Hiking & outdoor recreationLength4.7 km
Duration(3-4 hours)
Degree of difficultyMedium
The Kuukkelilenkki Trail runs through the Tankavaara tapered spruce forest to the top of the Pikku-Tankavaara Hill and descends by the Hopiaoja River through the forest. The trail has no winter maintenance, but you can enjoy a hiking experience on snowshoes. Here, at one of the snowiest places in Finland, you can see how snow creates a magical hiking environment out of the northern tapered spruce forest. It is also possible to go out and back and only visit the top of the Pikku-Tankavaara Hill. This way, the way back is not too difficult as you can retrace your own steps. The information boards along the Kuukkelilenkki Trail showcase local nature. The Tankavaara War History Trail also follows the beginning of the Kuukkelilenkki Trail. Its information boards highlight the events that took place in the Tankavaara region during the Second World War. There is an observation tower at the top of the Pikku-Tankavaara Hill, and there is a campfire site, a Lapp kota tent, a dry toilet and a shed along the Hopiaoja River. The Kuukkelilenkki Trail is marked on green wooden posts with orange cones.
Circle trailThe recommended direction of travel is counterclockwise.
Campfire siteAlways check for any wildfire warnings in effect before making a fire.
Camping permittedCamping is only permitted in the immediate vicinity of marked rest areas and campfire sites and huts.
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.
No water point
No winter maintenance
Contact information
Starting pointTankavaara pysäköintialue
The Kuukkelilenkki Trail starts at the Tankavaara parking area, address Tankavaarantie 11, 99695 Tankavaara, torst to Sompiotalo.
Three other Tankavaara nature trails follow the same route at the beginning of the trail. The trail has only been gravelled at the beginning, for half a kilometre. Follow the orange cone markings on the Kuukkelilenkki Trail and always select the rightmost of the two trails at the crossroads.
The first two kilometres of the Kuukkelilenkki Trail are also the War History Trail, the emblem of which is a black cone.
A replica of a WW II dugout has been built on the ground by the Kuukkelilenkki Trail in the 21st century, and you can also familiarise yourself with it safely indoors. There are also old wartime structures along the trail, which can be viewed from a distance due to the risk of collapsing.
Just before the top, the trail is slightly rocky in places, but there are no larger rock fields on the trail.
You can admire the view from the observation tower at the top of the Pikku-Tankavaara Hill. In the north, you can enjoy a view over the Urho Kekkonen National Park’s vast fells with rounded tops. The sharp-peaked Nattastunturi fells of the Sompio Strict Nature Reserve rise in the east.
- From the top, the trail descends through the forest next to the Hopiaoja River, where there is a campfire site, a Lapp kota tent, a dry toilet and a shed.
Just before the campfire site, the Kuukkelilenkki Trail also joins Tankavaara Geological Trail. The emblem of this trail is a grey cone in wooden trail posts.
End pointTankavaara pysäköintialue