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Pyhä-Luosto Hiking Trail

Hiking route · Pyhä-Luosto National Park
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  • Great views towards Pyhä from Ukko-Luosto
    Great views towards Pyhä from Ukko-Luosto
    Photo: Netta Kuivalainen, Metsähallitus

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. 

moderate
Distance 28.6 km
10:00 h
684 m
629 m
482 m
199 m

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/.

Profile picture of Linda Turunen
Author
Linda Turunen
Update: October 13, 2023
Difficulty
moderate
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
482 m
Lowest point
199 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Track types

Asphalt 0.85%Forested/wild trail 0.46%Path 98.67%
Asphalt
0.2 km
Forested/wild trail
0.1 km
Path
28.3 km
Show elevation profile

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 hints

Please check instructions and rules in Pyhä-Luosto National park before your visit.

Start

Luoston portti: WGS84 lat: 67° 09.2725' lon: 26° 54.6508' ETRS-TM35FIN P: 7448610m I: 496137m
Coordinates:
DD
67.019761, 27.252450
DMS
67°01'11.1"N 27°15'08.8"E
UTM
35W 510998 7433605
w3w 
///inferiority.dread.fittingly
Show on Map

Destination

Visitor centre Naava: WGS84 lat: 67° 01.1655' lon: 27° 15.1473' ETRS-TM35FIN P: 7433567m I: 510998m

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

DD
67.019761, 27.252450
DMS
67°01'11.1"N 27°15'08.8"E
UTM
35W 510998 7433605
w3w 
///inferiority.dread.fittingly
Show on Map
Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

Book recommendation by the author

Author’s map recommendations

https://excursionmap.fi/

Book recommendations for this region:

Show more

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.  

The most beautiful hikes in Pyhä-Luosto National Park
Finland › Lappi › Kemijärvi

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Difficulty
moderate
Distance
28.6 km
Duration
10:00 h
Ascent
684 m
Descent
629 m
Highest point
482 m
Lowest point
199 m
Public-transport-friendly Linear route Scenic Refreshment stops available Geological highlights Summit route Dog-friendly 'Healthy climate'

Weather at the route's trailhead

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