By boat from Vuotso or Lokka
When starting from Vuotso, you cross Lokka reservoir. The boat trip to Karapulju takes around 5 hours. From Lokka village, the length of the trip is about 2 hours.
The hike starts a couple of kilometres before Karapulju open wilderness hut. You start by walking through a mire for a few hundred metres. You can avoid small ponds by staying on the tussocks and reach drier ground without getting your hiking boots wet.
After the short mire section, you continue north towards a path/track that is visible in the terrain. After a few kilometres’ walk, the path passes through a reindeer fence. Close the gate securely.
The path stays at a distance of around one kilometre from the Luirojoki River. Apart from crossing two small streams, the trail along the River Luirojoki stays on dry land.
Through the pine-dominated forest of Luironkangas, you arrive to the shore of the remote Lake Luirojärvi. Here you will find service structures for hikers: two open wilderness huts, one reservable hut, one rental hut, campfire sites and a sauna for the shared use of all hikers.
Luirojärvi is a good base for climbing up to Sokosti or taking in other great natural attractions in the heart of Urho Kekkonen National Park. From Luirojärvi you can continue your hike in various directions in the National Park or arrange for a boat to pick you up from the starting point.