Hiking & outdoor recreationLength58 km
Duration(3-5 days)
Degree of difficultyHard
This scenically beautiful trail goes down in some places to the bottom of the canyon, and in other places it goes up to the highland, and it crosses three times the River Kevojoki which flows in the canyon. The trail passes in several places near the edge of a cliff, steep rock, or along steep stairs.Along this trail, you get to see the most impressive sights of the nature reserve, such as Fiellu Waterfall and the Wall of Kevo, a place where the valley opens up to reveal great scenery. The trail is very demanding as it descends several times to the bottom of the canyon and then in turn climbs to fell tops. Paikoin reitti on vaikeakulkuinen. The trail is marked with orange paint on trees and wooden poles.
Trails in the Kevo Strict Nature Reserve closed due to flooding and gastrointestinal illness outbreak
The hiking trails in the Kevo Strict Nature Reserve, namely the Kevo and Kuivi trails, are closed due to river flooding and a gastrointestinal illness situation until 25 June 2025.
Read moreTrails in the Kevo Strict Nature Reserve closed due to flooding and stomach flu – Overnight hikes still not recommended in Urho Kekkonen National Park
Metsähallitus is closing the trails in the Kevo Strict Nature Reserve until 25 June 2025 due to flooding and a stomach flu outbreak. Over the weekend, Metsähallitus received new reports of stomach flu in Urho Kekkonen National Park. Metsähallitus continues to recommend that visitors to the park avoid overnight hikes and stay on marked trails.
Read more- Birch forest, open fell, pine forest, and ravine valley
- Waterfalls and steep cliff faces
- Wading points at river crossings
- Camping only at designated tent sites, one open wilderness hut
- Strict Nature Reserve: protection of sensitive fell nature
The area/trail is not safe to use during the winter
The trail can only be used during the snow-free seasonMovement is permitted only on foot and only along the marked trail from June 15 to October 15.
Campfire siteAlways check for any wildfire warnings in effect before making a fire.
Camping permittedCamping is only permitted in the immediate vicinity of marked rest areas and campfire sites and huts.
Dry toiletRemember to bring toilet paper.
Remember to bring a trash bagThere are no waste bins on the trail. Bring along your own trash bag and take your waste out with you when leaving.
Water pointWater can be collected from mountain streams, but we recommend boiling it.
No winter maintenance
HutRuktajärvi open wilderness hut
Contact information
Starting pointKarigasniementie 5646, 99950 Utsjoki
Suttesája - Luopmošjohka, 2 km
Suttesája or Sulaoja is the trail's southern starting point. When setting off the trail first leads through fell birch forest over hilly terrain and then descends to the camping site by the River Luopmošjohka. On this section of the trail the ground is easy to walk.
Luopmošjohka - Ruktajávri, 10 km
The path winds along the shore of Lake Luomusjärvi at times.
When continuing on from the River Luopmošjohka the trail follows a ridge, which runs between the Luomusjärvi Lakes, to Ruktajávri open wilderness hut. While leading along the ridge the terrain of the trail is hilly so there are small ascents and descents along the entire way. Before reaching Ruktajávri open wilderness hut the trail descends to a narrow, flat isthmus which separates two lakes. There are rocks at some parts of the trail, but this section is still relatively easy to travel. Close to the wilderness hut there is a lean-to shelter for day-trip use.
Ruktajávri - Suohpášája, 11,5 km
After Ruktajávri open wilderness hut the trail continues on through fell birch forest all the way to the next camping site. This section of the trail is easy to travel. The terrain is slightly hilly. The first climb is steep, but eases to a gentle slope soon after. The trail leads across the fells for several kilometres and then descends to the next camping site. This section of the trail is very rocky, which makes it difficult to hike. In the open fells there is a large boulder by the trail. The descent from the fells is 2 km long. At first the trail slopes downward gently, but at the end of the descent it gets steeper. At the camping site there is a wooden campfire shelter for day-trip use.
Suohpášája - Fiellogahjohka, 6,5 km
The trail starts a steep climb into fell birch forest right after the campfire site. The climb is short, but very steep. About a kilometre from the campfire site the canyon appears abruptly in front of you, like a brand new tear in the rock bed. This is without a doubt the most beautiful sight along the trail. From there the trail continues along the edge of the canyon and then moves a bit away from it into the fell birches and descends to a stream. This descent is very steep before reaching the stream has steps.
After the stream there is again a steep climb -this time along steps. After the ascent the trail leads alternately across open fells and through fell birch forests. Along this portion of the trail there are a few steep descents down sets of steps to stream banks which are followed by climbs up the opposite slope.
The trail eventually descends into the Kevo Canyon to Fiellu Waterfalls. The descent is long, starting gently but becoming very steep at the end. The final section includes hundreds of steps leading to the Fiellogeađgejohka wading point, where wire grips are provided to assist crossing. If you take the last rope, please return a couple of ropes for others.
At the camping site there is a turf hut for day-trip use. There are wooden platforms under the tents due to the rocky terrain. There is no marked trail to Fiellu Falls, so access is prohibited.
Fiellogahjohka - Roajášjávri, 9,5 km
After passing Fiellu Waterfall there is again a steep climb out of the canyon along a set of steps. At the start the ascent is steep, but the trail quickly reaches the open fells where the slope becomes gentler. Altogether the climb is about 3 km long. After the ascent the trail leads along the open fells at times through fell mires. In the open fells the trail is rocky but level. The fell mires are less rocky and therefore easier to travel across. At the end of this section the trail yet again descends through pine forest into the canyon.The descent is at first a gentle slope, but soon becomes steeper. The lower part of the slope is very steep and difficult to traverse due to pine roots and small loose stones. The slope ends with stairs
Roajášjávri - Gamajohsuohpášája, 4,5 km
From the camping site the trail follows a flat but rocky route to the first wading point at the River Kevojoki (Geavvu). The wading point is about 1 km from the camping site. The ford is deep, the wading distance is over 10 meters, and the current can be strong. On the other side of the river the trail continues across level, rocky terrain surrounded by lush riverside vegetation and leads to the wading point. The wading distance at the second ford is over 20 meters, but the bottom and current are more even. After passing the wading point the trail follows the river for a while before climbing into the open fells. This time there are no steps so the climb is along a very steep and rocky cliff-side. The slope soon becomes a gentler fell side, though the climb does continue for another kilometre to the next camping site. There is a campfire shelter at the camping site so that campers stay dry and warm in the event of poor weather.
Gamajohsuohpášája - Njaggaljávri, 8 km
From this camping site the trail continues on across the open fells sloping up and down at times when going over fell peaks.There are challenging rocky areas and boulders along this section. At the halfway point of this section the trail descends steeply to the bank of a fell stream and then immediately climbs to the fell tops again. There are steps at the bottom part of the descent and ascent. For the next kilometer, the route undulates up and down through very rocky and boulder-strewn terrain. After this, the steepest descent of the trail lies ahead. The descent is long and rocky, starting gently but soon becoming steeper. The descent ends with very steep stairs - with several hundred steps - leading to the Njaggaleapme camping area (Gaskkamuš Njaggaljávri) by the Kevo River. The camping area has a dry toilet, a woodshed, and a fireplace.
Njaggaljávri - Beahcelávojávrrit, 3 km
The trail continues with a short set of steep steps and moves away from the river bank. For the next kilometre the trail follows very rocky terrain which slopes up and down and then leading to the shore of River Kevojoki. The trail follows the bank of the River Kevojoki downstream. At the start of this section hikers must climb one of the trail's most difficult ascents. The trail climbs up a nearly vertical wall. There are several steps built into the wall and a rope handrail to aid in the climb. Before reaching the third wading point the trail levels out and for the rest of the section it leads across gently sloping terrain through riverside birch forest. Hikers will cross the River Kevojoki, which varies in depth and has loose stones on the bottom. The 40 m wide wading point equipped with a hand wire. The camping site is right on the other side of the river and have a camfire place.
Beahcelávojávrrit - Guoikgáhritája, 3,5 km
The trail follows the canyon floor through pine forest. The climb out of the canyon is first along steps and then along sloping rocky terrain all the way to the next camping site.
Guoikgáhritája - Silkeája, 3,5 km
After this camping site the trail climbs once more, but not as steeply as earlier. After the ascent the trail is level and easy to travel. Hiking across the isthmus between Lakes Geamus Balddotjávri and Stuorra Balddotjávri and through the mire area is not demanding anymore as there are duckboards to aid hikers to the next camping site.
Silkeája - Ganešjávri, 2,5 km
For the last few kilometres before the trail's end point at Ganešjávri it winds downhill across somewhat rocky forest land. The trail ends with a set of steps and a steep descent to Lake Ganešjávri.
End pointUtsjoentie 2680, 99980 Utsjoki