For rules, closures, and the authoritative trail description for this Metsähallitus-managed circuit in Salla, start with the Kaunisharjun kierros page on Luontoon.fi. The roadside Kaunisharju nature observation shelter beside highway 950 is promoted by Visit Salla as a northern-lights and night-sky viewpoint with a...
Luontoon.fi – Kaunisharjun kierros (Salla)+
Description
For rules, closures, and the authoritative trail description for this Metsähallitus-managed circuit in Salla, start with the Kaunisharjun kierros page on Luontoon.fi. The roadside Kaunisharju nature observation shelter beside highway 950 is promoted by Visit Salla as a northern-lights and night-sky viewpoint with a weather shelter—dress warmly, pack out litter, and note there is no fireplace there.
The mountain biking route is about 10.2 km as one continuous line around the Kaunisharju ridge area beside Sallatunturi. Official pages and trip write-ups often round the day circuit to about 11 km; some sources describe a counter-clockwise circuit as the easiest reading of the markings. The trail tours Ice Age–shaped ridges formed from two parallel eskers, Kauniinhaudanharju and Hanhiharju, through spruce and pine forest, mires, and small lakes mostly inside Salla National Park, with only the western fringe near Sukkajänkä falling outside the park boundary per In the Woods, Dear.
From the Sallatunturi resort side you quickly pass the frisbee course, sports centre, and Holiday Club Salla, then Karhulammen grillikatos and Sallan hiihtokeskus as you climb toward the fell. Near the nature centre, TUPIEN JÄNKÄ observation spot and Tupien laavu sit in old-growth forest. Around the Kolmiloukkonen lakes, Kolmiloukkonen laavut, dry toilets, Kaunisharju laavu, and the KAUNISHARJU observation point cluster with boardwalk approaches; this is the band where the Kaunisharju roadside viewpoint stairs drop to the trail. Further along, Upinlammen grillikatos, Tammakkolammen laavu, and Kontiolammen laavu give sheltered breaks before you swing back toward Tunturilampi laavut and the lit winter trail corridor near the resort.
Independent travellers writing in Retkipaikka and In the Woods, Dear note a wide, mostly easy tread with plenty of duckboards over wet ground, occasional steep pitches near the start, red UKK trail paint on shared sections, and sometimes busy weekends—worth budgeting half a day if you picnic at both laavut. Retkipaikka timed their hike at roughly three to four hours for the full circuit. Mountain bikers share the path with walkers and trail runners; in winter the same landscape is heavily used as a lit ski track (see Kaunisharjun latu) while fat bikes remain popular on the summer line.
The route meets longer hiking networks: Aihkipetsi–Ikihonkien wilderness trail touches the same laavut near Tupien jäänkä, and the UKK long-distance trail crosses this ridge system toward Hautajärvi and Nuortti. Pahakurun kierros and other Salla National Park day loops branch from the same trailhead family described on regional outdoor pages.
Lapland is thinly settled boreal forest and fell country; Salla is the municipality around Sallatunturi and the national park gateway.
Length & route
The mountain biking route is about 10.2 km as one continuous circuit around Kaunisharju. Official descriptions and trip reports often quote roughly 11 km or 11.5 km for the same day loop; use our figure as the mapped length. The line is mostly a wide forest track and former winter trail base with duckboard crossings over wet mires; a few steeper climbs appear near the Sallatunturi resort end.
Getting there
Practical access is from the Sallatunturi resort and nature centre area on Revontulentie: Retkipaikka lists the fell centre as the driving destination for the Kaunisharju circuit, with the Salla–Kuusamo bus stopping at Sallatunturi for public transport users. You can also step onto the trail from the Kaunisharju roadside observation area on Hautajärventie (highway 950) via stairs down to the line, as described in In the Woods, Dear. For the latest Metsähallitus guidance on the Kaunisharjun kierros trail, confirm details on Luontoon.fi before you travel.
Good to know
Dogs: follow national park and Salla rules for leashed pets on shared multi-use trails. Campfires only at designated spots. The Kaunisharju roadside observation shelter has no fireplace; carry headlamps if you plan to stay after dark. Markings can feel busy where UKK paint, bike signs, and walking arrows overlap—carry a map or offline track if you are unsure at unmarked junctions.
Where to rent bikes
Summer and autumn mountain bikes and fatbikes are available from Sallatunturin Tuvat, including mountain bike day hire from €30 and fatbike day hire from €50 with helmet and lock included in the listed packages. Salla Ski Resort rents fatbikes and e-fatbikes with helmets—example listed rates include 1–3 hours from €30 for a standard fatbike and 1 day from €50 for a fatbike, with e-fatbike options at higher rates; book via the resort rental desk.
Several sources recommend counter-clockwise travel as the easiest way to follow the markings; the route is used in both directions.
Route direction
National Park
Area
Recreation Area
Recreation Area
Lake
Lake
Red UKK paint on shared sections, additional coloured markers and arrow posts for bikes and walkers; some junctions are busy with multiple sign systems.
About 3–4 hours on foot for the full circuit per Retkipaikka’s timing; mountain bikers typically need roughly 1.5–3 hours depending on pace and photo stops.
Est. Time
Wide forest path and gravel, extensive duckboards over mires, short wooden bridges and occasional rocky or rooty sections; shares a groomed winter base with the ski trail in places.
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Answers to your questions
Our data was researched from Salla, 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.
For rules, closures, and the authoritative trail description for this Metsähallitus-managed circuit in Salla, start with the Kaunisharjun kierros page on Luontoon.fi. The roadside Kaunisharju nature observation shelter beside highway 950 is promoted by Visit Salla as a northern-lights and night-sky viewpoint with a...
Luontoon.fi – Kaunisharjun kierros (Salla)+
Description
For rules, closures, and the authoritative trail description for this Metsähallitus-managed circuit in Salla, start with the Kaunisharjun kierros page on Luontoon.fi. The roadside Kaunisharju nature observation shelter beside highway 950 is promoted by Visit Salla as a northern-lights and night-sky viewpoint with a weather shelter—dress warmly, pack out litter, and note there is no fireplace there.
The mountain biking route is about 10.2 km as one continuous line around the Kaunisharju ridge area beside Sallatunturi. Official pages and trip write-ups often round the day circuit to about 11 km; some sources describe a counter-clockwise circuit as the easiest reading of the markings. The trail tours Ice Age–shaped ridges formed from two parallel eskers, Kauniinhaudanharju and Hanhiharju, through spruce and pine forest, mires, and small lakes mostly inside Salla National Park, with only the western fringe near Sukkajänkä falling outside the park boundary per In the Woods, Dear.
From the Sallatunturi resort side you quickly pass the frisbee course, sports centre, and Holiday Club Salla, then Karhulammen grillikatos and Sallan hiihtokeskus as you climb toward the fell. Near the nature centre, TUPIEN JÄNKÄ observation spot and Tupien laavu sit in old-growth forest. Around the Kolmiloukkonen lakes, Kolmiloukkonen laavut, dry toilets, Kaunisharju laavu, and the KAUNISHARJU observation point cluster with boardwalk approaches; this is the band where the Kaunisharju roadside viewpoint stairs drop to the trail. Further along, Upinlammen grillikatos, Tammakkolammen laavu, and Kontiolammen laavu give sheltered breaks before you swing back toward Tunturilampi laavut and the lit winter trail corridor near the resort.
Independent travellers writing in Retkipaikka and In the Woods, Dear note a wide, mostly easy tread with plenty of duckboards over wet ground, occasional steep pitches near the start, red UKK trail paint on shared sections, and sometimes busy weekends—worth budgeting half a day if you picnic at both laavut. Retkipaikka timed their hike at roughly three to four hours for the full circuit. Mountain bikers share the path with walkers and trail runners; in winter the same landscape is heavily used as a lit ski track (see Kaunisharjun latu) while fat bikes remain popular on the summer line.
The route meets longer hiking networks: Aihkipetsi–Ikihonkien wilderness trail touches the same laavut near Tupien jäänkä, and the UKK long-distance trail crosses this ridge system toward Hautajärvi and Nuortti. Pahakurun kierros and other Salla National Park day loops branch from the same trailhead family described on regional outdoor pages.
Lapland is thinly settled boreal forest and fell country; Salla is the municipality around Sallatunturi and the national park gateway.
Length & route
The mountain biking route is about 10.2 km as one continuous circuit around Kaunisharju. Official descriptions and trip reports often quote roughly 11 km or 11.5 km for the same day loop; use our figure as the mapped length. The line is mostly a wide forest track and former winter trail base with duckboard crossings over wet mires; a few steeper climbs appear near the Sallatunturi resort end.
Getting there
Practical access is from the Sallatunturi resort and nature centre area on Revontulentie: Retkipaikka lists the fell centre as the driving destination for the Kaunisharju circuit, with the Salla–Kuusamo bus stopping at Sallatunturi for public transport users. You can also step onto the trail from the Kaunisharju roadside observation area on Hautajärventie (highway 950) via stairs down to the line, as described in In the Woods, Dear. For the latest Metsähallitus guidance on the Kaunisharjun kierros trail, confirm details on Luontoon.fi before you travel.
Good to know
Dogs: follow national park and Salla rules for leashed pets on shared multi-use trails. Campfires only at designated spots. The Kaunisharju roadside observation shelter has no fireplace; carry headlamps if you plan to stay after dark. Markings can feel busy where UKK paint, bike signs, and walking arrows overlap—carry a map or offline track if you are unsure at unmarked junctions.
Where to rent bikes
Summer and autumn mountain bikes and fatbikes are available from Sallatunturin Tuvat, including mountain bike day hire from €30 and fatbike day hire from €50 with helmet and lock included in the listed packages. Salla Ski Resort rents fatbikes and e-fatbikes with helmets—example listed rates include 1–3 hours from €30 for a standard fatbike and 1 day from €50 for a fatbike, with e-fatbike options at higher rates; book via the resort rental desk.
Several sources recommend counter-clockwise travel as the easiest way to follow the markings; the route is used in both directions.
Route direction
National Park
Area
Recreation Area
Recreation Area
Lake
Lake
Red UKK paint on shared sections, additional coloured markers and arrow posts for bikes and walkers; some junctions are busy with multiple sign systems.
About 3–4 hours on foot for the full circuit per Retkipaikka’s timing; mountain bikers typically need roughly 1.5–3 hours depending on pace and photo stops.
Est. Time
Wide forest path and gravel, extensive duckboards over mires, short wooden bridges and occasional rocky or rooty sections; shares a groomed winter base with the ski trail in places.
Be the first to write a review for "Kaunisharju Circuit"
Share a photo from a recent trip
Answers to your questions
Our data was researched from Salla, 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.