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Vatikuru nature trail

—•Hiking Trails

3 km

Route

P 1

Parking 1

0.0 km|Free

Pallastunturin luontokeskus pysäköintialue

2.9 km|Free

Free Parking

Description

Luontoon.fi – Vatikurun luontopolku+

Description

The Vatikuru nature trail is about 3 km in Muonio in Lapland on the Pallastunturi visitor side of Pallas–Yllästunturi National Park. Metsähallitus lists the walk on Luontoon.fi as Vatikurun luontopolku, and that page is the best first stop for maps, any route notices, and national park rules. Muonio sits under the open skylines of the Pallas fells; this path is a compact way to sample them without committing to a long fell crossing. From the Pallastunturi services area the marked route climbs through forest, crosses the shoulder toward Hiihtokeskus Pallas, and returns toward Pallastunturin luontokeskus pysäköintialue along the Vatikuru edge, where the views open over nearby ridges and ski infrastructure. Roughly halfway along the route you pass close to Hiihtokeskus Pallas; the visitor-centre parking area sits near the Pallastunturi nature hub at the end of the walk. At the highest junction the path meets the Hetta–Pallas hiking trail and the marked approaches toward Taivaskero, so confident walkers can tack on extra metres toward Pyhäkero and Taivaskero if snow and ice allow. Retkipaikka, in a detailed autumn walkthrough by Luontopolkumies, describes a wide gravel tread, blue cone-shaped markers, and about ten themed nature boards with the first board carrying a route map. Luontopolkumies notes a short figure-eight layout near an old reindeer kota, gentler climbing if you walk counter-clockwise, roughly 30 m of gain by the kota and on the order of 70 m above the start at the high junction, and roughly one hour on foot for the circuit under typical conditions. There is no maintained campfire site on the nature trail itself, so plan breaks accordingly. Visit Ylläs summarises park-wide etiquette for the national park: prefer marked routes, pack out litter, and keep dogs leashed at all times in the reserve. Combine those reminders with the official trail page before you set out. If Taivaskero or Pyhäkero side trips tempt you, our pages for Taivaskero Circle Trail, Palkaskero circle trail, and Pallas–Nammalakuru summer hiking trail expand on what lies beyond the junction.

Length & route

The trail is about 3 km as recorded for this route. Luontopolkumies reports a wide, gravelled tread, modest total climbing, and about one hour on foot for the nature-trail circuit, with the steepest impression usually coming on the climb if you choose the clockwise variant. The highest crossing links toward the Hetta–Pallas corridor and Taivaskero approaches, where winter ice and snow can make side trips slow or impractical; ask Pallastunturi staff on the day if you plan to leave the nature-trail ring.

Getting there

Most walkers start beside the Pallastunturi visitor services and Lapland Hotel Pallas courtyard at Pallastunturintie 560, where green signposts name Vatikurunpolku per Luontopolkumies. Coach parking overlaps the main visitor hub; the nature-centre parking area Pallastunturin luontokeskus pysäköintialue lies at the route end on our map. Confirm the latest parking rules with Luontoon.fi or on-site staff before busy weekends.

Good to know

Visit Ylläs reminds readers that dogs must stay leashed throughout Pallas–Yllästunturi National Park and that camping, fires, and waste rules follow Metsähallitus guidance. Pair that park-wide advice with the trail-specific Luontoon.fi page and any visitor-centre briefing in poor weather. There is no campfire site on the nature-trail corridor itself per Luontopolkumies.

History

Luontopolkumies notes that the original 1939 functionalist Pallas hotel on the fell was demolished in 1944 during the war and that a lower log hotel replaced it in 1948; interpretive boards beside the ruins expand the story.

Managed by

Muonio

Official Maintenance

GPX data from: © Metsähallitus, 2024

Trail info

Luontopolkumies writes that walking counter-clockwise gives gentler uphill grades.

Route direction

National Park

Area

Blue cone-shaped discs along the nature trail, with themed boards at intervals.

Route Signs

Dogs (On Leash)

Dogs

Open / Good Condition

Retkipaikka – Luontopolkumies (Vatikurun luontopolku)

Activities allowed

Hike / Walk

Activity

Terrain & conditions

3 km

Distance

about 1 hour on foot for the nature trail proper

Est. Time

Gravel

Surface

Wide Track

Route Type

Partial Shade

Shade

Moderate Traffic

Traffic

Retkipaikka – Luontopolkumies (Vatikurun luontopolku)

Location

68.04614°N, 24.06270°E

Parking coordinates

FinlandCountry

LaplandRegion

MuonioCity

PallastunturiVillage

Hiking TrailsCategory

Explore nearby

Hiihtokeskus Pallas

262 m

Orava Avenue demanding accessible trail

247 m

Free

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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 TrailsVatikuru nature trail