Hiking & outdoor recreationLength6.8 km
Duration(2-3 h)
Degree of difficultyMedium
Conquer Ukko-Luosto, the highest peak of Luosto, where you are surrounded by rugged fell nature and breathtaking panoramic views. Along this circular route, you'll also find the impressive Ukko-Luosto Scenic Hut, a modern day-use hut high on the mountainside offering a scenic break and a small nature-themed exhibition. Another rest stop on the route is Tikkalaavu lean-to shelter at the base of the fell. Most of the trail is a wide gravel path, but the significant elevation changes make it challenging. Footwear with a good grip is recommended on the gravel slopes. The steepest sections have stairs, with the longest stretch featuring nearly 600 steps.
Circle trailCan be walked in either direction.
No winter maintenance
The area/trail is not safe to use during the winterThe Ukko-Luosto stairs are not maintained in winter and traverse avalanche-prone terrain. In winter, you can reach the Ukko-Luosto Scenic Hut via Tikkalaavu lean-to shelter.
HutUkko-Luosto Scenic Hut (day-use hut).
Campfire siteAlways check for any wildfire warnings in effect before making a fire.
Dry toiletAt Ukko-Luosto Scenic Hut and Tikkalaavu lean-to shelter (bring toilet paper). There is no toilet on the top of the fell.
No water pointBring enough drinking water.
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 pointLuostonportti parking area
You may also start from the larger parking area on the opposite side of the road, at the base of the ski slopes.
The trail can be hiked in either direction; this description is clockwise.
Initially, follow a broad, easy gravel path between wooden information shelters, continuing for 0.3 km. The trail is marked with blue squares on trees, and until Ukko-Luosto’s top, you can also follow green and yellow squares. Brown metal signs point towards the national park.
At junctions, there are brown metal signs with names of destinations and rest stops. Turn right at the first junction towards the Ukko-Luosto viewpoint.
After approximately 100 meters, cross the road, and continue on an easy but ascending gravel trail winding through the forest surrounding the fell for 0.7 km. Along the way, the gray rocky slope of Ukko-Luosto becomes visible among the spruces and pines.
The trail levels out slightly for 0.4 km along the slope, before turning right as indicated by signs towards the Ukko-Luosto viewpoint and stairs.
A metal staircase with 575 wooden steps winds up the steep slope. The stairs have no winter maintenance and are not safe during winter due to avalanche risk. On this section, blue markers are absent, but green and yellow squares continue.
The steps are easy at the beginning and end, with a steeper, more compact middle section. There are viewing platforms for rest, offering views of Pyhätunturi fell and Isokuru gorge in the distance.
The stairs lead to a point 0.4 km from the top. The trail continues up stone steps and a wide, steep gravel path. Sparse birches give way to low pines and junipers. The white dome of the weather station becomes visible at the top.
At the top, a 40 m section of stone steps leads the way, and the surrounding area is gravel-paved for easy walking. A few hardy pines and junipers cling to the rugged, wind-blasted fell.
top of Ukko-Luosto
From the weather station, breathtaking views open southwards towards Pyhä, where the chain of the fell peaks of the Pyhä-Luosto National Park rises from the sea of forests and mires. The Ukko-Luosto Nature Hiking Trail is marked with green squares and the Pyhä-Luosto Hiking Trail with yellow squares.
A 100 m gravel path leads from the weather station to the Ukko-Luosto scenic viewpoint. From the wooden platform, admire the mires and forests below. Return to the top via the same path.
From the top, the trail continues north along the fell ridge towards Ukko-Luosto Scenic Hut, Torvisen maja, and Yli-Luosto. The path is 2.5-3 m wide and slopes gently downwards. The surrounding fell heath is covered with low-growing vegetation, including crowberry and bilberry, which turn the terrain reddish as autumn approaches. To the right, in the east, you can see Orresokka, which rises above the surroundings with its treeless top area.
At the fork in the gravel paths, continue on the darker gravel path (a metal mast is visible ahead). Signs indicate Luosto, Torvisen maja, and Yli-Luosto. The right-hand path leads towards the ski slopes.
After passing the mast and the small service building at its base, the trail begins to descend more steeply. Blue squares on dark posts mark the trail, and the wide gravel path is easy to follow. Rocky scree and low vegetation alternate along the slope. Ahead rises Keski-Luosto, behind which you can distinguish the northernmost peak of the national park, Yli-Luosto.
From the junction, continue on the gravel path for 0.7 km towards the Ukko-Luosto Scenic Hut. Along the trail, there are birch groves as well as low pines and spruces. Soon, the Ukko-Luosto Scenic Hut appears from behind the trees.
Ukko-Luosto Scenic Hut
The Ukko-Luosto Scenic Hut is a log-built day-use hut completed in 2022, featuring large windows facing the southern sky and north that allow for views of the surrounding landscape and night sky from a warm interior. You can also explore a colorful exhibition showcasing northern nature and light. The hut has a wood stove (no cooking plate) and tables and benches for enjoying meals. There is no campfire site. The grounds include a separate building with an accessible dry toilet and woodshed.
From the scenic hut, the trail descends 70 meters to a junction of summer and winter trails, where you can follow the group of signs and blue trail markers towards Tikkalaavu lean-to shelter.
The nearly one-kilometer stretch through bright hillside forests to Tikkalaavu lean-to shelter consists entirely of a broad, easy-to-navigate path. However, there are several very steep descents where gravel may cause slipping. In three of the steepest sections, there are metal steps with wooden handrails next to the path that can be used if needed. The steps also have a wooden covering for dogs.
The trail descends to a junction where there is a roughly 100-meter downhill path to Tikkalaavu lean-to shelter.
Tikkalaavu
At Tikkalaavu lean-to shelter there is also a wood shed and a dry toilet. Please note that making fire at the lean-to shelter is prohibited during wildfire warning.
From the lean-to shelter, rejoin the trail and continue along a wide, easy path that winds through the forest. After approximately 0.7 km, the trail emerges from the forest and reaches the edge of the large parking area beneath the ski slopes.
You can circle the parking area clockwise via the trail and a ski bridge over the road or counterclockwise along the paved bike path.
End pointLuostonportti parking area