Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Things to Do in Utsjoki
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- LizzieJStourbridge, UK9 contributionsA really interesting Sami site. Although this attraction was closed when I visited the guide I was with gave me a very interesting history of the site. Would be worth a visit in the summer.Written 8 February 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- JariJKKouvola, Finland5,322 contributionsWe took a bus from Rovaniemi to Sulaoja, the starting point of hiking routes in Kevo strict nature reserve and Paistunturi wilderness area. You can choose Sulaoja nature trail (2 kilometers), Kevo hiking route from Sulaoja to Kenesjärvi (63 kilometers, open June 15th - October 15th) or Kuivi circle route (87 kilometers). We combined parts of Kevo route and Kuivi route. We hiked Sulaoja - Ruktajärvi - Njávgoaivi (Njaugoaivi) - Akukammi - Kuivi (Guivi) - Fiellu (Fiellujohka) - Roajjasjavri - Gamajotnsuohpasaja - Njaggaljavri - Tapiola Goahti - Beahcelavojavrrit - Guoikgáhoitája - Silkeája - Kenesjärvi (Genesjärvi). That is over 90 kilometers and it took four days.
We started our hike in mid-June. It was a perfect choice. Temperature was 2-17 degrees Celsius. There weren't mosquitoes yet. They usually appear in late-June and there may be huge amounts of mosquitoes in July. Late-August and September may be a very good time, too. Mosquitoes have disappeared then and you see very beautiful autumn colors especially in early-September or mid-September.
Good hiking shoes were enough. Rubber boots or wellies weren't needed. There aren't very many open wilderness huts in Kevo. It is a good idea to have your own tent with you. In Kevo you may use only marked routes and marked tent sites. In Paistunturi wilderness area you may put your tent wherever. Campfire sites with firewood and outhouses are at disposal both in Kevo and in some parts of Paistunturi area. However, remember to take your own toilet papers with you.
Routes are well-marked but take a map with you. You have to choose the right direction in many intersections. Some streams must be crossed by wading. It was a good idea to wear swimming shoes because rocks are slippery and sharp at the bottom of streams. You can take drinking water from these streams. Trails may also be rocky and there are large differences in altitude. So you have to have experience about hiking before going to Kevo. There aren't any services available there. So please, don't go there if you haven't any experience about hiking.
Our route was full of immemorial and marvelous views. We loved views from Fell Kuivi (Guivi). Especially Fiellu Waterfall (Fiellunputous) and Kevo Canyon were extremely beautiful.
So we started our hike from Sulaoja. It was easy to get there by bus. We ended our Kevo hike in Kenesjärvi on the other side of Kevo strict nature reserve. There is a bus stop there, too. Howerver, we continued our hike from Kenesjärvi to Kenestupa and along the old post path named Utsjoen postipolku towards north (6 kilometers). From there we took a bus to the center of Utsjoki.
If you don't like as long hikes as we do, I recommend that you choose Utsjoen retkeilyreitti trails which start from the center of Utsjoki.Written 23 June 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - JariJKKouvola, Finland5,322 contributionsKaldoaivi is the largest wilderness area in Finland, almost 3,000 square kilometres. However, it is quite easy to visit there if you want to have only a day trip. Skaidijärvi Trail is a circle trail, which is only 5.8 kilometres long.
You also have longer trail possibilities. Pulmanki-Sevettijärvi Trail through the wilderness area is 60-70 kilometres long and Inarinpolku Trail to Norway about 100 kilometres. You also can hike from Nuorgam to the village of Näätämö. These trails are marked very well, but it is a good idea to have a map with you. Besides, in the wilderness you don't have to walk on marked trails. You can walk and put your tent anywhere. However, notice that conditions may be very challenging. Swamps may be very wet and some rivers may be hard to get over even on marked trails. We wore rubber boots more than trekking shoes. There are open wilderness huts and dry toilets on the route. Remember to take your own toilet papers with you.
We hiked through the wilderness area from the village of Nuorgam to the village of Sevettijärvi. There are some accommodation possibilities, cafeterias and bus connections (usually once a day at least on weekdays) in both of these villages. So it was easy to visit here by public transportation.
We did't walk on marked trails all the time. We wanted to see Luossajohka Waterfalls, which are situated about 4 kilometres from the marked route. We also wanted to climb on Čuomasvárri Fell (Tsuomasvarri) 435 meters above the sea level. So our route was Nuorgam - Lake Pulmankijärvi - River Pulmankijoki - Luossajohkan Waterfalls - Čuomasvárri - Lake Uhcit Golmmesjávri - Čaroaivi - Lake Tsaarajärvi - River Huikkimajoki - Lake Iisakkijärvi - River Silisjoki - Lake Opukasjärvi - Sevettijärvi. That was about 90 kilometres and took a bit over 4 days.
Mosquitoes disturbed us a bit near River Pulmankijoki and near the southern end of the trail. In the middle part of the trail we didn't see very many mosquitoes, because those higher areas are more open and windy. The mosquito time typically begins in mid-June and ends in mid-August.
It is easy to find Luossajohka Waterfalls if you start hiking from the northern starting point of Pulmanki-Sevettijärvi Trail (the parking place at southernmost point of Lake Pulmankijärvi) and turn right immediately after the first bridge. Then follow the meandering riverside of River Pulmankijoki until the junction of River Pulmankijoki and River Luossajohka. You find an old turf hut there, but it can't be used anymore. Don't cross the river anywhere. Follow River Luossajohka and soon you find several rapids or small waterfalls one after another. Take a map with you.
The scenery was extremely beautiful all the way from Nuorgam to Sevettijärvi. We loved those fells, rivers, waterfalls, fell birch forests, the northernmost pine forest in Finland etc. We saw reindeer, three elks, a fox, many bird species etc. We loved every single moment. However, I don't recommend this route, if you don't have any hiking experience. The route may be quite challenging and the weather may change very quickly. For me this hike was the best experience of this summer.Written 2 July 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - JariJKKouvola, Finland5,322 contributionsThe original nature information hut as seen in older Tripadvisor photos was destroyed by fire in 2017. So it doesn't exist anymore. So far they haven't built any new information hut. However, some information can be get from Áilegas center (Ailegaskeskus, address Utsjoentie 46c), 1.7 kilometers to the south of this old place.
This original place (Miessipolku 2) is still the starting point of very beautiful Utsjoen retkeilyreitti hiking trails. There are some short and some long paths. We chose the wonderful trail to Goahppelasjavri, Nammajärvi and Maantie (the highway 4 or E75 near Utsjoki church huts). This is a bit over 25 kilometers. From Maantie (Utsjoki church huts) you can call a taxi, take a bus (only 1-2 daily connections) or hike along the shortcut (10 kilometers) back to the center of Utsjoki. Some parts of the route are recommended for mountain biking too, but I think that they are absolutely too challenging for mountain biking, at least for me.Written 1 July 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - PacmomBoston, MA36 contributionsThe bridge was covered with snow and the view was beautiful.
I don’t see any cars crossing, but there were snowmobiles going under the bridge.Written 3 January 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - JariJKKouvola, Finland5,322 contributionsThis beautiful church of Utsjoki was built in 1850-1853. Stones were taken from the nearby fell. It is the most northern church in the European Union. In summer it is open at 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. on weekdays and at 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.on weekends.
The church is situated 5 kilometers to the south of the center of Utsjoki along the highway 4 (E75). Bus connections are extremely limited. You can take a taxi. It is also possible to hike from the center to the church. The distance over fells is about 10 kilometers in one direction. The trail starts from Miessipolku and it is marked quite well.
Although the church is beautiful, I loved historical Utsjoki church huts (read separate Tripadvisor reviews) on the other side of the highway more.Written 27 June 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Krysia MGreater Sydney, Australia6 contributionsI went in 2015 and had an incredible experience each activity.
Learnt to drive a snowmobile , drove up a wooded mountain and had a cooking fire on a mountain summit overlooking a massive valley where Laplanders herd their reindeer!
Went out onto the frozen river in front of my warm and cosy cabin, drilled a hole in the ice (with Tony's help) and tried fishing. Thank goodness I had other food as I didn't catch anything but it was such fun.
Dog sledding was incredible, zooming along calling out Oosh! and controlling the sled and dog team. I quickly got the hang of it and loved swishing through the snow-amazing!
Aurora chasing was the super best experience- got magnificent photos and was on awe through the whole experience.Dressed up warmly and saw sights I'd never imagined before.The stars shine brightly through the Aurora colours- unbelievable!
Definitely a wonderful experience and memories to last me a lifetime.
Congratulations Tony.Written 27 April 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Cady D2 contributionsTiina, Sonja and Petra truly make this a holiday to remember- with the amazing food prepared each day, large breakfast spread, tasty lunch even when out on a day adventure husky sledding or snowmobiling and always a delicious sit down dinner. The enthusiasm and pride for Aurora holidays was clear through each interaction and activity. Everyone was always so lovely, up for a chat and knowledgeable. I had a beautiful two bedroom cabin to myself even as a solo traveller which was a lovely touch and was blessed to see the Aurora lights each night of my stay. I cannot recommend the winter holiday package enough!!Written 28 April 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- DorotheaVienna, Austria24 contributionsThis tour was already in October 2019.
At first the guide helped everybody to put on the snowshoes. The we walked through a really winter wonderland with glittering ice cristals on the trees. Our guide showed us a lot of interesting things: footprints of animals, edible lichen on the trees that can help not even reindeer but even people to survive in the arctic.
We had a rest with hot coffee and cookies at a fireplace near a small kota, that is the sort of hut Sami people usually used and even now sometimes use outdoors.
I recommend this tour to everybody who likes to enjoy the untouched nature of the North.Written 18 May 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Érica RLondon, UK21 contributionsI usually perform all my travel alone and being a woman, I’m concerned with my safety. Then when I booked this tour I was honestly apprehensive because of all the unknowns in visiting the wildest and far away place, until that moment.
It was to be a dream fulfilled at long last - I was so impressed with every aspect of this trip: the people, the nature of Saami culture, to breathe freely the silence, smell of pristine nature with lots of snow, contemplating a frozen river, try the Finn sauna and after the sauna go out naked with just a towel in the middle of nowhere and feel the snow falling in my skin, visit the northernmost village in Europe, purity of a starry sky well below my head with the lovely dancing northern lights, all made it worth the temperature of -26C, the best gift I could offer myself was to realize this dream, all exceeded my expectations.
Tundra Safari team was outstanding, they really know how to take care of you, to make you feel at home with cozy accommodations, delicious meals and incredible adventures with speechless scenery everywhere. Every detail made me adore and wanted to stay there longer, the most extraordinary thing is: they love, respect and feel pride of their Saami culture and want to show it and ensure you have a good time in Utsjoki. I feel like I've left friends behind and I'm sure you will also be able to say the same.
I can definitely say after this unforgettable experience that I would highly recommend to anyone booking with Tundra, if you really want to experience the Saami culture and the magical northern lights, it is a unique, is a must visit destination in the Finland and in your entire life.
I'm proud to be the first brazilian girl with Tundra, you guys made me cry out for joy and made it a blast time I'll never forget: Utsjoki, it will be forever in my heart! <3
Thank you for everything! xxWritten 7 November 2015This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Utsjoki
- The top attractions to visit in Utsjoki are:
- Kevo Strict Nature Reserve
- Utsjoki Church Huts
- Sámi Bridge
- Utsjoki Nature Information Hut
- Utsjoen Kirkko
- The best outdoor activities in Utsjoki according to Tripadvisor travellers are: See all outdoor activities in Utsjoki on Tripadvisor
Utsjoki Attractions Information
| Attractions | 12 |
|---|---|
| Attraction Reviews | 911 |
| Attraction Photos | 1,435 |
| Local Time | Monday 17:49 |