Hiking & outdoor recreationLength72.4 km
Duration(48 hours)
Degree of difficultyHard
The Pallas-Ylläs hiking trail summits three fells: Koivakero, Äkäskero, and Kukastunturi. The route passes through extensive forest areas, and the ascents to the fell tops can be breath-taking. There are several maintained rest spots along the trail, but the distances between them can be long in places. The Pallas-Ylläs trail is part of the Tunturi-Lapin Taival trail network. Be sure to bring your own accommodation and cooking equipment, and be prepared for areas with no phone signal.Camping in the recreational zone is only permitted in the immediate vicinity of the campsites. In the wilderness area between Koivakero, Kolvakero, and Mustakero, camping is freely permitted. Walking is recommended for this trail.
The trail can only be used during the snow-free season
No winter maintenance
Camping permittedIn the Special zone, Recreational zone and Cultural zone Camping is permitted only in the vicinity of wilderness huts, campfire huts and campfire sites. Camping is forbidden in the restricted zones. In the Wilderness Zone camping is allowed freely.
Campfire siteAlways check for any wildfire warnings in effect before making a fire.
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
Starting pointPallastunturi pysäköintialue
Follow the brown signs from the starting point that say "Ylläs". The trail is marked with orange paint on trees, but these marks may be worn in places. On this hiking trail, you will need a topographic map, a compass, and navigation skills. The Mustakero open wilderness hut will be closed indefinitely starting from April 15, 2024. The closure includes all structures at the site, including the dry toilet and woodshed. The water source will remain available. Please note that the Pallastunturi Visitor Centre has been torn down. This trail description is from Pallas to Ylläs, but the route can also be hiked in the opposite direction, from Ylläs to Pallas.
Pallas - Keimiöjärvi crossing (13 km)
The trail starts at Pallastunturi parking area and runs along Orava Avenue to Pallaskota campfire hut. Pallaskota campfire hut has dry toilets. The trail continues from Pallaskota and follows the brown Tunturi-Lapin taival Trail signpost. The trail runs as natural path through a forested environment before coming to a crossing. Follow the brown Pallasjärvi signpost.
After 2.2 km, follow the brown Rauhala signpost from the crossing. This part of the trail includes a short section of the Pyhäjoen luontopolku- thematic trail. The trail crosses a bridge over Pyhäjoki River. Fishing is prohibited in Pyhäjoki River. After a short climb, turn at the crossing and follow the Rauhala signpost. The total distance travelled is approximately 5 km.
The trail continues for approximately 2 km through forested terrain and comes to Pallaksentie road. Cross the road and continue from the parking area by following the brown Rauhala signpost. The trail climbs to the edge of Lommoltunturi Fell and continues as a forested and partly rocky nature trail beside Lommoltunturi Fell. From the top of the Hevoslaki Hills the trail descends steeply. The total distance travelled is approximately 11 km. A 10-metre trail branches off from the crossing and leads to the yard at Mustakero open wilderness hut. Mustakero open wilderness hut, toilets and wood shed were closed on 15 April 2024 until further notice. Camping is prohibited. There is a spring surrounded by a concrete ring near the yard, which can be used as a water supply point at your discretion. The water quality is not monitored, and we recommend boiling natural waters.
The trail comes to the top of Mustakero Fell after a climb and from the top of Mustakero the trail continues for then descends steeply. There is a crossing after the downhill section, follow the brown Rauhala signpost. Please note that at this crossing, you can take a 1.5-km trail branching off to Keimiöjärvi open wilderness hut. The total distance travelled is approximately 13 km.
Keimiöjärvi crossing - Pahtavuoma (19 km)
The climb to Koivakero Fell offers a great view to Keimiötunturi Fell and Jerisjärvi Lake as the trail rises to the fell summit. From Koivakero, the trail descends towards the border of the national park and Anuntivuoma mire area. The trail runs along the edge of Anuntivuoma before entering the pine forest. The forested trail is easy to walk and takes you to a gravel road after 1 km. Walk along the gravel road for 0.5 km and then follow the signpost for Tunturi-Lapin taival Ylläs.
Walk along Muoniontie road through the village of Rauhala. Cross Muoniontie road at the brown signpost for Tunturi-Lapin taival Pallas and Rauhala. The trail continues from the other side of the road towards Tunturi-Lapin taival Ylläs and the Pahtavuoma mire area.
The trail continues towards Kesälaki Fell and the national park. The trail passes through a reindeer fence, which is followed by wooden duckboards. From Kesälaki, follow the brown signpost for Pahtavuoma. The trail continues to Risulaki Fell. From Risulaki, the trail descends to a reindeer fence where is a water supply point. The water quality is not monitored, and we recommend boiling natural waters.
From the reindeer fence, the trail climbs to Kolvakero Fell and descends from there to near Laavijärvi Lake. The wettest section of the route runs along wooden duckboards. The trail comes from the forest to a gravel road, crosses the road and continues from the road by following the brown Pahtavuoma signpost. The trail continues in the forest towards Pahtavuoma open wilderness hut which is an old meadow cabin. The open wilderness hut has a signpost to the water supply point. The water quality is not monitored, and we recommend boiling natural waters. The total distance travelled is approximately 32 km.
Pahtavuoma - Kutujärvi (20 km)
From the open wilderness hut, follow the brown Ylläs signpost. The trail continues to be easy and crosses Pahtvavuoma mire along metal duckboards. The trail climbs gently to Mustakero Fell and descends to the base of Äkäskero Fell, where is a water supply point (located 0,2km away). The water quality is not monitored, and we recommend boiling natural waters. The trail continues to follow the brown Ylläs signpost and begins to climb towards the top of Äkäskero Fell.
The trail to Äkäskero is steep and rocky in some places. The view from the top of Äkäskero opens up in every direction. The trail descends gently to the tree line, where it becomes steeper and continues to be demanding for approximately 0.5 km. The trail crosses Peurakaltionjänkä mire on metal duckboards and you arrive behind Peurakaltio yard.
Continue from Peurakaltio towards Äkässaivo for approximately 2 km until you reach a crossing. Continue towards the Kutujärvi open wilderness hut by following the Äkäslompolo signpost. You can also take a trail to Äkässaivo Lake.
The distance from the crossing to Kutujärvi is 5 km. The route continues along a forested trail near Äkäsjoki River. Follow the brown Äkäslompolo signpost from the crossing. The yard at Kutujärvi open wilderness hut has dry toilets and a wood shed.
Kutujärvi - Hangaskuru - Kellokas (17 km)
From Kutujärvi, the trail follows the brown Äkäslompolo signpost. This trail section takes hikers to the lower slope of Kukastunturi Fell before descending into Kolmentunturinkuru Ravine. From the crossing you can go to Kotamaja or continue to south.
From Kotamaja the trail climbs to the refreshing summit of Kukastunturi Fell. The steep climb might make you short of breath. The trail descends from the top runs through an old pine forest where the terrain is easy. At the crossing, follow the Hangaskuru signpost. This section of the trail crosses the wet Lainiovuoma mire. Hikers will be astonished by the beautiful aapa mire and its birds. From Hangaskuru, the trail continues in a forested landscape towards Kesänkitunturi Fell, Tahkokuru campfire hut and Pirunkuru Ravine. The Pirunkuru Ravine is demanding and rocky, and hard to go down. You can pass the Ravine by taking the trail from Tahkokuru to Kesänkijärvi.
The trail continues from Pirunkuru Ravine to the opposite shore of Kesänkijärvi Lake, passing a lean-to shelter, campfire hut and wilderness café. The hardened surface makes the flat part of the trail easy to walk. The trail has short sections of metal duckboards. The surrounding old-growth forest create a peaceful atmosphere. The trail climbs steadily and turns towards Visitor Centre Kellokas. The total distance travelled from Pallastunturi to Visitor Centre Kellokas is approximately 70 km.
End pointYllästunturi Visitor Centre Kellokas, yard and parking area