recommended route
Multi-stage route
"Discover Arctic Lapland" Touring Route
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Picture of Finnish nature in LaplandPhoto: Markus Kiili, Visit Finland
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
Track types
Safety information
Allow time for route
at least 8 days
Starting point
Ivalo
Finishing point
Ivalo
Level of difficulty
easy
Family-friendly
Tips and hints
Tourist information:
Start
Destination
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.
Coordinates
Weather at the route's trailhead
Statistics
- 8 Stages
Inari offers unforgettable experiences in nature combined with a firsthand introduction to Sámi culture and traditions. Experience Lake Inari and ...
Experience the last true wilderness and pan for gold in Finland’s largest national park, Lemmenjoki National park.
Karigasniemi is the crossroads of three languages and cultures deep inside the Sámi homeland of Lapland
The most beautiful touring route in Finland takes you through breathtaking landscape alongside the River Teno. The parish village of Utsjoki is ...
Enjoy the majestic scenery by the shores of the Arctic Ocean and beautifull fjordside villages in Norway.
Experience the Skolt Sámi traditions and heritage in Sevettijärvi. Admire the region’s magnificent landscapes, lovely rocky lakeshores, largely ...
The finest fells and forest scenery of Finland in Saariselkä and the history of gold panning in Tankavaara
The magic of Lapland
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