Urho Kekkonen National Park

the way to a welcoming wilderness hut for the night. This vast park extends eastwards from the
resort of Saariselkä through the wilderness of Finnish Lapland all the way to the Russian border.
The remote fell of Korvatunturi is famous among Finns as the home of Father Christmas. The night
sky is illuminated by the Aurora Borealis in winter and the Midnight Sun in summer.

Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park

Trek from hilltop to hilltop through the arctic fells along Finland's first hiking trail. Here you can
enjoy hiking or skiing through the wilds, but still find welcoming lodgings for comfortable
overnight stays in historic Lappish villages. This part of Lapland has the freshest air in the world.
On dark nights look out for the amazing Northern Lights.
Would you like to see the night sky and polar light?
The Urho Kekkonen National park is a Finnish park, but also a holiday village in the
Saariselka area, in the province of Lapland, Finland. It is located east with Russia,
north of the Arctic Circle. The National park is not only known for pine forest, frozen
lakes, and wild animals, but also for its unbelievable midnight sun in summer, the
Aurora Borealis in winter, Whereby its marvelous to see the landscapes. However,
Would you believe me? If I tell you that Santa Claus exists, owing to this magical
park is the true home of Father Christmas besides you can visit it. Even so, Would
you believe it? Such is famous among Finns as in historic Lappish villages.
Moreover, this part of Lapland has the freshest air in the world. Therefore, you can
find welcoming lodgings for comfortable overnight stays in the Hotel Arctic Resort,
famous for its glass igloos, an option specially designed to see the polar light.
Eventually, the Park has its own restaurant, souvenir shop and a variety of
activities.
The Urho Kekkonen National Park has a variety of landscapes: forest wilderness
with pine, waterfall, wetlands, ravines, boulder fields, and meandering clear
streams, and even verdant valleys. The park is in Finnish Lapland, clearly north of
the Arctic circle. In midwinter, there is Polar Night, with a few hours of twilight in the
day and light by the moon, stars and often Aurora Borealis otherwise. But Have
you ever been to a place where night does not come? In summer there are days
where the sun does not hide and you would think it is the longest day of your life.
On the contrary, For wildlife, more likely sightings include that you can admire
fantastic animals like the golden eagle, brown bear, arctic fox, wolf, lynx, elk, and
the reindeer. The Park is quite quiet and farther into the wilderness zones you will
be alone most of the time, except perhaps at wilderness huts and at some common
routes. There are lodging services in the park, including hotels, not only there are
quite a few open wilderness huts in the area, but there are saunas with self-service
at some of the huts as well there are also day huts, primarily meant for breaks.
With wilderness huts amid the beauty of this huge expanse of forest. Furthermore,
the park is in the reindeer area, therefore, it is known as Santa Claus's home!
Korvatunturi, located in the remotest corner in border Russia, however, You can
reach nearby and from there you can view the magnificent Korvatunturi Fell.Best
regards

Nicolas Bermudez

Instructions and Rules in Urho Kekkonen National Park

Instructions on Exploring Urho Kekkonen National Park

In Urho Kekkonen National Park, the following are

Allowed

Walking, skiing, rowing and canoeing and on wintertime montain biking any where else except at
the skiing tracks.

Picking berries and mushrooms

Restricted

The use of the national park is regulated through the Park Regulations.

The national park has been divided into the following zones to regulate its use and to prevent its
wearing down: the recreational and nature turism zone and remote zone. The zones have different
regulations for hiking, lighting fires and camping.

Camping is allowed only nearby huts, shelters and fireplaces in recreational and nature turism
zone. In the remote zone you can freely choose a camping location - except for the areas of
Paratiisikuru, Lumikuru and the surroundings of ancient structures, where camping is forbidden.

The park is restricted at east to the boder zone between Finland and Russia and therefore part of
the park is situated at the boder zone, in which one need a border zone permit to enter.

Lighting campfires is allowed only at sites marked for this purpose in recrational and nature turism
zone.

At summer time montain biking is allowed on a marked trails and a few unmarked trails, which
are:

Kakslauttanen - Kopsusjärvi

Nilanpää - Suomunruoktu

Rajajooseppi - Anterinmukka

Kemihaara - Peskihaara - Keskipakat

Kemihaara - Mantoselkä

Fishing is allowed with the correct permits.

Fishers need to check the restrictions.

Hook and line fishing and ice-fishing on a lake-waters.

To organise events in the National Park permission is always needed.

Forbidden

Please note that lighting campfires is also forbidden at campfire sites if the forest fire warning or
the grass fire warning is in effect. Check the current warnings.

This prohibition does not apply to cooking shelters or other fireplaces with a flue.

Making fire is forbidden in Paratiisi- and Lumikuru and also Raja-Jooseppi homestead and skolt
sámi fields at Lutto- and Suomujoki -rivers.

Driving a dog sled, except with licence at Pieranvaara -hill trail.

Pets running at large.

Taking or damaging trees, bushes, other plants or their parts, or mushrooms other than edible
ones.

Damaging soil or rock, and extraction of earth material or minerals.

Killing, catching or disturbing wild vertebrates, or damaging their nests.

Catching or collecting invertebrates.

Driving motor vehicles, except on roads designated for motor vehicles Leaving waste in the area,
or damaging constructions.

Mountain biking at skiing tracks.

Other people disturbing behavior.

Preparations.

Equipment-

Take into account the different seasons when packing equipment and food.

The most important equipment when hiking are a knife, matches, a map and compass. They
should be taken along even on the shortest day trips in addition to food and drink. Further
information on equipment and hiking can be obtained from camping books.

A sleeping bag is part of the hiker's basic gear because the huts in the national park do not contain
blankets, except for the reservable huts in the Savukoski area.

Take with you pots and pans for making food and your own cutlery.
Make use of the good, comprehensive network of huts in the national park when planning a hike.
In the off-season there is usually room in the huts, but if you want to guarantee yourself a sleeping
place, make a reservation for a reservable hut or turf hut or keep a tent with you.

Take with you a V9 battery for the fire alarm, because moisture and the cold weaken the
functioning of the battery or someone may have removed the battery.

There are mattresses in the national park's reservable huts and turf huts and in the rental hut.

There are no mattresses in the open wilderness huts, except for in Anterinmukka Open Wilderness
Hut and the open wilderness huts on the Savukoski side of the park.

The national park's huts have a stove or fireplace and a gas cooker. There is firewood in the
woodshed.

The lean-to shelters, Lapp Pole Tents and huts have a saw and an axe. Especially winter campers
should take with them their own equipment, mentioned above. Spare blades for the saw can be
found on the woodshed's wall.

The huts usually have a water bucket and scoop, a waste bucket, guest book, fire alarm. The hut's
folder contains. instructions on how to use equipment and how to behave in the hut.

Make sure you pack a first-aid kit.

Peak Seasons

The high seasons for hiking in the national park are the skiing season in November–April and the
hiking season in the summer and autumn. The open wilderness huts are often full in the high
seasons, so make sure to reserve a place in a reservable hut or turf hut and to keep a tent with
you, unless you plan to sleep under the stars.

Safety Tips

If you face an emergency on your hike, get lost, get injured or observe wildfire, call 112 and report
an emergency. More information on how to act in an emergency.

Day trips are a good way to start out if you are a beginner. When going into the park's wilderness
zones for longer and more demanding treks, you must always have an experienced hiker in your
group.

Before setting out on a trek explain your exact route to someone reliable. If your route changes
tell your contact as soon as possible. Remember to also tell them when you have returned from
your trek. You can leave your route information at your place of lodging, Fell Centre Kiilopää or
any of the parks Visitor Centres. Mark down your visits in the huts' and tepees' guest books. In
emergencies the markings serve as aids to helpers. The area's rescue service has been organised
according to statutes and it can be reached through the emergency exchange. Remember to give
notice of your arrival so that the searchers are not called out unnecessarily. Remember to call the
emergency number 112 first in an emergency situation.
The weather may change rapidly on the fells. A quickly forming fog or blizzard may cause
dangerous situations.

In winter, trekking is very demanding. Harsh weather and poor light in the middle of winter cause
difficulties. The temperature can drop to -40° and during the darkest part of winter there is
sunlight for only a couple of hours. The cold is increased significantly by wind chill.

Orienteering skills are essential. Be prepared for emergencies such as having to camp out in the
forest.

Avoid hiking alone. In emergencies a hiking partner is immeasurably valuable.

Early spring is a popular time for trekking, but even then proper gear is needed.If you have normal
cross-country skis, you should stay on maintained trails.

When following snowmobile tracks be cautious. Getting lost is especially dangerous during winter.
Winter trekking is best suited for those with experience.

Avalanches may occur in gorges.

Hiking in Finland:

What to Take

Safety

Mobile Phone Coverage

Although Finland has a broad network for mobile phones, there are some areas in the park
without signal. There may also be some smaller spots where there is interference. If this happens
try to climb to a higher place or go into an open area. It may be worth removing the SIM card from
your phone and then trying again to make emergency call. Different phones also differ in their
coverage.

We recommend that you keep your mobile phone warm at all times and take along food and
drink. Certain phone models do not work when the temperature falls below zero. You should
therefore let someone know your planned route. To keep your mobile phone charged, bring along
a spare power source, a spare battery or an old phone with a working battery.

Natural Features of Urho Kekkonen National Park

In Urho Kekkonen National Park, the wilderness areas of the fells are protected for the current and
future generations to enjoy. In the second oldest national park in Finland, the tradition of nature-
based industries lives on.

Rumakuru, Paratiisikuru, Pirunportti - gorges

The national park was established to protect Forest Lapland's and Southern Lapland's forest, mire
and fell nature and to secure nature-based sources of livelihood, mainly reindeer husbandry, and
the conditions for traditional hiking.

Urho Kekkonen National Park is Finland's second largest protected area. The northern parts of the
national park are characterised by the Luttojoki, Suomujoki and Muorravaarakkajoki river-valleys.

The heart of the national park is formed by the continuous Raututunturi–Saariselkä fell area. It is
an easily traversable fell area, shaped by the last Ice Age and typified by gorges, heaths and
boulder fields. The Raututunturi–Saariselkä fell area is made of Lapland granulite, a rock material
formed around 1,900 million years ago. The present-day fells were formed by block movements
around 30–50 million years ago. The blocks' fracture lines formed today's river-valleys. The last Ice
Age slowly retreated from the area around 9,500 years ago. It caused the formation of, among
others, the earth's moraine-cover, gravel eskers, lateral drainage channels and the fells' gorges.
The boulder fields have formed from rock which has slowly weathered after the Ice Age. In the
park's south-east area are the lonely Naltiotunturi Fell and in the border zone, the mysterious
Korvatunturi Fell.

Watershed Area

The national park is a watershed area. Some of the rivers empty into the Arctic Ocean, some into
the Gulf of Bothnia. The park's waterways consist mainly of rivers and brooks. The waterways that
empty into the Arctic Ocean belong to the Tuulomajoki water system, the largest of these being
the Suomujoki, Luttojoki, Muorravaarakkajoki, Anterijoki, Jaurujoki and Nuorttijoki rivers. The
Kemijoki water system empties into the Gulf of Bothnia and includes the Luirojoki, Kopsusjoki and
Repojoki rivers, as well as the Kemijoki River which originates in the national park. The south-
eastern area of the park is cleaved by the imposing Nuorttijoki canyon.

Magic of the wilderness

Northern Coniferous Forests

Urho Kekkonen National Park is located in the Northern Boreal Forest zone. The national park
area's vegetation is fairly nutrient-poor. There are relatively few plant species and demanding
species only grow along the shores of brooks and rivers. Most of the national park's forests are dry
pine forests which have a mix of dead standing trees and are easy to hike through. The northern
limit of spruce growth crosses the Saariselkä Fell area. North to this line there are no homogenous
spruce forests. The forests' ground and field layers include species such as fern moss, dwarf birch,
blueberry, marsh tea, lichens, heather, lingonberry, crowberry and the arctic bearberry. Wide
wilderness-like coniferous forests are typical in the national park. Small herb-rich forests dominate
the stream banks, which grow Globe flowers (Trollius europaeus), Dwarf cornels (Cornus suecica),
Melancholy thistles (Cirsium helenioides) and wood cranesbills (geranium sylvaticum).

The south of the park is typical forest wilderness with isolated fells, pine forests and thickly-
mossed spruce forests. The area is inhabited by many animal species, which tend to live in old-
growth forests.

Golden eagles in Urho Kekkonen National Park

In total 110 bird species have been sighted nesting in Urho Kekkonen National Park area, several of
which are endangered like the Gyr Falcon (Falco rusticolus) and the Peregrine Falcon (Falco
peregrinus). The Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is Urho Kekkonen National Park's official
emblem bird. About 70% of the birds sighted in the national park are migrating birds. The first of
these to return after winter is the Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator), which arrives in late
February-early March. The bird species which have the largest populations in the national park are
the Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla), the Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus), the Meadow
Pipit (Anthus pratensis), the Redwing (Turdus iliacus) and the Redpoll (Acanthis flammea).

In the forested part of the national park hikers can often come across the Siberian Jay (Perisoreus
infaustus), the Siberian Tit (Parus cinctus) and the Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides tridactylus),
which are typical inhabitants of old-growth forests.

On the other hand the European Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria) and the Dotterel (Charadrius
morinellus) thrive on the fell top and the waders such as the Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola),
the Ruff (Philomachus pugnax) and the Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) inhabit the area's
mires.

Golden eagle
A fully grown golden eagle is a spectacular sight. The bird weighs four to five kilograms, and its
length from the beak to the tip of its tail is 80 to 95 cm. The female is bigger than the male.

This large bird of prey can be spotted from a distance as a dark shadow against the sky. Adults are
mainly dark in colour, with a lighter patch on the underside of the wing. In mature birds, the
colour on the neck and top of the head varies from gold to light brown. Juveniles have visible
white areas on their wings and tail.

This bird of prey hunts hares, fowls and reindeer calves. Should the luck of the hunt be on their
side, on rare occasions they can also attack a fully grown reindeer. Other items on the menu
include foxes, squirrels, snakes and voles.

The range of the golden eagle extends across the entire northern hemisphere. It favours areas as
little disturbed by humans as possible. In most cases, the golden eagle’s nest is found many
kilometres away from houses and other human activity. Urho Kekkonen National Park with its
peaceful wilderness areas is ideal for golden eagles.

Golden eagles build their nests in sturdy pine trees and occasionally also spruces or deciduous
trees. In suitable areas, a golden eagle nest may be found on a rock. While the nest may be up to
1.5 metres in height and weigh hundreds of kilograms, it is well hidden and difficult to spot.

Some twenty pairs nest in Urho Kekkonen National Park. The total number of nesting pairs in
Finland is estimated at 350 to 450, some 90% of which are found in the reindeer herding area.

Lapland's flowers waste no time

Vegetation on open fell tops is low; the plants have adapted to the barren earth and the severe
climate. Some of the most common plants on fell tops are the Black Crowberry (Empetrum nigrum
subs. hermaphroditum) and the Black Bearberry (Arctostaphylos alpina). The area's fell slopes are
also coloured by blooming Blue Heath (Phyllodoce caerulea), Alpine Azalea (Loiseleuria
procumbens) and Diapensia (Diapensia lapponica). When leaves turn beautiful colours in autumn,
the arctic bearberry glows a vivid red on the fellsides. At Saariselkä it is possible to come across
very rare and protected Mountain Avens (Dryas octopetala). In places where the snow melts
slowly you can find e.g. matted cassiope. On the highest fell tops vegetation is unable to grow on
the rocky terrain; only lichen can be found there. The most common lichens of the boulder fields
are the map lichen and the Lecanora (Aspicilia) lichen.
Rough Sompio Aapa Mires

The mires in the southern part of the national park are full of damp flarks and dryer strips of land
which criss-cross the flarks. This is typical of aapa bogs in this region. Lamminaapa, Repoaapa and
Pajuaapa are broad open mires in the national park near the Rivers Luirojoki and Repojoki. These
open mires are important nesting sites for the area's birds. The mires in the centre and northern
parts of the national park are characteristically quite small and have thin turf layers Forest
Lapland's Aapa Bogs.

Before the Lokka Reservoir was built there, Sompio's mire areas were much more extensive. The
largest aapa mire to be covered by the reservoir was Posoaapa. It was Finland's largest single aapa
mire, 16 km long with a surface area of some 7,000 hectares. Only small traces remain of the
former Posoaapa mire.

The structure and amount of nutrients in an aapa mire determine the mire's vegetation and its
establishment. The mires are covered with sedges and moss. Different plants from the Sundew
and Eriophorum families thrive in the area's mires. Rannoch-rush (Scheuchzeria palustris) and
Bogbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) thrive in the flarks while such plants as the Bog Rosemary
(Andromeda polifolia) are common in dryer spots. Other common hummock species are the
cloudberry, marsh tea and bog whortleberry. The dwarf birches, pines and spruces enliven the
scenery of the open aapa mires.

Large Predators and Other Mammals

Twenty-one different mammals have been encountered in the national park, amongst them
Finland´s large predators the bear (Ursus arctos), the wolverine (Gulo gulo), the wolf (Canis lupus)
and the lynx (Lynx lynx). These predators however are rarely seen by hikers. It is more common for
visitors to encounter reindeer, hares, moose and foxes. The shrew and moles as well as the pine-
marten, the stoat and the weasel are also inhabitants of the area. Near shorelines you may spot
footprints an otter has left behind during a fishing trip.

Other Animal Species

The Freshwater Pearl Mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera), which is an endangered species,

inhabits a few of the national park's rivers. Another valuable species in the area's rivers is the
Trout (Salmo trutta). Finland's only poisonous snake, the Viper, can be encountered in Sompio
Strict Nature Reserve, but not north of the Saariselkä Fells.

the fell slopes

A narrow belt of fell birch forest separates the coniferous forest from the open treeless fell tops.
The broadest fell birch forests are in the west part of the national park. On the slopes of Kiilopää
Fell there is quite a large group of trees. This species of tree is known as a cross between a fell
birch and a dwarf birch and is called Kiilopää birch.

Urho Kekkonen National Park Trails

Out onto the Fell Theme Trail

The hiking routes in the Urho Kekkonen National Park are divided into onto the Fell trails, which
are easy and theme-based, and Out into the Wilderness trails, which are more demanding. The
nine thematic Out onto the fells, which are ideal for day trips, begin from Saariselkä and Kiilopää.
Each of the trails is marked with its own symbol, which allows hikers to focus on enjoying the
scenery instead of map-reading.

Cross-country Skiing Trails

Around Saariselkä, Laanila, Kiilopää and Kakslauttanen there is a network of 250 kilometres of
maintained skiing trails. The trails are maintained by Saariselän Latuhuolto ry., which is a joint
venture of local tourist service enterprises. Marked and maintained skiing trails are limited to the
areas around the Saariselkä and Kiilopää Fell Centre in the main sector of the park. The trails are
marked with wooden crosses. Also, they are marked with the singns of different colours, which are
telling their level of difficulty: a blue line means the trail is easy, red is intermediate and black is
difficult.

The first trails to be opened every autumn are the lit skiing trails (about 25 km), which lead outside
of National Park borders to Laanila, Kiilopää, and Kakslauttanen. As more snow falls the trails
which lead to the fells in the main sector of the park are opened. The last trails to open in the
spring are: Vellinsärpimä - Taajoslaavu and Rautulampi and Kulmakuru, which lies outside the
national park.

Most of the skiing trails are suited for classical skiing and freestyle skiing. There are several day trip
huts along marked skiing trails. Trails are maintained on a daily basis during ski season, but skiers
should take into consideration that trails in the fells get covered with snow very quickly because of
high winds.

Sights in Urho Kekkonen National Park

Rumakuru Gorge

Rumakuru Gorge is a natural sight in Urho Kekkonen National Park. The steep gorge was created
by Ice Age melting water and it is located near the national park along marked trails. The journey
from Saariselkä to Rumakuru is 6 km. Rumakuru also has two day trip huts for hikers. The older of
the two is the oldest hut in the area.

Pääsiäiskuru Gorge

You can easily admire Pääsiäiskuru Gorge from along the marked trails. Pääsiäiskuru is an
interesting natural sight; it is a fell gorge where you may find snow even in July. It is around two
kilometres along both summer and winter trails from Urho Kekkonen National Park's gate at
Saariselkä.

Niilanpää Reindeer Round-up Corral

On the western slope of Niilanpää Fell, inside Urho Kekkonen National Park is the Lapland Herding
Cooperative's reindeer corral. The corral was built at the start of the 1960s. It has been mainly
used as a corral for ear-marking calves in summer, but also for round-ups in autumn. The corral
has not been in active use in reindeer work for several years because the Cooperative's reindeers'
grazing rotation has been controlled and the reindeer work has taken place mostly in the
Cooperative's western parts. A hut, built and owned by the Lapland Herding Cooperative, is
situated by the corral. It was built as a base for reindeer husbandry. The reindeer hut's yard also
contains a campfire site, dry toilet and a shed, all built for hikers to use.

Old Suomunruoktu Hut

The old Suomunruoktu hut in the Urho Kekkonen National Park has seen many different phases
and has had many different uses. As far as we know, it was originally built as a sauna for gold
prospectors in 1935. In the following decade, Suomen Latu renovated the hut for hiking purposes
and in the war it functioned as a military patrol base.

History of the Old Suomunruoktu Hut

The gold prospectors set up a building by the upper course of the River Suomujoki in 1935. It was
originally made into a sauna for gold diggers on the shore of the River Suomujoki. The larger
dwelling building was located slightly further up on the gentle slope. Engineer Hollman acted as
the builder.
Pleasant Overnight Stays for Many Decades

There were two parts in the Suomunruoktu dwelling building; Teräväpää and Tylppäpää, and a
kitchen in the middle. During the wars, military patrols lodged in the hut and it was also used as
horse stables. In 1943 Suomen Latu bought the hut and the sauna for the purposes of wilderness
hiking. The actual hut was in such a poor condition that it was no longer reasonable to repair it, so
it was pulled down, and the sauna was made into a hut for wilderness hikers. It has no solid
foundation but has been built on the ground. Handcrafted round logs were used as the building
material. There is one window in the hut and a saddle roof built with boards. Suomen Latu's repair
expeditions and private persons repaired and renovated the hut from 1947 onwards.

The old Suomunruoktu hut is the first open wilderness hut in the Saariselkä area that was made
solely for hiking purposes. It served the wilderness hikers for several decades. However, the
network of open wilderness huts that was later set up in the Koilliskaira area and particularly the
new Suomunruoktu hut (built in 1966) reduced the use of the old hut and the old hut
deteriorated. The distance from the old hut to the new hut is about 400 m (600 m along the path).
There is a campfire site, a woodshed and a dry toilet by the new Suomunruoktu hut.

In 1976-1978 Suomen Latu restored the old Suomunruoktu hut into a museum destination, and
today it is a historical sight in the basic zone of the Urho Kekkonen National Park. The hut is in
poor condition. There are still bunks and a table in the hut, but the fireplace has been removed.
There is also an old pole latrine behind the museum hut.

The Rumakuru Old Hut

The Rumakuru Old Day Trip Hut was built at the turn of the 19th and 20th century in gorge terrain
between Vävypää and Vahtamapää Fells in the Saariselkä fell area. At the distance of about half a
kilometre from the hut on the side of Vävypää Fell, you can admire the rocky, steep-walled
Rumakuru Gorge, a creation of the last Ice Age. The hut was named after the Rumakuru Gorge. It is
not known for sure who built the Rumakuru Old Day Trip Hut, but traces of digging in the nearby
area suggest that gold prospectors built it as their own base. There are only slight traces of gold
prospecting in the terrain so there has not been any major gold rush in the area. However, on the
basis of the traces in the terrain, it can be assumed that gold was sought in the nearby small
brooks. The Rumakuru New Day Trip Hut is a distance of about half a kilometre from the
Rumakuru Old Day Trip Hut. The new day trip hut was built in 1960 for research and hiking
purposes.

At the time of the gold rush to Lapland, a small wood-framed hut was built in the vicinity of the
headwater branches of the River Kulasjoki. The hut's floor area is about 8 square metres and the
height is 2.4 metres (measured in middle of the hut). There is one window on the south-facing wall
allowing some light to enter into the hut and another window in the door. The wood-framed hut
was built on the ground, on a gentle slope of the gorge. The exterior walls have been made of
square timber. The saddle roof has been modernly covered with bitumen felt but upholstered
from the top with wood in the old style. Today there is a wood-burning stove and a gas cooker in
the hut. The appearance of the hut has been protected by a decree from the Ministry of the
Environment in 1994. Consequently, when planning any renovation, the National Board of
Antiquities is always contacted first.

Today the Rumakuru Old Day Trip Hut serves visitors as an open day trip hut but is not suitable for
overnight stays. There are no bunks in the hut, only tables and benches.

Suomujoki Skolt Homestead. Photo: Siiri Tolonen

Suomujoki Skolt Homestead

Suomujoki Skolt homestead is a Skolt Sami residential area from the 1940s, which has been
protected and restored.

Oskarinkoski Skolt Homestead

Oskarinkoski Skolt homestead is located in the north-eastern part of Urho Kekkonen National Park,
along the Luttojoki River. The former homestead of the Skolt Sami people is a significant cultural
history site.

Raja-Jooseppi Homestead

At the Raja-Jooseppi homestead you can explore the grounds of the home that Joosef Sallila from
Parkano built for himself and his partner Matilda Lehikoinen in the early 1900s. The Raja-Jooseppi
homestead is a nationally valuable cultural heritage area and protected by decree of the Finnish
Government.

The site has remained almost unchanged: the buildings have been renovated and the grounds
have been kept open. There is also a trench dating from the war (1939 - 1945). The Raja-Jooseppi
homestead belongs to the Natura area of Urho Kekkonen National Park, Sompio and Kemihaara.

Raja-Jooseppi homestead is a nationally significant cultural history environment.

The Raja-Jooseppi homestead is located on the banks of River Luttojoki, close to the Russian
border. Behind River Luttojoki, there is a gorgeous view of the hills on the Russian side. Petsamo
was part of Finland from 1920 - 1944, which is why the location of the national border has varied
during the lives of Jooseppi and Matilda; for quite a long time, they lived at a distance of one
hundred kilometres from the Russian border.
You may visit the Raja-Jooseppi homestead throughout the year, but the road leading to the
homestead is not kept open in winter time. The visit to the homestead and its buildings is free of
charge.

The destination can be visited freely and no frontier zone permit is needed. The shift of the
frontier zone has opened the homestead to all visitors. When the soil is unfrozen, you can walk to
the Raja-Jooseppi homestead along the road that goes from the border of the Urho Kekkonen
National Park. In winter you can ski to the homestead. When visiting the destination, please bear
in mind that it is not permitted to visit the frontier zone. Any attempt to do so will raise an alarm
and there will be consequences in accordance with the Border Guard Act.

Directions by Car

Drive along road no 91 from Ivalo via Akujärvi to Raja-Jooseppi (about 55 km) to the Finnish -
Russian border. Before the customs station and the broad space that leads to the station, turn
right and continue for about one kilometre along the gravel road that goes to the bank of River
Luttojoki. Park the car in the small parking area and walk the rest of the journey (about 300
metres) to the homestead.

In winter the gravel road is not ploughed but you can ski from the customs station to the Raja-
Jooseppi homestead.

There is a parking area close the Raja-Jooseppi homestead by the border of Urho Kekkonen
National Park. There is also a dry toilet in the Raja-Jooseppi homestead behind the cowshed.

It is prohibited to light a campfire in the area.

Dwellers of the Homestead

Around 1910, Jooseppi (Joosef) Juhonpoika Sallila from Parkano and his partner Matilda
Lehikoinen came downstream and onto the bank of River Luttojoki. There was a sauna that had
been built by two reindeer men named Uula Valle and Arvid Pokka in the middle of wilderness,
and Jooseppi and Matilda settled down in the sauna building. They made their livelihood from gold
digging, pearlfishing, fishing, hunting and reindeer husbandry. They also bought cows and sheep to
the farm. One sign of prosperity was the large potato field. Hay was mowed from the grounds and
the nearby island.

Within ten years, a group of hand-made buildings appeared on the grounds. First they lived in the
sauna building, but soon they built a new cottage with wall logs that were carved white. The
cowshed was made for two cows, but at its best it housed four cows. The potato cellar, which was
dug upstream, was absolutely necessary for storing food. The baking oven was set up outside. The
grounds and the surrounding rail fence were completed in 1920.

At the beginning of 1920, a vagabond called Huhti-Heikki from Ähtäri arrived at the homestead.
While in Canada, he had heard about the annexation of Petsamo to Finland and came to River
Luttojoki to take up pearlfishing. Jooseppi persuaded Heikki to stay on the same riverbank and so
Huhti-Heikki built his own cottage at the homestead and stayed there for about four years.

Flora on the Raja-Jooseppi Grounds

The Raja-Jooseppi grounds are driest near the top of the slope, where there are grass fields and
hay meadows. The lower parts of the slope are more moist and part of the slope is covered by
floodwater in spring. There is also an island in front of the homestead where hay was mowed for
cows. Four different species of moonwort have been found on the grounds: grapefern moonwort
(Botrychium lunaria), the leathery grape fern (Botrychium multifidum), the boreal moonwort
(Botrychium boreale) and the lance-leaved moonwort (Botrychium lanceolatum). They have
considerably raised the value of the flora in the area.

The Raja-Jooseppi homestead is managed by mowing. The objective of the management of this
traditional biotope is to retain the typical and threatened meadow flora. The aim is also to keep
the grounds open and to prevent shrubs taking over the place. The island located in front of the
homestead is managed by mowing.

The Raja-Jooseppi Homestead's Site Plan

There are the following buildings and structures on the grounds of the Raja-Jooseppi homestead:

1. Barn

2. Cowshed and dry toilet

3. Well

4. Fish cellar

5. Sheep house

6. Huhti-Heikki's hut

7. Smoke sauna

8. Earth oven

9. Jooseppi's hut

10. Storehouse
11. Pole for attaching reindeer

12. Leather softening tool

13. Trench

14. Foundations of Jooseppi's new house

15. Fence

Sokosti Fell

Sokosti Fell is the highest fell (718 m) in both Urho Kekkonen National Park and in Eastern Lapland.
Sokosti is located to the east of Luirojärvi Lake and summiting it is the dream of many hikers.

Luirojärvi Lake

Luirojärvi Lake, the "pearl of Urho Kekkonen National Park", is located in the centre of the national
park and is a very popular destination for hikers. The rental hut Kuusela, Luirojärvi Reservable
Wilderness Hut, Luirojärvi Open Wilderness hut, Rajankämppä Open Wilderness Hut and
Raappana Turf Hut are located at Luirojärvi Lake. They provide overnight shelter for hikers.

Ukselmapää Fell

Ukselmapää provides the best views of the park! It is the second highest fell in the national park
(698 m). The terrain on Ukselmapää is easily traversible, dry alpine heath.

Paratiisikuru Gorge

Paratiisikuru (Paradise Gorge) has been described as the most beautiful place in Urho Kekkonen
National Park. Paratiisikuru is located in the Saariselkä wilderness area, to the north-west of
Ukselmapää Fell. A clear trail leads to the gorge from Sarvioja, which continues from Paratiisikuru
to the edge of Ukselmapää. Paratiisikuru has two clear fell ponds. A waterfall empties into the
other. Snow can be found in the gorge until late in the summer. In summer, the gorge's vegetation
is lush with, for example, lady fern.

Pirunportti Gorge

Pirunportti Gorge is located in the wilderness area of Saariselkä, to the north-east of Ukselmapää
Fell. Pirunportti (Devil's Gate) lives up to its name as a boulder-filled gorge which acts as a
passageway to Muorravaarakka from Paratiisikuru. Snow can be found in the shadowy gorge until
late in the summer. Avalanches may occur in the gorge in winter.
Lumikuru Gorge

Lumikuru starts as a magnificent cliff face between Lumipää and Ukselmapää Fells. The gorge has
been named "Snow Gorge" because snow can be found underneath the steep eastern wall almost
throughout the summer. A small, clear brook is formed from the gorge's melting waters. The
brook runs down to the valley where its edges are surrounded by park-like stands of white
mountain birches, quagmires of mosses and ferns and lush patches of meadow. Avalanches may
occur in the gorge in winter

Nuortti Canyon

Nuortti Canyon is located in the south-eastern part of Urho Kekkonen National Park near River
Nuorttijoki. You can familiarise yourself with the canyon along the Nuortti hiking trail.

Korvatunturi Fell

Korvatunturi is known as Santa Claus's home! Korvatunturi, located in the remotest corner of
Itäkaira, is an unusual three-peaked piece of bedrock. The fell's tops are very sharp and are
reminiscent of ears, which is probably how it got its name "Ear Fell". The fell is on the national
border, in the border zone, so it cannot be accessed alone. You can, however, reach nearby
Korvatunturinmurusta along a hiking trail and from there you can view Korvatunturi Fell.

Overnight stays

Camping and Lean-to Shelters

Visitors should bring their own tents when planning to travel the hiking trail. In the recreational
and nature, tourism zone camping is permitted only at the campfire sites and on the designated
tent areas near the huts.

Lean-to shelters and campfire shelters located on the south side of the river Nuorttijoki; listed
from south to north

Haukijärvenoja lean-to shelter is located on the bank of the River Nuorttijoki, near the Haukiniva
parking area, from where it is 300 meters to the rivers crossing point and wading cable.

Silpakurunsuu campfire shelter is situated on the bank of the river Nuorttijoki about 1.4 km from
the hiking trail.
Voittinköngäs campfire shelter is situated by the side of the river Nuorttijoki about 300 meters
from the hiking trail.

Saukkosuvannonvaara lean-to shelter is situated about 100 meters southeast of the hiking trail.

Lean-to shelters and Campfire shelters located on the north side of the river Nuorttijoki; listed
from south to north

Liemussuvanto lean-to shelter is on the hiking trail on the west side of the river Nuorttijoki.

Kurtsinniska lean-to shelter is on Nuortti Hiking Trail and is about 3 km north of Liemussuvanto
lean-to shelter.

The Ylempi Hirvashauta lean-to shelter is situated on the bank of the river Nuorttijoki at the mouth
of the river Hirvashaudanoja.

Kolsankoskenoja lean-to shelter is situated on the Nuortti Hiking Trail on the bank of the river
Kolsankoskenoja.

Open and Reservable Wilderness Huts

Along Nuortti Hiking Trail there are open and reservable wilderness huts where hikers can stay
overnight. The following huts can be found on the trail:

On the south side of the river Nuorttijoki; listed from south to north

Hirvashauta Reservable Wilderness Hut

Hirvashauta Open Wilderness Hut

Saiho Open Wilderness Hut

On the north side of the river Nuorttijoki; listed from south to north

Kärekeoja Reservable Wilderness Hut

Kärekeoja Open Wilderness Hut

Mettopalo Open Wilderness Hut

Karhuoja Open Wilderness Hut

Karhuoja Reservable Wilderness Hut

Activities In Urho Kekkonen National Park

Hiking Ski cross-country on maintained trails Ski cross-country off trails Fishing Hiking Birdwatching
Pick berries and mushrooms Sights and scenery Guided group tours Biking Horse riding Visit a
Nature Centre Walk on a nature trail

Enjoy the peace and tranquillity of fell huts, with wilderness stretching as far as the eye can see.
The area's natural beauty can be experienced on long treks in the park's extensive wilderness
areas, or on shorter one-day hiking or skiing trips around Saariselkä Fells. The national parks'
marked routes are situated around Saariselkä for day trips and more demanding hiking areas are
situated in the middle- and eastern parts of the national park for longer treks.

Hiking

Hiking on the marked trails of Urho Kekkonen National Park.

The extensive wilderness areas of Urho Kekkonen National Park can be explored on skis in winter
and on foot in other times. Hiking outside marked trails requires wilderness and orienteering skills,
and in winter the thick snow adds an additional layer of difficulty. A map and compass are
necessary, since GPS devices are not always reliable in the remote wilderness. Nights can be spent
at any of the many wildernesses and reservation huts in the park, which are stocked with
firewood. The huts are located about a day's journey apart from each other.

Although the routes are not marked, hikers have established trails in the park's most popular
areas. Most of these trails are in the terrain of average difficulty. One of the most popular
unmarked routes is the Kiilopää–Suomuruoktu–Tuiskukuru–Luirojärvi–Lankojärvi–Kiilopää route
(70–80 km).

Cross-Country Skiing

Skiers can make day trips within a maintained ski trail network in the vicinity of Saariselkä,
Kiilopää, and Kakslauttanen. The total length of maintained ski trails in the area is 200 km, of
which 70 km is located in Urho Kekkonen National Park's recreational and nature tourism zone.
The length of the ski network varies depending on the snowfall level. Snowfall is thickest in the
early spring.

The network includes ski trails of various levels of difficulty to amateur skiers and serious skiing
enthusiasts. Most of the ski trails are suited for both classic and skating styles. There are day trip
huts and lean-tos along the routes, and these are stocked with firewood for snack breaks.
Trekking

The wilderness in Urho Kekkonen National Park can also be enjoyed by hiking along marked
routes. The marked hiking network (200 km) in the Saariselkä, Kiilopää, and Kakslauttanen area is
good for day trips. Of the network, 70 km is located in Urho Kekkonen National Park's recreational
and nature tourism zone. Visitors can pause to rest at day trip huts and lean-tos stocked with
firewood along the hiking trails. The difficulty level of the trails varies. Trails that are suitable for
everyone regardless of age or level of fitness (1-7 km) are equipped with information boards that
introduce local nature and culture. Nature trails are located next to Saariselkä, Kiilopää, and
Tankavaara. In winter, nature trails are suitable for snowshoeing.

Marked routes suitable for longer hikes that take several days include the Kemihaara–
Korvatunturinmurusta Hiking Trail that leads towards Korvatunturi (18 km one way), Nuortti Hiking
Trail (in Finnish) that follows the Nuorttijoki canyon (a 40 km circular trail), and historical
Ruijanpolku Trail (in Finnish) (35 km one way) that passes through the Sompio Strict Nature
Reserve in the south. There are wilderness huts, lean-tos, and campfire sites along the trails. The
Kemihaara–Korvatunturinmurusta trail is of average difficulty, whereas the Nuortti and
Ruijanpolku Trails are more demanding.

Other Activities

Fishing:

Licenses are sold for the UK National Park recreational fishing area 1563 and 1568 for the Luttojoki
river and then license for Nuorttijoki river 3550. In addition to the regional fishing permit, fishers
must also have paid the fisheries management fee.

Hook-and-line- fishing and ice fishing are permitted in the area free-of-charge as Everyman's
Rights. Both of these are however forbidden in rapids and running waters with migratory fish
stocks or in other bodies of water where fishing is forbidden by fishing legislation.

Recreational fishing permits can be bought from Metsähallitus net store, at Urho Kekkonen
National Park Customer Service Kiehinen and at Ivalo Customer Service, which all also offer
additional information on fishing, fishing areas and permit practices.

Note that locals have more extensive fishing rights than visitors.

Bird-watching: Birds that can be spotted in the national park include the golden eagle, Siberian jay,
willow grouse, or golden plover. There are two observation towers along the Tankavaara Nature
Trails.

Siberian jay. Photo: Juha Kaipainen

Visitor center: Urho Kekkonen National park Customer Service Kiehinen provides information on
the national park. Ask for hiking tips, make reservations on reservation and rental huts, and
purchase fishing, hunting, and cross-country traffic permits. Permanent and temporary exhibitions,
AV presentations, a shop.

Berry and mushroom picking: Berry and mushroom picking is permitted in the national park.

Canoeing: Excellent canoeing spots include Rivers Luirojoki and Kopsusjoki. There are no marked
canoeing routes in the national park.

Hunting: Only local residents are allowed to hunt in Urho Kekkonen National Park within the area
of the municipality of their residence, and are subject to the Hunting Act regulations.

Sights and the views: Hike to Lake Luirojärvi in the wilderness of the national park, and to Sokosti,
the highest fell in the area, which rises on the eastern side of the park, Paratiisikuru or
Vongoivanräystäs. Visit the clear-watered Suomujokilaakso or Korvatunturi in the border zone
between Finland and Russia. There are many ways visitors can explore the local cultural heritage,
for example by visiting the homesteads of the Skolt Sámi people in the northern part of the
national park, the Raja-Jooseppi homestead near the Russian border, and the German defense
post in Tankavaara that dates back to the Second World War. Easily reachable observation points
include the top of Kiilopää and Kaunispää near the border of the national park in Saariselkä.

Cycling: On summertime cycling is permitted on a marked routes only and on the following routes:
Kakslauttanen‒Kopsusjärvi, Niilanpää‒Suomunruoktu, Raja-Jooseppi‒Anterinmukka Hut (about 25
km one way), Kemihaara‒Peskihaara‒Keskipakat, Kemihaara‒Mantoselkä (11 km one way), and
Kemihaara‒Rakitsat.

Cycling on wintertime is allowed all over, but not on skiing tracks.

Horseback riding: Horseback riding is permitted in the national park on routes: Kemihaara‒
Peskihaara-Keskipakat, Kemihaara‒Mantoselkä, Kemihaara‒Rakitsat and Kakslauttanen-
Kopsusjärvi lakes' terraintrail shelter (laavu) until.

Dog sled or Husky driving is forbidden.

Volunteer activities: Visitors can participate in the park's operations at voluntary workers' camps,
Junior Ranger camps, and various events. The park also has international volunteer activities.

Services in Urho Kekkonen National Park

Services Offered by Enterprises and Other Organisations in the National Park

The following enterprises and other organizations offer services in the Urho Kekkonen National
Park.

They have a cooperation agreement with Metsähallitus and they follow the principles of
sustainable nature tourism when operating in the national park.
Meals, Where to Buy and Prepare

Shops

Hikers can buy food supplies in shops, petrol stations and tourist centers in Saariselkä, Savukoski.

Campfire Sites, Lean-to Shelters, Wilderness Huts, Cooking Shelters and Lapp Pole Tents

In the recreational and nature, tourism zone lighting fires are only permitted at specially
designated campfire sites. In the remote zone (except Paratiisikuru, Lumikuru and Raja-Jooseppi
homestead and in the Skolt fields) you are free to light fires using twigs and branches found on the
ground. The lean-to shelters and Lapp pole tents have a saw and an ax in their woodsheds.

The national park area contains

6 Day trip huts

17 Open wilderness huts

13 Open and reservable wilderness huts

4 rental turf huts

3 rental huts

27 Lean-to shelters

74 campfire sites

The locations of the structures are marked on the outdoor maps.

Please note that lighting campfires is also forbidden at campfire sites if the forest fire warning or
the grass fire warning is in effect.

This prohibition does not apply to cooking shelters or other fireplaces with a flue.

Bridges

Does the River Suomujoki flood, and how can the river be crossed?

Usually the River Suomujoki experiences spring flooding up till June, and autumn floods can begin
as early as in August. There are three bridges across the river at Porttikoski, Kotaköngäs and close
to the mouth of the River Aitaoja.

Approximately 300 metres from Lake Aittajärvi, downstream of the River Suomujoki, there is a
wading spot. When water at the wading spot is at normal height, it is up to one's knee and the
current moderately swift. There are also a few wading spots down stream from Aittajärvi. For
example, at Snellmaninmaja cabin there is a spot where, during normal water, one can get across.

Drinking Water

The water in the area's ponds, streams and rivers should usually be safe to drink, but the water
systems have not been tested. It is therefore advisable to boil water before drinking it.

Visitors may take water from Visitor Centres and Customer Service Points with them on their hike.

Waste Management

The Saariselkä - Kiilopää area is a Hiking without Littering -zone. Waste-bins have been removed
from the Saariselkä day trip trails. Measures should be taken in advance to avoid taking
unnecessary waste into the area. Biodegradable waste should be placed in a toilet or composter,
and small amounts of clean paper and cardboard can be used as kindling in a campfire.

Daytrip hiking areas' huts toilets at Rumakuru, old Rumakuru, Luulampi and Rautulampi are only
for "poop and pee". Do not put any biowaste to these toilets.

Take all other waste out of the area. There are recycling points at the beginning and end of each
hiking trail.

Metsähallitus rangers manage and maintain the National Park's wilderness huts. The basic clean-
up and waste management at each wilderness hut is the responsibility of hikers. Compost waste
must be put into the hut's own composter and burnable waste can be burnt in the hut's iron stove.
Hikers must take their all other waste out the park area.

More information on waste management can be found at Urho Kekkonen National Park Customer
Service Kiehinen and on our Hiking without littering page.

Toilets

All wilderness huts and lean-to shelters have dry toilets. Toilets at Rumakuru, old Rumakuru,
Luulampi, and Rautulampi, has a toilets which empties with suction to tanks, so do not put any
biowaste to these toilets.

Overnight Stays
Camping

In the recreational and nature, tourism zone camping is permitted only at the campfire sites and
on the designated tent areas near the huts.

In the remote zone, you can freely choose a camping location - except for the areas of
Paratiisikuru, Lumikuru and the surroundings of ancient structures, where camping is forbidden.
There are designated campsites near the lean-tos and on the shore of Lake Luirojärvi.

Local inhabitants have certain special privileges in the national park.

Lean-to Shelters and Lapp Pole Tents

Most of the national park's lean-to shelters and Lapp Pole Tents are located along the Suomujoki,
Luttojoki and Nuorttijoki rivers and are suitable for overnight stays mainly in the summer and
autumn. All of the lean-to shelters and Lapp pole tents have woodsheds and dry toilets.

In the recreational and nature tourism zone there are 27 lean-to huts and log tepees.

Open and Reservable Wilderness Huts and Open and Reservable Turf Huts

Hikers in Urho Kekkonen National Park can choose from a total of 37 overnight huts and turf huts.
The oldest huts are from the 1930s but you can still find marks from the turn of the 19th century
on the logs of Vanha Rumakuru Day-Trip Hut. Over the years the huts have been renovated but
they still give you a sense of the park's old hiking history.

You can rest, spend the night, cook food and dry your gear in the huts and turf huts. Open
wilderness huts can be used freely, but reservable huts and turf huts need to be reserved in
advance. Each hut's facilities are described separately.

You can stay a maximum of two consecutive nights in the open wilderness huts, in the open turf
huts, in the reservable huts and in the reservable turf huts.

You can stay a maximum of seven consecutive nights in the reservable huts and in the reservable
turf huts during 1.10.-28.2. and in May.

Rental Huts

There are two rental huts in the national park.

Tikkasen Vieriharju, Kuusela and Suomun Ville rental huts.

You can stay a maximum of seven consecutive nights in the reservable huts and in the reservable
turf huts during 1.10.-28.2. and in May.

Reservations for the huts are handled by

Saariselkä Customer Service Kiehinen

Saunas

There are open saunas in the national park which are with a small payment for all to use. Please
take concern for the other users of saunas.

Payment for sauna per person is 7 euros and for children 4 euros (under 7 years) or a member of a
min. 10 person group. Payment within a making a reservation to huts, or at a visitor center
Saariselkä and Ivalo.

Free saunas without any payment are Vieriharju and Härkävaara.

Urho Kekkonen National Park Directions and Maps

By Car

The hiking trails in the basic zone of the park are close to Road E75. Aittajärvi, Kemihaara, and
Tulppio are most easily accessible with a car.

From Saariselkä to Lake Aittajärvi: in summer Lake Aittajärvi can be reached by car. From
Saariselkä, drive for about 13 km along road no. E75 to the north towards Ivalo and turn right onto
the Kuutua forest road. At the crossroads, you will see the signpost for "Kuutuantie". The distance
to Aittajärvi is 35 km. There are signposts at a couple of crossroads guiding you to Lake Aittajärvi.
You may leave your car in the parking area from where it is about 200 meters to the shore. The
road is not maintained in winter. In early summer it is advisable to check the road's condition at
the Urho Kekkonen National Park Customer Service Kiehinen.

The distance from Saariselkä to Raja-Jooseppi is about 90 km. First, drive along road no. E75 to the
north to Ivalo, which is 30 km from Saariselkä. From Ivalo, drive along road no. 91 onto the road
that goes to Nellimö and Raja-Jooseppi and continues for about 8 km. Thereafter, turn onto the
road leading to Raja-Jooseppi and Murmansk. From that point, the distance to the national border
and Raja-Jooseppi is about 50 km. It is a distance of roughly 3 km from the customs station to the
River Luttojoki bridge located on the border of the Urho Kekkonen National Park. There is a
parking area where you can leave your car for the duration of your hike.

It is about 93 km from the village of Savukoski to Tulppio. Drive along with the Savukoski-Tulppio
connecting road (road no. 9671) for about 80 km to Tulppio. From Tulppio, turn left onto a forest
road and drive for about 13 km until you arrive at the Haukijärvenoja parking area located close to
the national park border.

The distance from the village of Savukoski to Kemihaara is about 107 km. From the village of
Savukoski, drive for about 12 km along road no. 967 and continue straight to road no. 9671. The
road runs via the village of Martti and continues towards Tulppio and turns about 3 km before the
Tulppio Cabins (Tulppion majat) to the left to Kemihaara. This is the only road leading to the
Kemihaara Wilderness Area and to the Savukoski side of the Urho Kekkonen National Park. The
road is regularly kept open in winter.
History of Urho Kekkonen National Park

Koilliskaira is the name of forest wilderness, part of which is now protected and called Urho
Kekkonen National Park. The shores of the River Kemijoki have been inhabited since the end of the
last Ice Age. The history of man in the Koilliskaira region can be traced back to over 3000 years
ago.

Forest Sámi

The ancient Forest Sámi were hunters and fishers, who scattered during the summer for hunting
trips and gathered for winters into villages. In the park area there were four Sámi villages. The
Sámi name of one of these villages, Sompio, is still a local village name. The most important game
in the region was the Wild Forest Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus fennicus), which hunters used hole
traps to catch. Old round-up fences and hole traps can still be found in the terrain.

The Forest Sámi culture began to decline in the 16th century. The main causes of this decline were
Sweden's (which Finland was a part of) new settler policies and missionary work. The Shaman
religion was destroyed, the language of the Forest Sámi forgotten, and the Sámi people blended
with the settlers from the south.

Suomujoki Skolt homestead is located in Urho Kekkonen National Park along River Suomujoki two
kilometers from Lake Aittajärvi to the north-east.

Settlers

Finnish settlers were farmers and cattle owners. The lands of the National Park have not been
cultivated, but wilderness zones were important for settlers as a source of game, fish, pearls, and
furs. The extinction of the Wild Forest Reindeer was caused by over-effective hunting after
firearms became common.

The forefathers of the Sámi who now live on the land moved to Finland at the end of the 19th
century from Norway. They brought their reindeer stock with them and this is how reindeer
husbandry blossomed in the area.

Legends

At the beginning of the 20th century, a reindeer herder Aleksi Hihnavaara aka Mosku lived in
Sompio. There are many tales of his adventures and these have made him into a legend.
From 1915 to 1946 a hermit knew as Raja-Jooseppi (in Finnish) lived on the shore of the river
Luttojoki. The border-crossing station is now named after him. In the 1950's a hermit called
Meänteinen lived in a turf hut and many hikers came to know him. Some even claim that the
National Park is haunted. A Sámi reindeer herder, Vanha-Ponku, who lived at the end of the 19th
century, is said to ride his invisible reindeer during winter nights.

Place Names

A major part of the place-names in Urho Kekkonen National Park are of Finnish origin, but some
are derived from the Sámi language. Local place names often refer to reindeer husbandry and
hunting.

The Sámi name for the fells in the center of the park is Suolocielgi, which literally means Saariselkä
(back of island). Ruoktu, which appears in many compound words, means home. Other Sámi
words that commonly appear in place names are, muorra (tree), nuorti (east) and taajoa (to play).

Place names have changed with the passage of time and some names have become so distorted
that their original meaning is totally incomprehensible. Old maps of the region have names that
differ drastically from present ones. Even maps of Koilliskaira and Saariselkä-Kiilopää have names
that differ from each other.

Old Sámi words and names can be found, for example, in Samuli Paulaharju's works.

Long Hiking Traditions

Koilliskaira has been a popular area among hikers since the 1950s. The number of hikers to visit
the area at the time was small. Among the first hikers was Kullervo Kemppinen who wrote two
books on the area: "Poropolku kutsuu" and "Lumikuru". These books further increased people's
awareness of the area. Since the establishment of the national park, the area's popularity with
hikers has grown. Today, Urho Kekkonen National Park is one of Finland's most popular wilderness
hiking areas. Around 300,000 hikers visit the area annually.