A single-storey wooden building with the Pallas–Yllästunturi emblem on the wall. There is also an opening in the wall, and on the adjacent wall various information panels are mounted. Through the large glass windows you can see into the illuminated space where people are present.

The Pallastunturi Trail Gate is a combination of outdoor and indoor spaces that are always accessible.

Open doors 24/7: hikers can now use the unique Pallastunturi Gate in Muonio independently

02/18/2026

Pallastunturi Gate is a new combination of outdoor and indoor facilities which is always open and in which Metsähallitus Parks & Wildlife Finland offers information for hikers. Metsähallitus opened the indoor areas of the Gate for hikers on Monday 16 February 2026.

"As the Gate is open round the clock, it is a great way of exposing a large number of visitors to information about responsible hiking on their way to the National Park, whatever the time of the day. Practical considerations were prioritised in the design of the Gate. For example, you can wash the dishes after your hike there, use the toilet and find hiking tips on the Luontoon service," says Timo Karinen, Senior Specialist, Recreational Amenities from Metsähallitus Parks & Wildlife Finland.

The Pallastunturi Gate exhibition.

In the mirror wall next to the washbasin there are openings displaying droppings from animals and birds. The mirror reflects the doors of the toilet cubicles.

Inside the Pallasturi Gate you can, for example, wash the dishes after your hike there and use the toilet.

The shape of the building was also designed to guide visitors to the starting points of the trails to Pallastunturit Fells. Watch an introductory video about the Gate (instagram.com).

The following are some of the features at the Gate that support visitors:

Digital displays that provide information on the National Park's trails and the condition of its service infrastructure. The gate directs visitors to the web service Luontoon, where they can find the latest information
The digital displays also have information about weather conditions and warnings related to them, including forest fire warnings in summer
Information about snow safety to help hikers make smart decisions:
- avalanche forecasts on the digital displays in winter
- gradient map to help visitors identify avalanche terrain
- checkpoint for testing your personal avalanche beacon
The warm indoor facilities of the Gate protect visitors from the elements of the fell environment, for example while waiting for a lift back or in case of equipment failure

On the frosty exterior wooden walls there is the Pallas–Yllästunturi emblem, a digital display and information boards.

The Pallastunturi Gate also provides information for hikers outdoors.

The previous building on this site was Pallastunturi Visitor Centre, which was demolished due to indoor air problems. The Visitor Centre recorded around 50,000 visits each year. In 2025, the trails in the nearby area were used by approx. 65,000 visitors. The popular Hetta-Pallas trail, which sees around 12,000 hikers during the summer season, either ends or starts at Pallas.

An illuminated wooden building with a large emblem on the wall.

The Pallastunturi Gate in Muonio is available for independent use by hikers around the clock.

The Gate is a better way for Metsähallitus to reach visitors, also outside office hours. Metsähallitus trusts hikers to be smart and take care of the Gate, even if there is no staff present.

"The Gate has CCTV surveillance. If vandalism becomes a problem, we will make the necessary changes. We can edit the content on the three digital displays at a short notice,” says Karinen.

The Government granted Pallastunturi Gate separate funding amounting to EUR 1.6 million in 2023.

There are two digital displays and information boards on the wall.

The Pallastunturi Gate’s digital displays provide the most up‑to‑date information on the national park’s trails and the condition of its visitor facilities via the Luontoon.fi service.

One of the exhibition’s openable panels is open. The panel door contains information about the freshwater pearl mussel, and behind the glass a mussel is displayed.

The exhibition also includes openable panels offering more in‑depth information.

Further information:

Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
- Pallastunturi Gate