Urho Kekkonen National Park
One of the great wildernesses of Europe - a huge roadless expanse of fell and forest in northern Lapland, with the legendary home of Santa on its edge.
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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
One of the largest national parks in Finland, Urho Kekkonen is a true roadless wilderness of open fells, pine forest and river valleys stretching toward the Russian border. On its eastern edge rises Korvatunturi, the fell that Finnish tradition names as the secret home of Father Christmas.
What you actually see
- The open fells - rolling treeless tops and vast Arctic emptiness.
- Wilderness huts - the network of free and reservable huts that make long hikes possible.
- Korvatunturi - the remote fell said to be Santa's true home, deep in the park.
- River valleys and pine forest - the sheltered lower ground rich in reindeer and birds.
When to go
September for autumn colour and firm ground, March for ski touring, summer for the long midnight-sun hikes. The interior is for the experienced and self-sufficient in any season.
Honest expectations
The core is genuine roadless wilderness where you must be self-reliant, navigate and carry what you need - not a stroll from a car park. Weather is harsh and changeable, and help is far away. Day visitors sample the accessible edge near Saariselka; the interior is a serious undertaking.
Nearby
Saariselka resort is the gateway; Lake Inari and the Sami centre at Inari lie to the north.
What to pack for Urho Kekkonen National Park
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
