Saariselkä Outdoor Center is located 250 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle, yet it is well connected to even the southernmost part of Finland. In Saariselkä, you are right at the gateway of Urho Kekkonen National Park, and can enjoy the high-quality and varied services of the center and the hiking and cycling route that winds over the fells and through the forests. There are about 200 kilometers of well-maintained trails in the snow-covered area of Saariselkä and 15 slopes at the two fells for skiers. There are numerous guided winter activities on offer, such as hiking and husky rides. Cross-country ski trails, snowshoeing and winter cycling, as well as winter walking trails leave right from the village center and the slope center, and the longest toboggan run in Finland can be easily reached by ski bus. In Saariselkä, restaurants, shops, and equipment rental services as well as outdoor routes are within easy walking distance. You are at the gate of the national park. Urho Kekkonen National Park Urho Kekkonen National Park was established in 1983 and is the second largest national park in Finland after Lemmenjoki National Park. The northern part is wilderness with numerous fells over 500 meters high. In the park area, Finland has the densest network of different kinds of shelters and huts and other rest places available to hikers. Nature trails and themed routes suitable for day trips can be found in Saariselkä and Kiilopää. The most famous sites of the national park include e.g. Lake Luirojärvi, Paratiisikuru and Sokosti, which are several days hike away, in the heart of the national park. Kaunispää Kaunispää is perhaps the most famous of the Saariselkä fells. Its 438-meter peak can be easily conquered, for example, by walking, cycling, skiing, by car or with a lift. Kaunispää is located on the border of Urho Kekkonen National Park and from the summit you'll have a magnificent view of the national park, over the village of Saariselkä towards Sompio Nature Park and the Hammastunturi wilderness area. Kiilopää Rising to 546 meters, Kiilopää is one of the highest and best-known fells in the Saariselkä fell area. Kiilopää, located in Urho Kekkonen National Park, is easily accessible from the park's Kiilopää gate, and the distance to the top is about two kilometers. Along the well-marked route, the distance to the summit is approx. 2 kilometers. The renovated route is has some stairs and there are resting places along the way. Laanila's golden route The eight-kilometer hiking and cycling route between Laanila and Kutturantie presents the golden history and culture of the area. The route passes through old gold mines and introduces you to the world of gold mining with information boards. Gold is still being mined in the vicinity of the route today. Ivalojoki Kultala With the gold rush on the Ivalojoki River that began in 1869, the government built a base at the Ivalojoki River, Kruunun Station, to control and manage gold mining. At the Kruunu base, the exploration permits for gold miners were checked, the gold found was weighed and a tax was deducted to the state. Kultala can be reached along a marked hiking trail or by kayaking. The path to Kultala on the Ivalojoki River starts at the end of a forest road near Pahaoja's cabin, along Kuttura Road. Prospektor's Mine The mining company Prospektor established a gold mine at Luttojoki River in the early 20th century. A road was built for the mine from Sodankylä to Laanila and later the road was continued all the way to Petsamo. The mining company's branch office became Saariselkä's first building and later served as Laanila's inn for decades. Gold was never found in the mine and it was shut down. The Prospektor mine is located between Laanila and Saariselkä. A small cottage has been built on top of the mine shaft, from inside you can see the old mine shaft. Traces of mining and equipment can be seen in the yard. Onnibus to Saariselkä You can get to enchanting Lapland by taking OnniBus.com and OnniBus Flex. First look for a trip to Rovaniemi and then from Rovaniemi to Saariselkä. For more information, see Inari-Saariselkä
