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Lake Kesänki circuit trail

—•Hiking Trails

5.6 km

Route

P 1

Description

Luontoon.fi – Kesänkijärven kierros+

Description

The Lake Kesänki circuit trail is about 5.6 km as an easy circular walk around Lake Kesänki in Kolari in Lapland, on the Äkäslompolo side of the Ylläs visitor area, inside Pallas–Yllästunturi National Park. For map downloads, route descriptions, and national park rules, plan from the Kesänkijärven kierros page on Luontoon.fi. Most of the loop follows a wide, gravelled forest track with modest height difference; boardwalk sections cross mires and wet ground toward the east and north sides of the lake. Along the north shore you stay within a short distance of the water, with informal pull-offs toward the beach; Kellostapuli and Kesänkitunturi frame the view to the south and east. Interpretive boards describe local plants and habitats, similar to other nature trails in the park. About three kilometres into the loop you reach the east shore service cluster: Kesänkijärven laavu, Kesänkijärven uusi kota, and dry toilets, plus Kesänkijärvi itä esteetön laituri facing open lake and fell views. Kesänkijärvi kalastuspaikka and Kesänkijärven veneenlaskupaikka sit near Sahatie closer to the car parks. Many families walk only the first leg from Kesänkijärvi pysäköintialue or Kesänkijärvi pysäköintialue 2 toward Kotamaja latukahvila before turning back; completing the full ring adds duckboards, a stream crossing, and a short roadside walk along Kesänkijärventie where you should watch for traffic. At a signed junction early on, the same green-marked start is shared with Pirunkurun ponnistus; staying on the lake loop keeps the circuit shorter and gentler than that fell ascent option. Later, the route meets Kukastunturin kierros, a roughly twenty-kilometre hiking ring through Äkäslompolo toward Äkäshotelli. Mountain bikers use the overlapping Kukastunturin polkaisu line on shared sections—expect occasional bikes where the networks join. Retkipaikka notes how popular the trail is and that calm seekers may prefer early morning or evening starts. JOKIVARRESTA describes mid-morning crowding near Kesängin keidas and reminds readers that, on reindeer herding land, dogs must stay leashed year-round if you continue beyond a dog park detour.

Length & route

The trail is about 5.6 km as one closed loop around Lake Kesänki. Many printed and blog descriptions round the same walk to about 6 km depending on GPS track and side spurs. Expect a wide mineral track, occasional rooty forest floor, and several hundred metres of duckboards through mire; the highest points stay only a short climb above the lake surface. Allow roughly 1.5–2 hours on foot with a break at the east-shore lean-to.

Getting there

Drive to the spacious Sahatie car park on the Äkäslompolo side of Ylläs; Retkipaikka places the main lot near coordinates 67.60366 N, 24.22027 E for loop walkers. Connection buses run from Kolari railway station toward the Ylläs villages, with a few kilometres still to walk from Äkäshotelli if you arrive without a car. Use Kesänkijärvi pysäköintialue or Kesänkijärvi pysäköintialue 2 beside the trail signs at the lake end of the road. The final half-kilometre of the hiking line follows Kesänkijärventie edge—watch for cars.

Good to know

Pallas–Yllästunturi National Park fees, fishing, camping, and dog rules follow Metsähallitus guidance on Luontoon.fi. On reindeer herding land, keep dogs leashed whenever you hike with them; a fenced dog park is available nearby in Äkäslompolo if you need off-lead exercise first. The trail is busy in peak season—plan timing if you prefer quieter conditions. For winter conditions, follow Luontoon.fi updates before setting out.

Managed by

Kolari

Official Maintenance

+358 40 550 2424

GPX data from: © Metsähallitus, 2024

Trail info

Walk either way around the signed loop; green markings apply to both Kesänkijärven kierros and the start of Pirunkurun ponnistus until they split.

Route direction

National Park

Area

green (shared signage with Pirunkurun ponnistus at the early junctions)

Route Signs

Dogs (On Leash)

Dogs

Open / Good Condition

Retkipaikka – Kesänkijärven kierros (Luontopolkumies)

Activities allowed

Hike / Walk

Activity

Terrain & conditions

5.6 km

Distance

about 1.5–2 hours

Est. Time

Dirt / Duckboards / Gravel

Surface

Loop, Wide Track

Route Type

Partial Shade

Shade

Moderate Traffic

Traffic

Location

67.60366°N, 24.21957°E

Parking coordinates

FinlandCountry

LaplandRegion

KolariCity

ÄkäslompoloVillage

Hiking TrailsCategory

Explore nearby

Kesänkijärvi kalastuspaikka

128 m

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Answers to your questions

Our data was researched from Kolari, 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.

Finland Lapland Kolari Hiking TrailsLake Kesänki circuit trail