Hiking & outdoor recreationLength8.1 km
Duration(3 hours)
Degree of difficultyMedium
Climb Pirunkuru Ravine, the most rugged and best-known part of beautiful Ylläs. It’s often windy at the top and fell winds are known to be some of the purest in the world. The start and end of the trail are easy walking in atmospheric landscapes. Seeing all the different shades of grey in this beautiful rocky area will take your breath away. The steep ascent to Kesänkitunturi Fell and the loose rocks underfoot make hikers work hard. Take a break to wipe the sweat off your forehead and admire the majestic ravine and expansive fell landscapes behind you.
The trail can only be used during the snow-free season
Circle trailThe recommended direction of travel is counterclockwise.
Campfire siteAlways check for any wildfire warnings in effect before making a fire.
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.
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 pointKesänkijärvi pysäköintialue
The Kesänkijärvi starting point has an information board about Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park and the Pirunkuru ponnistus Summer Trail. Sahatie is a narrow gravel road that is bumpy in places.
The Pirunkurun ponnistus trail is marked with green signposts. The trail starts with relaxed hiking through open forest along a gravel path towards the Kesänkijärvi campfire hut. You might see fishers fishing with spinning rod during the journey to the campfire hut. Blueberries grow on the slopes of Kesänkitunturi Fell and tasty cloudberries near the lake. An beautiful spring with Garden Angelica (Angelica archangelica) growing around it is located just before the hut. This section is a popular wide gravel path used by a lot families and cyclists. The distance travelled is 1.6 km.
When you arrive at the Kesänkijärvi campfire hut crossing, the trail turns towards Pirunkuru Ravine and the start of a 275-metre climb to the highest point of the trail. The rocky natural trail has weathered into a fine rock gravel and can be slippery in the rain. You are in the middle of a pass with rugged rock walls soaring on both sides. In clear weather, the views are impressive with the Kesänkijärvi and Kellostapuli fell landscapes behind you. It’s worth a few stops to turn around and look back at the picturesque landscape. The highest point on the trail is 486 metres, with a view all the way to Pallas-Ounastunturi in the north. The trail continues along an easy path to the Tahkokuru campfire hut. The distance is 2 km, and cycling is prohibited on this section of the trail.
Tahkokuru campfire hut is set among ancient pines in a magnificent location at the tree line on Kesänkitunturi Fell. This is a good time to take a break for some snacks after finishing the demanding section of the trail. The popular hut has a lot of day visitors, and it’s a good idea to carry water and your own camping stove whenever possible. There is a campfire site, wood storage, a wood shed and dry toilets.
The last section is easy downhill terrain as you descend from the hut along a wide gravel path towards Kesänkijärvi Lake. There’s plenty to see as small pines are gradually replaced by very old and large pine trees covered with thick bark. You might hear the sounds of grouse and the tapping of woodpeckers coming from the forest. During the autumn, it’s impossible to avoid seeing brittlegill (Russula), milkcap (Lactarius) and perhaps even some porcini (Boletus edulis) mushrooms. The trail continues for 3.6 km to Kesänkijärventie road. On the steep downhill slope, it’s a good idea to walk on the right-hand side of the trail to allow plenty of space for runners and cyclists coming from behind.
From Kesänkijärventie road, the trail continues along the road towards the lake. When you come to the crossing at Hankinnantie road, turn left and walk to the Sahatie crossing. The trail continues from there to the Kesänkijärvi starting point. The distance travelled is 0.7 km.
End pointKesänkijärvi pysäköintialue