Rautulampi Trail is about 22.2 km of marked path through Urho Kekkonen National Park near Saariselkä, in demanding fell and forest terrain with plenty of elevation change. Metsähallitus describes it as wild country that needs solid boots and weather-ready kit, not a route for complete beginners; weather on open fells c...
Luontoon.fi – Rautulampi Hiking Trail+
Description
Rautulampi Trail is about 22.2 km of marked path through Urho Kekkonen National Park near Saariselkä, in demanding fell and forest terrain with plenty of elevation change. Metsähallitus describes it as wild country that needs solid boots and weather-ready kit, not a route for complete beginners; weather on open fells can change fast, phone coverage has gaps, and in the Rautuvanganoja stream valley the path braids with small stream crossings. Matkalla Missä Milloinkin’s hike report highlights birch-rich slopes and long open-fell sections where ruska colours are especially strong in autumn, and notes that despite the remote feel the trail stays on marked paths. The architecture magazine Retki-lehti covered the new Rautulampi buildings and mentioned that the marked hiking line between Niilanpää and Rautulampi was partly realigned to follow an older maintenance track.
The circuit is usually started from Kiilopää fell centre. About 5.5 km in you reach the Kiilopää service corner: Suomen Latu Kiilopää - Kahvila & Ravintola, Kiilopään Kuurakaltio, Kiilopään uimapaikka, Kiilo-oja tulipaikka, Kiilopään frisbeegolfrata, and Kiilopää pysäköintialue cluster together for food, swimming, disc golf, and parking. The same area links to Saariselän maastopyöräilyreitit, the Ahopää walking circuit, and Maastopyöräreitti nro 5 Luulampi if you want to extend the day on bike or foot.
Toward Niilanpään porokämppä and Niilanpää kuivakäymälä you pass Niilanpään porokämppä tulipaikka; Luontoon.fi notes an old reindeer separation fence by the Niilanpää day-hut area. From there the trail climbs into open slopes with views toward summits such as Rautupää and Niilanpää.
About 16.5 km brings you to Rautulampi, where Rautulampi varaustupa, Rautulampi autiotupa, Rautulampi päivätupa, Rautulampi Liiteri-Käymälä, Rautulampi tulipaikka, and Rautulampi tulipaikka 2 form the main rest and overnight hub on the lake shore. Read more on our pages for Rautulampi varaustupa and Rautulampi autiotupa. Paid bed reservations for Rautulampi varaustupa and house rules are handled on Eräluvat.fi.
The return leg toward Kiilopää passes Luulampi kota, Luulammen erämaakahvila, and Luulampi ulkotulipaikka near Luulampi—another natural break before closing the loop at Kiilopää. Inari lies in Lapland; together the Saariselkä–Kiilopää gateway and backcountry segments make this one of the park’s classic long day hikes.
Matkalla Missä Milloinkin timed their autumn circuit at about seven hours with light day packs.
Length & route
The trail is about 22.2 km as one continuous marked summer line through Urho Kekkonen National Park, typically walked as a day circuit from Kiilopää via Luulampi, Rautulampi, and Niilanpää back to the trailhead. Matkalla Missä Milloinkin reports roughly 5 km from Kiilopää to Luulampi, about 6.5 km from Luulampi to Rautulampi, and about 7 km of open fell between Rautulampi and Niilanpää before the return leg to Kiilopää. Fit groups allowed about seven hours in autumn with light packs. Metsähallitus also stresses that the corridor is a popular mountain bike route in summer, so expect occasional riders.
Getting there
Most hikers start from Kiilopää fell centre at Kiilopääntie 620: use Kiilopää pysäköintialue for parking and follow marked routes toward Luulampi and Rautulampi as described on Luontoon.fi. Eräluvat.fi notes Rautulampi varaustupa is roughly 10 km from Kiilopää and about 17 km from Saariselkä by marked summer routes or winter skiing, and is not reachable during spring break-up on soft snow. Check the national park’s latest access and fee notices on Luontoon.fi before leaving Inari.
Good to know
Open-fell hazards include fast-moving weather and low visibility; carry navigation backup beyond a phone. Book Rautulampi varaustupa early via Eräluvat.fi; pricing and pet rules apply to the hut, not necessarily the whole trail. Wood stoves in the huts require careful use—Retki-lehti notes enhanced ventilation hatches in the new buildings. Respect Saami homeland etiquette published on Luontoon.fi when travelling in this part of Lapland.
History
The earlier Metsähallitus standard log-frame Rautulampi wilderness hut burned in March 2019. Metsähallitus replaced it with new reservation hut, open wilderness hut, and day hut buildings that opened for the 2021 ruska season; architect Manu Humpi designed the complex using cross-laminated timber elements on concrete pillars, and Retki-lehti reported the first overnight stays in the new open hut that September.
Metsähallitus: black poles with yellow Luulampi symbols between Kiilopää fell centre and Luulampi; blue and red trail markers between Luulampi, Rautulampi, and Kiilopää. Matkalla Missä Milloinkin describes dark pole markers on the Luulampi approach and blue–red waymarking toward Rautulampi and Niilanpää.
Route Signs
Open / Good Condition
Open / Good Condition
Luontoon.fi – Rautulampi Hiking Trail+
Activities allowed
Bike
Activity
Hike / Walk
Activity
Terrain & conditions
22.2 km
Distance
About 6–8 hours for fit hikers as a summer day circuit; add time if you linger at Luulampi or Rautulampi.
Est. Time
Gravel-based forest tracks near Kiilopää, rooty and rocky fell paths, braided dirt tread in the Rautuvanganoja valley with stream crossings, and open tundra benches toward Niilanpää.
Surface
Loop, Single Track
Route Type
No Shade
Shade
Partial Shade
Shade
Moderate Traffic
Traffic
2021
Construction year
2019 fire of predecessor hut; 2021 new hut complex opened
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Answers to your questions
Our data was researched from Sodankylä, and other trusted sources, in March 2026. Our route / place GPX data comes from Metsähallitus / Lipas, last updated March 2026. Always check their official website for safety-critical updates.
Rautulampi Trail is about 22.2 km of marked path through Urho Kekkonen National Park near Saariselkä, in demanding fell and forest terrain with plenty of elevation change. Metsähallitus describes it as wild country that needs solid boots and weather-ready kit, not a route for complete beginners; weather on open fells c...
Luontoon.fi – Rautulampi Hiking Trail+
Description
Rautulampi Trail is about 22.2 km of marked path through Urho Kekkonen National Park near Saariselkä, in demanding fell and forest terrain with plenty of elevation change. Metsähallitus describes it as wild country that needs solid boots and weather-ready kit, not a route for complete beginners; weather on open fells can change fast, phone coverage has gaps, and in the Rautuvanganoja stream valley the path braids with small stream crossings. Matkalla Missä Milloinkin’s hike report highlights birch-rich slopes and long open-fell sections where ruska colours are especially strong in autumn, and notes that despite the remote feel the trail stays on marked paths. The architecture magazine Retki-lehti covered the new Rautulampi buildings and mentioned that the marked hiking line between Niilanpää and Rautulampi was partly realigned to follow an older maintenance track.
The circuit is usually started from Kiilopää fell centre. About 5.5 km in you reach the Kiilopää service corner: Suomen Latu Kiilopää - Kahvila & Ravintola, Kiilopään Kuurakaltio, Kiilopään uimapaikka, Kiilo-oja tulipaikka, Kiilopään frisbeegolfrata, and Kiilopää pysäköintialue cluster together for food, swimming, disc golf, and parking. The same area links to Saariselän maastopyöräilyreitit, the Ahopää walking circuit, and Maastopyöräreitti nro 5 Luulampi if you want to extend the day on bike or foot.
Toward Niilanpään porokämppä and Niilanpää kuivakäymälä you pass Niilanpään porokämppä tulipaikka; Luontoon.fi notes an old reindeer separation fence by the Niilanpää day-hut area. From there the trail climbs into open slopes with views toward summits such as Rautupää and Niilanpää.
About 16.5 km brings you to Rautulampi, where Rautulampi varaustupa, Rautulampi autiotupa, Rautulampi päivätupa, Rautulampi Liiteri-Käymälä, Rautulampi tulipaikka, and Rautulampi tulipaikka 2 form the main rest and overnight hub on the lake shore. Read more on our pages for Rautulampi varaustupa and Rautulampi autiotupa. Paid bed reservations for Rautulampi varaustupa and house rules are handled on Eräluvat.fi.
The return leg toward Kiilopää passes Luulampi kota, Luulammen erämaakahvila, and Luulampi ulkotulipaikka near Luulampi—another natural break before closing the loop at Kiilopää. Inari lies in Lapland; together the Saariselkä–Kiilopää gateway and backcountry segments make this one of the park’s classic long day hikes.
Matkalla Missä Milloinkin timed their autumn circuit at about seven hours with light day packs.
Length & route
The trail is about 22.2 km as one continuous marked summer line through Urho Kekkonen National Park, typically walked as a day circuit from Kiilopää via Luulampi, Rautulampi, and Niilanpää back to the trailhead. Matkalla Missä Milloinkin reports roughly 5 km from Kiilopää to Luulampi, about 6.5 km from Luulampi to Rautulampi, and about 7 km of open fell between Rautulampi and Niilanpää before the return leg to Kiilopää. Fit groups allowed about seven hours in autumn with light packs. Metsähallitus also stresses that the corridor is a popular mountain bike route in summer, so expect occasional riders.
Getting there
Most hikers start from Kiilopää fell centre at Kiilopääntie 620: use Kiilopää pysäköintialue for parking and follow marked routes toward Luulampi and Rautulampi as described on Luontoon.fi. Eräluvat.fi notes Rautulampi varaustupa is roughly 10 km from Kiilopää and about 17 km from Saariselkä by marked summer routes or winter skiing, and is not reachable during spring break-up on soft snow. Check the national park’s latest access and fee notices on Luontoon.fi before leaving Inari.
Good to know
Open-fell hazards include fast-moving weather and low visibility; carry navigation backup beyond a phone. Book Rautulampi varaustupa early via Eräluvat.fi; pricing and pet rules apply to the hut, not necessarily the whole trail. Wood stoves in the huts require careful use—Retki-lehti notes enhanced ventilation hatches in the new buildings. Respect Saami homeland etiquette published on Luontoon.fi when travelling in this part of Lapland.
History
The earlier Metsähallitus standard log-frame Rautulampi wilderness hut burned in March 2019. Metsähallitus replaced it with new reservation hut, open wilderness hut, and day hut buildings that opened for the 2021 ruska season; architect Manu Humpi designed the complex using cross-laminated timber elements on concrete pillars, and Retki-lehti reported the first overnight stays in the new open hut that September.
Metsähallitus: black poles with yellow Luulampi symbols between Kiilopää fell centre and Luulampi; blue and red trail markers between Luulampi, Rautulampi, and Kiilopää. Matkalla Missä Milloinkin describes dark pole markers on the Luulampi approach and blue–red waymarking toward Rautulampi and Niilanpää.
About 6–8 hours for fit hikers as a summer day circuit; add time if you linger at Luulampi or Rautulampi.
Est. Time
Gravel-based forest tracks near Kiilopää, rooty and rocky fell paths, braided dirt tread in the Rautuvanganoja valley with stream crossings, and open tundra benches toward Niilanpää.
Surface
Loop, Single Track
Route Type
No Shade
Shade
Partial Shade
Shade
Moderate Traffic
Traffic
2021
Construction year
2019 fire of predecessor hut; 2021 new hut complex opened
Be the first to write a review for "Rautulampi Trail"
Share a photo from a recent trip
Answers to your questions
Our data was researched from Sodankylä, and other trusted sources, in March 2026. Our route / place GPX data comes from Metsähallitus / Lipas, last updated March 2026. Always check their official website for safety-critical updates.