The Isokuru–Keropirtti summer trail is a 1.3 km boardwalk route through the Isokuru gorge in Pyhä-Luosto National Park, in the municipalities of Kemijärvi and Pelkosenniemi in Lapland. Isokuru is Finland's deepest gorge at 220 m, and this short but spectacular walk follows its floor from the shelter cluster at the sout...
Retkipaikka – Isokuru reopened 2021+
Description
The Isokuru–Keropirtti summer trail is a 1.3 km boardwalk route through the Isokuru gorge in Pyhä-Luosto National Park, in the municipalities of Kemijärvi and Pelkosenniemi in Lapland. Isokuru is Finland's deepest gorge at 220 m, and this short but spectacular walk follows its floor from the shelter cluster at the southern entrance through the full length of the gorge to the Keropirtti destination at the far end. The entire Isokuru area is a restricted zone — hiking is permitted only during the snow-free season and strictly on the marked path, as avalanche risk makes winter access dangerous. For the most up-to-date conditions and park rules, the Pyhä-Luosto hiking section on Luontoon.fi is the best place to check before your visit.
The trail begins at the Isokurun kota, a large covered kota with a fireplace and an open campfire spot right at the gorge entrance. Isokurun laavu, an open lean-to shelter, stands just steps away. Dry toilets are available at the kota. These are among the busiest shelters in the national park, serving hikers arriving from multiple trails. From this cluster the boardwalk descends into the gorge proper. The quartzite walls rise on either side, shaped by over 2.5 billion years of weathering, glacial erosion, and frost-cracking. Frost has fractured the rock into sharp-edged talus and scree slopes over the ages, and many rock surfaces still carry ripple marks left by an ancient sea. A few small, crystal-clear pools appear on the gorge floor; one is traditionally used as a wishing well.
Retkipaikka's report on the reopened route describes the boardwalk as wide, well-built with a metal frame and partial rope barriers, and comfortable to walk. The original path dated from 2008 but became deteriorated and narrow, forcing hikers off the marked route onto the protected rocky terrain. The full rebuild took over two years — materials were transported into the gorge by snowmobile and small forestry machines in winter, given the difficult terrain. The renovated route reopened on 10 September 2021.
At the far end of the gorge the trail reaches the Keropirtti area. Nearby, a side path leads to the Pyhänkasteenputous waterfall — a 17 m cascade falling into the 12 m deep Pyhänkasteenlampi lake, both historically significant as Sámi sacred sites. Steep stairs (around 447 steps) ascend from the waterfall to Uhriharjun, a narrow quartzite ridge roughly 50 m above the gorge floor with views back down the full length of Isokuru.
From the Isokurun kota junction at the start of this trail several routes branch out: the long-distance Pyhä-Luosto kesäreitti passes through as one of its major waypoints, Noitatunturin valloitus (10.8 km) heads westward to the fell summit of Noitatunturi, Isokuru – Karhunjuomalampi (4.6 km) links south to Karhunjuomalammen päivätupa, and Tunturiaavan luontopolku (5.6 km) loops through the open fell bog. For visitors needing a stair-free option, the Isokuru portaaton reitti (2.5 km) follows an alternative path bypassing all steps.
Length & route
The trail is 1.3 km point-to-point, running from the Isokurun kota at the gorge entrance to the Keropirtti area at the far end. The terrain is almost entirely a metal-framed wooden boardwalk. The one steep section is a long staircase descending from the gorge rim to the floor at the start. For a stair-free alternative, the Isokuru portaaton reitti follows a longer path (2.5 km) bypassing all steps.
Getting there
The trailhead is accessed via Luontokeskus Naava, the Pyhä-Luosto National Park visitor centre, located at Luontotie 1, 98530 Pyhätunturi. Free parking is available at the visitor centre. From Naava, the marked trail to the Isokuru gorge entrance and the start of this route is approximately 2 km — follow the well-signed paths from the visitor centre toward Isokuru. Naava is approximately 115 km from Rovaniemi and 47 km from Kemijärvi by road. Bus connections are available from the Kemijärvi and Rovaniemi train stations.
Good to know
Isokuru is a restricted zone within Pyhä-Luosto National Park. Hiking is permitted only during the snow-free season (roughly June–October) and strictly on the marked boardwalk path. Winter access is prohibited due to avalanche risk. Dogs are permitted on a leash. Do not step off the marked route — the surrounding terrain is protected and the rock is fragile. Firewood is available at the Isokurun kota fire spots. The visitor centre Naava (open year-round) offers maps, hiking advice, a café, and a nature exhibition.
History
Keropirtti was built in 1954 by Kemijärvi municipality as Pyhätunturin matkailumaja — a mountain tourism cabin serving the growing number of fell hikers in the area. It was one of several accommodation and shelter structures built along the Pyhätunturi ridge in the mid-20th century as the fell became a popular hiking and skiing destination. The original boardwalk trail through the Isokuru gorge was first built in 2008, replacing what had been a rougher path through the rocky gorge floor. By the late 2010s the 2008 trail was deteriorating and too narrow for the volume of visitors, prompting a full rebuild. The renovation project took over two years due to the challenging terrain; all construction materials had to be transported by snowmobile and small forestry machines in winter. The new metal-framed boardwalk opened in September 2021.
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Answers to your questions
Our data was researched from Pelkosenniemi, 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.
The Isokuru–Keropirtti summer trail is a 1.3 km boardwalk route through the Isokuru gorge in Pyhä-Luosto National Park, in the municipalities of Kemijärvi and Pelkosenniemi in Lapland. Isokuru is Finland's deepest gorge at 220 m, and this short but spectacular walk follows its floor from the shelter cluster at the sout...
Retkipaikka – Isokuru reopened 2021+
Description
The Isokuru–Keropirtti summer trail is a 1.3 km boardwalk route through the Isokuru gorge in Pyhä-Luosto National Park, in the municipalities of Kemijärvi and Pelkosenniemi in Lapland. Isokuru is Finland's deepest gorge at 220 m, and this short but spectacular walk follows its floor from the shelter cluster at the southern entrance through the full length of the gorge to the Keropirtti destination at the far end. The entire Isokuru area is a restricted zone — hiking is permitted only during the snow-free season and strictly on the marked path, as avalanche risk makes winter access dangerous. For the most up-to-date conditions and park rules, the Pyhä-Luosto hiking section on Luontoon.fi is the best place to check before your visit.
The trail begins at the Isokurun kota, a large covered kota with a fireplace and an open campfire spot right at the gorge entrance. Isokurun laavu, an open lean-to shelter, stands just steps away. Dry toilets are available at the kota. These are among the busiest shelters in the national park, serving hikers arriving from multiple trails. From this cluster the boardwalk descends into the gorge proper. The quartzite walls rise on either side, shaped by over 2.5 billion years of weathering, glacial erosion, and frost-cracking. Frost has fractured the rock into sharp-edged talus and scree slopes over the ages, and many rock surfaces still carry ripple marks left by an ancient sea. A few small, crystal-clear pools appear on the gorge floor; one is traditionally used as a wishing well.
Retkipaikka's report on the reopened route describes the boardwalk as wide, well-built with a metal frame and partial rope barriers, and comfortable to walk. The original path dated from 2008 but became deteriorated and narrow, forcing hikers off the marked route onto the protected rocky terrain. The full rebuild took over two years — materials were transported into the gorge by snowmobile and small forestry machines in winter, given the difficult terrain. The renovated route reopened on 10 September 2021.
At the far end of the gorge the trail reaches the Keropirtti area. Nearby, a side path leads to the Pyhänkasteenputous waterfall — a 17 m cascade falling into the 12 m deep Pyhänkasteenlampi lake, both historically significant as Sámi sacred sites. Steep stairs (around 447 steps) ascend from the waterfall to Uhriharjun, a narrow quartzite ridge roughly 50 m above the gorge floor with views back down the full length of Isokuru.
From the Isokurun kota junction at the start of this trail several routes branch out: the long-distance Pyhä-Luosto kesäreitti passes through as one of its major waypoints, Noitatunturin valloitus (10.8 km) heads westward to the fell summit of Noitatunturi, Isokuru – Karhunjuomalampi (4.6 km) links south to Karhunjuomalammen päivätupa, and Tunturiaavan luontopolku (5.6 km) loops through the open fell bog. For visitors needing a stair-free option, the Isokuru portaaton reitti (2.5 km) follows an alternative path bypassing all steps.
Length & route
The trail is 1.3 km point-to-point, running from the Isokurun kota at the gorge entrance to the Keropirtti area at the far end. The terrain is almost entirely a metal-framed wooden boardwalk. The one steep section is a long staircase descending from the gorge rim to the floor at the start. For a stair-free alternative, the Isokuru portaaton reitti follows a longer path (2.5 km) bypassing all steps.
Getting there
The trailhead is accessed via Luontokeskus Naava, the Pyhä-Luosto National Park visitor centre, located at Luontotie 1, 98530 Pyhätunturi. Free parking is available at the visitor centre. From Naava, the marked trail to the Isokuru gorge entrance and the start of this route is approximately 2 km — follow the well-signed paths from the visitor centre toward Isokuru. Naava is approximately 115 km from Rovaniemi and 47 km from Kemijärvi by road. Bus connections are available from the Kemijärvi and Rovaniemi train stations.
Good to know
Isokuru is a restricted zone within Pyhä-Luosto National Park. Hiking is permitted only during the snow-free season (roughly June–October) and strictly on the marked boardwalk path. Winter access is prohibited due to avalanche risk. Dogs are permitted on a leash. Do not step off the marked route — the surrounding terrain is protected and the rock is fragile. Firewood is available at the Isokurun kota fire spots. The visitor centre Naava (open year-round) offers maps, hiking advice, a café, and a nature exhibition.
History
Keropirtti was built in 1954 by Kemijärvi municipality as Pyhätunturin matkailumaja — a mountain tourism cabin serving the growing number of fell hikers in the area. It was one of several accommodation and shelter structures built along the Pyhätunturi ridge in the mid-20th century as the fell became a popular hiking and skiing destination. The original boardwalk trail through the Isokuru gorge was first built in 2008, replacing what had been a rougher path through the rocky gorge floor. By the late 2010s the 2008 trail was deteriorating and too narrow for the volume of visitors, prompting a full rebuild. The renovation project took over two years due to the challenging terrain; all construction materials had to be transported by snowmobile and small forestry machines in winter. The new metal-framed boardwalk opened in September 2021.
Be the first to write a review for "Isokuru–Keropirtti summer trail"
Share a photo from a recent trip
Answers to your questions
Our data was researched from Pelkosenniemi, 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.