National park · Finland
Pallas‑Yllästunturi National ParkPallas-Yllästunturin kansallispuisto
Buy a €20 park ticket, drive to the Pallastunturi Visitor Centre and hike the 5‑km Hetta‑Pallas trail (2‑3 h); visit June–September for fewer crowds and milder weather.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,020 km² (394 sq mi)394 sq mi (1,020 km²)
approximate
Established
1938
Best months
Jun–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Nordic countries ↗Decide light or dark before anything else: summer trips (June–August) and aurora trips (September–March in the Arctic) need different countries, clothes and bases.
- Nordic countries ↗Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Faroes sell stronger alcohol only in state shops with short hours; buy before evening and before Sundays and holidays.
- Finland ↗Finland is in the EU and the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border.
- Finland ↗The land border with Russia is closed to travellers; do not plan a route across it.
- Finland ↗Everyman's rights let you walk, camp for a night and pick berries on most land, but not near homes, and not to make fires without permission.
At a glance
- Country
- Finland
- Area
- 1,020 km² (394 sq mi)394 sq mi (1,020 km²)
- Third-largest national park in Finland by area; the figure includes fell, forest and mire zones.
- Established
- 1938
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park is Finland's most visited national park, spanning 1,020 km² of fells, forests and mires on the border of Forest-Lapland and Fell-Lapland. It offers over 350 km of marked hiking trails and 500 km of cross-country ski tracks, with three visitor centres at Hetta, Pallastunturi and Äkäslompolo. The park is a year-round destination: summer for midnight sun and ruska colours, winter for skiing and aurora nights. It is part of the Sámi native region in Enontekiö, and the Hetta-Pallas trail is the oldest hiking route in Finland.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1938.
Size and age
1,020 km² (394 sq mi)394 sq mi (1,020 km²) · national park since 1938
Third-largest national park in Finland by area; the figure includes fell, forest and mire zones.
Why go
- Large network of marked hiking and ski trails across fells, forest and mires.
- Opportunity to see sub‑arctic flora, reindeer and a variety of birds.
- Access to remote wilderness huts and traditional Sámi culture.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanVery cold, limited daylight.
- FebCold, but good snow for ski trails.
- MarSnow still deep, daylight increases.
- AprSnow melt, trails become wet.
- MayMelt water, insects start.
- JunMidnight sun, mild temps, mosquitoes.
- JulWarm, long days, many hikers.
- AugWarm, still many insects.
- SepRuska colours start, cooler nights.
- OctFirst snow, shorter days.
- NovSnow, limited services.
- DecVery cold, limited daylight.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reindeer (herds roam freely)Jun–Oct · Observe from distance; do not feed. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Golden eagle, raven, and other birds of preyMar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Arctic hareApr–Sep | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Helsinki
Fly to Kittilä (1 h) or to Enontekiö (Hetta) then bus or shuttle to park entrances.
3–4 h total
Open the page →
From Rovaniemi
Night train to Kolari, then bus to Muonio or Hetta; local shuttle to visitor centres.
2–3 h
Open the page →
From Kittilä Airport
Shuttle bus to Äkäslompolo or direct taxi to Pallastunturi Visitor Centre.
45 min–1 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Pallastunturi Visitor Centre | Main gate, information desk, maps, reservation hut, parking. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Yllästunturi Visitor Centre Kellokas | Visitor info, exhibition, trailheads for Yllästunturi area. | Open seasonally, ticket required for trail access. |
| Fell Lapland Nature Centre (Hetta) | Exhibits, trail maps, nearby access to Hetta‑Pallas long trail. | Open year‑round, ticket not required for centre only. |
Sketch map
- 1Pallastunturi Visitor Centre · Headquarters≈68.046, 24.064Main entry gate and information point.Map ↗
- 2Yllästunturi Visitor Centre Kellokas · Viewpoint≈67.589, 24.204Seasonal opening, trailhead for Yllästunturi area.Map ↗
- 3Hetta village · Town≈68.395, 23.669Gateway to the northern part of the park.Map ↗
- 4Ylläs ski resort · Town≈68.020, 24.300Nearby resort with lifts and accommodation.Map ↗
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are the park’s central point from Wikidata; visitor centres are slightly offset.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (any visitor centre) | EUR 20 (≈ US$25) | person | 2026 estimate; official price not published (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Backcountry hut stay no permit
Park rules
- Dogs
- Allowed on marked trails only; must be on leash in wilderness huts.
- Campfires
- Only at designated fire‑pit sites; prohibited during wildfire warnings.
- Off‑trail walking
- Restricted in sensitive mires and protected areas; stay on marked paths.
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permission from Metsähallitus.check
- Fishing
- Requires a Finnish fishing licence; only in designated lakes.
Where to stay
In the park
Hotel Pallas
Fell‑style hotel adjacent to Pallastunturi Visitor Centre, rooms with breakfast.
Near the park
Vuontispirtti Fell Hotel
Hotel and cabins 1.5 km (0.9 mi) east of the park, restaurant and sauna.Hotel and cabins 0.9 mi (1.5 km) east of the park, restaurant and sauna.
Near the park
Hetta village guesthouses
Budget rooms and hostels, 20 km (12 mi) north of the park gate.Budget rooms and hostels, 12 mi (20 km) north of the park gate.
Safety
Extreme cold and sudden storms high
Limited mobile coverage medium
Wildfire risk in summer medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Visitor centres have car‑park access and short, level paths to information desks.
- Main summit trails are steep and uneven; not suitable for wheelchairs.
Visiting lightly
- Carry out all litter; recycling points at visitor centres.
- Use refillable water bottles; treat water if uncertain of quality.
- Support local accommodation and food services to benefit nearby communities.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Pallas‑Yllästunturi National Park?
A standard entry ticket is €20 per adult; children under 7 enter free. Tickets are sold at any visitor centre or online.
What are the best hikes in Pallas‑Yllästunturi National Park?
Popular day hikes include the 5 km Hetta‑Pallas summit trail (2‑3 h, moderate) and the 12 km Pallas‑Ylläs ridge (4‑5 h, hard). For long‑distance trekkers the 55 km Hetta‑Pallas trail and the 72 km Pallas‑Ylläs crossing are the main routes.
When is the best time to visit Pallas‑Yllästunturi National Park?
June to September offers mild weather, long daylight and fewer snow‑related closures. February to April is busy with ski tourists; winter visits require full cold‑weather gear.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is allowed only at designated campfire sites and near wilderness huts. Open‑air camping elsewhere is prohibited.
Are dogs allowed on the trails?
Dogs may use marked trails but must be leashed in hut areas and are not permitted on some restricted zones.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Pallas‑Yllästunturi National Park
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