River Juutua, called Juvduujuuhâ in Inari Sámi, meaning 'The river of all rivers', is the home river of the Inari Sámis'. The swift Juutuanjoki River flows between the hills from Lake Solojärvi to Juutanvuono inlet in Inarijärvi. It catches the waters of the Menesjoki, Lemmenjoki, Vaskojoki and Kaamasjoki Rivers from the west. While the river valley is surrounded by pine forests, the vegetation along the river is lusher. River Juutua sits at the foot of Otsamotunturi Fell.

The vegetation along the Juutua River is lusher than its surrounding area. Here, you can see, among others, flood forests and groves, which are rare this far north. Finicky grove plants, which are rare for Inari, such as the (*Paris quadrifolia*) and the Wood Millet (*Milium effusum*), grow at Haapaniemi.
On the slopes of fells, groundwater pushes its way out of springs and creeks, whose banks are thick with lush wilderness vegetation and small fens.
Many flowering plants, such as globeflower (*Trollius europaeus*), garden speedwell (*Veronica longifolia*), common butterwort (*Pinguicula vulgaris*), moor-king (*Pedicularis sceptrum-carolinum*) and heath dog-violet (*Viola canina*) with its large blooms, thrive on the rocky flood meadows of the riparian areas.
The Strict primrose (*Primula stricta*) thrives on open riverbanks and bare shoreline rocks, getting its water from splashing waves. This extremely endangered species is commonly found along the banks of Inari's larger rivers, but its numbers are dwindling farther south due to the construction of hydroelectric plants.
In the summer, the river's occasionally lush banks serve as a nesting site for what is an extremely wide variety of bird species by Inari standards.
In the winter, the meltwater of the Juutua River attracts the White-throated Dipper (*Cinclus cinclus*), which is a unique wintering bird. The white-throated dipper is usually a very easily spotted bird, exploring the river banks and dipping into meltwater in search of food.

The Juutua River is one of the white-throated dipper's most important wintering grounds. In the late spring, the meltwater of the Juutuanjoki River is a key rest stop for migratory birds.

Mountain biking in Inari Hiking Area