Aihkipetsi–Ikihonkien wilderness trail, Salla

Aihkipetsi–Ikihonkien wilderness trail

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Aihkipetsi–Ikihonkien wilderness trail

—•Hiking Trails

26.8 km

Route

Hangasjärven laavu Salla

Wilderness Huts

Ämminpolun laavu

Wilderness Huts

Tupien laavu

Wilderness Huts

TUPIEN JÄNKÄ, Luonnonilmiöiden havaintopaikka

Wilderness HutsForbidden fire

Karhulammen grillikatos

Aikkipetsin autiotupa

Wilderness Huts

Description

For planning and rules on this Metsähallitus-managed hiking line in southern Lapland, start with the Aikkipetsin kierros trail page on Luontoon.fi. Salla Wilderness Park (the former reindeer park) beside Hangasjärvi is the usual place to leave a car when sampling the same trail family; Visit Salla describes the park...

Luontoon.fi – Aikkipetsin kierros (Salla)+

Description

For planning and rules on this Metsähallitus-managed hiking line in southern Lapland, start with the Aikkipetsin kierros trail page on Luontoon.fi. Salla Wilderness Park (the former reindeer park) beside Hangasjärvi is the usual place to leave a car when sampling the same trail family; Visit Salla describes the park’s services and self-guided walking on the fenced reindeer area. The trail is about 26.8 km through forest, mires, and fell shoulders between the Aihkipetsi lake area and the Ikihonkien wilderness landscape. It shares junctions with the UKK long-distance network and with shorter local loops such as Ruuhitunturin reitti, Ruuhitunturin kierros, Jotospolku, Hangasselän lenkki, and Sallan pyöräilyreitti near Hangasjärvi and Ruuhitunturi—handy if you want to shorten a day or add a summit detour. From the Hangasjärvi end you soon pass Ämminpolun laavu, Tupien laavu, and the TUPIEN JÄNKÄ nature observation point, with Karhulammen grillikatos and Sallatunturi frisbeegolf higher on the slope. The Aikkipetsin autiotupa sits at Aihkipetsi with Aihkipetsi liiteri-käymälä, Aihkipetsi laituri, and Aihkipetsi tulipaikka grouped at the shore—wilderness hut, dry toilet, jetty, and campfire in one cluster. About 7.5 km along, Siskelilampi kota and Siskelilammen käymälä offer a Lappish kota and toilet by the pond for a natural halfway-style camp. Past Paltsarikummun laavu and Hevosoja laavu, Hanhilampi laavu sits in rockier ground at the mire edge. The Kolmiloukkonen and Kaunisharju stretch adds Kolmiloukkonen laavut and käymälät plus Kaunisharju laavu and the KAUNISHARJU observation point before you return toward Kontiolammen laavu, Tammakkolammen laavu, and Upinlammen grillikatos by small lakes. Holiday Club Salla appears as a resort landmark near the Sallatunturi side of the line. Independent hikers writing in Retkipaikka and Tunturiunelmia describe a classic two-day circuit: stiff climbs toward Pirttivaara and Ruuhitunturi early on, wide views from Ruuhitunturi’s tower toward the east, reindeer on the path during the rut, and very wet mire crossings with ageing duckboards between Aihkipetsi and Paltsarikumpu—worth packing spare footwear and patience. Matkasuomi, drawing on the municipality, notes that UKK-related stages in Salla are generally well marked and that EU-funded wilderness-route work has renewed some boardwalks where older timber had rotted into the bog—check recent trip notes if you rely on dry crossings.

Length & route

The trail is about 26.8 km as one continuous hiking route through the Aihkipetsi and Ikihonkien wilderness area near Salla. Older trip write-ups often round the circuit to about 24 km; use our figure as the mapped length. The line connects UKK spine segments and local junction trails rather than repeating the same 11 km UKK-only slice.

Getting there

Drive to Salla in Lapland, then aim for the Salla Wilderness Park (Poropuisto) car park beside Hangasjärvi when following the same access pattern described in Retkipaikka and Tunturiunelmia for the Aihkipetsin kierros. Visit Salla lists the park address at Poropuistontie and current opening hours for the main building. For closures, approach roads, and the latest Metsähallitus guidance on the Aikkipetsin kierros line, confirm on Luontoon.fi before you travel.

Good to know

Give reindeer a wide berth, especially during the rut, when animals may stand on the path. Firewood at lean-tos is for shared use—burn modestly and follow Metsähallitus hut and fire rules on Luontoon.fi. Matkasuomi reports ongoing boardwalk renewal on UKK-related wilderness routes in the municipality’s project area; conditions can change seasonally.

History

The nationwide UKK trail was created for President Urho Kekkonen’s eightieth birthday, with the first organised hiking event on 3 September 1980 from Vuokatti toward Koli. In Salla the route crosses southern Lapland for roughly two hundred kilometres, and local stages such as Hautajärvi–Sallatunturi have been given names like Topsakantaival in community competitions. Matkasuomi notes EU-funded Erämaan elämysreitit work renewing boardwalks on UKK stages where older structures had decayed.

Itinerary

Day 1 (about 13–14 km): From Hangasjärvi via Ämminpolun and Tupien laavut toward Ruuhitunturi side climbs, break at Siskelilampi kota. Day 2: Continue through Paltsarikumpu and Hevosoja toward Hanhilampi and Kolmiloukkonen–Kaunisharju, finishing via Kontiolampi and Upinlampi toward the resort fringe. Adjust to your pace; summer daylight is long but mosquitoes can be intense on ponds.

Managed by

Salla

Salla

Official Maintenance

Trail info

Walkers often circle counter-clockwise to tackle Pirttivaara and Ruuhitunturi climbs first, but either direction is used; follow the main markings and carry a printed Salla hiking map.

Route direction

Recreation Area

Recreation Area

Lake

Lake

Wilderness Area

Wilderness Area

Hikers describe clear tree markings on the UKK-related line through this area; paint and wooden posts continue across mires where the footpath is faint.

Route Signs

Open / Good Condition

Open / Good Condition

Retkipaikka – Aihkipetsi rengasreitti Sallassa+

Activities allowed

Hike / Walk

Activity

Terrain & conditions

26.8 km

Distance

Typically an overnight hike for most people (two days on the trail) or a very long summer day for fit, lightweight parties; allow roughly 8–14 hours of walking depending on mud, photography, and breaks.

Est. Time

Narrow forest path, duckboards over mires, rocky climbs toward Pirttivaara and Ruuhitunturi, and stretches where boardwalks are partly sunk into bog—trip reports stress wet feet between Aihkipetsi and Paltsarikumpu.

Surface

Single Track

Route Type

Partial Shade

Shade

Light Traffic

Traffic

Retkipaikka – Aihkipetsi rengasreitti Sallassa+

Location

66.74553°N, 28.77499°E

Approximate location

Hiking TrailsCategory

Explore nearby

Sallatunturi frisbeegolf

Holiday Club Salla

Salla–Pyhätunturi summer trails

Pahanojankuru loop (Hetehaltija's Enchantment)

Sallatunturi scenic bike route

From fell to church and back trail

Salla to Sallatunturi mountain bike route

Kuntolatu Salla

Rate & Review

Be the first to write a review for "Aihkipetsi–Ikihonkien wilderness trail"

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.

Finland Lapland Salla Hiking TrailsAihkipetsi–Ikihonkien wilderness trail

Aihkipetsi–Ikihonkien wilderness trail26.8 km

Route

Hangasjärven laavu Salla

Wilderness Huts

Ämminpolun laavu

Wilderness Huts

Tupien laavu

Wilderness Huts

TUPIEN JÄNKÄ, Luonnonilmiöiden havaintopaikka

Wilderness HutsForbidden fire

Karhulammen grillikatos

Aikkipetsin autiotupa

Wilderness Huts

Description

For planning and rules on this Metsähallitus-managed hiking line in southern Lapland, start with the Aikkipetsin kierros trail page on Luontoon.fi. Salla Wilderness Park (the former reindeer park) beside Hangasjärvi is the usual place to leave a car when sampling the same trail family; Visit Salla describes the park...

Luontoon.fi – Aikkipetsin kierros (Salla)+

Description

For planning and rules on this Metsähallitus-managed hiking line in southern Lapland, start with the Aikkipetsin kierros trail page on Luontoon.fi. Salla Wilderness Park (the former reindeer park) beside Hangasjärvi is the usual place to leave a car when sampling the same trail family; Visit Salla describes the park’s services and self-guided walking on the fenced reindeer area. The trail is about 26.8 km through forest, mires, and fell shoulders between the Aihkipetsi lake area and the Ikihonkien wilderness landscape. It shares junctions with the UKK long-distance network and with shorter local loops such as Ruuhitunturin reitti, Ruuhitunturin kierros, Jotospolku, Hangasselän lenkki, and Sallan pyöräilyreitti near Hangasjärvi and Ruuhitunturi—handy if you want to shorten a day or add a summit detour. From the Hangasjärvi end you soon pass Ämminpolun laavu, Tupien laavu, and the TUPIEN JÄNKÄ nature observation point, with Karhulammen grillikatos and Sallatunturi frisbeegolf higher on the slope. The Aikkipetsin autiotupa sits at Aihkipetsi with Aihkipetsi liiteri-käymälä, Aihkipetsi laituri, and Aihkipetsi tulipaikka grouped at the shore—wilderness hut, dry toilet, jetty, and campfire in one cluster. About 7.5 km along, Siskelilampi kota and Siskelilammen käymälä offer a Lappish kota and toilet by the pond for a natural halfway-style camp. Past Paltsarikummun laavu and Hevosoja laavu, Hanhilampi laavu sits in rockier ground at the mire edge. The Kolmiloukkonen and Kaunisharju stretch adds Kolmiloukkonen laavut and käymälät plus Kaunisharju laavu and the KAUNISHARJU observation point before you return toward Kontiolammen laavu, Tammakkolammen laavu, and Upinlammen grillikatos by small lakes. Holiday Club Salla appears as a resort landmark near the Sallatunturi side of the line. Independent hikers writing in Retkipaikka and Tunturiunelmia describe a classic two-day circuit: stiff climbs toward Pirttivaara and Ruuhitunturi early on, wide views from Ruuhitunturi’s tower toward the east, reindeer on the path during the rut, and very wet mire crossings with ageing duckboards between Aihkipetsi and Paltsarikumpu—worth packing spare footwear and patience. Matkasuomi, drawing on the municipality, notes that UKK-related stages in Salla are generally well marked and that EU-funded wilderness-route work has renewed some boardwalks where older timber had rotted into the bog—check recent trip notes if you rely on dry crossings.

Length & route

The trail is about 26.8 km as one continuous hiking route through the Aihkipetsi and Ikihonkien wilderness area near Salla. Older trip write-ups often round the circuit to about 24 km; use our figure as the mapped length. The line connects UKK spine segments and local junction trails rather than repeating the same 11 km UKK-only slice.

Getting there

Drive to Salla in Lapland, then aim for the Salla Wilderness Park (Poropuisto) car park beside Hangasjärvi when following the same access pattern described in Retkipaikka and Tunturiunelmia for the Aihkipetsin kierros. Visit Salla lists the park address at Poropuistontie and current opening hours for the main building. For closures, approach roads, and the latest Metsähallitus guidance on the Aikkipetsin kierros line, confirm on Luontoon.fi before you travel.

Good to know

Give reindeer a wide berth, especially during the rut, when animals may stand on the path. Firewood at lean-tos is for shared use—burn modestly and follow Metsähallitus hut and fire rules on Luontoon.fi. Matkasuomi reports ongoing boardwalk renewal on UKK-related wilderness routes in the municipality’s project area; conditions can change seasonally.

History

The nationwide UKK trail was created for President Urho Kekkonen’s eightieth birthday, with the first organised hiking event on 3 September 1980 from Vuokatti toward Koli. In Salla the route crosses southern Lapland for roughly two hundred kilometres, and local stages such as Hautajärvi–Sallatunturi have been given names like Topsakantaival in community competitions. Matkasuomi notes EU-funded Erämaan elämysreitit work renewing boardwalks on UKK stages where older structures had decayed.

Itinerary

Day 1 (about 13–14 km): From Hangasjärvi via Ämminpolun and Tupien laavut toward Ruuhitunturi side climbs, break at Siskelilampi kota. Day 2: Continue through Paltsarikumpu and Hevosoja toward Hanhilampi and Kolmiloukkonen–Kaunisharju, finishing via Kontiolampi and Upinlampi toward the resort fringe. Adjust to your pace; summer daylight is long but mosquitoes can be intense on ponds.

Managed by

Salla

Salla

Official Maintenance

Trail info

Location

Walkers often circle counter-clockwise to tackle Pirttivaara and Ruuhitunturi climbs first, but either direction is used; follow the main markings and carry a printed Salla hiking map.

Route direction

Recreation Area

Recreation Area

Lake

Lake

Wilderness Area

Wilderness Area

Hikers describe clear tree markings on the UKK-related line through this area; paint and wooden posts continue across mires where the footpath is faint.

Route Signs

Open / Good Condition

Open / Good Condition

Retkipaikka – Aihkipetsi rengasreitti Sallassa+

Location

66.74553°N, 28.77499°E

Approximate location

Hiking TrailsCategory

Activities allowed

Hike / Walk

Activity

Terrain & conditions

26.8 km

Distance

Typically an overnight hike for most people (two days on the trail) or a very long summer day for fit, lightweight parties; allow roughly 8–14 hours of walking depending on mud, photography, and breaks.

Est. Time

Narrow forest path, duckboards over mires, rocky climbs toward Pirttivaara and Ruuhitunturi, and stretches where boardwalks are partly sunk into bog—trip reports stress wet feet between Aihkipetsi and Paltsarikumpu.

Surface

Single Track

Route Type

Partial Shade

Shade

Light Traffic

Traffic

Retkipaikka – Aihkipetsi rengasreitti Sallassa+

Explore nearby

Sallatunturi frisbeegolf

Holiday Club Salla

Salla–Pyhätunturi summer trails

Pahanojankuru loop (Hetehaltija's Enchantment)

Sallatunturi scenic bike route

From fell to church and back trail

Salla to Sallatunturi mountain bike route

Kuntolatu Salla

Rate & Review

Be the first to write a review for "Aihkipetsi–Ikihonkien wilderness trail"

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.

Finland Lapland Salla Hiking TrailsAihkipetsi–Ikihonkien wilderness trail