National park · Finland

Urho Kekkonen National ParkUrho Kekkosen kansallispuisto

Enter free, any time, anywhere: from Saariselkä or Kiilopää walk the marked day trails (Iisakkipää 6 km, Rumakuru 6 km) or ski the maintained tracks Nov–Apr; for the 70–80 km Luirojärvi–Sokosti route go late Jun–Sep with your own tent and stove, and check the visitor centre for fords and snow.Enter free, any time, anywhere: from Saariselkä or Kiilopää walk the marked day trails (Iisakkipää 3.7 mi, Rumakuru 3.7 mi) or ski the maintained tracks Nov–Apr; for the 43–50 mi Luirojärvi–Sokosti route go late Jun–Sep with your own tent and stove, and check the visitor centre for fords and snow.

Not field-verifiedSome areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026

Map to the park

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Directions

From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Area

2,550 km²985 sq mi

approximate

Established

1983

Best months

Feb–Mar, 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: 2,550 km²985 sq mi; Second-largest national park in Finland; the figure covers the park only, not the adjoining Sompio Strict Nature Reserve or Kemihaara Wilderness Area (check).
Established: 1983
Best months: Feb–Mar, Sep
Permits: For some areas

Urho Kekkonen National Park is Finland's second-largest national park, 2,550 km² of fells, mires and wild forest along the Russian border in Inari, Sodankylä and Savukoski. The Raututunturi–Saariselkä fell core in the west is easy walking and has the services; the rest is genuine backcountry where you meet people mainly at wilderness huts. There is no entrance fee and no gate — you may enter anywhere at any time — but the border zone, Sompio Strict Nature Reserve and a few mires in the nesting season are off-limits. Named after President Urho Kekkonen, an eager hiker here, it was established in 1983.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

No UNESCO listing; national park since 1983.

Size and age

2,550 km²985 sq mi · national park since 1983

Second-largest national park in Finland; the figure covers the park only, not the adjoining Sompio Strict Nature Reserve or Kemihaara Wilderness Area (check).

Why go

Free entry and no gate: you can start walking from a bus stop on the E75 at Saariselkä, Kiilopää or Tankavaara.
Marked day trails and 100 km of marked routes in the park's western fell core, plus maintained cross-country ski tracks in winter.Marked day trails and 62 mi of marked routes in the park's western fell core, plus maintained cross-country ski tracks in winter.
A real wilderness route — Kiilopää to Luirojärvi and Sokosti (718 m) — with wilderness huts 15–20 km apart.A real wilderness route — Kiilopää to Luirojärvi and Sokosti (718 m) — with wilderness huts 9.3–12 mi apart.
Autumn colours (ruska) in early September and auroras over the fells in the polar night.
Sompio Strict Nature Reserve next door, with the Pyhä-Nattanen fell and the old Ruijanpolku trail.

When to go

12-month verdict

JanGo
FebBest
MarBest
AprGo
MayCaution
JunGo
JulGo
AugGo
SepBest
OctCaution
NovCaution
DecGo

JanPolar night; -20 to -30°C typical, ski tracks maintainedPolar night; −4 to −22°F typical, ski tracks maintained
FebBright skiing; auroras; start early before snow softens
MarBest ski month: sun, cold nights, long days
AprSki season ends; snow soft by afternoon
MayThaw and high water; mire restrictions 15 May–15 Jul
JunTrails open; mosquitoes from late June
JulWarmest, ~20°C; busiest near SaariselkäWarmest, ~68°F; busiest near Saariselkä
AugMild; mosquitoes until the first frosts
SepRuska colours in early September; be ready for early winter
OctBetween seasons; snow may arrive
NovSki season starts; little daylight
DecKaamos; auroras; hard cold possible

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year

Wildlife and nature calendar for Urho Kekkonen National Park
What	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Reindeer, hare, moose and fox (often seen)All year	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
Golden eagle (park emblem) and gyr falconMar–Sep · 130 bird species recorded; most are migratory and return from February–March.	no	no	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	no	no	no
Siberian jay, Siberian tit and three-toed woodpecker in the forestsAll year	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
Bear, wolverine, wolf and lynxMay–Sep · Present but seldom seen by hikers.	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	no	no	no
MosquitoesJun–Aug · From late June until the first freezing nights in August–September.	no	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes	no	no	no	no
Aurora borealisSep–Mar · Dark nights from late August; the polar night gives the longest viewing hours.	yes	yes	yes	no	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes	yes

Arrive & move

Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are

How to get there

From Saariselkä

Walk in from the village or from Kiehinen Customer Service; day trails start at the road.

0–15 min

From Ivalo

Coach along the E75 to Saariselkä or Kiilopää (some coaches detour to Kiilopää).

25–45 min

From Rovaniemi

Coach along the E75, or fly or train to Rovaniemi and continue by coach; several coaches daily.

3–4 h

From Tankavaara

Coach stop on the E75, then a marked trail into the park.

on foot from the stop

From Vuotso (for Sompio)

Turn onto Sompiojärventie forest road, 8.5 km south of Tankavaara; drive 9 km to the circle-trail car park or 14 km to Sompiojärvi.Turn onto Sompiojärventie forest road, 5.3 mi south of Tankavaara; drive 5.6 mi to the circle-trail car park or 8.7 mi to Sompiojärvi.

20–30 min by car

From Savukoski / Kemihaara

Coach or minibus to Pelkosenniemi and a call taxi to Savukoski, continuing to Tulppio and Kemihaara on Fridays; check winter road ploughing.

varies

Zones and sectors

Zones of Urho Kekkonen National Park
Zone	What is there	Access
Raututunturi–Saariselkä fell core	The western heart: fell heaths, gorges and boulder fields, with most of the marked trails and day huts.	Open; marked trails from Saariselkä, Kiilopää and Tankavaara.
Northern river valleys (Luttojoki, Suomujoki, Muorravaarakkajoki)	Valleys and Skolt Sámi grounds toward Raja-Jooseppi, with lean-tos and no marked trails.	Open on foot; border zone rules apply.
Southern forest wilderness	Pine and spruce forest with isolated fells, and the Nuorttijoki 40 km circle trail in the south-east.Pine and spruce forest with isolated fells, and the Nuorttijoki 25 mi circle trail in the south-east.	Open; the far end is close to the border zone.
South-west aapa mires	Large open bogs, difficult to cross.	Partly off-limits 15 May–15 Jul (Pajuaapa, Repoaapa, Lamminaapa).
Sompio Strict Nature Reserve	A smaller-scale version of the park's habitats, with the Nattaset fells and Pyhä-Nattanen.	Marked trails only; trail through to Kiilopää and Laanila.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation

Approximate positions from the Saariselkä and Kiilopää trailheads to the eastern and southern entry points, for orientation only.

1Kiehinen Customer Service, Saariselkä · Headquarters≈68.422, 27.411Official visitor centre in the Siula centre.Map ↗
2Tunturikeskus Kiilopää · Gate≈68.347, 27.462Lodging, shop and information point at the road's end.Map ↗
3Iisakkipää · Viewpoint≈68.412, 27.472Fell by Saariselkä, 6 km circle trail.Fell by Saariselkä, 3.7 mi circle trail.Map ↗
4Rumakuru · Trail≈68.383, 27.502Gorge with two day huts, about 6 km from Saariselkä and Laanila.Gorge with two day huts, about 3.7 mi from Saariselkä and Laanila.Map ↗
5Luirojärvi · Sleep≈68.217, 28.027Lake with wilderness hut, rental hut and sauna.Map ↗
6Sokosti · Summit≈68.219, 28.138718 m, the highest fell in the area.Map ↗
7Aittajärvi · Gate≈68.470, 27.748North-border lake reached by forest road in summer; no marked trail.Map ↗
8Savukoski Visitor Centre Korvatunturi · Headquarters≈67.298, 28.140Open 20 Jun–30 Sep, closed in winter (check).Map ↗
9Sompiojärvi trailhead · Gate≈68.164, 27.373Camping area and start of the Ruijanpolku trail.Map ↗
10Korvatunturi · Summit≈68.075, 29.327On the Russian border; excursions run to Korvatunturinmurusta nearby.Map ↗

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Top experiences

TrailsEasy2–3 hIisakkipää nature trail6 km circle from Saariselkä over a fell with wide views; the simplest introduction to the park.

TrailsModerate2–3 hRumakuru valley and day hutsAbout 6 km from Saariselkä and Laanila on a marked trail; steep rocky gorge cut by the Ice Age, with two day huts, one from about 1900.

TrailsHard4–6 daysKiilopää–Suomunruoktu–Tuiskukuru–Luirojärvi–Lankojärvi loop70–80 km, unmarked but well worn, huts 15–20 km apart with gas stoves; fords at Suomujoki, Luirojoki and Palovanganjoki can be unpassable in spring floods.Booking: No booking; huts are first come

ViewpointsModeratelong daySokosti summit from Luirojärvi718 m, the highest fell in the area; a day trip from the Luirojärvi hut.

TrailsHard2–3 daysNuorttijoki circle trail40 km up one side of the river and down the other in the south-east; the Haukinivat ford is dangerous at high water, and a new bridge was built at the far end in 2020.

TrailsModerate1–2 daysRuijanpolku through Sompio35 km from Sompiojärvi to Kiilopää, Kakslauttanen or Laanila, part of the old route to the Arctic coast.

TrailsEasyhalf dayCross-country skiing from Saariselkä and KiilopääMaintained tracks with free-style lanes, Nov–Apr; backcountry skiing needs proper skis and skills.

TrailsModeratehalf dayAnteri biking route from Raja-Jooseppi25 km one way on a permitted biking route, with bike parking at the far end.

Practical

Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong

Entry fees and permits

EUR ranges · check

Fees for Urho Kekkonen National Park
Item	Range	Per	Note
Park entry	Free	person	No entrance fee; the park is free to enter at any time.
Kiehinen Customer Service, Saariselkä	Free	person	Free advice, maps and current conditions.
Savukoski Visitor Centre Korvatunturi	Free	person	Free; open 20 Jun–30 Sep, closed in winter (check).
Trail map (1:50,000 or 1:100,000)	EUR 20–30	map	2026 estimate; sold at visitor centres and outdoor shops.
Lunch at Tunturikeskus Kiilopää	EUR 10–15	person	2026 estimate; shop sells stove fuel and freeze-dried meals.
Wilderness huts	Free	night	Free, shared, first come; some rental huts and a sauna at Luirojärvi cost extra (check).

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Park entry no permit

None. Enter anywhere, any time; no ticket and no gate.

Border zone (Raja-Jooseppi, Nuorttijoki far end) permit or guide

Restricted area along the Russian border; do not cross the marked boundary. Check the current rules at a visitor centre before walking there.

Sompio Strict Nature Reserve no permit

Stay on the marked trails; the reserve is entered on foot only along those routes.

Mire areas in bird nesting season no permit

Pajuaapa, Repoaapa and Lamminaapa are off-limits 15 May–15 Jul.

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more

Border zone: The strip along the Russian border is restricted; keep to the marked boundary and check current rules at a visitor centre.
Sompio Strict Nature Reserve: Enter only along the marked trails.
Mire restrictions: Pajuaapa, Repoaapa and Lamminaapa are off-limits 15 May–15 Jul in the bird nesting season.
Camping and huts: Camping is allowed under the everyman's right away from trails and huts; wilderness huts are free, shared and first come, and you may be asked to move on after a night or two (check individual huts).
Fires: Light fires only at official campfire sites; use the gas stoves in the wilderness huts and check for wildfire warnings.
Biking, dogsleds and horses: Biking only on a few permitted routes (Anteri, 25 km); dogsleds only on the route around Pieranvaara; horses only on the Kemihaara–Mantoselkä and Kemihaara–Vieriharju trails.Biking only on a few permitted routes (Anteri, 16 mi); dogsleds only on the route around Pieranvaara; horses only on the Kemihaara–Mantoselkä and Kemihaara–Vieriharju trails.
Sámi rights: The park is partly in the Sámi native region; regulations have exceptions for Sámi and other locals.
Litter: Carry out everything you bring in; there are no bins in the backcountry.

Where to stay

Near the park

Tunturikeskus Kiilopää

Lodging, restaurant, shop and information point at the Kiilopää trailhead.

Near the park

Saariselkä

Hotels, cabins and hostels beside the park's western edge, with the Kiehinen visitor centre.

In the park

Wilderness huts (Luirojärvi, Suomunruoktu, Tuiskukuru, Lankojärvi)

Free shared huts with gas stoves on the main loop; Luirojärvi also has a rental hut and sauna.

In the park

Tents

Camp anywhere away from trails, huts and private land under everyman's right.

Near the park

Savukoski and Kemihaara

Base for the southern and eastern entry points; the Savukoski visitor centre is open 20 Jun–30 Sep.

Safety

Cold and wind chill high

Winter temperatures of -20 to -30°C are typical and can reach -50°C; hard winds on the fells add severe chill. Carry proper layers, a spare hat and gloves, and a headlamp for the polar night.

River fords in spring flood high

The Suomujoki, Luirojoki and Palovanganjoki crossings can be unpassable in late spring; ask at a visitor centre for current water levels and use the Kotaköngäs bridge or higher-ground shortcuts.

Getting lost off marked trails medium

Most of the park has no markings; carry a 1:50,000 map, a compass and account for magnetic declination of about +13.5° (roughly 230–240 m off per km).

Fog and snow storms medium

Even on marked trails you are responsible for your own navigation; stop and take a bearing rather than pushing on.

Mosquitoes low

From late June to the first frosts, use repellent and a head net, especially in the mires and forest.

No phone signal in the backcountry medium

Tell someone your route and expected return; emergency number is 112.

Accessibility

The Kiehinen Customer Service in Saariselkä and the Kiilopää information point are step-free and reachable by car or coach.
The Iisakkipää and Rumakuru trails are rough fell paths with roots and stones; not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility.
The Sompio circle trail from the Sompiojärventie car park is the shortest and flattest option, but still an unpaved forest path.

Visiting lightly

Use the marked trails and established routes; the fell heaths and mires erode easily and recover slowly.
Stay in wilderness huts rather than building new fire rings, and keep to official campfire sites.
Respect the Sámi native region and local reindeer husbandry; do not disturb reindeer or their fences.
Pack out all waste, including food scraps, and use the dry toilets at huts and trailheads.
Book guided trips and buy supplies locally in Saariselkä, Kiilopää or Savukoski so the park's gateway villages benefit.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Urho Kekkonen National Park?

Nothing. There is no entrance fee and no gate — you can enter anywhere, any time. You pay only for what you use: maps (about €20–30, 2026 estimate), food and lodging at Kiilopää or Saariselkä, and any guided trip. Wilderness huts on the main routes are free and shared.

What are the best hikes in Urho Kekkonen National Park?

For a day: the 6 km Iisakkipää circle from Saariselkä and the Rumakuru valley trail, both marked and easy to follow. For a multi-day trip: the 70–80 km Kiilopää–Suomunruoktu–Tuiskukuru–Luirojärvi–Lankojärvi loop, unmarked but well worn, with huts 15–20 km apart and Sokosti (718 m) as a day trip from Luirojärvi. In the south-east, the 40 km Nuorttijoki circle trail is the quietest option.

When is the best time to visit Urho Kekkonen National Park?

February–March for cross-country skiing on maintained tracks and auroras, and early September for the ruska autumn colours and the best hiking. Summer (late June–August) is mild, around 20°C, but mosquitoes arrive in late June. Midwinter is dark and can hit -50°C, and late spring brings floods that make fords dangerous.

Do I need a permit or a guide?

No permit and no guide for the park itself. You need to respect the border zone along the Russian border, stay on marked trails in Sompio Strict Nature Reserve, and avoid the Pajuaapa, Repoaapa and Lamminaapa mires between 15 May and 15 July. Guided and assisted trips are available from local businesses if you want them.

How do I get to the park without a car?

Coaches run daily along the E75 between Rovaniemi and Ivalo, stopping at Saariselkä, Kiilopää and Tankavaara, and some detour to Kiilopää. Fly or take the train to Rovaniemi or fly to Ivalo, then continue by coach. For the southern entry points, take a coach or minibus to Pelkosenniemi and the Savukoski call taxi toward Tulppio and Kemihaara.

Can I camp and light fires in the park?

Yes to camping: under everyman's right you can pitch a tent away from trails, huts and private land. Fires only at official campfire sites, and check for wildfire warnings. The wilderness huts are free and shared, first come, first served, and you may be asked to move on after a night or two.

Is there mobile phone coverage?

Patchy to none in the backcountry. Tell someone your route and expected return, carry a map and compass, and dial 112 in an emergency.

Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go