Pello Map

Pitkänniemenhieta laavu

Metelivaaran laavu (Konttajärvi)

Salmilompolon päivätupa Salmilompolon laavu

Jaipaljukka Nature Trail is about 3.6 km in Pello, Lapland, on a striking Ice Age meltwater delta with boulder fields and stone stairs climbing the slope. The area is managed as part of the wider Jaipaljukka outdoor destination; for closures, services, and the full route family, start with the Jaipaljukka hiking route information on Luontoon.fi(1). Travel Pello introduces the site as a signed nature trail roughly 10–12 km from Pello toward Rovaniemi on highway E83(2). Pello lists the trail among local hiking options and points walkers to the municipal map layers for exact parking and junctions(3). Early on, about half a kilometre in, you reach Jaipaljukan kota with a campfire place—read more on fees, firewood, and overnight policy on our Jaipaljukan kota page. Dry toilets are available at the same stop area. Retkipaikka’s account describes the climb onto the delta, red markings on tree trunks and posts, duckboards in wet ground, a kota built in 1999, and a firewood shed—bring your own drinking water because there is no tap at the kota(4). Luontopolkumies walked the longer combination from the Rovaniemi-road lay-by, noting wooden stairs and handrails on the steepest rock, nearly thirty nature-info boards along the loop, a side spur to a lookout, blue-and-white post markers on the circular section, giant aspen stands, and a bus stop a couple of kilometres away on the Pello–Rovaniemi line(5). Jaipaljukka appears among Finland’s nationally promoted rock-nature showcase sites in forestry and environment outreach(6). The same trailhead area links across to the short Jaipaljukka hiking route, the longer Jaipaljukan luontopolku loop, Salmilompolon latu in winter, and the snowmobile trail Kittisvuoma- Salvilompolo Moottorikelkkaura—handy if you are planning a hut-to-hut day or combining motor-sled access with a summer rock walk.

Vaarasaari Island Hiking Trail is about 7.4 km as recorded for this route. It follows a circuit around Vaarasaari, the largest island on Lake Miekojärvi in western Lapland. The island covers roughly 843 hectares; the Arctic Circle crosses the lake, and the shoreline mixes forest, bays, and wetter mire-like ground—Miekoresort notes sheep graze on Vaarasaari in summer, which supports traditional meadow habitats(3). The trail is in Pello. Lapland is a strong draw for lake-and-island hiking in the Torne Valley setting. The Retkeilijän Miekojärvi guide on Miekojärvi.fi(1) describes the island walk as passing several lean-to shelters (kelolaavu), Kirkonveräjän vuoratupa wilderness hut, a restored meadow barn at Kolhonlahti, a kaltio building, old fish-field areas north of Pieskänsalmen, and the wooded hill Palovaara, and recommends starting by landing with a boat or canoe at Mustalahti or Hietalahti(1). Along the way you pass Viitasaari laavu a little over one kilometre from the start, Hietalahti laavu around two kilometres in, and Mustalahti laavu near 5.3 km, with dry toilets beside the shelter clusters—natural lunch stops on a half-day circuit. For downloadable maps and access options across the wider lake, Metsähallitus publishes the Miekojärvi area on Luontoon.fi(4). The City of Pello(2) presents Vaarasaari’s former permanent settlement and cultivated natural meadows as part of the area’s heritage and nature-restoration story, within broader plans to protect Miekojärvi.

Valkeakosken polku is about 2.2 km of marked paths in Pello, Lapland, along the Tornio River between Valkeakoski and Hirvaskoski rapids. (This Valkeakoski is the rapid on the border river, not the town of Valkeakoski in Pirkanmaa.) For driving access, parking at the road end, and confirmation that both rapids have a lean-to, Travel Pello’s trail page is the best starting point(1). The Municipality of Pello lists the outing alongside its other nature trails and rest hubs(2). Trail geometry for local paths is published through the Pello map service nature-trail layer(3). From the Hirvaskoski end you pass Hirvaskoski laavu and Hirvaskoski käymälä right at the river; dry toilets are available there. About 1.3 km along the route, Valkeakoski laavu and Valkeakoski käymälä sit together at the Valkeakoski rapid—natural breaks for coffee or a picnic above the water. The forest riverside setting is typical of western Lapland shoreline spruce and birch. Pello promotes the wider Tornio valley for salmon fishing and quiet nature outings; status of rapids, any seasonal restrictions, and firewood rules can change, so check the official pages before you go(1)(2).

Jaipaljukka retkeilyreitti is a 1.2 km hiking trail in Pello, Lapland, that serves as the main access route from the Rovaniementie (E83) trailhead to the Jaipaljukka area and the start of the circular nature trail network. The trail connects the roadside parking to Jaipaljukan kota, a Metsähallitus wilderness shelter, and from there you can continue onto the longer loop trails. For current trail conditions and official information, see the Jaipaljukka retkeilyreitti page on Luontoon.fi(1). Jaipaljukka is one of Finland's 16 nationally significant rocky nature sites — a glacial outburst delta formed roughly 10,000 years ago at the end of the last Ice Age. As the continental ice sheet retreated, a short-lived glacial river suddenly broke through a fracture in the bedrock at the top of the Jaipaljukka hill, sweeping away weathered rock material. The waters deposited it as a fan-shaped delta on the north slope, creating a boulder field that rises nearly 40 meters high. The largest individual boulders are 3–5 meters across, and the flat top of the delta sits roughly 195 meters above current sea level — the ancient shoreline of the Ancylus Lake, the predecessor of the Baltic Sea. Pello municipality announced in November 2023 that Jaipaljukka had been included on a new national rocky nature site catalogue(2). The 1.2 km access trail leads from the parking area through duckboard sections and birch-pine forest toward the foot of the spectacular boulder slope. Red paint blazes on tree trunks and marker posts guide the way. After about 400 m the boulder formation becomes visible — an immediately striking sight rising steeply ahead. Wooden steps and handrails assist the ascent over the most challenging section of the rocky slope. At the top of the boulders, a picnic bench marks the edge of the delta. Near the end of the access trail, about 1.06 km from the start, you reach Jaipaljukan kota, a Lappish kota shelter built by Metsähallitus in 1999. The kota has a campfire site and a wood store. A dry toilet (Jaipaljukka käymälä) is located nearby. Note that there is no water source at the shelter — bring your own drinking water. The kota and campfire area mark the junction with the circular loop trails Jaipaljukan luontopolku and Jaipaljukka luontopolku, which together cover 3.6–4.7 km through diverse forest types. The loop routes are marked with blue-and-white posts, and the full circuit from the roadside parking and back is approximately 6.7 km. The access trail itself is rated very easy, though the section climbing the boulder slope requires sure footing. Waterproof footwear is recommended, especially in spring and autumn, as duckboard sections can be wet. The area is open under everyman's rights and camping is permitted.

Travel Pello’s Nature Trail – Jaipaljukka page(1) is a good place to start planning and to check the latest visitor framing for this Ice Age rock landmark east of Pello. Pellon kunta announced in 2023 that Jaipaljukka was included among sixteen national rock-nature showcase sites presented by Tapio, the Finnish Forest Centre and the Finnish Environment Institute(2). Retkipaikka adds practical detail on the climb, markings, duckboards, and the midway rest buildings(3). The trail is about 4.7 km and threads forest around the Jaipaljukka formation in Pello, Lapland. The landscape is dominated by a large exposure related to late-glacial melting and crustal movements; descriptions in regional materials highlight the rugged boulders and steep sections with steps on the northern approach(1)(3). About 1.5 km along the route you reach Jaipaljukan kota and Jaipaljukka käymälä nestled on the east flank of the round summit area—a natural lunch stop with a campfire place and dry toilet; bring your own drinking water because no water point is listed at the kota(3). Read more on our pages for Jaipaljukan kota and Jaipaljukka käymälä. Along the way, watch for legacy forest-fire traces, wind-pruned pines, and a very old scale-bark pine dated to 417 years in a 1997 tree core(3). If you start from the Salmilompolo road side, guides note a striking grove of giant aspens beside a small pond(3). The same trail junction links to the shorter Jaipaljukka luontopolku and Jaipaljukka retkeilyreitti variants and lies near the longer Kittisvuoma–Salvilompolo snowmobile corridor and the Salmilompolon latu ski track—useful context if you are stitching day trips in the Salmilompolo area. Waterproof footwear is wise in spring and autumn where wet hollows remain despite duckboards(3). The route is steep and stony in places and is not described as suitable for people with reduced mobility(3).

Pieskänjupukka näkö-alapolku is a short, steep viewpoint trail above Lake Miekojärvi in Pello, Lapland. Travel Pello describes it as a demanding climb for the distance, with symbols painted on the ground to mark the path, and wide views over Miekojärvi from the top(1). Pello municipality groups hiking and outdoor routes on its pages and links to the municipal map service for nature trails and rest areas across the municipality(2). Retkipaikka published Luontopolkumies Mika Markkanen’s on-the-ground account of the orange tree markings, the duckboard start, the rocky climb, and the summit fire ring—useful for pacing and footwear choices(3). The trail is about 1.8 km on our map. The climb concentrates into a few hundred metres of ascent: sources often quote on the order of 750 m of walking to gain roughly 120 m, with rocky steps and short duckboards through wet ground near the start(3). The layout works as a small circuit: you can choose different legs up and down so ascent and descent do not need to repeat the same line(3). Expect mixed forest floor, roots, and stone; sturdy footwear helps. At the summit, the view opens over Miekojärvi on the Arctic Circle; Travel Pello and regional write-ups compare the panorama to well-known Finnish ridge views(1)(3). Pello sits in the western part of Lapland. For the latest on local services and maps, start from Travel Pello’s trail page(1) and Pello municipality’s outdoor route hub(2).

Paljon korkeuseroja. Radasta on myös 9-väyläinen versio.

160 askelmaa, pituus 80 m.

Omistaja Pellon rhy.