierros may have been designed to be traveled counter-clockwise, because near the smaller parking lot there is a sign along the path welcoming you to Saivonkierros Trail. There is also a map of Saivonkierros.
Saivonkierros Trail
From the larger parking lot, you first cross Aakenuksentie road. The route goes along River Äkäsjoki. The path has roots and after rain it can be quite muddy and full of puddles.
In some places, you can walk to the waterline. The riverbank is lined with willows and birches, which paint the scenery with warm yellow and orange hues in autumn. The signboard gives tips for fly fishing, for example by introducing the best suited flies for River Äkäsjoki.
The path rises gently in a dense pine forest. The coniferous forest mainly grows lichen, billberry, lingonberry and crowberry.
Äkässaivo Lappish hut is located on a cliff. There is a map of Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park on the wall of the hut. There is another campfire site, a wood shelter and a dry toilet in the yard area. The Lappish hut is open and free to use, and temporary camping is allowed on the yard.
Right from the Lappish hut, the trail continues down new steep stairs to the Lake Äkässaivo. The railings are wood, the steps are metal grates. You can get to the water along duckboards. The lake is surrounded by steep forested cliffs.
Lapland has numerous deep ponds and lakes with clear water called ‘saivo’, which have been born in deep pits formed by ice age meltwater. Saivo lakes have been places of worship and sacrifice for the Sámi people. According to ancient beliefs, at the bottom of the saivo lake existed an upside world of spirits.
Next to the path, surrounded by fir trees, rises a steep rock, Seitapahta, a sacred place for the Sámi people. The large stones and specially shaped rocks were nature’s altars for worship. On the worship sites people hoped for things like good luck in fishing.
The entire Äkässaivo ancient remains area belongs to the conservation forest, which is a nationally valuable cultural environment. Lake Äkässaivo and Seitapahta are ancient remains. They are protected sites by the law, so you can only admire them from the path - you are not allowed to climb the rocks, pile or move the stones, or take anything from nature.
From Seitapahta, the trail is a gravel path for a while. Along the way, you will come across a former lime kiln and an abandoned hay barn, reminiscent of the old meadow culture.
The trail turns on the way back and becomes rocky. The river is crossed along an old bridge. At this point, the River Äkäsjoki flows as rapids.
The narrow stony path gradually turns into a wide and flat needle path that passes through the pine forests. After passing a small pond, you reach the southern parking lot. The rest of the journey, a couple of hundred meters, is walked along the road if you have parked in the northern parking area.
Saivonkierros Nature Trail is an easy and beautiful 1-1.5 hours forest hike. It’s great if you are staying in Ylläs, you enjoy forests and you are interested in culture!
Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, one of the oldest in Finland, is an area of wonderful fells. The Pallastunturi landscape is one of Finland's national landscapes. The Pallas-Yllästunturi area has Sámi and Finnish culture.
Äkässaivo ravine lake is located at the southern end of the long Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, right on the western border of the national park. There are up to 500 kilometers (310 miles) of marked summer routes in the Pallas-Yllästunturi area that take you to the beautiful nature of Lapland. It's no wonder that Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park is one of Finland's most popular national parks!
Other day hikes in the area:
Aakenustunturi fell
Pirunkuru gorge and Kesänkitunturi fell
Tulivuoripuisto, Volcano Park (trail accessible only on the other side of the road)
Keimiötunturi fell
Särkitunturi fell
