Luosto Nature Hiking Trail

Starting pointLuostonportti parking area

You can also start from the larger parking area on the other side of the road, at the base of the ski slopes.

The trail description and recommended direction is counterclockwise, meaning that the rockiest section of the trail is climbed uphill. The trail can also be taken clockwise.

From Luostonportti, head towards Ukko-Luosto Scenic Hut (day-use hut), Tikkalaavu, Pyhänlatva, and Yrjölä, away from the information shelters, crossing the bridge over the road. The large ski slope parking area is circled counterclockwise along a path of about 0.3 km.

At the edge of the parking area, near the cabin area, there is a Luosto trail map, and the trail starts to ascend as a gravel path into the forest towards Ukko-Luosto Scenic Hut and Tikkalaavu. If you park at the ski slope parking area, you can join the trail directly here.

The wide, gravel path leads up into the shelter of the forest, lined with magnificent pines, and after about 650 meters reaches a junction. Here, you can make a detour to the Tikkalaavu rest spot, about one hundred meters away, or continue directly towards Ukko-Luosto Scenic Hut. At Tikkalaavu lean-to shelter, there is also a woodshed and a dry toilet. Please note that making fire at the lean-to shelter is prohibited during wildfire warning.

Tikkalaavu

0.9 km section of the trail leading to Ukko-Luosto Scenic Hut rises very steeply at times. The path is wide and gravel-covered, but there is a risk of slipping on the gravel on the inclines. On the three steepest slopes, there are terrain stairs with metal steps and wooden railings along the path that can be used if desired. There is wooden covering for dogs at the sides of the steps. During the climb, it is worth stopping to admire the surroundings; as the trail climbs upward, views of the Luosto area’s hills, including Orresokka, start to open between the pines. Towards the end of the ascent, the Ukko-Luosto Scenic Hut becomes visible high on the slope.

The trail reaches a junction for several summer and winter routes, with a 100-meter detour leading to the Ukko-Luosto Scenic Hut. This modern day hut features large windows facing south and north, offering the chance to admire the views from a warm interior. The hut includes a colorful exhibition on northern light phenomena, a wood stove (no cooking plate), and two large tables with benches for breaks. There is no campfire site. The grounds feature a separate building with a woodshed and an accessible dry toilet.

Ukko-Luosto Scenic Hut

Return from the scenic hut to the junction, where the Luosto Nature Hiking Trail dives deeper into the forests as a narrow path marked with green squares.

The next 1.2 km section of the trail is a narrow, at times quite rocky and root-filled path that descends steeply down Ukko-Luosto's slope. The surrounding forests are among the most magnificent and oldest in the national park: at higher altitudes, the weathered pines are low and gnarled, resembling sculptures; as you descend, they become increasingly taller with scaly bark. In autumn, the yellow birch leaves and glowing red ground vegetation add a magical touch.

At the base of the slope, the trail meets a wide ski trail bed that encircles the fell and serves as a mountain biking route during the snow-free season. At a group of metal signs, the narrow nature trail branches off the ski trail bed to the right, deeper into the forest, towards Yrjölä and Pyhänlatva.

The next 3 km stretch initially runs through ancient forests. The path is narrow and, at times, worn down to a rocky and root-filled track. Wetland areas are crossed on duckboards made of two longitudinal planks. However, there may be wet sections after rain or during snowmelt. As you reach the Pyhälatva-aapa mire area, the number of duckboard sections increases.

At the Pyhänlatva rest area, there is a lean-to shelter, a dry toilet, and a woodshed. The lean-to shelter faces the incoming direction, and through the trees, you have a splendid view of Ukko-Luosto across the mire.

Pyhänlatvalaavu

The trail continues through forest surrounded by mires as a path, with duckboards of two planks in the wettest areas. 0.3 km from Pyhänlatva lean-to shelter, there is a wooden sign and a junction leading to the rental cabin Yrjölä, located about 200 meters from the trail. In the opposite direction, about 100 meters along duckboards, there is Yrjölä's water point. The water must be boiled before use. There may be an oily film on the water surface caused by harmless iron bacteria, which does not prevent the use of the water when boiled.

Yrjölä Rental Hut

The journey continues through sheltered forest for 0.7 km along a sometimes root-filled path until the trail reaches a mire area. The long duckboard sections spanning approximately 0.7 km offer views of the treeless Pyhälatva-aapa mire, with majestic Ukko-Luosto in the background. Among the mire birdlife, the Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus), Common Crane (Grus grus), and Common Snipe (Lymnocryptes minimus) are regular summer residents, and of the birds of prey hunting over the mires, you might spot a Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus). A hay barn has also been constructed along the trail to recall traditional practices: mire grasses and hay were historically harvested and stored in such barns as fodder for livestock.

The treeless bogs transition to drier pine mires and then to forest as the trail once again turns towards the fells. It initially continues for about a kilometer as a forest path with duckboards over wet areas. After the forested section, the views briefly open up, offering a slightly different perspective of Ukko-Luosto. The lush Pyhänlatvaoja stream is crossed by a wooden bridge, which is in rather poor condition, and on the following half-kilometer stretch, there are also some old and deteriorated cross-plank duckboards.

As you approach the fells, the trail narrows into a gravel-covered path. After 0.8 km, you reach a signposted junction where the gravel path continues for another hundred meters before ending.

The trail continues as a forest path through ancient woodlands for 0.9 km towards the pass between Pikku-Luosto and Ukko-Luosto. Ancient pines and moss-covered spruces accompany the traveler as the trail climbs upward, becoming rockier.

From the signposted junction, the nature hiking trail, marked by a wooden sign, begins to ascend Ukko-Luosto's southern slope, initially sheltered by forest. Right at the start, it crosses a very steep-walled ravine, but otherwise, the total ascent of approximately 1.6 km to the top is relatively gentle. The trail is occasionally very rocky, and there is no clear path in some areas. On the open fell, trail markers transition from squares on the trees to poles.

It’s worth stopping occasionally to look back – on a clear day, you can easily see as far as Pyhätunturi, and the view expands as the trail climbs higher. Once past the tree line, a few resilient mountain birches and low pines still hold on. On the barren fell top, rugged heath vegetation of low junipers alternates with rock fields speckled with yellow map lichen (Rhizocarpon geographicum).

Ukko-Luosto's top

At Ukko-Luosto’s windy top, you are at Luosto’s highest point, 514 m above sea level. A prominent white weather station marks the top, and the surrounding area is gravel-covered for easy access. Near the weather station, a 100 m gravel path leads down to Ukko-Luosto’s viewing platform on the western slope. From the wooden platform, you can admire the vast mires and forests below, through which you have hiked along the trail – you might even spot the duckboards crossing Pyhälatva-aapa mire. Return to the top along the same path from the viewing platform.

The trail descends from the top along the eastern slope, initially as a wide gravel path and stone block steps. 0.4 km from the top, the 575-step Ukko-Luosto staircase begins, with a metal frame and wood-covered handrails and steps. The steps are mostly comfortably spaced, but in the middle, there is a steep section with shorter steps. Between the winding sections of stairs, there are scenic terraces where you can take in views of the hills and fells and or the distinct silhouette of Pyhätunturi over the rugged rock field.

At the base of the stairs, turn left at the junction towards Luosto's center. The distance to the starting point at Luostonportti is about 1.4 km, and the path is wide and easily navigable with a gravel surface. It initially follows the slope before continuing downhill through a forest of tall pines and spruces.

After crossing a 100 m stretch of sandy road, turn left at the signposted junction towards Luosto’s center. The final 0.3 km is a wide, easily accessible trail.

End pointLuostonportti parking area