Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park Trails 

Hiking Trails

There are approximately 350 km of marked summer-time trails in the Pallas-Yllästunturi area.

Starting Points for Trails

• Starting points for hiking trails are generally located in villages and tourist resorts just outside of the National Park.

Nature Trails

• There are 14 nature trails in the National Park, of which 8 are in the Ylläs area, 4 in the Pallas area, and 2 are in the Ounastunturi Fells area. Further information on nature trails is given in the end of this page.

Circle Trails

• There are two circle trails near Pallastunturi Fell.

Other Trails

• There are 4 long trekking trails: Hetta - Pallas Trail (55 km), Ylläs - Olos Trail (54 km), Ylläs - Pallas Trail (72 km) and Ylläs - Levi Trail (50 km).

Skiing Trails

• There are over 500 km of cross-country skiing trails in the area. The majority of these are maintained with machines. Skiing trails are marked with crosses on fells and mires and with blue ribbons or blue paint triangles on trees in forests. Skiing trails close to the villages of Äkäslompolo, Ylläsjärvi and Jerisjärvi, Pallastunturi Fell, Vuontispirtti and Hetta village are suitable for both classical cross-country skiing and free style skiing. Some of the most remote trails which are so-called wilderness skiing trails are maintained only by snowmobiles. Local enterprises maintain the trails and have published maps of skiing trails in Aakenus, Muonio and Hetta. These maps are sold by local tourist services, visitor centres and nature centres.

Pallas-Yllästunturi Nature Trails

Ylläs

• Aakenustunturi Fell Nature Trail, 17 km
  This nature trail has its starting point at Totovaara parking area. Hikers should reserve a whole day to travel its length. The nature trail is marked with cone signs. Boards along the trail inform visitors about the area’s fauna, geology and history.
  
  First you will travel west along the old Kirgiisitie road and from there to Molosjänkä hanging bog. From Molosjänkä a spectacular view opens of mires surrounded by the fells. From there you will follow the trail up through Vaulokuru Ravine to the summit of Moloslaki and return to the trail’s starting point via Niritsankuusikko campfire site.
  • Services: Niritsankuusikko campfire site.
• Kiirunankieppi Circle Trail, 12 km
  This nature trail has its starting points on the grounds of both Kellokas Visitor Centre and the ski-resort at Ylläsjärvi. It is marked by signs with the tracks of the ptarmigan (kiiruna = ptarmigan, Lagopus lagopus). The theme of this circle trail is the geology of the fells.
  
  The trail leads through rugged fell terrain around Keskisenlaki in Ylläs. The trail has duckboards when passing through the beautiful, but rocky Kellostapuli Ravine.
  • Services: There are resting spots at Kahvikeidas and Varkaankuru Ravine.
• Joutsenpolku Trail, 6 km, by Lake Lalvajärvi
  The starting point for this trail is located at Totovaara parking area and is marked with swan signs. The boards along the trail have information on birds, mammals, fish and other interesting aspects of the area. These boards are all unique and artistic making them even more interesting to study. Sightings of over 80 bird species have been made from the Lalvajärvi bird watching tower, which is located at the trails halfway point.
  • Services: A bird watching tower on the shore of Lake Lalvajärvi.
• Talvipolku Winter Trail, 1 km
  Talvipolku Trail (talvi = winter) starts at Kellokas Visitor Centre. It is not marked, but is visible as a path in the snow. The trail is maintained during winter and provides information on Taiga Forests. The theme of the trails boards is winter ecology.
  • Services: There is a Lapp pole tent on the trail and a trail for children called Menninkäisten polku.
• Tulivuoripuisto Trail, 1,5 km
  The starting point for this trail is on the Äkäslompolo - Kittilä road. It is marked with paint markings.
  
  The Linkupalo bedrock bears evidence of volcanic eruptions (tulivuori = volcano), which occurred 2 milliard years ago. Geologists explain that the eruptions happened under water in the sea and that ash and gravel gathered in shallow waters to form this area. The precise spots where eruptions took place can be pointed out from the terrain. Tales told about Laplands ancient volcanoes and mountains as high as the Alps were therefore true.
  • Services: A Lapp pole tent at the trail starting point.
• Velhopolku Circle Trail, 4 km, in Varkaankuru Ravine
  The starting point for this circle trail, which is partially duckboarded, is at Kellokas Visitor Centre. The trail is marked with signs bearing a picture of a green wizard (velho = wizard). Boards along the trail are interactive and interesting and help you study the Taiga Forest.
  
  Natural features of North and South meet in Varkaankuru Ravine. Angelicas (Angelica archangelica) and Lady Ferns (Athyrium filix-femina) grow in the shade of Spruce (Picea abies), Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia), Bird Cherry (Prunus padus), Alder (Alnus) and Goat Willow (Salix caprea).
  • Services: A campfire site.
• Niesakero Hunter´s Nature Trail, 2,7 km
  The starting point for this trail is a 4 km drive along the backroad from the village of Luosu which leads towards Hevosmaa. The nature trail is marked with wooden signs. The trail was designed and built by the Kolari game management association and Metsähallitus. Exhibits along the trail show visitors about history of hunting traditions and game management in the wilderness. The trail is maintained by the Kolari game management association.
  • Services: A Lapp pole tent, campfire site and drinking water point. Duckboards across wetlands.
• Ylläslompolo Nature Trail, 3 km
  This trail is on the south-side of Lake Ylläsjärvi and its starting point is located at Ylläslompolo parking area. This approximately 3-km-long trail has duckboards at some parts and leads through old-growth spruce forest to a beautiful little wilderness pond. The nature trail was designed and realised by the Lapland Regional Environment Centre. The trail is marked with poles. Boards along the trail tell about meadow culture, old-growth forests and mires. A biking trail by the nature trail circles Lake Latvajärvi and crosses the biking trail at the bird watching tower. Duckboards cross a mire by the trail and lead to the shore of Lake Ylläsjärvi.
  • Services: A bird watching tower at the trail’s starting point. The tower is accessible by wheelchair. A Lapp pole tent.

Pallas

• Vatikuru Nature Trail, 3 km
  The starting point for this trail is at Pallastunturi Visitor Centre. The trail is a loop on the slopes of the Pallasturi Fells and has boards, which tell about the culture and livelihoods of the fell area.
  
• Pyhäjoki Nature Trail, 3,5 km
  The starting point for this trail can be found on Pallaksentie road near the shore of Lake Pallasjärvi on the lower course of the River Pyhäjoki. The lush spruce forests along the river banks and the species living in them are displayed along this trail. The steep rugged rock-face of the shores and old-growth forest create a majestic atmosphere.
  
• Pallas Nature Skiing Trail, 3 km
  The starting point for this skiing trail is at Hotel Pallas. The trail has displays on winter in the fells and how various species survive it.

Hetta and Ounas

• Peurapolku Trail, 2 km
  Peurapolku Trail is not within the boundaries of Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, but is connected to the area and its history. The trail’s starting point is at Fell Lapland Nature Centre and has exhibits on wild reindeer hunting (‘peura’ = wild reindeer). There are several hole traps and game running fences along it. The trail is marked with poles that have hoof prints attached to them. The trail is part of the Hetta trail network and a lit jogging track is accessible from it.
  
• Juhannuspolku Trail and Postipolku Trail, 2 km
  The trails, which lead around Jyppyrävaara Hill, are not within the boundaries of the National Park, but they are related to the area’s history. The nature trail starts out as Juhannuspolku Trail and after reaching the scenic summit of Jyppyrävaara Hill becomes Postipolku Trail for the return trip to the starting point. The starting point for Juhannuspolku is at Fell Lapland Nature Centre. Boards along the trail have information on the area’s history, mid-summer traditions (juhannus= midsummer), the postal service (posti = post) and seita stones which were worshipped by Sámi. This trail is part of the Hetta trail network and a lit jogging track is accessible from it.
  • Services: A lookout point with a Lapp pole tent at the summit of Jyppyrävaara Hill.
• Pippovuoma Trail
  Pippovuoma nature trail will be rerouted and the duckboards running through the mire will no longer be kept up. The boards are in such poor shape in places that it is dangerous to walk on them, and these mire areas have been closed off. The lean-to shelter and bird watching tower at Pippoharju are in use and can be reached by a trail that runs along the River Pippojoki. The trail’s starting point lies 0.5 km south of Ketomella bridge.