Hiking & outdoor recreationLength5.6 km
Duration(2 hours)
Degree of difficultyEasy
Hike through the rugged fells, greet a curious Siberian jay (Perisoreus infaustus) and roast a snack over a campfire near the lake shore. The trail is popular with families, and the early part of the journey is accessible until the Lapp hut. Kesänkijärvi Lake is set amid old-growth forest, streams and lush springs. The midnight sun burnishes the landscape and reflects the steep slopes of Kesänkitunturi and Kellostapuli Fells onto the lake surface. The cloudberries at Hormistonjänkä Mire ripen in late July-early August. More information about the secrets of taiga forests is available on the information boards along the nature trail.
The trail can only be used during the snow-free season
Circle trailThe recommended direction of travel is clockwise.
Multi-purpose trailYou can hike, bike or run along the trail. Please note other trail users (moving at different speeds).
Campfire siteAlways check for any wildfire warnings in effect before making a fire.
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.
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.
Contact information
Starting pointKesänkijärvi pysäköintialue
Starting point: Kesänkijärvi parking area, Sahatie, 95970 Äkäslompolo. Sahatie is a narrow gravel road that is bumpy in places. The Kesänkijärvi starting point has an information board about Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park and the 6 km Kesänkijärven kierros summer trail. The Kesänkijärvi Loop trail is marked with green signposts. The route has been upgraded, and the first section up to the Lapp hut is accessible with an assistant. Take other trail users into consideration, because hikers on the busiest trail in Äkäslompolo often use bikes, prams and wheelchairs – especially during the daytime.
The start of the trail runs between the lake landscape and spruce-dominated forest, which provides plenty to see from vegetation to lake birds. After travelling 1.6 km along the shores of Kesänkijärvi Lake, you come to a large spring that is home to many different plant species. Stop for a moment to admire the tall garden angelica (Angelica archangelica), soft green Hornemann’s willowherb (Epilobium hornemannii) and marsh mosses (Philonotis).
The yard of Kesänkijärvi campfire hut has a lean-to shelter, wood storage and toilets. Hikers have a good chance of seeing a Siberian jay (Perisoreus infaustus) when eating a snack at Kesänkijärvi lean-to shelter.
The hardened trail becomes wide wooden duckboards. The accessible trail leads to the pier at the lake, where it is easy to do some fishing with a hook and line or spinning rod. Wilderness café services are available by the lake during the high seasons.
When leaving the end of Kesänkijärvi Lake, the trail narrows down to metal duckboards and continues along a hardened trail. The duckboards sections are easy to walk along, but they are too narrow for prams.
The last part of the section runs along wooden duckboards to Hormistonjänkä Mire, where you can smell the scents of the mire, see the flowering cloudberry bushes in spring and enjoy the brilliant colours during autumn. At this point, the distance travelled is 3.8 km.
From Kesänkijärventie road, the trail continues along the road towards the lake. When you come to the crossing at Hankinnantie road, turn left and walk to the Sahatie crossing. The trail continues from there to the Kesänkijärvi starting point. The distance travelled is 0.7 km.
End pointKesänkijärvi pysäköintialue