Hiking & outdoor recreationLength16.1 km
Duration(8-9 hours)
Degree of difficultyMedium
The trail starts at Njurkulahti towards Joenkielinen Fell, at 534 meters high. There on the top you get a great scenery over Lemmenjoki National Park and Hammastunturi wilderness area. There might be wet patches along the trail, so water-resistant shoes will be necessary. The descent from Joenkielinen to the Lemmenjoki riverbank is steep and rocky.
Circle trail
The trail can only be used during the snow-free season
Campfire siteAlways check for any wildfire warnings in effect before making a fire.
Camping permittedCamping is only permitted in the immediate vicinity of marked rest areas and campfire sites and huts.
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 pointWater can be collected from streams, but we recommend boiling it.
Contact information
Starting pointNjurkulahti parking area
The trail will start from Parking area of Metsähallitus, about 1.5 km from centre of Njurkulahti village. When hiking clockwise, the trail climbs for the first 6 kilometres up the slope to the Juurakko-oja shelter.
After the shelter, a steep, 1.5-kilometre climb leads to the summit of the Joenkielinen fell, where you can admire the views of the Lemmenjoki National Park and the Hammastunturi Wilderness Area.
From the fell summit, a steep slope descends to the riverside hiking trail. The change in elevation is 300 metres in 3 kilometres. From the junction, you can make a short detour to the Sotkajärvi lean-to shelter, which is 300 meters away.
When joining the riverside trail, turn to the right towards Njurgulahti. The last 5 kilometers follow the Lemmenjoki Gold Trail through old pine forest via the Muurahaislampi campfire site, which is approximately 800 meters from the parking area.
End pointNjurkulahti parking area