Summer Activities
The little-known but almost limitless summer potential of the arctic - hiking, paddling, biking and the vibrant ruska colours of autumn.
The arctic's winter is famous, but its summer potential is little known and almost limitless. Separate pages explain the difference between national parks and wilderness areas, the many open and bookable huts you can stay in, and the paddling, hiking and biking routes, some shared, others with strict mode-of-transport restrictions.
- Summer activities possible mid-June to end of September
- Mountains blossom through July and August
- Ruska (autumn colour) peaks in the first three weeks of September
- Mosquito-heavy roughly 20th June - 20th August (stay high)
Season and the ruska
The mountains blossom through July and August, and summer activities run from mid-June to the end of September. Between c. 20th June and 20th August, stay on a fairly high trek to escape the mosquitos. In autumn, above all the first three weeks of September, the landscape turns vibrant with colour. This ruska period draws most of the Finnish 'summer' tourists, almost as many as visit in spring for the long warm days of skiing.
Karesuvanto
Between Kilpis and Hetta lies Karesuvanto, a base for wilderness enthusiasts stopping for fuel, coffee or lunch before leaving by boat or water plane for the Lätäseno river. The village hosts a Fly Fishing Contest in early August and 'ruska' markets in autumn, and the Arctic Canoe Race passes by.
Around HettaTrails and orienteering around Hetta village, from the Jyppyrä Nature Reserve's ancient seita rock and prehistoric reindeer hunting pits to a network of well-marked nature trails.
Everyman's RightsWhat Finland's 'Everyman's Rights' allow in the wilderness, including the rules for lighting campfires in Lapland.
Hetta-PallasThe famous 55km Hetta-Pallas trail through Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, one of the best hikes in the world, with wilderness huts roughly every 10km.
Splash!Canoe and kayak journeys in Enontekiö, from guided lake paddles and 2-day courses to multi-day wilderness river expeditions, best from mid June to mid September.
Wilderness TrailsDemanding wilderness hiking in Enontekiö - the Pöyrisjärvi, Pulju, Tarvantovaara and Käsivarsi wilderness areas, the Kilpisjärvi region and the 800km Nordkalottleden (Calotte Route) trail to Halti, Finland's highest fell.Planning a trip this far north?
We have lived and guided here since 2008 - ask us anything about the area.