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Riisin Rietas Trail

—•Hiking Trails

10.6 km

Route

P 1

Description

Luontoon.fi – Riisin rietas Trail+

Description

Riisin Rietas is about 10.6 km as a day hike through Riisitunturi National Park above Posio in Lapland, linking the Soilu picnic area with Riisitunturi’s open wilderness hut band and finishing at Riisitunturi parkkipaikka. Metsähallitus publishes route and conservation information under Riisitunturi on Luontoon.fi. Posio Lapland summarises typical duration, green paint markings, moderate difficulty, and the mix of fell, forest, streams, and slope mires that photographers and birders seek here. For colour on what the day actually feels like once you leave the busiest short-loop crowds, Johanna Suomela’s Maisemaonnellinen article traces ruska weather, Tapion pöytä spruce, Karhunkallopetäjä story board, wet pitches on Riisisuo crossings, and why an afternoon start can feel calmer than following the morning rush from the café parking. Within the first kilometre from the Soilu end you reach Soilun laavu for a sheltered break; dry toilets sit a few steps away at Soilun käymälä. About 2.3 km along, Riisitunturi autiotupa, Riisitunturi at tulentekopaikka, and the toilets at Riisitunturi at käymälä form the main fell-top service cluster—plan lunch, water refill in season, and map checks before dropping toward the mires. From there the line swings past Uudenlampi laavu near kilometre 6.8 (with Uudenlampi käymälä alongside), weaving Riisijoki crossings, hanging mire duckboards, and meadow clearings Posio Lapland describes around Uusilampi/Nuolivaara before the final climb toward Pikku Riisitunturi views and the drop to Riisitunturi parkkipaikka. The same summit zone plugs into Riisin rääpäsy, Posio’s shorter circular introduction, while the long Riisitunturin reitti continues west toward Karitunturi with lean-tos and day huts that suit multi-day planners. Expect damp tread, sometimes soft mire ladders—waterproof boots and spare socks earn their keep after rain. Carry wind shell and gloves even in summer; the open fells rewrite the forecast within minutes. Campfires belong only to signed shelters and fireplaces; respect firewood notices and quiet hours at the open wilderness hut. Posio is a practical gateway for buses, taxis, shops, and cafés before the forest road run toward Tolva. Riisitunturi pulls heavy winter photography traffic when tykky ice dresses the spruces; summer rewards quieter pacing on this longer circuit than on the 4.3 km loop. Lapland’s national-park rules on pets and litter still apply—keep dogs leashed and pack out everything you pack in.

Length & route

The trail is about 10.6 km as one continuous line on our map between the Soilu service cluster and Riisitunturi parkkipaikka. Posio Lapland quotes roughly 10.7 km, about 160 m of ascent, and 4–5 hours for families carrying camera and snack stops. Independent trip logs with similar elevation mention roughly three to four hours on the move plus generous photo breaks when showers roll across the fells. Tread alternates between crunchy mineral surfaces near the summit, duckboards across hanging mires, and soft organic soil after rain—plan pace for the mire sections rather than the kilometre count alone.

Getting there

Posio Lapland places the Riisitunturi trailheads roughly 35 km north-east of Posio town: drive 15 km toward Kuusamo on the main road, turn left onto Patoniementie for about 16 km, follow signs left toward the national park, then continue roughly 3 km to the border area with parking, information shelter, and café services. Taxi bookings and regional bus context are summarised on the same page (+358 16 3721 555 for taxis in their current copy). If you begin from the Soilun side, coordinate shuttle or a second vehicle because the mapped 10.6 km run ends at Riisitunturi parkkipaikka rather than looping to the same bay. Winter visitors should confirm road maintenance and café hours separately; Posio maintains a dedicated winter track network with its own grooming contacts.

Good to know

Riisitunturi National Park celebrated its 1982 protection milestone; Posio Lapland notes 77 km² of fell, mire, and old-growth mosaic worth gentle foot traffic. Some meadow barns and cultural storyboards along the mires explain historical haymaking—read signs in situ and leave gates as you find them. Johanna Suomela’s late-2020 article flagged upcoming crushed-stone and duckboard renewals announced for Metsähallitus works—verify current status through Luontoon.fi before committing to fast schedules. Tykky winter crowns on spruces can load branches with thousands of kilos of ice; give leaning trees a wide berth and avoid stopping directly underneath.

History

Posio Lapland relays park interpretive material tying the name “Rietas” to old trail folklore: late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century stories spoke of a restless presence that worried hikers after dark, linked in campfire lore to an unresolved death near the fells. Modern signs along the route explain haymaking, herb gathering, and forest livelihoods rather than sensationalising the tale.

Managed by

Posio

Official Maintenance

GPX data from: © Metsähallitus, 2024

Trail info

Park visitor copy often describes travelling clockwise toward Riisitunturi’s 465 m summit when walking the longer circuit; along the 10.6 km line you gain the summit services early if you start from Soilun and descend toward Riisitunturi parkkipaikka.

Route direction

National Park

Area

Lake

River

Green paint

Route Signs

Dogs (On Leash)

Dogs

Open / Good Condition

Activities allowed

Hike / Walk

Activity

Terrain & conditions

10.6 km

Distance

About 4–6 hours with normal breaks; quicker movers finish closer to 4 hours in dry weather.

Est. Time

Mixed forest path, gravelly fell tread, and long duckboard crossings through slope mires; portions stay soft after rain.

Surface

Point-to-Point, Single Track

Route Type

Moderate Traffic

Traffic

Partial Shade

Shade

Location

66.21534°N, 28.58696°E

Parking coordinates

FinlandCountry

LaplandRegion

PosioCity

TolvaVillage

Hiking TrailsCategory

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Answers to your questions

Our data was researched from Posio, 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 Posio Hiking TrailsRiisin Rietas Trail