The Aihkipetsi circle trail is about 26.1 km in Salla, Lapland. It climbs Pirttivaara and Ruuhitunturi, crosses wetland and pine forest around Aihkipetsi, and returns toward the Sallatunturi recreation area with several lean-tos and a wilderness hut along the way. Metsähallitus publishes route information on Luontoon.f...
Luontoon.fi – Aikkipetsin kierros, Salla+
Description
The Aihkipetsi circle trail is about 26.1 km in Salla, Lapland. It climbs Pirttivaara and Ruuhitunturi, crosses wetland and pine forest around Aihkipetsi, and returns toward the Sallatunturi recreation area with several lean-tos and a wilderness hut along the way. Metsähallitus publishes route information on Luontoon.fi under the trail name Aikkipetsin kierros. Retkipaikka’s Salla report describes a demanding but rewarding ring: steep work up Pirttivaara and Ruuhitunturi, wide views toward Russia from Ruuhitunturi, and a social overnight scene at Aihkipetsi with space to pitch a tent as well as use the hut. Tunturiunelmia’s older journal notes berry picking in season, uneven rocky stretches after Aihkipetsi, and mosquitoes on warm nights—worth packing a head net.
The walk starts from the Kolmiloukkonen trailhead pocket near Kolmiloukkonen 1 laavu. Within two kilometres, Upinlammen grillikatos and Tammakkolammen laavu make an early break pair beside small waters.
The Ruuhitunturi block around 7 km is the trip’s mountain segment. Ruuhitunturin kahvila and Ruuhitunturin päivätupa sit below the top; the café is known locally for winter opening while hikers use the day hut in summer. Lehtoaapa kota and Lehtoaapa käymälä lie slightly aside in the aapa mire fringe, and Ruuhitunturi luontotorni crowns the open crest for the long sightlines that trip reports celebrate.
About 14 km in you reach Aihkipetsi shore scenery: Aikkipetsin autiotupa with Aihkipetsi laituri, Aihkipetsi tulipaikka, and Aihkipetsi liiteri-käymälä grouped beside the water. Retkipaikka highlights gas cooking gear in the hut for lighter packs. After that, Paltsarikummun laavu and Palsarikumpu liiteri-käymälä form a simple lean-to stop where bloggers note basic wind shelter and a campfire ring. Hevosoja laavu and Hanhilampi laavu break up the long forest section before you climb back toward Kaunisharju: Kolmiloukkonen laavu 2, Kolmiloukkonen käymälä 2, Kaunisharju laavu, and KAUNISHARJU, Luonnonilmiöiden havaintopaikka sit almost 300 m above sea level beside the road; Visit Salla promotes the shelter as an aurora and midnight-sun viewpoint with no fireplace on site—dress for wind and carry out all litter.
The same trailhead area ties into Kaunisharjun latu in winter, shares segments with the Aihkipetsi–Ikihonkien wilderness trail corridor, and lies on the UKK-reitti Hautajärvi - Nuortti corridor that long-distance hikers use toward Sallatunturi. Read more on our pages for individual shelters and for those linked routes if you are stitching a longer tour.
Length & route
The trail is about 26.1 km as one continuous summer hiking line between the Kolmiloukkonen cluster and Kaunisharju, returning along forest and mire to the starting arc. Independent blogs often quote roughly 24–25 km depending on measurement style; treat small differences as rounding. The shape suits an overnight or relaxed two-day schedule with the hut and laavu spacing above.
Getting there
Most recent trip reports leave a car at the Salla reindeer park (poropuisto) parking near the Sallatunturi visitor area and walk in to Kolmiloukkonen. Exact national-grid coordinates for the reindeer-park trailhead idea appear in Retkipaikka’s article for drivers who prefer to preload a map marker. Kaunisharju observation sits about 4 km from Sallatunturi toward Kuusamo on Kuusamontie for anyone combining a short road visit with the final ridge section. Check Metsähallitus service notices on Luontoon.fi before travelling.
Good to know
Reindeer may stand on the trail during the rut; give them space. Duckboards between Aihkipetsi and Paltsarikumpu were sinking into bog in dry-season reporting; expect wet footwear and slow travel after rain. There is no fireplace at KAUNISHARJU, Luonnonilmiöiden havaintopaikka—plan clothing accordingly.
Itinerary
Day 1 (≈14 km): Kolmiloukkonen 1 laavu to Tammakkolammen laavu, then Ruuhitunturin kahvila, Ruuhitunturin päivätupa, Ruuhitunturi luontotorni, and overnight at Aikkipetsin autiotupa or a tent pitch beside Aihkipetsi tulipaikka. Day 2 (≈12 km): Paltsarikummun laavu, Hevosoja laavu, Hanhilampi laavu, Kaunisharju laavu, and finish at Kolmiloukkonen laavu 2 near the trailhead. Fast groups sometimes compress to one long summer day; snow-free season only unless you have full winter equipment.
Several parties hike counter-clockwise to tackle Pirttivaara and Ruuhitunturi climbs while legs are fresh. Either direction works if you prefer to save the ascent for later.
Route direction
Fell / Mountain
Area
Marked Route
Route Signs
Dogs (On Leash)
Dogs
Retkipaikka – Aihkipetsi ring trail, Salla
Activities allowed
Hike / Walk
Activity
Terrain & conditions
26.1 km
Distance
1–2 summer hiking days for most groups, or one demanding day for fit lightweight hikers.
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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.
The Aihkipetsi circle trail is about 26.1 km in Salla, Lapland. It climbs Pirttivaara and Ruuhitunturi, crosses wetland and pine forest around Aihkipetsi, and returns toward the Sallatunturi recreation area with several lean-tos and a wilderness hut along the way. Metsähallitus publishes route information on Luontoon.f...
Luontoon.fi – Aikkipetsin kierros, Salla+
Description
The Aihkipetsi circle trail is about 26.1 km in Salla, Lapland. It climbs Pirttivaara and Ruuhitunturi, crosses wetland and pine forest around Aihkipetsi, and returns toward the Sallatunturi recreation area with several lean-tos and a wilderness hut along the way. Metsähallitus publishes route information on Luontoon.fi under the trail name Aikkipetsin kierros. Retkipaikka’s Salla report describes a demanding but rewarding ring: steep work up Pirttivaara and Ruuhitunturi, wide views toward Russia from Ruuhitunturi, and a social overnight scene at Aihkipetsi with space to pitch a tent as well as use the hut. Tunturiunelmia’s older journal notes berry picking in season, uneven rocky stretches after Aihkipetsi, and mosquitoes on warm nights—worth packing a head net.
The walk starts from the Kolmiloukkonen trailhead pocket near Kolmiloukkonen 1 laavu. Within two kilometres, Upinlammen grillikatos and Tammakkolammen laavu make an early break pair beside small waters.
The Ruuhitunturi block around 7 km is the trip’s mountain segment. Ruuhitunturin kahvila and Ruuhitunturin päivätupa sit below the top; the café is known locally for winter opening while hikers use the day hut in summer. Lehtoaapa kota and Lehtoaapa käymälä lie slightly aside in the aapa mire fringe, and Ruuhitunturi luontotorni crowns the open crest for the long sightlines that trip reports celebrate.
About 14 km in you reach Aihkipetsi shore scenery: Aikkipetsin autiotupa with Aihkipetsi laituri, Aihkipetsi tulipaikka, and Aihkipetsi liiteri-käymälä grouped beside the water. Retkipaikka highlights gas cooking gear in the hut for lighter packs. After that, Paltsarikummun laavu and Palsarikumpu liiteri-käymälä form a simple lean-to stop where bloggers note basic wind shelter and a campfire ring. Hevosoja laavu and Hanhilampi laavu break up the long forest section before you climb back toward Kaunisharju: Kolmiloukkonen laavu 2, Kolmiloukkonen käymälä 2, Kaunisharju laavu, and KAUNISHARJU, Luonnonilmiöiden havaintopaikka sit almost 300 m above sea level beside the road; Visit Salla promotes the shelter as an aurora and midnight-sun viewpoint with no fireplace on site—dress for wind and carry out all litter.
The same trailhead area ties into Kaunisharjun latu in winter, shares segments with the Aihkipetsi–Ikihonkien wilderness trail corridor, and lies on the UKK-reitti Hautajärvi - Nuortti corridor that long-distance hikers use toward Sallatunturi. Read more on our pages for individual shelters and for those linked routes if you are stitching a longer tour.
Length & route
The trail is about 26.1 km as one continuous summer hiking line between the Kolmiloukkonen cluster and Kaunisharju, returning along forest and mire to the starting arc. Independent blogs often quote roughly 24–25 km depending on measurement style; treat small differences as rounding. The shape suits an overnight or relaxed two-day schedule with the hut and laavu spacing above.
Getting there
Most recent trip reports leave a car at the Salla reindeer park (poropuisto) parking near the Sallatunturi visitor area and walk in to Kolmiloukkonen. Exact national-grid coordinates for the reindeer-park trailhead idea appear in Retkipaikka’s article for drivers who prefer to preload a map marker. Kaunisharju observation sits about 4 km from Sallatunturi toward Kuusamo on Kuusamontie for anyone combining a short road visit with the final ridge section. Check Metsähallitus service notices on Luontoon.fi before travelling.
Good to know
Reindeer may stand on the trail during the rut; give them space. Duckboards between Aihkipetsi and Paltsarikumpu were sinking into bog in dry-season reporting; expect wet footwear and slow travel after rain. There is no fireplace at KAUNISHARJU, Luonnonilmiöiden havaintopaikka—plan clothing accordingly.
Itinerary
Day 1 (≈14 km): Kolmiloukkonen 1 laavu to Tammakkolammen laavu, then Ruuhitunturin kahvila, Ruuhitunturin päivätupa, Ruuhitunturi luontotorni, and overnight at Aikkipetsin autiotupa or a tent pitch beside Aihkipetsi tulipaikka. Day 2 (≈12 km): Paltsarikummun laavu, Hevosoja laavu, Hanhilampi laavu, Kaunisharju laavu, and finish at Kolmiloukkonen laavu 2 near the trailhead. Fast groups sometimes compress to one long summer day; snow-free season only unless you have full winter equipment.
Several parties hike counter-clockwise to tackle Pirttivaara and Ruuhitunturi climbs while legs are fresh. Either direction works if you prefer to save the ascent for later.
Be the first to write a review for "Aihkipetsi circle 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.