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Kiirunapolku in Urho Kekkonen National Park

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  • Kiilopää bench
    Kiilopää bench
    Photo: Heini Koivuniemi, Metsähallitus

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    The Kiirunapolku leads to Arctic nature and bird watching.
    moderate
    Distance 5.8 km
    2:30 h
    195 m
    195 m
    531 m
    336 m
    What is the creaking sound in the fell? When can you see lemmings? How to recognize the Kiilopää birch found only on the fells of Urho Kekkonen National Park? The information boards along the Kiirunapolku at Kiilopää tell about the harsh fell nature, its plants, birds, and animals. An attentive traveler may even see the trail's namesake species, the Siberian jay, or hear its creaking call during the hike. The Kiilopää area is a favorable spot for spotting Arctic bird species.

    Author’s recommendation

    Take a selfie on the amazing scenic bench located at the top of Kiilopää.
    Difficulty
    moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Experience
    Landscape
    Highest point
    531 m
    Lowest point
    336 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
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    Track types

    Asphalt 0.28%Path 99.71%
    Asphalt
    17 m
    Path
    5.8 km
    Show elevation profile

    Safety information

    The Kiirunapolku is clearly marked in the terrain, but especially in open fell areas, weather conditions can be challenging and visibility poor. Hikers must have a topographic map and compass, along with basic skills in using them.

    There are mobile phone network dead zones along the route where the phone does not work at all.

    More safety instructions for hiking can be found on the Luontoon.fi website, in the Safety section.

    Tips and suggestions

    More information about Urho Kekkonen National Park and its routes is available on the Luontoon.fi website.

    Tips for hiking in Finnish conditions can be found on the Luontoon.fi website, in the Hiking ABC section.

    Explore the story of Kiirunapolku and the harsh home of Arctic species in Urho Kekkonen National Park.

    Roadbook

    You can access Kiirunapolku from the starting gate at Kiilopää. The trail initially ascends gently on Kiilopää's lower slope. Above the tree line, the slope becomes a bit steeper, and the view opens up. There are stairs at the rockiest parts to make walking easier. In clear weather, from Kiilopää’s summit, you can admire the fells of Urho Kekkonen National Park to the east and north. To the south are the sharp-peaked Nattastunturi fells of Sompio Wilderness Park. The distance to the Kiilopää summit is 2 km, which is the most challenging part of the trail. From the summit, the trail descends the northern slope of Kiilopää and crosses the municipal border about 0.5 km later. The border between Sodankylä and Inari municipalities is visible on maps, but in the open fell landscape, it is not visible at all. About 200 meters from the municipal border, you cross the Luulampi trail. The route continues north for about 0.5 km, where the Luulampi trail is crossed again. After this, the last 2 km continue towards Kiilopää. At the end, the trail crosses one of the headwaters of Kiilo Creek. In winter, the trail serves as a snowshoe route. The trail is suitable for beginner hikers. The circular route can be walked in both directions. If you want to extend the hike, you can combine it with other trails as well as other snowshoe routes in winter.
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    Kiilopään huippu
    Kiilopään lähtöportti ja pysäköintialue
    Kiilopään huippu
    Fjell Center Kiilopää
    Fell Centre Kiilopää - Combination of Hotel Accommodation And Outdoors Activities in Lapland.

    Public transport

    There are daily bus connections to the starting point of the route at Kiilopää from the directions of Rovaniemi and Ivalo. Current bus schedules can be viewed on the Matkahuolto website.

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    Kiirunapolku in Urho Kekkonen National Park

    Directions

    The starting point of the route is located in the yard of Suomen Latu Kiilopää. From highway E75, turn at Kakslauttanen onto road No. 9695; from the junction, there are six kilometers to Kiilopää. The starting point address is Kiilopääntie 620, 99830 Saariselkä.

    Parking

    Parking at Suomen Latu Kiilopää parking area (overnight parking without accommodation at Kiilopää is chargeable). Coordinates, address, and location on Google Maps of the parking area:

    Coordinates: WGS84 lat: 68° 20.7882' lon: 27° 27.7299'

    Address: Kiilopääntie 620, 99830 Saariselkä

    Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/4EoevBGQ7PG2

    Coordinates

    DD
    68.346454, 27.461235
    DMS
    68°20'47.2"N 27°27'40.4"E
    UTM
    35W 518993 7581562
    w3w 
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    Show on Map
    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Equipment

    Equipment needed for hiking includes suitable clothing, sturdy hiking boots, a water bottle, as well as a compass and map.

    Localization

    Parts of this content were machine translated using Finnish as the source language

    The most beautiful hikes in Urho Kekkonen National Park
    Finland › Lappi › Sodankylä

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    The 10 most beautiful hikes in Urho Kekkonen National Park
    Kiilopää bench
    Hiking Trail · Urho Kekkonen National Park
    Kiirunapolku in Urho Kekkonen National Park
    recommended route Difficulty moderate
    4
    5.8 km
    2:30 h
    195 m
    195 m
    The Kiirunapolku leads to Arctic nature and bird watching.
    Lake Luulampi
    Hiking Trail · Urho Kekkonen National Park
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    recommended route Difficulty moderate
    4
    10.4 km
    4:00 h
    283 m
    283 m
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    recommended route Difficulty easy
    No ratings (yet)
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    2:00 h
    170 m
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    Hiking Trail · Lappi
    Circular hike in Urho-Kekkonen National Park
    recommended route Difficulty easy
    5
    6.3 km
    2:00 h
    120 m
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    Hiking Trail · Urho Kekkonen National Park
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    15:25 h
    764 m
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    Hiking Trail · Urho Kekkonen National Park
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    recommended route Difficulty T2 difficult
    No ratings (yet)
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    18:20 h
    1,060 m
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    Hiking Trail · Urho Kekkonen National Park
    Rautulampi route
    recommended route Difficulty difficult
    No ratings (yet)
    21.9 km
    5:50 h
    404 m
    404 m
    The Rautulampi route in Urho Kekkonen National Park offers hikers stunning fell scenery and significant elevation changes. The route through the wilderness is not suitable for inexperienced people and requires good preparation. The route can be covered as a long day trip either on foot or by bike, or you can spend the night at the Rautulampi wilderness hut or reservation hut.
    Aurora dome
    Hiking Trail · Urho Kekkonen National Park
    Aurora trail in Urho Kekkonen National Park
    recommended route Difficulty easy
    3
    2.2 km
    1:00 h
    23 m
    23 m
    The Aurora walking trail near the center of Saariselkä takes the traveler directly into the embrace of nature in Urho Kekkonen National Park all year round.
    Difficulty
    moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    5.8 km
    Duration
    2:30 h
    Ascent
    195 m
    Descent
    195 m
    Highest point
    531 m
    Lowest point
    336 m
    Round trip Scenic Summit route 'Healthy climate'

    Weather at the starting point

    10-day forecast

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