Hammastunturi Wilderness Hike

Hammastunturi Wilderness Area (Finnish: Hammastunturin erämaa; translated "tooth fell") is one of the most remote and least visited wilderness areas in Western Europe. The core of the area is the upland of Kehäpää, Hammastunturi, and Appistunturi Fells, where the highest peaks rise up to 500 meters. The northern limit of spruce growth crosses the wilderness area with spruce forest in the southern part transitioning to pine forests in the north.

Hammastunturi Wilderness Area has had a colorful history over the last two centuries. The areas around Hammastunturi Fell and River Lemmenjoki form one of the largest roadless backwoods in Finland. In the past, the area was uses for reindeer herding. During the gold rush,  hundreds of people lived in Kultala Village along the River Ivalojoki. The number of gold diggers was equal to the total population of Inari at the time.

Our hike begins at a roadside where we leave the car and start walking through pine forest, which gradually turns into a mountain birch forest and eventually an open plateau. The slopes are gentle on the plateau and the walking surface is soft moraine with rocks underneath. From the top of the fell, we can see the Ivalo River valley to the south and the vast pine forests to the west and north.

During our break on top of the fell, we might spot a rough-legged buzzard circling above, searching for its daily meal.

Our pace is slow, allowing us to fully experience the silence and openness around us.