Rising on the northern shore of Lake Jerisjärvi, the bold Keimiötunturi is the southernmost fell of the chain of fells of Pallas-Ounastunturi in Muonio, Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. The peak of Keimiötunturi rises 614 meters (2,014 ft) above sea level and 350 meters (1,148 ft) above Lake Jerisjärvi.
From the top of Keimiötunturi, the most beautiful landscapes open up in several directions. The natural trail is not covered with stone ash or gravel. Compared to the more popular and more crowded Pallas routes, the peace and nature of Keimiötunturi fell are pleasing to the eye and soul.
The length of the Keimiötunturi trail is a good 5 kilometers (3.2 miles). The distance from the trailhead to the top of Keimiötunturi is then about two and a half kilometers (1.55 miles). You can get to the top of the fell relatively quickly and easily.
Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
Keimiötunturi is located in the middle of the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. In the area of the national park, there are numerous routes intended for hiking and outdoor sports, which lead to diverse nature. There are about 340 kilometers (211 miles) of marked summer routes.
The nature of Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park is characterized by bogs, dense forests, groves and open tundra landscapes. There are a lot of wild animals and birds in the national park, permanent residents include e.g., the reindeer and the elk, the bear and the lynx. At the Sammaltunturi fell research station next to Keimiötunturi, air purity is studied – it is the cleanest air in the world!
The north side of Keimiötunturi fell belongs to the remote zone of Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park and the special zone, the south side to the recreation zone. Camping and campfires are allowed only in the maintained areas reserved for them.
Keimiötunturi parking area and trailhead
The route to Keimiötunturi starts from the parking area by Jerisjärvi road. A sign on the side of the road guides you to Tunturikeimiö, which is YWCA's camping and activity center (address: Jerisjärventie road 320). From the parking lot, you go up to Tunturikeimiö along the gravel road and hike past the buildings.
The Keimiötunturi trail starts about a hundred meters (328 ft) behind Tunturikeimiö's Lappish hut. There’s a wooden sign on a pine trunk with the word "Keimiö".
Keimiötunturi trail in summer
The Keimiötunturi trail is a sandy and rhizome nature trail. The first half is hiked in a dense forest. The trail is framed by blueberry bushes, which on the last day of July were full of juicy billberries.
After walking for a while, you reach a wooden gate. Remember to close the gate as well. The trail turns gently to the left and starts to climb the slope of Keimiötunturi. The path is quite rocky at times, but quite easy to pass.
In half an hour you can reach the first great viewpoint. Lake Jerisjärvi shimmers in the direction of the arrival, when you rise above the forest. The conifers change to mountain birches.
At the end of summer, you may see a snake curling quietly on the warm stones. A viper is poisonous, and you should leave the snake in peace.
The gravel trail becomes gentler for a while before rising steeper again. At the top of the fell, it is gentle and flat again. The pile of stones at the peak of Keimiötunturi can already be seen in the distance.
The peak of Keimiötunturi fell
The top of Keimiötunturi rises to a height of about 614 meters (2,014 ft) above sea level. Beautiful green landscapes open out from the top in all directions. The large Lake Jerisjärvi glitters on the south side. In the north, the trails leading to the peaks of Taivaskero, or Himmelriiki, and Laukukero stand out clearly from the Hetta-Pallas hiking trail. The silhouettes of Palkaskero and Pallaskero fells are also visible on the other side of the Pallastunturi fell chain.
Even if the weather seemed windless at the bottom, at the top of the fell the wind might be so strong that it is hard to stay upright. Your camera stand may not stay upright either. At the top of Keimiötunturi, it is worth taking a small tour around the peak, so that you can see the scenery better.
The Keimiötunturi hike is a nice little excursion that you can do in a couple of hours. Keimiötunturi summer route would also be suitable for trail running like Palkaskero trail.
Keimiötunturi and Lake Keimiöjärvi
From the top of Keimiötunturi, you can return the same route back to the parking lot of Tunturikeimiö or take a longer round through Lake Keimiöjärvi. From the top, the path continues down directly north and turns to Lake Keimiöjärvi from the saddle between Keimiötunturi and Sammaltunturi fells.
Right at the foot of Keimiötunturi, on the northeast side of the fell, there is the small Lake Keimiöjärvi. There is a rental cabin on the west shore of Lake Keimiöjärvi and an open wilderness cabin on the east shore of Keimiöjärvi.
From Keimiöjärvi, you hike to Koivarova along Jerisjärventie road, where there is also a parking area. From here it is three kilometers back to the Tunturikeimiö parking lot.
Keimiötunturi – Sammaltunturi – Lommoltunturi
You could also take a longer 1-2 day hike around Keimiöjärvi. The summer hiking route goes over Koivakero and Mustakero to Lommoltunturi fells and through Mustavaara hill from the west side of Sammaltunturi to Lake Jerisjärvi. The path on the east side is part of the Pallas-Ylläs hiking trail. Keimiötunturi fell and Lake Keimiöjärvi in winter are beautiful also for ski adventures.
To the north of Sammaltunturi is Mustavaara Lappish hut for resting. The old Mustavaara hut is locked, which means you can only admire it from the outside. To the south of Lommoltunturi you can find a small Mustakero wilderness hut.
The area of Keimiöjärvi – Sammaltunturi – Lommoltunturi belongs to the remote zone and special zone of the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. It is forbidden to camp and make fires in the area other than in maintained places.
The Keimiötunturi trail is also connected to the Hetta-Pallas hiking trail. There are many great destinations nearby, such as Lake Pallasjärvi and Punainenhiekka day hut, Särkitunturi fell and Olostunturi fell with ecumenical cross.
Keimiöniemi fell and fishing huts
At the foot of Keimiötunturi in Keimiöniemi at Lake Jerisjärvi are Lapland's best-known and best-preserved fishing huts. The oldest of the numerous fishing huts by the lake are from the 18th century, most of the current buildings are from the 19th century. The fishing huts are one of the seven wonders of Finland and the area is an important cultural attraction.
The fishing huts are privately owned and cannot be entered. When visiting Keimiötunturi, however, you should stop by the beach. In addition to admiring the wonderful cultural and natural landscape, here you can feel the chain of generations of history.
