Hiking & outdoor recreationLength47.1 km
Duration(3-4 päivää)
Degree of difficultyHard
The Nuortti hiking trail is one of the gems of Eastern Lapland. A popular destination for anglers and hikers, it showcases lush riverside meadows, wilderness pine forests, and the steep and rocky slopes of the river canyon. The Nuortti River canyon has walls that are up to 100 meters high at its steepest point. The approximately 40-kilometer-long trail is suitable for a 3-4 day hike. It can be traversed on foot in the summer. The trail is marked with orange paint markings in the terrain. Due to its length and wilderness nature, the trail is quite demanding. The river is crossed twice along the trail. There are numerous campfire sites, lean-to shelters, and huts along the trail, as well as several open wilderness huts and the shared rental huts at Kärekeoja and Hirvashauta. Things to note: An appropriate fishing permit is always required for fishing. Telephone reception is poor. Things to note: The Nuorttin retkeilyreitti Hiking Trail is located near the Finnish border, next to the border zone. There are some restrictions on using drones, for example.
Multi-purpose trailYou can hike along the trail. Cycling on the trail is allowed, but it is extremely challenging, and sometimes you have to walk the bike in stairs or wetlands. Please note other trail users (moving at different speeds)
The trail can only be used during the snow-free season
Campfire siteAlways check for any wildfire warnings in effect before making a fire.
Camping permittedCamping is only permitted in the immediate vicinity of marked rest areas and campfire sites and huts.
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 pointWater can be taken from the river. It is always recommended to boil natural water before use.
Contact information
Starting pointHaukijärvenoja parkkipaikka
You can start your hike at the Haukijärvenoja parking area (approximately 93 kilometres from Savukoski), where you can find an information shelter in addition to the parking area. Please note! There is no winter maintenance on the road between Tulppio and Haukijärvenoja.
You can get in to the trail also from Hirvashauta parking area, cordinates: WGS84 lat: 67° 52.9142' lon: 29° 17.4282' ETRS-TM35FIN N: 7531479m E: 596222m. At the very beginning, the marked trail diverges from the old reindeer fence and the path running alongside it. Note! The road between Tulppio and the Hirvashauda parking area is not maintained in winter.
From the Haukijärvenoja parking area, you can immediately access the marked trail from the southern side of the Nuorttijoki River all the way to the border zone.
Next, you will encounter the Hirvashauta open wilderness and shared rental huts, from where the journey continues to the new Saiho open wilderness hut.
The Kolsankoski suspension bridge is located near the border zone, where the trail crosses a river and turns back towards the starting point. During floods, it is recommended to follow the same route back, on the same side of the river.
North of the Nuorttijoki River, the hiking trail leads from the Kolsankoski Rapids through the forests to the Kummalehdonoja campfire site, from where it stays closer to the river.
The Mettopalo open wilderness hut is suitable for breaks or overnight stays, as are the Kärekeoja open wilderness and shared rental huts.
At Haukinivat, near the Kärekeoja open wilderness and shared rental huts, the Nuorttijoki River can be crossed on foot when the water is low. A wading cable is installed over the river and can be used for support when crossing it. The wading cable is removed for the winter. Always check the water situation and the wading cable installation schedule before your hike from the Urho Kekkonen National Park’s customer service.
- You can also go around the Nuorttin retkeilyreitti Hiking Trail in the opposite direction, if you go to the northern side of the Nuorttijoki River first.
End pointHaukijärvenoja parkkipaikka