CyclingLength20.5 km
Duration(3 hours)
Degree of difficultyMedium
The top of Kukastunturi Fell provides a spectacular view towards the fells of Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. The trail runs through a pine forest to the Hormistonjänkä duckboards, which you can walk your bike across. The trail is rocky in places and continues through old-growth forests until you come to Hangaskuru campfire shelter. Roast some snacks over a campfire and enjoy the view towards the beautiful Kesänkitunturi Fell. The long ascent leading to the top of Kukastunturi Fell begins from the wilderness café. The slope becomes gentler as you near the top, and the surrounding landscape gradually opens up around you. Above the tree line, the lichen-covered rocks put on a miniature display of beauty. A gravel trail takes you all the way down to the village of Äkäslompolo. Day trips are nice, but sometimes it’s worth taking a peaceful evening cycling during the midnight sun of early summer. What a great experience! For safety reasons, it is a good idea to hike this trail in a counter-clockwise direction as shown by the white cycling signposts
Length
20.5 km
Unpaved
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Duration
3 hours
Forest path
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Uphill section
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Degree of difficulty (1-5)
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Downhill section
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Suited for biking
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Contact information
Starting pointÄkäshotelli pysäköintialue
Starting point: Äkäshotelli, Äkäsentie 10, 95970 Äkäslompolo, parking subject to a fee. The nearest free-of-charge parking area is 300 metres away at Nililahentie in Äkäslompolo. There is a Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park information board at the Äkäsentie starting point. From the starting point, follow the white signposts for Kukastunturin polkaisu Trail. Start by cycling along a hardened path past the residential area of the village towards the duckboards to Hormistonjänkä Mire. The journey continues along an easy trail to Kesänkijärventie road. The distance travelled is 4.2 km.
From the road, the trail continues through a forest landscape for 3.5 km up to Hangaskuru Ravine. Hangaskuru has a lean-to shelter, wood shed and toilets. The observation benches are a good place to take a break and admire the beautiful aapa mire.
he rest of the trail winds through lichen-covered coniferous trees before arriving at Kotamaja yard along a wide gravel and rocky trail. The distance travelled from Hangaskuru is 3.5 km.
There are benches and toilets in the Kotamaja yard. There is a wilderness café, but you should check the opening hours before departure. It is a good idea to bring water and a camping stove on the hike.
The journey continues for 1.8 km up the steep slope of Kukastunturi Fell. An experienced cyclist can easily pedal to the top, but sometimes it’s a good idea to stop and catch your breath and enjoy the views.
You are finally at the top – 447 metres above sea level – and the fell views are breathtakingly beautiful. Stop at the summit and enjoy the different colours and cloud formations in the sky. You are surrounded by all the fells near Ylläs, the Swedish wilderness is to the west and the round-capped fells of Pallas are behind you.
The rest of the journey is an easy, hardened downhill trail of 5.2 km. It’s easy to pick up speed on the downhill section of Kukastunturi Fell, so please watch out for people walking with pets. When you arrive at the Karila crossing on the shore of Äkäsjoki River, cycle 3 km to Nilijänkä Mire and then continue along the shore of Äkäslompolojärvi Lake to the starting point.
End pointÄkäshotelli pysäköintialue