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Palkaskero circle trail

—•Hiking Trails

6.1 km

Route

P 1

Description

Luontoon.fi – Palkaskeron kierros+

Description

For the official trail sheet, current restrictions, and Metsähallitus updates, start with the Palkaskeron kierros page on Luontoon.fi. The walk sits in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park above Muonio in Lapland—Finland’s flagship fell country—and shares the Pallastunturi visitor centre area with several other summer and winter routes. The trail is about 6.1 km end to end on our map; some printed and blog descriptions round up toward seven kilometres for the same circuit. It is a moderate day outing: roughly 250 m of climbing with the summit near 705 m, enough open rock underfoot to watch your footing, and wide views toward Lake Pallasjärvi, neighbouring fells, and—on a clear day—the Levitunturi silhouette to the south. Most people start from Pallastunturin luontokeskus pysäköintialue. The path leaves the built edge quickly, climbs the shoulder of Palkaskero past low birch, and reaches a stone cairn on top before descending through reindeer fences and forested slopes. Jonna Saari’s photo walk on Retkipaikka spells out how the line touches Liisansatula and Palkaskuru, and how late-summer moisture can make sections slick on the north side. In the Woods, Dear adds field detail on muddy stretches, steep pitches near the summit, white grouse on the slopes, and the transition onto the lower gravel near Vatikuru where the line meets Hetta–Pallas hiking trail traffic. Stay on the marked path rather than shortcutting straight up the face from the car park—that spreads erosion on fragile tunturi turf. About a kilometre into the walk you reach the Pallaskota cluster: Pallaskota tulipaikka, the open Pallaskota, bookable Pallaskota vuokrakota, and dry toilets nearby—read more about booking the rental kota on our Pallaskota vuokrakota page. That makes a natural coffee or lunch detour even though the main ring has no purpose-built shelter. Hiihtokeskus Pallas is visible around the resort edge at the trailhead if you need lift or café services after the walk. The circuit plugs into a dense network: it shares ground with Hetta–Pallas hiking trail lower down, meets the wide Orava Avenue art trail to Pallaskota, and sits next to Taivaskeron kierros and Taivaskero Circle Trail starts for longer fell days. Pallas–Nammalakuru summer hiking trail also threads through the same parking hub if you want another half-day stage toward Nammalakuru huts. Under Metsähallitus rules for Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, dogs must stay on a leash and you should carry out all litter. Snowshoes are a practical choice when the trail is snow-covered; crampons are rarely needed on this line, but ice on the rocky summit block can bite in spring and autumn.

Length & route

The trail is about 6.1 km as drawn here. Independent write-ups often quote near 7 km and roughly 250 m of ascent for the same circuit, with the summit around 705 m. Allow about three hours on foot for a relaxed pace with a summit stop, or roughly one to one and a half hours if you are fit and moving light on a run. The climb is steady rather than technical, but rocky steps and short steep pitches appear near the top. Lower sections include firm gravel on Orava Avenue and, after snowmelt or rain, softer tread in hollows. In winter the route is used on snowshoes when snow covers the rocks.

Getting there

Drive to Pallastunturin luontokeskus pysäköintialue at the Pallastunturi visitor centre end of Pallastunturintie (road 557) in Muonio municipality. That lot is the main trailhead. Reference descriptions also note clockwise walks from the visitor centre and counter-clockwise starts from Pallaskota if you link in via Orava Avenue. For approach roads, hours, and any service closures, follow Luontoon.fi and Metsähallitus visitor information for Pallastunturi.

Good to know

Campfires on the ring itself are not the main feature; use Pallaskota tulipaikka or book Pallaskota vuokrakota for an organised fire. Drinking water is not piped along the high circuit—carry adequate bottles or a filter, and use the stream area near Pallaskota only with treatment as described on site. Respect reindeer separation fences and keep to marked routes so overlapping use with Hetta–Pallas hiking trail stays orderly.

Managed by

Muonio

Official Maintenance

GPX data from: © Metsähallitus, 2024

Trail info

Usually walked clockwise from Pallastunturin luontokeskus pysäköintialue; from Pallaskota, many people prefer counter-clockwise to merge smoothly with the ascent.

Route direction

National Park

Area

Lake

Marked Route

Route Signs

Dogs (On Leash)

Dogs

Open / Good Condition

In the Woods, Dear – Palkaskero trail

Activities allowed

Run

Activity

Hike / Walk

Activity

Terrain & conditions

6.1 km

Distance

About 3 hours walking; roughly 1–1.5 hours trail running for fit visitors.

Est. Time

Dirt / Gravel

Surface

Loop, Single Track, Wide Track

Route Type

Moderate Traffic

Traffic

Partial Shade

Shade

No Shade

Shade

In the Woods, Dear – Palkaskero trail

Location

68.04614°N, 24.06270°E

Parking coordinates

FinlandCountry

LaplandRegion

MuonioCity

Hiking TrailsCategory

Explore nearby

Hiihtokeskus Pallas

275 m

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Answers to your questions

Our data was researched from Muonio, 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 Muonio Hiking TrailsPalkaskero circle trail

Palkaskero circle trail6.1 km

Route

P 1

Parking 1

0.0 km|Free

Pallastunturin luontokeskus pysäköintialue

0.0 km|Free

Free Parking

Pallaskota tulipaikka

0.9 km|Free

Campfire Spots

Pallaskota uusi käymälä

0.9 km|Free

Outdoor Toilets

Pallaskota vuokrakota

0.9 km|Free

Wilderness Huts

Pallaskota

0.9 km|Free

Wilderness HutsPallastunturin kota

Description

Luontoon.fi – Palkaskeron kierros+

Description

Length & route

Getting there

Good to know

Managed by

Muonio

Official Maintenance

Trail info

Location

Usually walked clockwise from Pallastunturin luontokeskus pysäköintialue; from Pallaskota, many people prefer counter-clockwise to merge smoothly with the ascent.

Route direction

National Park

Area

Lake

Marked Route

Route Signs

Dogs (On Leash)

Dogs

Open / Good Condition

In the Woods, Dear – Palkaskero trail

Location

68.04614°N, 24.06270°E

Parking coordinates

FinlandCountry

LaplandRegion

MuonioCity

Hiking TrailsCategory

Activities allowed

Run

Activity

Hike / Walk

Activity

Terrain & conditions

6.1 km

Distance

About 3 hours walking; roughly 1–1.5 hours trail running for fit visitors.

Est. Time

Dirt / Gravel

Surface

Loop, Single Track, Wide Track

Route Type

Moderate Traffic

Traffic

Partial Shade

Shade

No Shade

Shade

In the Woods, Dear – Palkaskero trail

Explore nearby

Hiihtokeskus Pallas

275 m

Rate & Review

Be the first to write a review for "Palkaskero circle trail"

Share a photo from a recent trip

Answers to your questions

Finland Lapland Muonio Hiking TrailsPalkaskero circle trail