Northern Lapland
Region
Municipality of Enontekiö
(www.enontekio.fi)
Area: 670 sq. km. Established in 1991.
The area is
managed by Metsähallitus.
Tarvantovaara Wilderness Area is a perfect retreat
for experienced hikers looking for peace and quiet as well as unforgettable
nature experiences. The wilderness area and Lätäseno-Hietajoki Mire Reserve,
which borders Tarvantovaara in the northwest, have an extremely diverse bird
population. The wilderness area is still relatively unknown by the public, but
experienced bird watchers have found it.
The famous Finnish nature writer Yrjö Kokko spotted his first Whooper Swan’s
nests by a lake in the wilderness area’s fells. Tarvantovaara inspired Kokko to
write a book about the swan in 1950. After the book was published the swan was
declared a protected animal, and today they nest in large number in
Tarvantovaara Wilderness Area.
Tarvantovaara Wilderness Area is located west of the village of Leppäjärvi
and north of the village of Kaaresuvanto. The north boundary of the wilderness
area runs along the Finnish-Norwegian border. The northern limit of pine forests
runs at the southern boundary of the wilderness area. Fell tundra rises near the
Norwegian border. The highest peaks in these fells are over 600 m above
sea-level. The area’s forests are mainly dominated by fell birch and about a
third of the area is mire. The mires are mainly palsa bogs, which are bogs with
frost mounds rising from them.
Many of the rivers that flow into the River Muoniojoki have their source on
the fell tundra or at the area’s lakes and mires. The largest of these
tributaries are the Rivers Tarvantojoki and Harrijoki. There are plenty of new
catches for avid fishers, who are looking for new challenges.
