recommended route
Pyhä-Luosto Hiking Trail
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Great views towards Pyhä from Ukko-LuostoPhoto: Netta Kuivalainen, Metsähallitus
Explanation
By hiking this trail you will climb to the top of Ukko-Luosto and roam in old-growth forests, across the fells and through the deepest gorge in Finland Isokuru.
Pyhä-Luosto hiking trail (cca. 30 km) is the trail connecting resort centres Pyhä and Luosto by following the fell chain between these two. The trail is classified as intermediate as it is in some places rocky and steep. The trail is nevertheless suitable also for hikers with less hiking experience.
Hiking trail is well marked with yellow markings and the distances between campfire sites, huts or other services vary from six to only few kilometres. Services on the trail include open wilderness hut, rental huts, day-use huts, campfire sites, lean-to shelters, and Lapp huts.
The trail is interesting for its diverse nature including old-growth coniferous forests with its rich flora and fauna, bare fell tops, rocky ravines, deepest gorge in Finland Isokuru, lakes and ponds, as well as historically and culturally important sites. From the trail it is possible to ascent area´s highest fell Noitatunturi (540m).
Author’s recommendation
The Lampivaara amethyst mine and café are located along the route. Check for current information at www.amethystmine.fi/.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Safety information
Check locations of water points before setting off.
Isokuru is a restricted area and it is therefore not allowed to walk elsewhere than on the marked trail for your safety and for the good of nature.
The wooden duckboards can be very slippery in wet weather and at the time of autumn frost. The distances as marked on the signs are distances on flat ground, which means that if a route has great elevation differences, the real distance can be slightly longer.
Tips and suggestions
Please check instructions and rules in Pyhä-Luosto National park before your visit.
Turn-by-turn directions
Trail markings: yellow markings on trees.
Recommended direction: can be done in both directions.
From the trail, there is a connection to most of the Pyhä-Luosto day trip trails. See map for more information on trails.
The hiking trail follows the fell chain between Pyhä and Luosto skiing resorts. You can start the hike at either end. There is bus and taxi connecting Pyhä and Luosto. Parts of the trail are narrow and rocky, at times hiking trail follows a wider cross-country skiing track base or goes along a gravel trail suitable also for mountain biking. There is a 75-metre-section of steel duckboards when heading to the south from the Pyhälampi camfire site. Dogs can fairly easily run alongside these duckboards. There are bridges over rivers or streams and stairs at Luosto and Isokuru gorge. There are natural water points at Pyhälampi, Kapusta, Huttuloma and Karhunjuomalampi day huts and campfire sites. Water from these sources needs to be boiled before use. In the near vicinity of Huttuloma, there is household water well at Huttujärvi rental hut and the water from this source is drinkable without boiling. Note that day huts are not meant for staying over night. The trail can be done in one day (light pack), in two days or three days.
Along the trail, you will experience round, bare felltops with great views over the area, rugged gorges, old-growth forest, and a number of geological and historical sites. Siberian jay may come to greet you and you will share trail with reindeer. On the trail you can also experience true silence.
Use summer trails map in Literature section for easier planning.
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Bus tickets from the nearest railway station and airport: www.matkahuolto.fi/en.
Directions
Pyhä-Luosto National Park is located in Eastern Lapland, the distance from Rovaniemi to Luosto is about 115 km and from Kemijärvi to Luosto (road no. 962) about 70 km. The nearest airport is in Rovaniemi and the train station in Kemijärvi.Parking
The parking area at Luostonportti is located within the Luosto ski center. There is space for about 200 cars and the car park is also available in winter. Route signs depart from Luostonportti from the southeast corner of the parking area right next to the ski bridge.Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Author’s map recommendations
Book recommendations for this region:
Equipment
Dress accordingly to weather conditions. Due to the rockiness of the trail, sturdy hiking shoes are recommended for this route.
In summer, a mosquito hat and an insect repellent are recommended to protect against mosquitoes and other insects.
Bring your own food and water, a charged phone, matches, toilet paper, a map, first aid kit and a trash bag. If you are planning to camp, please notice that there can be other hikers at campfire sites, so bring you own tent with you.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Questions and answers
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