Hiking & outdoor recreationLength12.5 km
Duration(4-6 h)
Degree of difficultyHard
Conquer the highest peak of Pyhä-Luosto National Park, Noitatunturi, and let its unforgettable views captivate you. On the return, you’ll descend into Finland’s deepest gorge and have the opportunity to visit Pyhänkasteenputous waterfall and Pyhänkasteenlampi pond. The trail, accessible in summer and autumn, is challenging due to significant elevation changes, roots, and rocky terrain, and supportive footwear is recommended. Head to Noitatunturi on a clear, dry day for better footing on the rocks and easier navigation of the trail markings.
Circle trailPartial circle trail. The recommended direction of travel is clockwise.
The area/trail is not safe to use during the winterNo winter maintenance. Avalanche risk.
Campfire siteAlways check for any wildfire warnings in effect before making a fire.
No water pointBring sufficient drinking water. Water can be taken from Oravalampi pond and Karhunjuomalampi pond, but it must be boiled before use.
HutKarhunjuomalampi day-use hut.
Dry toiletRemember to bring toilet paper.
Camping permittedCamping is allowed in the immediate vicinity of marked campfire sites. Camping is prohibited in the restricted area.
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.
Read more about the trail
Contact information
Starting pointVisitor Centre Naava parking area
The trail begins with a 0.7 km paved walkway along Pyhäntie road marked with green squares on poles. Brown metal signs direct you towards the national park.
At the Kerontie road junction, the trail turns into the terrain and becomes a wide path. Signposts show the names of rest areas or destinations, and the green square markers are primarily on trees.
After 0.2 km, you enter the national park, and the gravel path runs through varied pine forest terrain for 1.2 km
The first rest area is Isokuru campfire hut, located at the edge of a rocky slope. In the yard there is also a campfire shelter, two woodsheds, and a toilet.
From the campfire hut, approximately 200 steps of a steep staircase lead down to Isokuru. There is a narrow wooden section for dogs alongside the metal-grated steps.
The trail turns left away from Isokuru and continues as a wide, plank-covered boardwalk next to the slope for about 90 m, then turns right onto a wooden bridge leading towards Oravalampi pond and Noitatunturi fell for about 50 m.
From the lush surroundings, you ascend approximately 30-meter-long stairs with metal grate steps with a narrow wooden section for dogs on the side.
The trail continues as an easy path through old-growth forests around the slopes of Ukonhattu fell. At a signposted junction, you carry on walking towards Oravalampi pond. The trail becomes narrow, rocky and root-filled, requiring careful footing.
After about a kilometer, the trail begins to climb higher. Before the forest-sheltered Oravalampi rest area on Noitatunturi’s lower slope, there is a 70 m long section of metal-grated walkway. There are no wooden steps for dogs on the walkway.
The Oravalampi rest area has a lean-to shelter, woodshed, and dry toilet. Please note that making fire at the lean-to shelter is prohibited during wildfire warning. Water can be taken from Oravalampi pond (must be boiled before use).
Next, a steep 1.2 km ascent begins towards the top of Noitatunturi. There are fewer and fewer trees, and the path disappears as the terrain becomes rockier. In the boulder field, follow green-topped marker posts; there are also some paint markings on rocks. Pause to take in views near and far; there are ancient ripple marks on some of the stones along the trail, and behind you spreads out the vast and beautiful Tunturiaapa mire.
The summit of Noitatunturi is marked by a wooden sign, denoting the highest point of the Pyhä-Luosto area at 540 meters above sea level. The surrounding views feature forests and aapa mires, with the fell chain stretching northwest through the national park.
The descent from the summit towards Luosto direction follows the north side of the fell, which is a lot less steep than south side. The first 50 meters is traversed across a boulder field, then the trail becomes a clearer path.
About a kilometer down, you’ll see a stunning view westward over the ruggedly beautiful Kuorinkikuru gorge, with Kultakero fell, recognizable by its radio mast, visible beyond.
As the descent continues, the rockiness of the terrain intensifies, and the trail disappears for a while, passing through large quartzite piles.
After the rocky section, the trail becomes a narrow gravel path, continuing right towards Pyhä. Initially, it passes the clear-watered Annikinlampi pond, surrounded by rocky cliffs.
The trail winds next to rocky slopes, past low pines and birches, gradually descending towards the Karhunjuomalampi rest area, where the gravel surfaced path ends.
At the atmospheric Karhunjuomalampi pond, there is a day-use hut, a campfire shelter, and a lean-to shelter. There is a small dock by the pond with short stairs. Boil the water from the pond before use. Swimming, letting dogs swim, or washing dishes in the pond is prohibited.
From Karhunjuomalampi, continue along an easy path for 150 m and turn right towards Isokuru gorge. The trail enters the Isokuru restricted area where leaving the marked summer trail is prohibited to protect nature and ensure hiker safety.
The trail continues as a wide path on Uhriharju ridge for 0.6 km. From a fenced viewing platform, you can admire the peaks of Ukonhattu and Noitatunturi Fells and the colors of the bog in Karhukuru below.
From Uhriharju you descend nearly 500 steep steps to Isokuru Gorge. The stairs have metal-grated steps with a narrow wood-covered section for dogs on the side.
At the base of the stairs, the trail continues as a broad walkway of metal and wood, soon reaching Pyhänkasteenlampi pond, nestled among cliffs and fed by the 17-meter-high waterfall, Pyhänkasteenputous. You can enjoy the mystical atmosphere and the soothing sounds of the water from a wooden viewing platform with a bench. It is forbidden to go down to the pond or to the waterfall.
The trail continues along the bottom of Isokuru Gorge as a wide boardwalk for about 1.4 km, surrounded by impressive rock walls and small ponds.
At the south end of Isokuru, familiar stairs lead up to the Isokuru campfire hut. Here the circular part of the trail ends, and you return to the starting point along the same easy gravel paths and walkway as at the beginning of the trip.
End pointVisitor Centre Naava parking area