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"Discover Arctic Lapland" Touring Route

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  • Picture of Finnish nature in Lapland
    Picture of Finnish nature in Lapland
    Photo: Markus Kiili, Visit Finland
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    Enjoy arctic regions of Finnish Lapland, Lemmenjoki and Urho Kekkonen National parks in the far North. You can discover Sámi people's homeland, wild fells, rivers and lakes.
    easy
    Distance 948.4 km
    76:00 h
    4,572 m
    4,572 m
    363 m
    3 m

    This 8-day route starts and ends in Ivalo. You can explore this beautiful and spectacular scenery of Finland's far north by hiking in Lapland's famous national parks, learn about Sámi people culture at Inari and Sevettejärvi and see the shores of the Arctic Ocean in Norway. 

    The well-marked hiking trails in Lemmenjoki National park make it easy to discover these unique natural settings including windswept fells, birch forests and ancient pine forests. The “Route Teno”  from Karigasniemi to Utsjoki has been given the title of the most beautiful route in Finland as it travels alongside the river through breathtakingly beautiful landscape. Sevettijärvi is the most important centre for Finland’s Skolt Sámi people. Don’t miss the Skolt Sámi Heritage house and handicraft exhibition. The Urho Kekkonen National Park contains some of the finest fells and forest scenery in Finnish Lapland. Learn the history of world’s gold panning in Gold Village of Tankavaara

    Author’s recommendation

    There are plenty of amazing hiking trails along the route, enjoy the arctic outdoors!
    Profile picture of Pirjo Räsänen
    Author
    Pirjo Räsänen 
    Update: March 23, 2022
    Difficulty
    easy
    Overall difficulty
    easy

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Highest point
    363 m
    Lowest point
    3 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec

    Track types

    Asphalt 52.43%Forested/wild trail 0%Road 47.46%Unknown 0.09%
    Asphalt
    497.3 km
    Forested/wild trail
    0 km
    Road
    450.2 km
    Unknown
    0.9 km
    Show elevation profile

    Safety information

    Allow time for route

    at least 8 days

     

    Starting point

    Ivalo

     

    Finishing point

    Ivalo

     

    Level of difficulty

    easy

     

    Family-friendly

    Tips and suggestions

    Tourist information:

    Saariselkä Customer Service

    Tankavaara Visitor Centre

    Northern Lapland Nature Centre Siida

    Turn-by-turn directions

    Day 1

    In your first day on Saariselkä resort you can discover the magnificent scenery of Urho Kekkonen National Park. You can find everything you need from Saariselkä resort, for example ski slopes, nature trails, hotels and restaurants. You can discover national park on a single day even you are inexperienced hiker or stay there several days if you want.

    Day 2

    Your trip continues from Saariselkä to Inari village, where you can discover Sámi people culture and lifestyle by visiting in Sámi Museum Siida, local handicraft stores and reindeer farms. Inari village lies by beautiful Lake Inari.

    Day 3

    On your third day you can visit in Lemmenjoki National Park, which is largest national park in Finland. This national park protects wide area of untouched forest in Europe's last true wilderness. You can for example learn about Lapland's gold rush and visit in hills of Lemmenjoki, where many people still seek gold today. Also one good thing to recommend is a tradional Sámi reindeer farm.

    Day 4

    From Lemmenjoki National Park your journey continues to Sevettijärvi, which is the most important centre for Finland's Skolt Sámi peole. Sevettijärvi is important for Skolt Sámi people, because many of them resettled there from the Soviet Union in 1949. In Sevettijärvi you can explore their culture and traditions.

    Day 5

    You can continue your journey to Utsjoki, and discover more some Sámi culture and see how people fish here all year. The River Tenojoki is famous for its salmon. In Utsjoki you can also visit in historic church, vicarage and church cottages and visit in the shores of Lake Mantojärvi. 

    Day 6

    From Utsjoki you can drive to Karigasniemi, where Finnish and Norwegian cultures get together in the Sámi homeland of Lapland. In Karigasniemi you can enjoy the busiest nightlife in the Tenojoki Valley. Also in Karigasniemi you can try hiking in this pristine nature. 

    Day 7

    On your seventh day of the trip you should travel to Northern Norway to enjoy The Arctic Ocean. 

    Day 8

    On your last day you can travel back to Ivalo airport.

     

    Read more specific information from here.

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    Coordinates

    DD
    68.607866, 27.421706
    DMS
    68°36'28.3"N 27°25'18.1"E
    UTM
    35W 517165 7610697
    w3w 
    ///scavenger.persuades.scabbard
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    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!
    The most beautiful scenic routes in Norway
    Troms und Finnmark › Lappi › Utsjoki

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    Difficulty
    easy
    Overall difficulty
    easy

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    948.4 km
    Duration
    76:00 h
    Ascent
    4,572 m
    Descent
    4,572 m
    Highest point
    363 m
    Lowest point
    3 m
    Round trip Family-friendly Scenic Cultural/historical interest

    Weather at the route's trailhead

    Statistics

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    Features
    Maps and trails
    Difficulty Stage 1
    Distance 48.7 km
    Duration 0:34 h
    Ascent 223 m
    Descent 250 m

    Inari offers unforgettable experiences in nature combined with a firsthand introduction to Sámi culture and traditions. Experience Lake Inari and ...

    from Pirjo Räsänen,   Metsähallitus
    Difficulty Stage 2
    Distance 91.9 km
    Duration 1:40 h
    Ascent 242 m
    Descent 242 m

    Experience the last true wilderness and pan for gold in Finland’s largest national park, Lemmenjoki National park.

    from Pirjo Räsänen,   Metsähallitus
    Difficulty Stage 3
    Distance 98.6 km
    Duration 1:16 h
    Ascent 404 m
    Descent 382 m

    Karigasniemi is the crossroads of three languages and cultures deep inside the Sámi homeland of Lapland

    from Pirjo Räsänen,   Metsähallitus
    Difficulty Stage 4
    Distance 100.9 km
    Duration 1:11 h
    Ascent 446 m
    Descent 498 m

    The most beautiful touring route in Finland takes you through breathtaking landscape alongside the River Teno. The parish village of Utsjoki is ...

    from Pirjo Räsänen,   Metsähallitus
    Difficulty Stage 5
    Distance 241.7 km
    Duration 2:54 h
    Ascent 1,749 m
    Descent 1,828 m

    Enjoy the majestic scenery by the shores of the Arctic Ocean and beautifull fjordside villages in Norway.

    from Pirjo Räsänen,   Metsähallitus
    Difficulty Stage 6
    Distance 269.6 km
    Duration 3:50 h
    Ascent 1,271 m
    Descent 948 m

    Experience the Skolt Sámi traditions and heritage in Sevettijärvi. Admire the region’s magnificent landscapes, lovely rocky lakeshores, largely ...

    from Pirjo Räsänen,   Metsähallitus
    Difficulty Stage 7
    Distance 64.2 km
    Duration 1:01 h
    Ascent 101 m
    Descent 101 m

    The finest fells and forest scenery of Finland in Saariselkä and the history of gold panning in Tankavaara

    from Pirjo Räsänen,   Metsähallitus
    Difficulty Stage 8
    Distance 27.3 km
    Duration 0:24 h
    Ascent 119 m
    Descent 302 m

    The magic of Lapland

    from Pirjo Räsänen,   Metsähallitus
    Nothing selected - click and drag in the elevation profile to zoom
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    Duration
    Ascent
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