National Park Trails
The 55km Hetta-Pallas trail and the marked nature trails at each end of the national park, with distances, terrain and where the huts are.
Hiking, skiing, rowing, canoeing and picking berries and mushrooms in non-restricted areas are the main ways to enjoy the National Park.
- Mushroom season runs through late summer and autumn
- Variegated bolete (Suillus variegatus)
- Tall russule (Russula paludosa)
- Orange birch bolete (Leccinum versipelle)
- Various milk caps (Lactarius)
Hiking through the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
The park's most popular route is the 55 km Hetta-Pallas Trail, Finland's oldest and best-loved, outlined in 1934 before the national park itself existed. Hikers can extend it from Pallas to Ylläs, and from Ylläs continue to Levi or Olos on trails recently improved with renewed information boards, signs and new duckboards over wet sections.
- Dogs: pets are not allowed in any bookable wilderness hut, and only in open huts if the other guests staying at the time agree, so dog owners should carry a tent
- Pyhäkero: hut at the foot of the trail, with a ski café in the spring skiing season
- Sioskuru: sleeps 16 people
- Tappuri: sleeps 8 people, reservable and open
- Pahakuru: sleeps 6 people
- Hannukuru: sleeps 16 people, with a sauna
- Montell: sleeps 4 people
- Nammalakuru: sleeps 16 people, with a café in high season
- Suaskuru and Rihmakuru: day huts for packed lunches and a campfire
- Car transfers: we are one of several companies offering transfers between the two ends of the park for those hiking or skiing its length, and we charge €65 for this service
Nature Trails At The Hetta End Of The Park
The popular nature trails at the northern end of the park are described in our section on husky hiking activities.
Hiking & Nature Trails in the Central Park
Several marked trails explore the central part of the park, from short nature loops to full day hikes.
- Vuontispirtti - Montelli Cabin - Vuontispirtti (Ylikyrö), 10km roundtrip: a beautiful, fairly steep 5km trail from a private road at Vuontispirtti to the tiny, very old Montelli open wilderness hut in the middle of the fells, one of the loveliest spots in the park and reachable in winter by ski track. White crosses connect it to the main Hetta-Pallas trail, and near the timber line the markings change to short poles with orange tops
- Ketomella-Tappuri Trail, 16km: from the old ferry stop at Ketomella, boardwalks (the rickety originals are being replaced with permanent duckwalk) lead gently up to the Saami reindeer marking village of Tappuri, high among the fells in stunning landscape. Managed by the Finnish Road Administration and marked with green poles carrying white crosses with a red centre, it joins the main Hetta-Pallas trail c. 1 km west of Tappuri open wilderness hut, c. 9km from Ketomella
- Pippovuoman wetland nature trail, 10km: maintenance from the Ketomella roadhead ended in 2014, but this beautiful marshland trail through unique aapa bogs, with dramatic fell scenery to the west, is still recommended for the agile before the boardwalks become too dangerous. Walkers will in future be redirected from Pippoharju to Hietajärvi, which has a new shelter. The trail starts 0.5 miles from Ketomella on the south side of the bridge
- Pyhäjoki Nature Trail, 3.5km: a small, very beautiful trail beside the steep, alpine-style stream that drops from the fells through cliffs to Lake Pallasjärvi, past lush groves of old-growth fir quite unlike the usual rugged Lapland scenery. It begins on the Pallas Road at St. Joe's parking lot, near the lakeshore, and is marked with cone signs
- Taivaskero route, 9km circular: about three hours' hiking to the top of Taivaskero, 4km from and c.340m higher than the Pallas Visitor Centre
- Palkaskeron trail, 7km circular: a climb to a high rocky point c. 240m above the visitor centre, with views over all of Pallas's lakes and fells and the ruins of the old Pallas hotel. It branches off the Hetta-Pallas route a few miles north of the Pallas Visitor Centre and can cause confusion in bad conditions. Many have left cairns here, but please resist adding more, as they go against conserving the park in its natural state. The trail then heads east through an old reindeer fence, camping is permitted near an old hut along the way, and you will pass environmental art in the form of seven bronze squirrels embodying the world's great religions and the oneness of creation
- Vatikuru Nature Trail, 3km: marked by cone signs from Pallastunturi Visitor Centre, winding around the slopes of Pallastunturi and presenting the life and culture of the region
- Pallas Ski and Snowshoe Trail, 3 km: an unmarked winter route showing how nature adapts to these extreme conditions
Nature Trails In The Southern End Of The Park, Close To Ylläs
The southern end of the park, around Ylläs, offers everything from short themed loops to multi-day village-to-village routes. A little-used, recently remarked trail leads from the Pallastunturi Fells via Lommoltunturi Fell south towards the Yllästunturi Fells. One access point is Rauhala, but there are no service structures between there and Yllästunturi, and some restricted areas along the route are strictly closed in summer, so it suits experienced hikers only.
Ylläs-Rauhala-Pallas Trail (72 km). Start at either Yllästunturi Visitor Centre Kellokas or Pallas Visitor Centre. From Kellokas, descend through Varkaankuru Ravine along Lake Kesänkijärvi, round the lake's western end on the west side of Kesänkitunturi Fell to Hangaskuru Ravine, then pass the Hangaskuru lean-to shelter to Kotamaja in Kolmentunturin kuru Ravine, a café in winter.
From Kotamaja head northwest between Pyhätunturi Fell and Kukastunturi Fell to the River Äkäsjoki, then north past Lake Äkässaivo and Peurakaltio Spring, over Äkäskero Fell, and past the Mustakero, Kolvakero and Kesälaki Fells east of Lake Äkäsjärvi to Rauhala on the eastern shore of Lake Jerisjärvi. The Äkäskero-Rauhala leg is long, markings are sometimes incomplete, water is scarce and there are huts only at Pahtavuoma and Kutujärvi, so bring a tent.
From Rauhala continue north over Anuntinvuoma to Koivakero Fell and Mustakero Fell east of Lake Keimiöjärvi, where there is an open wilderness hut, then along the western slope of Lommoltunturi Fell to the Pallastunturi Fells.
- Sections: Ylläs-Rauhala 50 km and Rauhala-Pallas 22 km, marked with orange paint
- Services: Hangaskuru lean-to shelter, Kutujärvi lake wilderness huts Niittypirtti (4 people), Pahtavuoma (3 people), Pahtavuoma II (2 people) and Mustakero hut (5 people), day room at Keimiöjärvi
The shorter trails around Ylläs are ideal for day walks.
- Varkaankuru Trail (Wizard's Trail), 4 km: very popular, leading from Kellokas Visitor Centre through Varkaankuru Ravine
- Kiirunankieppi Trail (12 km): also joined from Kellokas, circling Keskisenlaki Fell in Ylläs, along with Seitakierros Trail (9 km)
- Aakenustunturi Fell trekking nature trail (17 km): exhibits on the area's animals, geology and history, while the volcano park's nature trail runs 1.5 miles
- Tähtipolku Trail (8 km): the star trail crosses Kesänkitunturi terrain and turns your eyes to the northern sky, with signs telling celestial tales. It runs from the Kesänkijärvi parking lot through Pirunkuru Ravine (rugged, steep and not for beginners), Kesänkitunturi fell and Tahkokuru Ravine, marked with star signs, with two lean-to shelters and a campfire site
- Hillapolku Trail (6 km): encircles Lake Kesänkijärvi on smooth, easy paths marked with cloudberry signs, introducing the plant kingdom of Ylläs, with a campfire spot
- Saivonkierros Trail (3 km): follows the Äkäsjoki River and Äkässaivo scenery past historical sites and the traditional peasant culture of lime kilns and meadow hay barns, with signs on forest, nature and fishing. It starts on Aakenuksentie road, marked by wooden poles with the Saivonkierros sign, and has a cosy Laplander's hut
Ylläs-Levi (47 km) runs between Yllästunturi Kellokas Nature Centre and the village of Kittila (Sirkka). From Kellokas, follow the Varkaankuru, Kesänkijärvi and Hangaskuru line to Kotamaja, where there is a cafe in winter, then through the ravine between the fells Lainio and Pyhätunturi to the open wilderness hut at the southern end of Lake Pyhäjärvi.
The route continues along the foothills of Aakenustunturi Fell to the Äkäslompolo-Kittila road, crosses the bridge over the Aakenusjoki River to a gravel road along Lake Aakenusjärvi, then passes Homevaara Fell to the day hut at Muusa, finishing through the north of Pyhätunturi Fell and Kätkätunturi Fell to the wooded landscape of Sirkka village. Intersections carry orange markings and wooden boardwalks cover the marshy areas.
- Services: Muusa and Pyhäjärvi day trip huts, Hangaskuru lean-to hut, Aakenusjärvi hut, Kotamaja hut with its winter café
Ylläs-Olos Trail (69 km) links Kellokas and the Olostunturi ski resort. From Kellokas, follow the Ylläs-Levi Trail to Kotamaja, turn northwest between Pyhätunturi Fell and Kukastunturi Fell to the River Äkäsjoki, and continue north past Lake Äkässaivo and Peurakaltio Spring, along the west side of Äkäskero Fell to Äkäsmylly Mill, whose café opens for the winter peak season.
After crossing the Äkäslompolo-Muotkavaara road, the route runs through forest to the open wilderness huts at Juuvanrova and Kuusikonmaa and along the north side of Olostunturi Fell to the Olos ski resort.
Ready when you are
Real wilderness, 200+ huskies, eighteen winters in.