Fells

Hikes in Ylläs, Finland - Beautiful Aakenustunturi Fell

Aakenustunturi fell rises in western Kittilä, right next to Ylläs, in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park in Lapland. Aakenustunturi fell has three high peaks, Pallilaki (565 m / 1854 ft), Moloslaki (530 m / 1739 ft) and Vasalaki (470 m / 1542 ft). The Aakenustunturi trail, Moloslaki Trail, goes through Vasalaki.

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Aakenustunturi Fell, Moloslaki Trail

  • Destination: Kittilä, Lapland, Finland
  • Distance: 11.5 km (7.1 miles)
  • Difficulty level: Moderate - Moderately challenging
  • Duration: 4 h (overnight stays possible)

Lake Luirojärvi Trail in Urho Kekkonen National Park, in Lapland Finland is a year-round classic hike. The route goes through the peak of Kiilopää fell to Lake Luirojärvi and Sokosti fell in wonderful open fell and forest landscapes. The Lake Luirojärvi hike can be done as a summer and fall hike as well as a winter ski excursion.

In Urho Kekkonen National Park, I did a four-day autumn colors hike to Lake Luirojärvi. My lightweight hiking gear made backpacking light and comfortable, and without rushing despite the long days on trails. I slept in ‘laavu’ shelter for the first time of my life, I enjoyed great fall and autumn colors in the sunshine and I also experienced amazingly pouring rainy days.



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Lake Luirojärvi Trail

  • Destination: Saariselkä/Kiilopää, Urho Kekkonen National Park, Lapland, Finland
  • Length: 70-80 km / 44-50 miles (normal route), longer routes possible
  • Difficulty level: moderate/demanding (quite easy trails, but includes river crossings and unmarked wilderness routes)
  • When to go: from June to October (year-round destination)
  • Duration: 4-6 days

Malla Strict Nature Reserve is located in the beautiful Kilpisjärvi area in Lapland, Finland. It offers incredible experiences in nature even on a short day hike. The most famous sights of the Malla Strict Nature Reserve are the Three-Country Cairn, Kitsiputous Falls and Pikku-Malla fell. The Malla Trail passing through Malla nature area is part of the 800 km Arctic Trail (The Nordkalott Trail).

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Malla Strict Nature Reserve

  • Destination: Kilpisjärvi, Lapland, Finland
  • Distance: Malla Trail 11 km (6.8 miles), Kitsiputous Falls 5.5 km (3.4 miles), Pikku-Malla 3.5 km (2.2 miles) (one way)
  • Difficulty: Basic fitness (Kitsiputous and Pikku-Malla Trails)
  • When to go: End of June to end of September (year-round destination)
  • Where to stay: Accommodation in Kuohkimajärvi open wilderness or rental huts or tenting at hut yard, Kilpisjärvi offers various accommodation (you are not allowed to stay overnight in the Lappish huts)


Winter is amazing season to go on an adventure to Keimiötunturi fell area. The popular and well-maintained Keimiö ski trail runs around Keimiötunturi fell in the winter, leading to Lake Keimiöjärvi. On a Keimiö ski tour, you may see beautiful snow-covered trees, blazing northern lights and wonderful landscapes of Pallastunturi fells.

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Rising on the northern shore of Lake Jerisjärvi, the bold Keimiötunturi in Lapland 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.

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Keimiötunturi Trail

  • Destination: Muonio, Lapland, Finland
  • Distance: 5 km (3.2 miles)
  • Difficulty level: Easy
  • Duration: 2 h

Palkaskero Trail in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park

Palkaskero fell belongs to the Pallastunturi fell group in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. Pallastunturi is the southernmost part of the 50-kilometer (31 miles) chain of Pallas-Ounastunturi fells. Palkaskero rises right behind the Pallastunturi Visitor Centre.

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Palkaskero Trail

  • Destination: Pallas, Muonio, Lapland, Finland
  • Distance: 7 km (4.35 miles)
  • Difficulty level: Medium
  • Duration: 3h, trail running 1-1.5h

Hetta-Pallas Hike: Autumn Colors and Northern Lights

The Hetta-Pallas hiking trail in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park is Finland's oldest hiking trail and one of the most popular long distance hiking trails in Finland. The Hetta-Pallas trail goes from the peaks of the fells down to the gorges and back to the peaks to incredibly beautiful rugged landscapes.

The autumn time colors the Hetta-Pallas route with deep red tones. The 3-days Hetta-Pallas hike is a classic, that belongs to the best hikes in Finland.

 



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Hetta-Pallas Hiking Trail

  • Destination: Enontekiö and Muonio, Lapland, Finland
  • Distance: 50 km (31miles, one direction)
  • Difficulty: physically demanding but suitable for beginners
  • When to go: in September for backpacking in autumn 
  • Duration: 3-4 days
  • Where to stay: camping in tent, in reservation or open wilderness huts, some Lappish huts

Valtavaara fell in winter is one of the most popular hiking destinations in Ruka, Finland. Valtavaara is the highest protected fell in Kuusamo, the peak reaching 491 meters. In clear weather, amazing landscapes open up from the top of Valtavaara to northern Kuusamo and Russia to the east.

The nature area of Valtavaara-Pyhävaara offers incredibly beautiful views of the hill and fell landscape. The nature area has many routes for day hikes, as well as the famous Karhunkierros Bear’s Trail hiking trail that goes through the peak of Valtavaara. Ruka's Valtavaara area is great for both summer and winter hiking.

The Ruka-Kuusamo region has endless trails to experience for winter hikers. In addition to Valtavaara in Ruka, the top destinations for winter hikers are Konttainen and Pyhävaara, as well as the beautiful routes of Oulanka National Park and the views of Karhunkierros Bear’s Trail in winter. A popular destination for photographers, Riisitunturi in Posio, is also only a short drive away.

Ruka also has wonderful slopes and a diverse network of cross-country skiing tracks. For example, you can ski around Rukankylä village along a lighted track.



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Valtavaara winter trail

Destination: Ruka, Kuusamo, Finland
Difficulty: demanding
When to go: From December to April (year-round)
Duration: 3 hours, a half-day trip snowshoeing or by foot


Kiilopää Winter Trails: Luulampi Cross-Country Skiing Tour

Kiilopää fell center is located near Kakslauttanen and Saariselkä, Lapland. Kiilopää is managed by Suomen Latu - The Finnish Outdoor Association.

From the Kiilopää fell center starts one of the most beautiful cross-country skiing track routes in the area, the "Luulammen lenkki". Luulampi cross-country skiing track is a loop route, that runs mostly through Urho Kekkonen National Park. The approximately 19-kilometer journey includes challenging ascents, long and fast downhills, wonderfull winter fell scenery and several nice rest places.

On the cross-country skiing routes of Kiilopää and Saariselkä you can find Finland's biggest ascents and descents in open fell scenery. It's easy to go to the skiing tracks starting from Kiilopää for both shorter and longer day trips. Fell skiing on a sunny, frosty day is a great experience in pure nature.



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Luulampi cross-country skiing route Kiilopää

  • Destination: Saariselkä/Kiilopää, Urho Kekkonen National Park, Lapland, Finland
  • Length: 18.5 km
  • Difficulty level: moderate/demanding (ascent and descent of Kiilopää fell)
  • When to go: from February to April (check the skiing track situation in advance)
  • Duration: 3-4 h (cross-country skiing at a leisurely pace)