Hiking
There are no marked hiking trails within the wilderness area, but there are many old well worn paths. They were used as a postal route at the beginning of the 20th Century. The postal route is also suited for mountain biking. The paths running through the wilderness area are far from settlements, and most of the wilderness is outside the mobile network coverage area, so even for a short hike, you should be well-prepared. There is a trail which passes just outside the boundary of the area.
Always remember to close the reindeer fence gates when you pass through them!
Unmarked Kalmakaltio-Pöyrisjärvi-Näkkälä trail (about 93 km)
The trail is not marked but it is quite clearly visible in the terrain. The footpath is extremely demanding and passes through the middle of Pöyrisjärvi Wilderness Reserve. When wilderness trekking in Pöyrisjärvi Wilderness Reserve you should always have a map, a compass, hiking boots and proper clothing as weather conditions can change very suddenly. There are no service structures along the footpath and rivers must be crossed by wading. The footpath is suitable for hiking and mountain biking.
Services:
Galbmagáldu / Kalmakaltio and Náldejávri / Naltijärvi open wilderness huts and on more western trail Šleŋgehat / Lenkihaka open wilderness hut. Bievrrašjávri / Pöyrisjärvi open wilderness and shared rental hut is near Lake Pöyrisjärvi. There are lodging enterprises in the village of Nunnanen and at Kalmakaltio. You can get further information on these enterprises on the Enontekiö website (enontekiolapland.com).
Starting points for the trail:
- Starting points for the Kalmakaltio - Pöyrisjärvi Trail are at Kalmakaltio and at Näkkälä.
- You can get onto the Kalmakaltio-Pöyrisjärvi Trail at Kalmakaltio Spring. Kalmakaltio is a car ride away from the village of Nunnanen. From Lake Naltijärvi you have two different route options towards Lake Kalkujärvi. The eastern of the two crosses the border into Norway, so it's not recommended if you have items that need to be declared in customs or if you have your dog with you. These two trails meet up at Suukisautsi from where the trail continues on via Kalkujärvi to Pöyrisjärvi. There is an unmarked, but clearly visible and easy to follow, 18 km trail to the village of Näkkälä.
Hetta-Näkkälä trail (26 km)
Trail is part of an old postal route along which post was taken from Hetta to Näkkälä and from there to Pöyrisjärvi and Kalkujärvi. The trail is also suited for mountain biking. As a hiking trail the Hetta-Näkkälä Trail is not very demanding, but as a biking trail it is, because at different points the trail is rocky. There are duckboards on the trail, but not at every wet spot, so it is best to have waterproof footwear. The trail has been marked as a path in terrain maps of the area.
The Hetta-Näkkälä snowmobile track starts out right next to the hiking trail and goes in the same direction. Hikers should be careful to not to walk along it. The snowmobile track crosses bog areas and there are no duckboards on it.
Services:
Šiššat / Sissanki Rental Campfire Hut is located at the start of the trail, about 7 km from the village of Hetta. It is locked and can be rented. There is an open wilderness hut at the trails halfway point.
Sights:
The Näkkälä seita rock is located near the village of Näkkälä at the end of the trail. Seitas are old sites of worship.
From Hetta it is easiest to get to the Näkkälä Trail along the trail that starts from the Fell Lapland Nature Centre yard between the two buildings. At first, the trail goes the same way as the Pahtajärvi Trail, which has been marked with blue marks. At Sissanginselkä, the Pahtajärvi Trail turns west while the Näkkälä Trail continues to the north. The rest of the Näkkälä Trail has only been marked with tall green poles located at a distance of about three hundred metres.
Starting points for the trail:
You can get on the trail at its opposite end in the village of Näkkälä. You can get on the Hetta-Näkkälä Trail at many spots in the village of Hetta:
- The trail is easiest to get onto at the grounds of Fell-Lapland Visitor Centre. From Hetta it is easiest to get to the Näkkälä Trail along the trail that starts from the Fell Lapland Nature Centre yard between the two buildings. At first, the trail goes the same way as the Pahtajärvi Trail, which has been marked with blue marks. At Sissanginselkä, the Pahtajärvi Trail turns west while the Näkkälä Trail continues to the north. The rest of the Näkkälä Trail has only been marked with tall green poles located at a distance of about three hundred metres.
- There is an intersection about one kilometre east of the centre of Hetta Village right before the police department with a sign for "Hetta-Näkkälä". Turn onto this road Pulkkatie. The trail then turns left towards a lit jogging track.
- A lit jogging track has its starting point behind the Enontekiö sports centre. Follow the track for about 1,3 km. The trail then turns left off of the jogging track. There is a sign to "Pahtajärvi - Näkkälä" at this turn off.
- Paavontalo Holiday Village about 2 km east of the centre of Hetta. After the holiday resort Paljaseläntie road turns off the main road. Paljaseläntie road leads to the parking area for a lit jogging track. You can leave your car here when setting of on a hike. Turn right from the parking area and you will find the sign for Hetta- Näkkälä Trail.
Recommended maps for the area
- Pöyrisjärvi wilderness area, waterproof map, 1:50 000, Calazo 2022.
- Pöyrisjärvi Kalmakaltio Hetta, Waterproof Topographic Map, 1:50 000, Karttakeskus 2021.
- Maastokartat, Topographic maps V423 Enontekiö, V424 Näkkälä, W413 Pöyrisjärvi and V442 Peltotunturi, 1:50 000.
- Outdoor GT Northern Finland, 2016, 1:400 000.