Hiking & outdoor recreationLength47.7 km
Duration(72 hours)
Degree of difficultyHard
Most popular long distance hiking trail in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park is the 50-km-long Hetta-Pallas Hiking Trail. The route for this trail was outlined in 1934. The trail leads over fells, sometimes descending to the ravines below to once again as if to prepare hikers for the breathtaking view from the top of the next fell.
The area/trail is not safe to use during the winterAt winter hikers should stay on the skiing trail that travels lower on the fells.
Campfire siteThere are several campfire sites along the trail. Always check for any wildfire warnings in effect before making a fire.
Hut There are several huts along the trail
Camping permittedIn the Special zone, Recreational zone and Cultural zone Camping is permitted only in the vicinity of wilderness huts, campfire huts and campfire sites. Camping is forbidden in the restricted zones. In the Wilderness Zone camping is allowed freely.
Multi-purpose trailYou can hike, bike or run along the trail. Please note other trail users (moving at different speeds)
Dry toiletRemember to bring toilet paper.
Water point
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.
Contact information
Starting pointTunturi-Lapin luontokeskus, 99400 Enontekiö
Hetta – Pyhäkero open wilderness hut 6,7 km
The trail's starting point is at Hetta Village. First of all you cross Lake Ounasjärvi by boat. Local private tourist services are doing boat transportation. Another option is to go along the Mustavaara private road. From 5 km of the lake, at the foot of Pahtavaara Hill there is a campfire site. The trail travels through pine forest all the way to Pyhäkero open wilderness hut.
Pyhäkero open wilderness hut – Sioskuru open wilderness hut and shared rental hut 8 km
The climb from Pyhäkero open wilderness hut to the top of the fell starts off as a gentle slope, but becomes steeper as it approaches the peak. On the shore of Lake Pyhäjärvi there are signs left from the early days of ski tourism. One of the first tourist lodges in the area used to stand there. A breath-taking view of Northern Lapland's great fells opens from the Pyhäkero peak. In clear weather you can see the snowy slopes of Pältsä Fell and Moskukainen Fell all the way at the Norwegian and Swedish borders in the northwest. From Pyhäkero the trail descends over hillside mires and gravely ridges to Sioskuru open wilderness hut and shared rental hut.
Sioskuru open wilderness hut and shared rental hut – Pahakuru open wilderness hut 12,1 km
From Sioskuru Ravine the trail climbs to both Siosvaara and Sillasvaara Hill. To the west hikers can see the hills of Haaravaara, Välivaara and behind them the grand Rautuvaara. There is a slow descent after which hikers cross the River Marastojoki. Tappuri open wilderness hut and the Marasto reindeer round-up site are to the left of the trail. The trail continues to the foot of Tappuri and from there to the hills of Rouvivaara and Pikkuvaara. The trail is easy to travel across the highland region all the way to Pahakuru open wilderness hut.
Pahakuru open wilderness hut – Hannukuru open wilderness hut and shared rental hut 1,5 km
From Pahakuru Ravine the trail continues towards Hannukuru open wilderness hut and shared rental hut. The Ounastunturi Fell and their signature peak Outakka are left behind and the Pallastunturi Fell rise up ahead. An old reindeer field appears quite suddenly. Full and lush juniper bushes surround the level-grounded field and old fell birches line the trail. The trail leads through level forest covered terrain to Hannukuru huts.
Hannukuru open wilderness hut and shared rental hut– Montell's campfire hut 12,5 km
From Hannukuru Ravine the trail slopes steeply down and crosses over the River Hannujoki, which flows between sharp cliffs. From the river the trail heads to Suastunturi Fell. The gentle level topped fell offers a wonderful place to view the surrounding landscape. Looking to the west hikers can admire fen meadows, which supplied feed for livestock in past times, and Ruototunturi Fell, which is located in the National Park's wilderness zone. The trail then passes through dense spruce and birch forest to Suaskuru campfire shelter. The trail slopes upward to Lumikero Fell, from the top of which you observe as the River Ounasjoki meanders for tens of kilometres. From the fell top the trail descends into Lumikuru Ravine, where hikers come to the fence that separates the lands of the Näkkälä and Kyrö reindeer herding co-operatives. There is a bridge across the fence. There are a few small spruce and birch bushes at this point and the trail passes Vuontiskero Fell on its west side. The trail then descends into Röyninkuru Ravine and to the to the campfire at Montelli. Near the campfire there is an old small Montelli hut, which is used by reindeer herders.
Montell's campfire hut – Nammalakuru open wilderness hut and shared rental hut 1,2 km
At Montelli campfire there is a crossroads from where a trail leads east to Vuontispirtti. The main trail to Nammalakuru Ravine continues southward. After a short ascent the trail descends to Nammalakuru open wilderness hut and shared rental hut.
Nammalakuru open wilderness hut and shared rental hut – Pallastunturi 13 km
From Nammalakuru wilderness hut the trail leads alternately along the fell birch and spruce growth line to the foot of Jäkäläkero Fell and onward to Rihmakuru campfire shelter (3 km from Nammalakuru Ravine). The trail continues from the campfire shelter with a long ascent across the Rihmakurunvaara Fells to the valley between Taivaskero and Pyhäkero. Taivaskero, at 807 m, is the highest peak in the ridge area. On its east side is the deep and ominous Pyhäkuru Ravine. The ravines steep walls form a horseshoe and as a result of heat bursts of wind rise straight up towards the sky. On the horizon hikers can make out Yllästunturi Fell and up closer Lake Jerisjärvi and the Sammaltunturi and Lommoltunturi Fells which are part of the National Park. The trail descends along the southern slope of Pyhäkero to Vatikuru Ravine and continues to its end point at Pallastunturi Visitor Centre.
End pointPallastunturi Visitor Centre parking area