What can one do in
Käsivarsi Wilderness Area?
Walk on Marked Trails
One marked trail leads through the wilderness area, the
Kalottireitti - Nordkalottleden
Trail,
60 km
of which is within the wilderness area. Other trails can be found outside the
boundaries of the wilderness area near the village of Kilpisjärvi. Though there
are no other trails within the area, hikers are free to trek off-trails as much
as they like.
Go Canoeing and Rowing
There are many
rivers in the wilderness area. The best known canoeing route is the Poroeno - Lätäseno.
This route is extremely demanding and is therefore not suitable for
beginners.
See the Sights and
Scenery
There are many
spectacular sights
in Käsivarsi Wilderness Area and breath-taking views open to
all sides from the tops of the fells.
See the Visitor Centre
Kilpisjärvi Visitor Centre
opened in the spring 2003. The displays there feature the unique natural
features of the Käsivarsi area and nature of the fells. The visitor centre
provides current information on the area’s weather conditions. It is also the
place to make reservations for the reservable wilderness huts in Käsivarsi
Wilderness Area.
Ski Cross-country on
Maintained Trails
There are several
maintained ski trails around the village of Kilpisjärvi. You can ski around
Saana Fell or to the spot where Finland’s, Sweden’s and Norway’s borders all
meet. There’s also a maintained trail around Salmivaara
Hill.
There are no
maintained ski trails within Käsivarsi Wilderness Area, but visitors may ski on
snowmobile tracks. In late spring the snow is so thick and strong that ready
made tracks and trails are no longer needed. Then visitors
may choose their way freely off-trails.
In winter visitors can
ski from Kilpisjärvi to Halti Fell along almost the same route as they would
hike during summer. This ski trail is not, however, marked in the terrain. Then
wooden poles marking the Nordkalottleden Trail are not visible from under the
snow. Visitors can spend their nights in open or reservable wilderness huts or
in tents. Please note that there may also be snowmobiles on this route.
Go Fishing
Angling and ice
fishing are Everyman’s
rights
(www.ymparisto.fi) in
the wilderness area. You can therefore practice them without having a permit. When
angling or ice fishing in Lake Toskaljärvi, Lake Luohtojärvi and Lake Peeran
lammet though, you will need a Enontekiö 1551 permit. Angling and ice fishing are forbidden in flowing waters.
To
fish in the wilderness areas multiple rivers you must have paid the national
fishing management fee (www.mmm.fi) as well as
have a municipality
of Enontekiö 1551 permit (www.villipohjola.fi, in Finnish). When fishing at
Lätäseno you must have a Lätäseno
fishing area 1550 permit
(www.villipohjola.fi, in
Finnish). This permit allows you to fish from Poroeno at the mouth of the River
Harrijoki all the way to Vähäkurkkio in Lätäseno. Fishing permits are sold by
Metsähallitus customer service points and local tourist enterprises.
The fishing area
within the wilderness area is the ideal destination for fly fishing, lure
fishing and ice fishing. Common catches include the Trout (Salmo
trutta), the Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus), the Grayling
(Thymallus thymallus), the Whitefish (Goregonus lavaretus),
the Perch (Perca fluviatilis) and the Pike (Esox
lucius).
Go on Guided Group Tour at the Nature Centre and
Outdoors
One of the
services offered at Kilpisjärvi Visitor
Centre is guided tours. Private tourist enterprises organise group
excursions outdoors. For more information see the municipality of Enontekiö website
(www.enontekio.fi).
Go Hunting
This are is part of Hunting
area 1613 Käsivarsi
(www.villipohjola.fi, in Finnish). Game: Willow Grouse and Northern Hare. Hunting
permits are sold by Metsähallitus, Northern Lapland District for Wilderness
Management customer service points in Enontekiö,
Inari and Ivalo.
Go Snowmobiling
The Metsähallitus maintained snowmobile track
leads from Hetta to Kilpisjärvi.
Go Berry and Mushroom
Picking
Picking berries and
mushrooms is permitted.
Go Swimming
Swimming is permitted,
but the waters in the area are always quite cold.
