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Kukastunturi round trail

—•Hiking Trails

20.1 km

Route

P 1

Description

Luontoon.fi – Kukastunturin kierros Trail+

Description

The Kukastunturi round trail is about 20 km as one continuous loop in Äkäslompolo, Kolari, on the edge of Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. It climbs Kukastunturi (about 477 m) and returns through forest, bogs, and gorge scenery, sharing tread with other users in a busy Ylläs trail network. For permits, closures, and the official route sheet, start with Metsähallitus, Parks & Wildlife Finland on Luontoon.fi. The regional Pallas-Ylläs Outdoors pages describe how blue-topped posts and junction signs guide you along the lake shore toward Karila, then up roughly 4 km of climb where the grade steepens just below the treeline, and how the exposed fell shoulder catches wind and drifted snow in winter. In the Woods, Dear gives a plain-language overview of the shorter Karila–summit out-and-back versus the full loop, and notes the wind-sculpted pine, summit bench, and brown park sign at the top. From the Äkäslompolo end you pass Äkäslompolon uimaranta and Äkäslompolon lintutorni before the line swings toward Karilan Navettagalleria hiihtomaa; many people stage cars at Karila for the quick summit trip, while the longer circuit also threads past Lapland Hotels Äkäshotelli/Pirtukirkko later on. After a long forest and mire climb, about 8.3 km into the loop you reach the Kotamaja cluster: Kotamaja latukahvila for coffee and meals when open, Kotamaja kota, and a dry toilet at Kotamaja kuivakäymälä—Matkalla Missä Milloinkin remembers soup lunches and pastries there on an autumn round. Kävelystä ja elämästä hiked clockwise from Karila, rested in the wind on the plateau, and noted how older duckboard crossings toward Kotamaja have given way to wider, graveled crossings in places. Beyond Kotamaja the circuit works along Hangaskuru puolikota and Hangaskuru kuivakäymälä about 11 km from the start: a lean-to and toilet between mire and forest, handy if you want a break before Tahkokuru. Near 12.6 km the route passes close to Tahkokuru tulentekopaikka, Tahkokuru kota, and Tahkokuru kuivakäymälä (slightly off the main line but easy to visit if you have time). The later leg eases along forest roads and mire edges toward Kesänkijärvi pysäköintialue and Kesänkijärvi pysäköintialue 2, then drops back toward Äkäshotellin kuntosali and the village shore. The same corridor is part of the long Ylläs–Levi summer trail and the Ylläs–Levi mountain bike route in places; lighter-fatbike and ski traffic can be heavy, so keep to the marked track and yield at ski-track crossings. Matkalla Missä Milloinkin found the day quiet for hikers despite the loop’s popularity with cyclists. The trail sits in Lapland in Finland’s northwest. Kolari is the home municipality of Äkäslompolo. Read more on our pages for Kotamaja latukahvila, Hangaskuru puolikota, and Tahkokuru kota when you want hut or fire-ring specifics.

Length & route

The trail is about 20 km as one loop. Allow roughly 5–7 hours on foot depending on breaks, weather on the fell top, and queues at Kotamaja. The climb from Karila junction to the summit is often quoted at a little over 4 km one way within the loop. A shorter out-and-back from Karila to the top and back is about 9 km and roughly 2–3 hours.

Getting there

Most descriptions aim you at Äkäslompolo: either the official start by Lake Äkäslompolo near Jounin Kauppa behind the shop, or Lapland Hotels Äkäshotelli where Pallas-Ylläs Outdoors places a formal trailhead behind the hotel. For a shorter summit variant, park at Navettagalleria Karila (Karilantie 31) where In the Woods, Dear reports a free, spacious lot. About 15.7 km along the mapped loop you pass Kesänkijärvi pysäköintialue and Kesänkijärvi pysäköintialue 2 if you need lake-side parking to stitch sections. Expect short paved or compacted links before narrower forest tread. Winter visitors should read the Pallas-Ylläs Outdoors snow-route notes for ski-track crossings and avalanche awareness on steep slopes.

Good to know

Check Kotamaja opening hours before relying on indoor service or soup lunches; the café has seasonal hours and may close one weekday as described in trip reports. Winter cycling and skiing variants are graded as extremely demanding on Pallas-Ylläs Outdoors; summer hiking is usually called medium difficulty. Confirm any national park instructions from Metsähallitus before large groups or multi-day links into the wider Pallas trail network.

Managed by

Kolari

Official Maintenance

+358 40 550 2424

GPX data from: © Metsähallitus, 2024

Trail info

Typically described clockwise from the lakeshore via Karila and Kotamaja, but either way works on a loop.

Route direction

National Park

Area

Recreation Area

Lake

Blue-topped posts (siniset merkkitikut) on the winter route description; follow national park signs and painted symbols at junctions year round.

Route Signs

Open / Good Condition

Pallas-Ylläs Outdoors – Kukastunturin kierros (winter route)

Activities allowed

Ski

Activity

Hike / Walk

Activity

Bike

Activity

Terrain & conditions

20.1 km

Distance

About 5–7 hours for the full 20 km loop on foot; 2–3 hours for the ~9 km Karila summit return

Est. Time

Duckboards / Dirt / Gravel

Surface

Loop, Wide Track

Route Type

Moderate Traffic

Traffic

Partial Shade

Shade

Winter descent realignment noted for season 2018–2019 on regional descriptions(2).

Renovation years

Location

67.60366°N, 24.21957°E

Parking coordinates

FinlandCountry

LaplandRegion

KolariCity

ÄkäslompoloVillage

Hiking TrailsCategory

Explore nearby

Navettagalleria hiihtomaa

316 m

Free

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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 TrailsKukastunturi round trail