Hiking & outdoor recreationLength6.6 km
Duration(2-4 hours)
Degree of difficultyEasy
The Tankavaara Geological Trail shows visitors unimaginably long timelines. The information boards on the Geological Trail explain the birth of ancient bedrock, the folding of mountain ranges and its consequences, and the birth of fells and mires. You also get tools for interpreting the shapes of the landscape. The Geological Trail can be travelled on foot in the summer and on snowshoes in the winter, but there is no winter maintenance. Cycling is allowed all year round. The Geological Trail has two atmospheric campsites: one on the shore of the Koiranjuomalampi Pond, the other by the Hopiaoja River.The Tankavaara Geological Trail is marked on green wooden posts with grey cone logos.
Circle trailThe recommended direction of travel is clockwise.
Multi-purpose trailYou can hike, bike, snowshoe or run along the trail. Please note other trail users (moving at different speeds)
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 pointYou can take drinking water from Hopiaoja. It is always recommended to boil natural water before use.
No winter maintenance
Contact information
Starting pointTankavaara pysäköintialue
The trail starts from parking place and passes through the gate at the back of the yard of the exhibition house Sompio (formerly the Nature Centre) to the national park. The rotation direction of the Geological Trail is clockwise.
The first geology information board is at the gate.
The trail is gravelled for the first 0.5 kilometres. From then on, the trail is a natural forest path, partly rocky and criss-crossed by roots.
At first, all trails follow the same route, and there are two junctions in approximately the first 200 metres. Always turn left at the junctions and follow the grey cone logos.
After walking for around 100 metres, the trail turns to the left to the Gold Museum. Continue straight ahead on the Geological Path.
Soon after this, you will cross the Hopiaoja River in two places. There is no bridge at the crossing places, so in early summer and after rainfall, it is smart to have waterproof footwear.
The trail runs in forest nature, and halfway through, climbs up the lower slope of the Iso Tankavaara Hill, reaching the shore of the beautiful Koiranjuomalampi Pond, where you can also find a woodshed and a dry toilet. You can swim at the scenic campsite in the summer.
From the lean-to shelter, the trail continues on the lower slope of the Iso Tankavaara Hill and descends into the forest again. It is a couple of kilometres from the lean-to shelter to the Hopiaoja campfire hut, which is located about a kilometre from the starting gate.
End pointTankavaara pysäköintialue