recommended route
Luosto Nature Hiking Trail in Pyhä-Luosto National Park
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Luoston vaellusluontopolun pitkoksilla, taustalla Ukko-Luosto.Photo: Teemu Kuisma, Metsähallitus
Explanation
The Luosto Nature Hiking Trail is a microcosm of Lapland. Experience 400-year-old forests, wonder at the aapa mires arrayed over the fell landscape and look out over the expanse from high atop a fell summit.
The wide-ranging Luosto Nature Hiking Trail showcases the best natural features of the Pyhä-Luosto National Park. The trail will take you up and over the fell ridge to Luosto's 400-year-old forests, where the pines are particularly short at this high treeline, but also thicker. At the Pyhänlatva aapa mire, the trail runs along duckboards, from which you can admire the beautiful cranberry flowers or see if the English Sundew, a carnivorous plant, has captured its prey. And you can take a lunch break at the Pyhänlatva lean-to when it's time to rest. The open marshland of the Pyhänlatva aapa mire offers a splendid view of the Ukko-Luosto fell landscape. You can also see how hay was made in the old days on a peatland meadow. Visitors climbing to the top of Ukko-Luosto will be treated to a magnificent view, particularly the five summits of the Pyhätunturi fell range. From the lookout platform at the top of the fell, you'll be able to appreciate the enormous scale of the Pyhänlatva aapa mire and Siurunaapa aapa mire. Stairs will take you down the blockfields on the slopes of Ukko-Luosto, also affording a gorgeous view of the the rocky slopes of Orresokka. The trail starts at Luostonportti for those approaching from the ski slopes, first passing by the Tikkalaavu lean-to. Part of the trail follows along ski tracks, while other sections are conventional, rocky paths. It is easy to follow the trail - it is marked by green triangles on trees and brown metal guide signs at crossroads.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Show elevation profileRest stops
Ukko-Luosto Scenic Hut, Pyhä-Luosto National ParkSafety information
Because the trail passes through mire areas, it is recommended that you stay on it - you can sink into the mire above your head in some places. There are also duckboard sections that are in poor condition, so use caution when walking them. At the fell summit, the trail occasionally crosses rocky areas - you should carefully watch where you step when hiking these areas. There is a natural water well at the crossroad between the Pyhänlatva lean-to shelter and Yrjölä rental hut. You must boil or otherwise treat this water before consuming it.
For more information, visit the Hiking in Finland section: https://www.nationalparks.fi/hikinginfinland
Tips and suggestions
Turn-by-turn directions
The trail starts at Luostonportti, from where a wide gravel path begins towards Tikkalaavu lean-to shelter. From there the trail continues going up the steep slope of Ukko-Luosto to Ukko-Luosto scenic hut. At the Ukko-Luosto scenic hut, at the crossroad of four paths, the trail continues going straight, following the green trail markings on trees. The partly rocky path starts going downhill to an old forest of Luosto and goes over the cross-country skiing track that goes around Ukko-Luosto. After the mixed forest the path comes to the major area where the duckboards start towards Pyhänlatva lean-to shelter. Just before the lean-to it is possible to see Yrjölä rental hut on the side of the major area. The path to the Yrjölä rental hut turns right from the main path after the Pyhänlatva lean-to. After some small forested areas the path comes to the middle of Pyhälatva-aapa major from where opens up nice views towards the Luosto fells. The path continues through a mixed forest, goes over the cross-country skiing track again and starts going uphill to the crossroads of Ukko-Luosto and Pikku-Luosto. The trail turns left towards the rocky fell of Ukko-Luosto. At the top of Ukko-Luosto there is a short path to the wooden viewing platform. From the top the trail continues to the right, where the long stairway leads the hiker down the east side of the Ukko-Luosto fell. After the stairs begins an easy gravel path back to Luostonportti. Along the trail there are information boards giving information about the surrounding nature. It is suggested to walk the trail counterclockwise mainly because of the views.
Trail markings and signs: Green squares on trees and brown metal signs on crossings.
The trail is demanding for its length and steep up- and downhills. The path is partly graveled and partly a narrow rocky path. There are duckboards on the major area and a long stairway down from the top of Ukko-Luosto.
Public transport
Directions
The starting point Luostonportti can be reached by driving 500 meters uphill towards the ski slopes from Lapland Hotel Luostotunturi in Luosto village. Before the slopes the street goes under a bridge, and after you will see the Luostonportti starting point on the left. There is a parking lot at the starting point. An alternative starting point is the Ukko-Luosto parking area which can be found when turning on Ukko-Luostontie slightly less than 2 km from Luosto when driving towards Pyhä. See Pyhä-Luosto National Park directions and maps.
Parking
Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Author’s map recommendations
Equipment
During spring floods, we recommend that you wear rubber boots, and waterproof hiking boots in the summer.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Questions and answers
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