recommended route
Pielpajärvi Wilderness Church day hike in Inari Hiking Area.
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Inarin retkeilyalue Pielpajärven erämaakirkkoPhoto: Pasi Nivasalo, Metsähallitus
Explanation
There is a skiing trail in winter and a hiking trail in summer to the remote Pielpajärvi wilderness church from 1760. In summer, you can make a nice day trip by combining the Ukonkivi cruise and a visit to the wilderness church. A nearly silent catamaran, operated by a local company, crisscrosses Lake Inarijärvi every day. Ukonkivi is a sacred sacrificial place for the Sámi people.
The church was built between 1752 and 1760, and it was used until the end of the 19th century. At the time, the church was the centre of Inari. There are still some stone piles from adjacent buildings left at the church plot. A few church services are still held at the old wilderness church, at Easter and at Midsummer. In late summer, the display of blooms on the church plot is mowed.
The church plot has an old day trip hut where you can rest if you feel tired, and enjoy your packed lunch. On beautiful days, the cooking shelter and its campfire site can accommodate larger groups as well.
Author’s recommendation
There is transport by boat to Pielpavuono Fjord in summer.
A few services and weddings are still held at the church every year.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Safety information
The trail is rocky, and the roots at the bottom of trees are exposed in places due to erosion.Tips and suggestions
For those who are interested in history and for brisky and brave daytirp seekers.Turn-by-turn directions
The trail from the Sarviniementie parking lot to Pielpajärvi is a criss-cross hiking trail in the woods. The trail is marked by wooden poles.
Alternatively, you can take a boat to Pielpavuono. The boat, which sets out from Inari, will first visit Ukonkivi, and on the return journey, it will stop at Pielpavuono upon request. The church is at a walking distance of 2.5 km. From Pielpajärvi, there is a walking distance of approx. 4.5 km to the beginning of the trail, and from there, a distance of 2.5 kilometres to Inari along a road accessible by car.
Both trails cross a magnificent old-growth forest by forest ponds and lakes. At the destination, you will see a church plot and the well-preserved Pielpajärvi wilderness church on the edge of the plot.
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
To the village Inari there is a daily bussconection from Rovaniemi and from northdirection Utsjoki. To the excursion point is about 2,5 km from road E4, which one can hike or travel in a taxi.
By car form Inari village about 3 km from the Northern Lapland Nature Centre Siida. There is a parking area on the left in Sarviniementie road. The wilderness church can be reach only by foot (5 km).
Directions
By car to the excursion point: Sarviniementie road 247, 99870 Inari. Excursionmap.fi
Parking
The coordinates of parkingarea, excursion point and information: WGS84 lat: 68° 55.2817' lon: 27° 03.4876' ETRS-TM35FIN N: 7645594m E: 502333m.
Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Inari Hiking Trails, 1:50 000, Metsähallitus 2015, the map is sold by Siida- Northern Lapland Nature Centre and Ivalo Customer Service.
Hammastunturi - Etelä-Inari ulkoilukartta: Hammastunturi - South-Inari outdoor map, 1:100 000, Karttakeskus 2016. The map is sold by Siida - Northern Lapland Nature Centre and Ivalo Customer Service.
Author’s map recommendations
Excursionmap.fi of Metsähallitus (https://www.excursionmap.fi/?id=1982)
Equipment
A sturdy shoes and dry exhangeshirt and warm clothing while taking a break. Waterbottle.Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Questions and answers
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