Hiking & outdoor recreationLength25,5 km
Duration(2-3 days)
Degree of difficultyMedium
The Lemmenjoki Gold Trail is a hiking route through changing terrain and passes through the central gold prospecting areas. Along the trail you can find, for example, the reconstruction of Karhu-Korhonen’s mechanised prospecting site in Jäkälä-äytsi, the Karhu-Korhonen Library, Morgamoja retaining walls, the first gold discovery site, the Morgamoja Kultala Hut and the Pihlajamäki yard. The trail begins at Kultahamina with a five-kilometer slope uphill known as Hengenahdistuksenmäki (“Shortness of Breath Hill”). Alternatively. Alternatively you can start the hike from Lake Ravadasjärvi, when the climb up to the fells is gentler, and you descend Hengenahdistuksenmäki into Kultahamina. Starting from Kultahamina allows you to follow the gold history presented on the information boards in a logical order. You can combine your hike on the Gold Trail with a scheduled boat transport to Kultahamina or Ravadasjärvi—either one way or both ways. The boat operates between Njurkulahti, Ravadas, and Kultahamina. It’s also possible to begin the hike from Njurkulahti, following the riverside summer hiking trail at the start. The starting point is at the Lemmenjoki National Park parking area, and the total trail length from there is approximately 62 km. The river crossings at Searitniva and Härkäkoski have boats and cable ferries available year-round. However, in autumn, once the riverbanks freeze, crossing by boat is no longer possible.
- River valley landscape
- Treeless open fell
- Old pine forest
- Information boards about the history of gold mining, geology, and gold mining methods
Circle trailThe recommended direction of travel is clockwise.
The area/trail is not safe to use during the winter
The trail can only be used during the snow-free seasonThe trail marking in the forested area is an orange paint marking on trees and an orange wooden post on the ground on the open fells.
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 in the river valley, and according to everyman’s rights elsewhere in the national park.
HutRavadasjärvi Open wilderness hut, Máttit Ravadas Day-use hut, Morgamoja Open Wilderness and Rental hut and Open Wilderness Hut in Kultahamina.
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.
No water pointYou can get water from fell streams; we recommend boiling your water.
Contact information
Startpoints: Ravadasjärvi: ETRS89 (~WGS84) 68° 41.256', 25° 58.259' ETRS-TM35FIN 7619878, 458263 Parking area of Metsähallitus in Njurkulahti Cordinates: Euref-Fin (~ WGS84) lat: 68° 45.0984' lon: 26° 13.2005' ETRS-TM35FIN P: 7626869m I: 468453m
From Lake Ravadasjärvi, climb approximately three kilometres through a hilly pine forest to the Ravadasniemi campfire site and camping area, which is at the intersection of two rivers.
The route follows the Máttit Ravadas River for 3 kilometres through moderately easy terrain on the edge of a pine forest to the Máttit Ravadas campfire site and camping area.
From Máttit Ravadas, the trail continues along a gentle uphill slope for 2.5 km towards the Jäkälä-äytsi Gorge. A reconstruction of Korhonen’s automated gold-digging mine is on display in the gorge.
First, climb the steep short hill from the Jäkälä-äytsi Gorge, which get gentler as you approach the slope of the Jäkäläpää Fell. The descent and ascent to and from the Jäkälä-äytsi Gorge are steep and there are rocks on the trail which makes this the most challenging part of the trail. The Karhu-Korhonen Library is 2 kilometres away from the gorge.
From the Karhu-Korhonen Library, continue along the fell slope through easy terrain for 3.6 kilometres southwest, towards the Pihlajamäki yard.
From Pihlajamäki, continue for 5 km through easy, open fell terrain towards the Morgamoja Kultala Hut, where you can find a rental hut, an open wilderness hut and a tent area.
After the Morgamoja Kultala Hut, descend for 3 kilometres towards the Kapsuoja tent area, through which you can visit the first gold discovery site. The 1.5-kilometre section to Kultahamina goes through an old-growth pine forest.