Aittajärvi is a good starting point in summer

The trail is not marked in the terrain, and hikers in this area must have navigation skills. The trail requires good map reading skills and previous hiking experience. Paths used by hikers have been worn in the terrain, and clear tracks visible in the terrain are also marked on hiking maps.

There is a parking area on the boundary of the National Park and a lean-to shelter, a toilet and campfire sites on the Suomujoki River.

From Aittajärvi parking area, follow the path leading towards the Suomujoki River to the crossing point. The river is crossed by wading. The wading point is easy to see, and it is marked on hiking maps. Orange stepping stones have been laid at the bottom of the river to indicate an optimal wading route. The lowest point of the river is in the middle by the island, while the deepest parts are right next to the shore. The river cannot be crossed by wading during severe flooding. The nearest bridge is 7 km upstream along the Suomujoki River. You can anticipate the water level by visiting the website of the Environmental Administration.

After crossing the Suomujoki River, the trail continues southwards following Maantiekurunoja stream. Approx. 1 km from the wading point on the shore of Helanderin Kotajärvi Lake, you can find a ruined hut preserved for historical reasons in which important figures of Finnish cultural history have stayed. From here, the distance to the reindeer fence and gate is about 2.5 km. Remember to close the gate.

If you prefer not to hike the whole distance of 23 kilometres from Aittajärvi to Luirojärvi in one day, you can stay overnight in Sudenpesä rental hut, Sarvijoki wilderness/reservation hut or a tent. In that case, the distance of the day hike from Aittajärvi to Sarvijoki is around 13 km.

The trail leading to Sudenpesä and Sarvioja huts diverts northeast from Maantiekuru at the shoulder of Kaarnepää. The distance from the junction to Sudenpesä hut is approx. 3 km. Sudenpesä is a rental hut for 5 people. Sarvijoki open wilderness/reservable hut is located one kilometre further. The next morning, return to the trail that follows Maantiekuru ravine. The distance from Sudenpesä hut to Luirojärvi is approximately 16 km.

In the rockiest parts of the fell slope, the trail does not stand out in the terrain, but the direction is southwards and towards Lake Luirojärvi. After crossing Pälkkimäoja stream, it is best to pick the path on the Apujoukkojenvaara hill side to get around the rocky wetland ahead.

Approx. 1.6 km from Pälkkimäoja lean-to shelter to the south, the path passes through a herding site of Lappi reindeer herding cooperative. The herding site has a few locked huts that are used by reindeer herders. The distance from the herding site to Luirojärvi is approximately 5 km.

There are several huts on Lake Luirojärvi

• Rajankämppä is an open wilderness hut.
• Luirojärvi (also known as Hilton) is an open wilderness/reservable hut for 12.
• Kuuselankämppä is a rental hut for 5.
• You can camp at designated sites around Luirojärvi Lake.

It is a good idea to spend two nights on Luirojärvi and set aside one day for climbing to the top of Sokosti. Sokosti is the highest fell in Urho Kekkonen National Park. The distance from the shores of Lake Luirojärvi to the top of Sokosti is about 5 km. The path leading from Lake Luirojärvi is also shown on maps. There is no path through the boulder field near the peak.

There is a mast and a locked maintenance building at the top of Sokosti. You can check the reception of your mobile phone with your operator. Hikers should be aware that there are always areas with poor signal in the wilderness and that sometimes the mast may be out of order. Fixing a fault may take a few days.

When hiking from Luirojärvi to Muorravaarakka, head towards Lumipää via Pälkkimäoja lean-to shelter following Pälkkimäoja stream. The easy-to-see path climbs up the fell on the south side of Lumipää and descends down to Lumikuru ravine. There is no path across the boulder field higher up.

Lumikuru is a spectacular natural attraction between Lumipää and other fells. Under the steep wall of the Lumikuru gorge, snow might linger throughout the summer. This has given the gorge its Finnish name (‘Snow Gorge’). Stop by the clear waters of the stream running down to the bottom of the gorge and admire the park-like huddles of white mountain birch, morasses surrounded by mosses and ferns, and lush meadow patches. Lumikuru is also home to some old rowan trees that continue to grow slanted on the slope. You may not camp or make a fire in Lumikuru. In winter, there is an avalanche hazard in Lumikuru!

The trail that follows Lumikurunoja stream leads to to the shore of the Muorravaarakkajoki River. On the other side of the river, you can see Muorravaarakanruoktu and Muorravaarakka wilderness/reservable huts. The river is crossed at the huts by wading. When the water level is high, you should look for a better crossing point upstream. Always take special care when crossing the river. The water level in the Muorravaarakka River rises up rapidly during heavy rainfall and spring floods.

From Muorravaarakka to Sarvijoki, the route leads through beautiful fell scenery where climbing the fell slopes adds its own challenge to the hike. Along the trail, you can spot mountain birch groves, clear streams, ponds fringed by ferns, and bare boulder fields. On this section, hikers get to see some of the most impressive natural attractions of Urho Kekkonen National Park: Pirunportti, Ukselmakuru and Paratiisikuru gorges.

At the start, the Muorravaarakkajoki River must be crossed. Take the same path as the day before towards Lumikuru. After less than a kilometre, the trail starts to climb towards Pirunportti in the northwest. Pirunportti is a steep-walled ravine shaped by the Ice Age, a magnificent natural attraction. Snow in Pirunportti may linger well into the summer. In winter, there is an avalanche hazard in Pirunportti!

After Pirunportti, the path starts climbing along the slopes of Ukselmapää fell and descends steeply to Paratiisikuru ravine. Paratiisikuru is said to be one of the most beautiful places in Urho Kekkonen National Park. The ravine has two ponds with clear water and a waterfall at its southern end. The vegetation in Paratiisikuru is lush with lady ferns fringing the ponds. You might feel tempted to spend a little longer admiring this unique natural attraction, but staying overnight, campfires and camping there are prohibited!

The trail between Paratiisikuru ponds turns northwest after the smaller pond, heading for Sarvijoki and Sudenpesä huts. The lower trail stays close to the upper reaches of the Sarvijoki River, while the upper path climbs slightly higher on the dryer fell slope. Both trails lead to Sarvijoki open wilderness/reservable hut, where you wade across the river.

From Sarvijoki/Sudenpesä you return to Maantiekuru path and from there to Aittajärvi. If you prefer not to double back along the same path as before and trust your navigation skills, you can take the route via the tops of Kaarnepää and Kuotmuttipää. In that case, climb north from Sarvijoki or Sudenpesä hut and up the steep, wooded slope of Kaarnepää to the fells. From there, continue your hike to the tops of Kaarnepää and Kuotmuttipää across the open landscape. From the top of the fell, you should descend back to Maantiekurunoja trail before you reach the reindeer fence. There is a gate at the trail. For the remaining distance of around 4 km, stay on the familiar path towards Lake Aittajärvi.