Hiking & outdoor recreationLength10.5 km
Duration(4 h)
Degree of difficultyMedium
he Könkäiden polku Trail takes you to real Southern Lapland wilderness and to the land of Elks and Willow ptarmigans. The hiking trail connects Vikaköngäs and Vaattunkiköngäs, the two most impressive rapids of the Raudanjoki River, and runs through varied woodland and mire terrain. A significant part of the trail runs on duckboards, making the route easy. Because of elevation differences and rocky sections, the trail is considered a medium level route. In the spring and early summer, the Raudanjoki River may flood so that the Könkäiden polku Trail is partly under water and thus inaccessible.
Campfire site
Camping permitted
HutThe Niittypirtti day-use hut is located at Kivalonaapa.
Dry toilet
Remember to bring a trash bag
No water pointThere is a natural water source at the Kaltio lean-to shelter. The water taken from the source must be boiled before use.
No winter maintenanceIn addition to hiking, the trail is also suited for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. There are no separate tracks or winter trail markings on the trail.
Contact information
Starting pointVikakönkään pysäköintialue, Sodankyläntie 2498, 97510 Rovaniemi
The trail can be hiked in both directions. The route description starts from Vikaköngäs.
After you have left the Vikaköngäs parking area, the trail first crosses the gushing Vikaköngäs Rapids on a hanging bridge. The Kaltio lean-to shelter, the first campsite of the trail, lies about one kilometre from the starting point.
Climb to the Vaattunkivaara Hill, the most demanding section of the route, starts after the lean-to shelter. The elevation difference totals about 80 metres, and at Vaattunkivaara, the route is also rocky in places, making it slippery during rainy weather.
From the top of Vaattunkivaara, the trail descends on a meandering path in rugged terrain.
From the foot of the hill, the trail runs along the southern shore of the Raudanjoki River and takes you to the mire meadow culture heritage sites at Kivalonaapa. At Kivalonaapa, you have a chance to take the short Meadow Culture Trail.
Soon after the Kivalonaapa mire, towards the end of the trail, you arrive at the Karhukumpu lean-to shelter. From here, the trail takes you to the magnificent riverside scenery of the Könkäänsaari Islands.
The nature of the Könkäänsaari Islands is particularly diverse and lush and the trail is easy as it runs on a wide footbridge. Könkäänsaari also has a spacious and accessible lean-to shelter yard.
After Könkäänsaari, you cross the impressive Vaattunkiköngäs Rapids on a hanging bridge. The rest of the trail runs on a wide and level path, which takes you to the Vaattunkiköngäs parking area.
End pointVaattunkikönkään pysäköintialue, Vaattunkikönkääntie 219, 96900 Vikajärvi