Hiking & outdoor recreationLength8.4 km
Duration(4h)
The Ukko-Luosto snowshoeing trail is a demanding trail, but rewards its wayfarers with a stunning scenery. Along the trail you can also find the gorgeous Ukko-Luosto Scenic Hut. The new Ukko-Luosto snowshoeing trail runs through the old forests with snow-sculpted trees and the summit of the mighty Ukko-Luosto fell. The Ukko-Luosto Scenic Hut, located along the trail, is a great place to enjoy your snack, and at the same time you can explore the permanent "Fell Lightscapes" exhibition, which tells about the different seasons of the fell and the light phenomena in the Ukko-Luosto sky. The scenic hut is also a great spot for viewing the northern lights! On the open fell section of the trail and at the top of Ukko-Luosto, in clear weather, you can admire magical landscapes over Pyhä-Luosto National Park. ATTENTION! There is AVALANCHE RISK in the open fell, so please stay on the marked trail! The trail is marked with blue poles. In windy weather and during snowfall, conditions in the fell can be very challenging, and it is not recommended to go on the open fell section of the trail.
Route description when leaving from Luostonportti:
The Ukko-Luosto snowshoeing trail starts from the Luostonportti starting point according to the signs. For the first 200 meters, the trail runs along a maintained winter path next to the parking area. At the next junction, the trail turns left and runs across the end of the parking area towards the edge of the forest, from where it rises a short distance towards the fell until it turns gently towards the north. The trail follows the contour line until it reaches the next junction.
About 50 meters down from the junction is Tikkalaavu lean-to, but the Ukko-Luosto snowshoeing trail starts to climb sharply upwards towards the Ukko-Luosto Scenic Hut. The climb is steep in places, so it is a good idea to allow time for it.
The trail meanders towards the fell and reaches the landscape hut higher up at about two kilometers. The Ukko-Luosto Scenic Hut offers a good resting point after climbing. The hut is equipped with a stove, and there are toilets and a woodshed in the yard.
From the scenic hut, the route continues along the fell ridge, gently ascending. Conditions can be demanding on the fell. Visibility is poor in strong winds and when it snows. In bad conditions, it is not recommended to go on the section of the route that runs up the open fell.
The snowshoe route climbs all the way to the top of Ukko-Luosto fell. At the top, at about four kilometers, there is a large weather radar and the highest point on the route; 514 meters above sea level.
After the top of Ukko-Luosto fell, the route begins to descend from the fell. As you descend, the views to Pikku-Luosto fell and Lampivaara open up. The Pyhä fells are also visible on the horizon. The route descends more gently at first, but as you approach the tree line, the terrain steepens slightly. The route moves from the open fell back into the forest. The winding route descends in the forest, taking advantage of the terrain.
After descending, the route connects to the Luosto snowshoe trail, which branches off to the right to Pikku-Luosto and to the left to the center of Luosto. You can get back to the starting point of Luostoportti by choosing the route leading to the center of Luosto, which also passes by the starting point of the Ukko-Luosto parking area. From the corner of the Ukko-Luosto parking area, the route towards Luostoportti first continues a few hundred meters by the side of the road or along the road, and then the rest of the journey runs along a maintained winter path at the foot of the rocky slopes of the Ukko-Luosto fell and through the forest landscape.