Western Lapland
Region
Municipalities of Muonio (www.muonio.fi) and Enontekiö (www.enontekio.fi)
Pallas-Yllästunturi National
Park
One of the most popular hiking destinations in
Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park is the 55-km-long Hetta-Pallas Hiking Trail.
The route for this trail was outlined in 1934. The trail leads over fells,
sometimes descending to the ravines below to once again as if to prepare hikers
for the breathtaking view from the top of the next fell. The trail is marked
with arrow signs.
By the beginning of June snows have for the most part melted from the area,
but because of the water from melted snow and ice the trail is wet and
susceptible to erosion. The best time for hiking begins at Mid-summer in late
June. Just before winter sets in mid-October there are only a few random
wanderers on the trail.
Winter Trail
There is also a cross country skiing trail between Hetta and Pallas. The distance is between 53
and 60 km depending on what route you choose. The winter trail leads lower on
the slopes than the summer one through forest landscape and across mires, though
between the Sioskuru and Hannunkuru Ravines the trail travels above the
tree-line. There are two trails from Hannunkuru Ravine to Pallas; one on the
east and the other on the west side of the fells. It is possible to turn off
both trails to go to either Montelli wilderness hut or the Namalakuru one. Ski
trails are managed by local businesses. The condition of the trail leading from
Sioskuru wilderness hut to Hannunkuru wilderness hut and on from there on the
west side of the fells to Namalakuru depends on the maintenance traffic of
Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park employees. The distances between the
wilderness huts are longer along the winter trail than on the summer trail. The
ski trails are marked with cross signs and in forested areas with blue rope or a
triangle symbol.
Ski season begins in mid-February at the time when ski holidays start for
children in southern Finland, and continues to the end of April. If it is a very
cold and snowy spring the winter trail can be skied up till mid-May. For the
most part winter trails are too wet during summer to be hiked.
