Saariselkä: Hiking, Fells and Gold History

When planning a trip to Saariselkä, you can focus on hiking, fell landscapes or winter sports. The trails vary in length, difficulty and theme; in winter, cross-country ski trails and activities at the Saariselkä Ski & Sport Resort are also available. Reviewing these differences can help you organise your planned activities before looking for a hotel for your stay.

Choose hiking trails by length and theme

Several hiking trails start at the Saariselkä Trailhead. The easy Aurorapolku Trail is 2.1 kilometres long and leads into Urho Kekkonen National Park. In summer, you can experience the midnight sun there. The moderately difficult Iisakkipää Nature Trail also starts at the trailhead. It has a 3- or 7-kilometre option; along the way, you can learn about birds, plants and their habitats through the four seasons. The trails therefore differ both in distance and difficulty, as well as in what you can discover along the way.

The Prospector Trail offers a different focus: it explores the history of gold mining and the importance of gold in the Saariselkä region. The trail starts at the Saariselkä Trailhead or in Laanila. From Saariselkä, it is 9 kilometres long; the hike from there is estimated to take about 3 to 4 hours. Highlights include an old gold mine established by the Prospector mining company in 1902. If you are planning your day around it, allow for the estimated hiking time from Saariselkä.

A gorge and national park landscapes

Urho Kekkonen National Park stretches east from Saariselkä. Nearby is Rumakuru, 6 kilometres from Saariselkä. The steep gorge was carved out by meltwater during the Ice Age and lies along marked trails in the national park. Its geological history makes it another specific destination for nature lovers and hikers.

There are two day huts for hikers by the gorge. One was built around the turn of the 20th century and is the oldest hut in the entire area. In Rumakuru, natural history meets the long history of hut use. The distance given is from Saariselkä; it should not be confused with hiking time.

Cross-country ski trails and winter sports

The Saariselkä Ski & Sport Resort is located on the Kaunispää and Iisakkipää fells. Finland’s longest toboggan run descends from the summit of Kaunispää to the lifts; its availability depends on the season. You should therefore plan your visit to the resort and use of its facilities according to the time of year.

Ski School Saariselkä offers lessons in alpine skiing, snowboarding, telemark skiing, snowkiting, cross-country skiing and adaptive alpine skiing. Lessons must always be booked in advance. If you are planning to take lessons, arrange the dates with the ski school beforehand.

Some of the cross-country ski trails in Saariselkä are lit from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.; the illuminated routes are marked on the trail maps. Lighting hours may be adjusted seasonally, so it is a good idea to check the current map before setting out. Most trails are groomed daily in the morning. The nature trails and the Vellinsärpimä–Taajoslaavu–Luulampi trails are listed as being groomed three times a week. Since grooming frequency may change by season, check this information before your trip as well.

Dogs are allowed on the Saariselkä–Moitakuru–Palo-oja cross-country ski trail, provided they are kept on a leash. If you are travelling with a dog, this leash rule applies to the route mentioned.

Getting to Saariselkä

A shuttle bus connects Ivalo Airport with the resort of Saariselkä. Tickets are available on the bus; there is no need to book in advance. As transport services may change, check the details before you depart. This will help you coordinate your journey with your planned route and seasonal activities.

For the main travel overview: Saariselkä.