Hiking

The Saariselkä area and Urho Kekkonen National Park offer many excellent hiking trails. There is a marked trail network that is useful for planning day hikes or short trekking trips. In addition, the national park has numerous wilderness huts and campfire sites, maintained by Metsähallitus, which can be used on longer hikes. More information about these huts and Saariselkä hiking routes is available on the Luontoon.fi website.

Short or Long Hikes

Short day trips can start from Saariselkä village or the Kiilopää fell centre, where several trail options are available. You can choose a few-kilometer nature trail or a 15 km day hike.

For longer hikes, routes can be found in Urho Kekkonen National Park. Starting points include Saariselkä village, Kiilopää, Raja-Jooseppi, or Aittajärvi. The national park has marked trails suitable for those who are not experienced with navigation equipment. For trips into remote areas without marked trails, it is essential to carry a map, compass, and preferably a GPS device.

Hikers should be aware of safety precautions. In the wilderness around Saariselkä, you may be alone, and it is possible not to encounter other hikers for several days. Mobile phone coverage is not available in all areas, so hikers must be prepared to manage on their own. Bring first aid supplies, extra clothing, and food in case you unexpectedly need to spend a night in the wilderness.