The valley of the gold river in Finland’s largest national park, treeless fells and pristine old-growth forests welcome visitors to the Sápmi heartland. If you board a riverboat piloted by a guide, even one day is enough to get a taste of the atmosphere of Europe’s largest wilderness. A hiker who leaves the marked trails can enjoy peace and solitude for weeks on end. For the original inhabitants of the area, Lemmenjoki is a home and place of work rather than a wilderness. You can explore the rich cultural heritage of the area on Kaapin Jouni’s farm, at Sallivaara reindeer separation fence or in the gold panning areas.
- Finland’s largest national park
- One of the largest wilderness areas in Europe
- Sámi culture and cultural heritage
- Fells, mires and old-growth forests
- Lush river banks
- Past and present of gold mining
Activities and trails
Nature of Lemmenjoki National Park
In the largest national park in Finland, nature also has a grand scale. The fell ranges and old pine forests flanking the Lemmenjoki River Valley are replaced by mossy spruce forests and aapa mires.
Nature at the site
History of Lemmenjoki
In addition to nature, Lemmenjoki National Park protects a rich cultural heritage. The park showcases traces of the Stone Age, Sámi culture, and gold prospecting.
History of the destinationVisitor's checklist
The National Park is a nature reserveEveryman's rights do not apply as such in the National Park.
Temporary camping in the area is allowedCamping in the Lemmenjokilaakso between Njurkulahti and Kultahamina is only permitted in the immediate vicinity of rest areas and campfire sites marked in the terrain, in the immediate vicinity of huts, and on the campsites marked in the terrain. The Ravadasköngäs restricted zone, where camping is prohibited. Elsewhere temporary camping is permitted throughout the National Park.
Make campfires only in designated sitesAlways check the current wildfire warning before making a fire. During a wildfire warning, fires are only allowed in cooking shelters with a chimney.
Remember to bring a trash bagAt the parking area of Njurkulahti, there are container for mixed waste. Bring a garbage bag and take the trash back with you.
Always keep pets on a leashDog waste should be cleaned off the trails to the side.
There are movement restrictions in the areaHiking is only permitted on marked trails in the Ravadasköngäs restriction zone.
Biking and horseback riding are only permitted on the marked summer hiking trails.
Take the Sámi cultural environment into considerationFollow good manners and do not damage Sámi sacred sites.