Hiking & outdoor recreationLength14.4 km
Duration(4-5 h)
Degree of difficultyMedium
The Pahanojankuru Trail (formerly known as Pahakuru Trail) takes in nearly all of the finest sights in Salla National Park, offering an authentic wilderness feel. You can enjoy old-growth pine forests and moss-carpeted spruce forests as well as fell landscapes all around. There are also streams, mires and small lakes along the trail. The Pahanojankuru Trail is also part of the UKK Trail.
Circle trailRecommended direction of travel: clockwise.
Campfire site
Camping permittedCamping is allowed in the immediate vicinity of designated rest and campfire sites.
HutAlong the trail, there is an open wilderness hut and two day-use huts.
Dry toiletRemember to bring toilet paper.
Remember to bring a trash bagThere are no waste bins along the trail. Remember to bring a trash bag.
No water pointThere are natural waters along the trail, but the water must be boiled before use.
Multi-purpose trailDuring the snow-free season, the trail is walked on foot. In winter, starting from week 7, the trail functions as a maintained winter biking route.
Read more about the trail
Contact information
Starting pointPohjoisrinteet (Northern slopes), Tunturikummuntie, 98900 Salla
The Pahanojankuru Trail starts from the Pohjoisrinne parking area and is marked with red squares on trees. Just before the power line, the boundary of Salla National Park is crossed, after which the trail follows the park boundary for 500 meters. The trail passes through beautiful mixed forests, circling the base of Iso Pyhätunturi Fell.
About 3 km from the starting point, you reach Kaippahanoja day-use hut, the first rest stop of the trail. About 50 meters before the hut, there is a small spring where you can collect natural water. However, natural waters should always be boiled before use.
From Kaippahanoja, the trail continues over duckboards across a slope mire, and deeper into the national park’s forests. Along the trail, there are streams, mires, and beautiful scenery. The pine forest begins to transition into spruce forest, and you can admire old, majestic aspens along the way.
After about 3.5 km, you reach the Pahanojankuru junction, where a 600-meter detour leads to the Pahanojankuru open wilderness hut and campfire site.
The trail follows the rugged and rocky banks of Pahanojankuru gorge, decorated with old pines. Through the majestic trees, you can see distant views toward Aatsinginhauta valley.
From the Pahaojankuru open wilderness hut, metal steps lead down to the bottom of the gorge, where you can collect water if needed. The water must be boiled before use. On the side of the metal steps are narrow wooden steps for dogs.
If you want a longer hike, you can continue to admire the beautiful mire landscapes from the Pitkälampi lean-to shelter, with views toward Aatsinginhauta valley and the slopes of Julmoiva. This detour adds 3.8 km to the round trip.
From Pahanojankuru, the trail returns 600 meters to the main route and continues to the left along the edge of the mire.
The next rest area, about 2 km away, is the Kylmähete day-use hut located on top of a small esker. Near the hut is a small mire pond where you can collect water if needed. The water must be boiled before use.
After Kylmähete day-use hut, the trail continues uphill into the spruce forests of Tunturikumpu hill. Through the trees, you can catch glimpses of distant views toward Iso Pyhätunturi and the old Sallatunturi fells across the Russian border.
From Tunturikumpu, the trail descends, and after crossing a small mire, you reach the Tunturilampi lean-to shelter. The boundary of Salla National Park is crossed just before the lean-to shelter.
From Tunturilampi lean-to shelter, head toward the eastern and northern slopes (signposted “Itärinteet” and “Pohjoisrinteet” on metal signs) along a 1.5 m wide gravel path. The trail winds through varying terrain, with mire views, old forests, and views toward Iso Pyhätunturi. The wettest sections are crossed via a 1.4 m wide boardwalk.
After passing the eastern slopes, the trail continues along the gravel-paved Itärinteentie road, passing a nature observation point.
After a little more than a kilometer on the road, you return to the starting point at the Pohjoisrinne parking area.
End pointPohjoisrinteet (Northern slopes), Tunturikummuntie, 98900 Salla