Snowmobiling in Enontekiö
How to snowmobile around Hetta and Enontekiö along the marked trail network, including permits, the Victoria route and self-drive rental options.
Enontekiö is a favourite snowmobile destination for Norwegians, who have the whole of Scandinavia to choose from. A snowmobile is a swift way to cover ground. Go on your own, or travel with a local guide.
- Marked trails radiate from Lake Ounasjärvi in every direction
- Victoria route links Hetta to Kilpisjärvi and the Three Nations' Border Point
- No permit needed around Hetta or on the Victoria route
- Metsähallitus permit required to cross the tundra to Kilpisjärvi/Karasuando
- No snowmobiling inside the National Park or Malla Strict Nature Reserve
- Self-drive rental via the ski centre, hotels, garages or Joen Safaris
- Never leave the marked trails: hidden weak ice over rivers and lakes
Routes from the Hetta Area
The easiest start is Lake Ounasjärvi, joining the long track that crosses it from east to west. From the western end the Victoria route leads via Palojoensuu to the western Enontekiö trails and ultimately to Kilpisjärvi. Eastwards, trails run to Kittilä via Vuontisjärvi, Peltovuoma and Nunnanen, or turn just before Vuontisjärvi towards Raattama.
Near Hetta village, southern tracks leave the lake for Pyhäkero open wilderness hut and on to Muonio, while to the north two track options connect at Lake Palojärvi, from where trails cross the tundra towards Kilpisjärvi or run north to Kautokeino and Norway.
Permits & Restrictions
No permit is needed on the tracks around the Hetta Area or on the Victoria route. Snowmobiling is forbidden inside the National Park, though, and anyone crossing the tundra and wilderness areas from Hetta to Kilpisjärvi or Karasuando must buy a Metsähallitus snowmobile permit from the Fell Lapland Nature Centre. Permits fund Metsähallitus's maintenance of the Palojärvi-Kilpisjärvi track.
The Hetta-Kilpisjärvi track runs through Tarvantovaara Wilderness Area, with the Syväjärvi-Kaaresuvanto track turning off it. Enontekiö's local tracks are mainly maintained by the municipality, ridden at your own risk. In Kilpisjärvi you may visit the Three Nations' Border Point via the Victoria Route for free, but other tracks need a paid permit, and snowmobiling is forbidden in Malla Strict Nature Reserve.
Rentals & Guided Safaris
Snowmobiles can be rented in several places in Hetta, via the ski centre, hotels and garages, and both the operators of Hetta's snow castle and the safari company Nakkala run snowmobile safaris of various lengths. To hire your own and head out without a guide, 'Joen Safaris', just down the hill from Hotel Majatalo, are one of your best options. Whatever you do, never leave the designated trails: under the soft snow you cannot tell where weak ice lies over rivers and lakes.
Good to know
- Permit-free zones
- Hetta-area tracks and the Victoria route
- Permit required
- Hetta-Kilpisjärvi tundra crossing (Metsähallitus, via Fell Lapland Nature Centre)
- Prohibited
- National Park boundaries and Malla Strict Nature Reserve
- Rentals
- Ski centre, hotels, garages, Joen Safaris; guided safaris via Nakkala & snow castle