Hiking & outdoor recreationLength25.2 km
Duration(2-3 days)
Degree of difficultyMedium
In winter, a maintenance route is marked from Njurkulahti to Kultahamina Hut along the river valley that backcountry skiers can also use. The route is not maintained in winter; instead, it is formed by the use of the maintenance route. The Lemmenjoki winter hiking trail is suitable for experienced backcountry skiers.
- Scenery of the river valley
- Landskap av älvdalen och gammal tallskog
The trail can only be used in the winterThe trail is marked with twigs by early February every year, and the markers are removed in spring when the trail is no longer usable.
Campfire siteAlways check for any wildfire warnings in effect before making a fire.
HutRavadasjärvi open wilderness hut, lean-to shelter in Sotkajärvi. Searitniva day hut, open wilderness hut of the Gold Prospectors Association of Finnish Lapland in Kultahamina. Härkäkoski rental hut. Morgamoja open wilderness and rental hut.
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
Startpoint Njurkulahti, Metsähallituksen pysäköintialue Njurkulahdessa Cordinates: Euref-Fin (~ WGS84) lat: 68° 45.0984' lon: 26° 13.2005' ETRS-TM35FIN P: 7626869m I: 468453m. Address: Lemmenjoen kylätie 107, 99885 Lemmenjoki. The distance from the parking area to Njurkulahti is 1.6 km along roads.
Njurkulahti – Sotkajärvi (lean-to shelter) 5,1 km
The trail starts in Njurkulahti and runs along the river ice to Lake Sotkajärvi, on the shores of which is found the historical Kaapin Jouni’s farm. The old buildings and farmyard are well worth a visit. There is a lean-to shelter on the southern side of Sotkajärvi at the northwest end of the lake where you can take a break. The distance from Njurkulahti to Kaapin Jouni’s farm is 1.5 km, and 4 km from here to the lean-to shelter.
Sotkajärvi (lean-to shelter) – Searitniva day-use hut 3 km
From the lean-to shelter, the trail continues along the ice for around 1.8 km to Searitniva. Here the trail leaves the river and leads skiers to Searitniva day hut.
Searitniva day-use hut – Härkäkosken rental hut 4,5 km
From the day hut, the trail continues in hilly terrain for 1.5 km and then descends to the ice of Härkäjärvi Lake. It returns to land 0.5 km before the rental hut.
Härkäkoski rental hut – Kultahamina 8 km
This section of the trail goes along the ice all the way. From Härkäkoski rental hut, the distance to the open wilderness hut of Ravadasjärvi, an excellent campsite, is 2 km. Before Kultahamina, the trail takes in the campfire sites of Pitkäniemi and Morgamoja.
Kultahamina – Kultala in Morgamoja4,5 km
Kultahamina marks the start of a 4.5 km climb to Kultala in Morgamoja. This is the most challenging part of the trail, known as ‘Breathless Hill’ because of the steep climb. Kultala in Morgamoja is a historical base for gold miners that today serves as a wilderness hut and rental hut.