Hiking & outdoor recreationLength12.6 km
Duration(4-6 h/one way)
Degree of difficultyHard
The wilderness-like trail guides hikers through the bright, old pine forests high on the Keski-Luosto and Yli-Luosto fell ridges, occasionally offering majestic distant views over steep and rocky slopes. In the northernmost corner of the national park, at the base of Yli-Luosto, awaits the traditional Yli-Luosto open wilderness hut, which has provided rest for travelers for eight decades. The trail is one-way and can be started from the Luostonloma parking area (8 km/one way) or Luostonportti (12 km/one way). The section crossing Keski-Luosto and Yli-Luosto is consistently rocky, and sturdy footwear is recommended. Some hiking experience and navigation skills are also advised, as the path and trail markers can be faint in places. The trail is suitable for hiking during snow-free season. Stones may be slippery in rain or after frost.
The trail can only be used during the snow-free seasonThe trail and its markers are not visible in winter.
No winter maintenance
HutYli-Luosto open wilderness hut.
Campfire siteAlways check for any wildfire warnings in effect before making a fire.
Camping permittedCamp in the vicinity of marked campfire sites.
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 pointBring enough drinking water. Natural water can be taken from the brook Luostonoja near Yli-Luosto open wilderness hut (must be boiled before drinking).
Contact information
Starting pointLuostonportti parking area
Starting point for the 12 km one-way trail: Luostonportti. At the starting point, there is a large group of signs for summer and winter trails and two information shelters showing the trails of the national park. You can also leave from the larger parking area on the other side of the road, at the foot of the ski slopes.
Follow the brown-based summer trail signs and red square markers towards Ukko-Luosto Scenic Hut, Tikkalaavu, Pyhänlatva, and Yrjölä, crossing the road over a ski bridge and continuing along an easy-access trail for 0.7 km.
From the junction, you can make a short detour to the Tikkalaavu rest site, about 50 meters away.
Continue along the wide ski trail base through gently undulating forests for about three kilometers, eventually paralleling Pyhä-Luostontie road. Cyclists may be encountered on this section as it is shared with a popular mountain biking trail.
Luostonloma parking area, starting point for the 8 km/one-way trail
Cross the Pyhä-Luosto road, and continue on a narrow trail marked with red squares towards Yli-Luosto and Keski-Luosto. In some areas there are also older trail markers, poles with a hiker symbol, showing the way. The trail follows Luostonloma for the first half kilometer before turning left and ascending steeply into Keski-Luosto’s ancient pine forests.
The next 1.5 km involve a climb towards Keski-Luosto’s top (406 meters above sea level). The path becomes increasingly rocky, and the trees become lower and grow sparser. At times, you cross large fields of gray quartzite boulders, where you can sometimes spot milky-white stones known as milk quartz. From the rocky slopes near the top, there is a magnificent view to the west, with the Kitinen River winding through wetlands and forests. Nearby stands majestic Ukko-Luosto, with Pyhätunturi visible in the distance in clear weather.
The trail follows Keski-Luosto’s partly forested ridge for about three kilometers, running parallel to a winter snowmobile route marked with both red squares for the walking trail and red crosses for the snowmobile route. The path roughly traces the national park boundary, marked by white paint rings on trees.
The walking trail continues approximately another 3 km towards the forested Yli-Luosto, descending a rocky ridge and continuing along the tree line. On the eastern slopes, there are often treeless rock fields with views over wetlands and forests outside the national park. In forested sections, the trail is narrow and rocky, and across rock fields, it can disappear entirely. Trail markers may be faded and hard to see.
On Yli-Luosto’s top (315 m above sea level), ancient pine trees greet hikers. About one kilometer remains to the Yli-Luosto open wilderness hut, with a steep descent through forested and rocky terrain. The final 0.3 km is a flatter forest path.
In a sheltered grove of spruces lies the national park’s oldest hut, built in 1949. At the campfire site in the yard, making fire is permitted unless a wildfire warning is in effect. About 50 meters away, Luostonoja brook flows through a lush woodland, where water can be collected (boil the water before drinking).
Yli-Luosto open wilderness hut is the turnaround point. Return to the starting point along the same trail.
End pointLuostonportti parking area