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On the boardwalks of the Luosto hiking nature trail, with Ukko-Luosto in the background.Photo: Teemu Kuisma, Metsähallitus
The Luosto hiking nature trail is like Lapland in miniature. Experience 400-year-old primeval forests, admire the fell landscapes of aapa mires, and look into the distance from the viewpoint on the fell summit.
The versatile Luosto hiking nature trail showcases the best sights of Pyhä-Luosto National Park's nature. The trail leads the hiker over the fell ridge to Luosto’s 400-year-old primeval forests, where the pines are low but particularly thick, especially near the treeline. On the Pyhänlatva mire, the trail passes along boardwalks where you can admire beautiful cranberry flowers or examine if the carnivorous plant, the common butterwort, has caught prey. Sometimes you can enjoy a snack by the Pyhänlatva lean-to. From the open mires of Pyhänlatva, the fell landscape of Ukko-Luosto opens magnificently. At the same time, you can learn about old-time haymaking on the bog meadows. The climb to Ukko-Luosto’s summit is rewarded with wonderful views, especially the series of five peaks of Pyhätunturi can be seen well. From the summit’s viewing platform, you can also see the vast scale of the Pyhänlatva mire and Siurunaava. Stairs lead the hiker down Ukko-Luosto’s rocky slope while offering a great view of the rocky slope of Orresokka.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Show elevation profileRest stops
Ukko-Luosto Scenic Hut, Pyhä-Luosto National ParkSafety information
The route passes through bog areas; do not stray from the route as the bog can be sinking in places. Some parts of the boardwalks are also in poor condition and require caution. At the fell summit, the route goes through rocky terrain in places, so hikers should place their steps carefully. Between Pyhänlatva lean-to and the junction to Yrjölä rental cabin, there is a natural water point whose water must be boiled or otherwise treated before use.
More information at Hiking ABC.
Tips and suggestions
Pyhä-Luosto National Park rules.
Roadbook
The route starts at Luostonportti, from where you follow a wide gravel path towards Tikkalaavu. From here, the route continues winding up Ukko-Luosto's steep slope towards the Ukko-Luosto scenic cabin. At the scenic cabin, located at a four-way junction, continue straight on, following the green route markers on the trees. In places, the rocky path descends into the old forest of Luosto and crosses down to reach the ski track base surrounding Ukko-Luosto. After the mixed forest section, the trees begin to thin out and you reach a bog. Boardwalks lead to the Pyhänlatva lean-to shelter, and just before the lean-to, sharp-eyed hikers may notice the Yrjölä rental cabin on the edge of the bog. The rental cabin junction branches off to the right from the hiking nature trail after the lean-to. Through forest islands, you reach the middle of the Pyhänlatva mire, from where magnificent views open up to the Luosto fells across the bog meadow. The path continues through the mixed forest, crosses the ski track base again, and begins climbing into the Pikku-Luosto hollow and from there up to Ukko-Luosto's rocky fell. From the summit, a small spur leads left towards a viewpoint. The route continues from the summit to the right, heading east along the long stairs of Ukko-Luosto. After the stairs, the route follows an easy gravel path back towards Luostonportti. Along the route, there are signs describing the special features of nature. The recommended direction for the route is counterclockwise, mainly for the views.
Route markings and signage: Green squares on the trees and brown metal signs at junctions.
The route is demanding due to its length and the rather steep ascents and descents. The route surface consists of either gravel paths, traditional paths, rocky paths, or boardwalks in bog areas. Long stairs descend from the summit of Ukko-Luosto.
Ukko-Luosto Scenic Hut, Pyhä-Luosto National Park
Over 400-years-old pine forest in Luosto
Pyhänlatva Lean-to-shelter
Yrjölä Rental Hut in Pyhä-Luosto National Park
A Fine scenery of Ukko-Luosto
Ukko-Luosto viewpoint
Public transport
You can check the schedules of buses that run to Luosto center from Matkahuolto's website.
Get Timetable to destination
Directions
You can get to the route starting point Luostonportti by driving from the village of Luosto, 500 meters up Luostontie road towards the slopes in front of Lapland Hotel Luostotunturi. Before the slopes, the road passes under an arch bridge, after which the Luostonportti starting point can be found immediately on the left. There is a parking lot at the starting point.
Read more about arriving at Pyhä-Luosto.
Parking
At the starting point, there is a parking lot sized for about 200 cars. The parking lot is also kept open in winter.
Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Author’s map recommendations
Pyhä-Luosto National Park summer route map.
Equipment
Proper hiking gear is required, i.e., good hiking boots, weather-protective clothing, spare clothes, map, charged phone, as well as enough drinking water and food. There are few water points along the route, so you need to bring enough water with you. Early in the summer during floodtime and in rain, we recommend rubber boots, and in summer waterproof hiking boots, as the route can be wet in places. For making fire, you need to bring matches and toilet paper for the toilet.
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
User Questions
Unanswered