Hiking & outdoor recreationLength26.1 km
Duration(7-8 h)
Degree of difficultyHard
The Aikkipetsi trail takes you to the wilderness far away from the busy resort centre and through a variety of terrains and natural environments. The most pristine wilderness on this trail section is found in Aikkipetsi and Paltsarikumpu area, while there also are commercial forests elsewhere along the trail.
Circle trailThe trail can be hiked in both directions. The route description is clockwise.
Campfire siteAlways check for any wildfire warnings in effect before making a fire.
Camping permittedCamp in the vicinity of designated rest and campfire sites.
HutAlong the trail, there is the Aikkipetsi open wilderness hut and the Ruuhitunturi day-use hut.
Dry toiletRemember to bring toilet paper.
Remember to bring a trash bagThere are no waste bins on the trail. Bring along your own trash bag and take your waste out with you when leaving.
No water pointThere are natural waters along the trail, but the water must be boiled before use.
No winter maintenance
Read more about the trail
Contact information
Starting pointSalla Visitor Centre, Hautajärventie 111, 98900 Salla
The trail starts at the edge of the parking area of the Salla Visitor Centre, heading toward Kolmiloukkonen. About 150 meters from the parking area, you cross the boundary into Salla National Park. The first 1.5 km of the trail is an easy-to-walk gravel path through undulating pine forest to Kolmiloukkonen lake.
The first rest spot on the trail is the Kolmiloukkonen lean-to shelter, located on a small peninsula. The dry toilet is just before the lean-to shelter, along the gravel path.
From the lean-to shelter, the trail continues along the gravel path to the right, following the shore of Kolmiloukkonen lake. After about 500 meters, you cross a small mire via duckboards.
At the end of the duckboards, the Kolmiloukkonen Trail branches off to the left. The Aikkipetsi Trail continues straight ahead, past the Kolmiloukkosenvaara hill, after which a junction appears, where you turn left.
About 650 meters after the junction, you exit Salla National Park, and the trail continues along the edge of the forest toward the Hanhilampi lean-to shelter.
From the lean-to shelter, the trail follows the side of Hanhivaara hill, and after about 1 km, you cross a forest road. Shortly afterward, you reach a mire area, which is crossed via duckboards. Please note that the duckboards are partly in poor condition. After this, you reach the Hevosoja lean-to shelter.
From the Hevosoja lean-to shelter, the trail winds for the next 4.5 km through lowlands and mire depressions to the Paltsarikumpu lean-to shelter. About 200 meters before the lean-to shelter, the trail crosses the base of the Sallatunturi-Hautajärvi snowmobile trail.
From the Paltsarikumpu lean-to shelter, the trail heads toward the Aikkipetsi open wilderness hut, which is about 3 km away. Before the open wilderness hut, the trail crosses mires and wetlands, with the wettest parts traversed via duckboards. Please note that the duckboards are partly in poor condition.
About 100 meters before the open wilderness hut, you reach a junction where the Aikkipetsi Trail joins the UKK Trail, marked with red squares. From the junction, turn right toward the hut.
The Aikkipetsi open wilderness hut is located in an idyllic spot by Kalliolampi pond.
From the open wilderness hut, the trail continues past beautiful small ponds and climbs through a magnificent old pine forest toward Kuusikko-Ruuhivaara.
After crossing Kuusikko-Ruuhivaara, the trail descends into a small hollow, where it crosses the snowmobile trail and ski track bases. About 700 meters later, you reach a junction, where you turn left toward Ruuhitunturi. The final part of the trail is marked with blue squares.
The trail climbs higher up Ruuhitunturi fell, and about 500 meters before the Ruuhitunturi day-use hut, you can take a short detour to the top. At the top, there is a viewing tower with views extending all the way to Russia. This detour is not marked in the terrain, and the path may be difficult to distinguish in places.
From the Ruuhitunturi day-use hut, the trail continues for only 100 meters before reaching a junction. The trail to the left leads toward Hangasharju and onwards to the Sallatunturi Resort Centre. The Aikkipetsi Trail continues to the right toward Pirttivaara.
The final ascent is up to Pirttivaara, where two observation platforms offer magnificent views toward Sallatunturi. In Pirttivaara, the route also has stairs with metal grate steps, with a narrow wood-covered part on the side of the steps for dogs.
The trail winds down from Pirttivaara along the shore of Tammakkolampi lake, where duckboards lead back to the starting point at the Salla Nature Center.
End pointSalla Visitor Centre, Hautajärventie 111, 98900 Salla