Hiking & outdoor recreationLength2.9 km
Duration(n. 2 h)
Degree of difficultyMedium
Kolmiloukkonen is a beautiful and diverse area of eskers and small lakes in Salla National Park, with steep esker slopes shaped by the Ice Age, depressions, boulder fields and pine forests of different ages. The Kolmiloukkonen trail circles around Kolmiloukkonen lake. There are two lean-to shelters on the shores, one on the eastern and one on the western side of the lake. The trail is classified as demanding accessible nature trail until the Kolmiloukkonen lean-to shelter and the nearby accessible viewing platform. Along the trail, you can explore a cultural heritage site, the remains of a logging cabin from the early 1900s.
Circle trailThe trail can be followed in either direction.
Campfire site
Camping permittedCamping is allowed in the immediate vicinity of designated rest and campfire sites.
Dry toiletRemember to bring toilet paper.
Remember to bring a trash bagThere are no waste bins on the trail, remember to bring a trash bag.
No water point
No winter maintenanceThe circular part of the trail is not maintained in winter. The maintained winter trail begins at the visitor centre and ends at the Kolmiloukkonen lean-to shelter (on the western shore of the lake).
Contact information
Starting pointSalla Visitor Centre, Hautajärventie 111, 98900 Salla
The trail begins with a gravel section, starting at the edge of the left parking area when arriving at the Salla Visitor Centre. About 150 meters from the parking area, you cross the boundary into Salla National Park. The gravel section is about 1.6 m wide and covered with crushed stone.
The trail initially rolls over fairly steep hills. The steepest climb is about 200 meters from the start of the trail. The climb is about 25 meters long with a slope of 15.5 degrees.
The undulating terrain continues for about 300 meters, but the height differences decrease toward the shelter. The trail has some sideways slope, particularly in the early section.
The Kolmiloukkonen lean-to shelter (on the western shore of the pond) is located on a small peninsula, about 1 km from the starting point. An accessible toilet is located just before the shelter on the right side of the trail, on top of a mound.
The gravel trail continues from the shelter to the right and begins to follow the lakeshore through a pine forest. After the shelter, the trail becomes flatter but still has some elevation changes. Along the trail, you can explore a cultural heritage site, the remains of a logging cabin from the early 1900s.
The gravel section ends at the edge of a mire, about 500 meters after the shelter. Just before the gravel section ends, there is a left turn leading to an accessible observation platform.
You can return the same way or continue on a more challenging trail around Kolmiloukkonen lake.
The moderately difficult section begins at the southern end of the lake, where the trail crosses a mire via duckboards. After the duckboards, the trail veers off the UKK Trail to the left, continuing along the lakeshore toward the north. At the junction after the mire, there are brown metal signs directing you to the Kolmiloukkonen Trail.
The section from the mire via Kolmiloukkosenvaara lean-to shelter and back to the Kolmiloukkonen lean-to shelter is more difficult, and the path may be harder to follow in places.
The path leads to the Kolmiloukkosenvaara lean-to shelter (on the eastern shore of the lake), located in a picturesque peninsula bordered by a rounded boulder field.
Between the shelter and the toilet, there are duckboards circling the boulder field. The trail continues as a gravel path up to the ridge, running straight toward the Kolmiloukkonen lean-to shelter.
Just before returning to the Kolmiloukkonen lean-to shelter, you come to metal stairs that descend the steepest part of the ridge slope. The metal steps have narrow wooden planks along the edge for dogs.
From the shelter, the trail continues to the right at the junction toward the Salla Visitor Centre, along the same gravel path as at the start of the trail.
End pointSalla Visitor Centre, Hautajärventie 111, 98900 Salla