Pallas-Yllastunturi National Park

One of the largest and most visited national parks in Finland, Pallas-Yllastunturi runs as a chain of rounded, bare-topped fells through western Lapland. The air here has been measured among the cleanest in Europe, and a classic multi-day route follows the ridgeline between the resorts of Yllas and Pallas.

Background

The park dates from 1938 and was expanded in 2005. At 1,020 square kilometres it ranks third in size among Finland's national parks, spread across Enontekiö, Kittilä, Kolari and Muonio municipalities. Its chain of fells runs for approximately 100 km above taiga forest, and the top is Taivaskero in the Pallastunturi Fells at 809 metres. The Hetta-Pallas Trail, marked in 1934, is approximately 50 kilometres long. Marked routes include 340 kilometres of summer trails, more than 100 kilometres for winter hiking and over 500 kilometres for skiing. Brown bear and lynx live in the area all year. In 2019 the counters recorded 561,200 visits.

Source: Wikipedia, "Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park"

The landscape

• The fell ridge - the open, treeless tops with huge Arctic views.
• The Hetta to Pallas trail - the classic multi-day ridge hike across the park.
• Autumn ruska - the low tundra and forest ablaze in autumn colour.
• Winter skiing - cross-country and downhill from the Yllas and Levi resorts.

When to go

September for the ruska colour and clear air; March for skiing and lengthening light; summer for the long hikes under the midnight sun. Winter days are short and cold this far north.

Practical notes

It is vast, so it spans everything from lift-served resort skiing to serious backcountry hiking - pick your section to match your ability. The ridge hike is exposed and weather can turn fast even in summer. Mosquitoes bite hard in high summer on the lower ground.

Nearby

The resorts of Yllas and Levi flank the park; Kittila airport and the Sami village of Hetta are gateways.

Key facts