Hiking & outdoor recreationLength13.5 km
Duration(5-6 h)
Degree of difficultyHard
The Ruuhitunturin kierros trail takes you to a variety of terrains, old-growth spruce and pine woods, commercial forests, mire and lake landscapes as well as hills and fells. Views stretching all the way to Russia open out from the viewing tower on top of Ruuhitunturi fell, and Pirttivaara hill also offers magnificent panoramic views.
Circle trailThe trail can be completed in either direction. The route description is counterclockwise.
Multi-purpose trailPart of the trail is also a mountain biking trail.
Campfire siteAlways check for any wildfire warnings in effect before making a fire.
Camping permittedCamping is permitted in the immediate vicinity of marked rest areas and campfire sites.
HutThe Ruuhitunturi day-use hut, which is maintained by the municipality of Salla.
Dry toiletThere is a dry toilet at the Ruuhitunturi day-use hut, maintained by the municipality of Salla. Remember 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 pointThere are natural water points along the trail, but the water must be boiled before use.
Read more about the trail
Contact information
Starting pointSalla Visitor Centre, Hautajärventie 111, 98900 Salla
The trail begins on the right side of the Salla Visitor Centre. Initially, the path leads through a pine forest between Tammakkolampi lake and a gravel road, passing through the hut area and onto the Kontiokankaanharju ridge.
Soon you reach the first rest stop, the Kontiolampi lean-to shelter, located about 1.5 km from the visitor centre.
The trail continues through varied terrain, crossing a few streams and branching off toward Hangasjärvi from the intersection leading to the Sallatunturi Resort Centre. The Hangasjärvi lean-to shelter is the last rest stop before the ascent to Ruuhitunturi.
From the lean-to shelter, the trail crosses a mire via duckboards and begins to climb, soon joining a wider ski track base.
As you ascend higher on the fell, the surrounding forest transitions into an old spruce forest. You can glimpse small mires and panoramic views across long distances through the trees.
Just before the Ruuhitunturi day-use hut, you pass the junction for the return trail.
Next to the Ruuhitunturi day-use hut, there is a large building that serves as a ski café in winter.
The trail to the top of Ruuhitunturi branches off about 500 meters after the huts, to the left of the wider snowmobile track, and climbs toward the viewing tower. This section is not marked in the terrain, and the path can be hard to distinguish in places.
From the tower at the top, you can enjoy excellent views in all directions, including the peaks of Iso Pyhätunturi and Pieni Pyhätunturi, the larger fells of old Salla on the Russian side, and beautiful mire landscapes to the west.
From the top, you return along the same path and turn right after the huts. The trail circles around the northern side of Ruuhitunturi’s peak and winds downward.
The final ascent of the trail is up to Pirttivaara, where you can admire stunning views toward Sallatunturi from two viewing platforms. In Pirttivaara, the route also has stairs with metal grate steps, with a narrow wood-covered part on the side of the steps for dogs.
The trail winds down from Pirttivaara along the shore of Tammakkolampi, where duckboards lead back to the Salla Visitor Centre.
End pointSalla Visitor Centre, Hautajärventie 111, 98900 Salla