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Hermit's Trail (Erakon polku)

—•Hiking Trails

10.2 km

Route

Description

Luontoon.fi – Salla National Park+

Description

For national park rules, services, and the protected landscapes you enter around Kaunisharju and Kolmiloukkonen, start with the Salla National Park materials on Luontoon.fi. The trail is about 10.2 km as a point-to-point day hike between the Sallatunturi resort fringe and the Tunturilampi–Kolmiloukkonen–Kaunisharju band in Salla, Lapland. Salla Ski Resort lists the wider Salla walking network, official trail difficulty classes, and contact details for the fell area. From the Holiday Club Salla and Sallan hiihtokeskus corner you soon pass Karhulammen grillikatos—an early spot for a fire if you are walking this direction. The middle kilometres run through the Kaunisharju–Kolmiloukkonen area: Kaunisharju laavu, Kolmiloukkonen laavu 2, Kolmiloukkonen 1 laavu, the KAUNISHARJU Luonnonilmiöiden havaintopaikka viewpoint, and TUPIEN JÄNKÄ and Tupien laavu cluster nearby on shared ground with the UKK long-distance trail and the shorter Kolmiloukkonen circuit. Hetkiä metsästä describes Kaunisharju as twin esker ridges in old-growth pine forest and notes that in winter a lit ski track runs in the same landscape. Outdoor Active’s Kolmiloukkonen loop description covers the pond’s lean-tos, steep rocky stretches, partly gravelled paths, and how the UKK line passes the water—useful terrain context where Erakon polku crosses the same ridge–pond scenery. Further along you reach Upinlammen grillikatos, Tammakkolammen laavu, and Kontiolammen laavu—natural breaks before the last climb toward Tunturilampi laavu 1 and Tunturilampi laavu 2 beside the water, with dry toilets at Tunturilampi käymälä. The route connects in the terrain to Kaunisharjun latu in winter, to Aihkipetsi-Ikihonkien erämaa for longer wilderness days, and to UKK-reitti Hautajärvi - Nuortti where those lines meet. Ei palijon missähän collects local memory of a solitary figure linked to Kaunisharju and the name “Erakko”; that oral-history tone belongs in the history section rather than here.

Length & route

The trail is about 10.2 km end to end as one hiking line between the resort-side start coordinates and the Kolmiloukkonen–Kaunisharju–Tunturilampi band. It is point-to-point, not a loop. Tourism copy sometimes rounds to about 10.6 km for the same Kaunisharju–linked walk; the geometry here follows the Lipas-based line in our database.

Getting there

Salla is the road hub for approaches to Sallatunturi and Sallan kansallispuisto; check Luontoon.fi for the latest parking, public transport, and seasonal access notes for the national park. Salla Ski Resort recommends downloading Visit Salla hiking maps, picking up paper maps from tourist information or accommodation receptions, and planning for weak mobile coverage in the backcountry. Walkers often stage day hikes from the Sallatunturi resort and sports-centre area near Revontulentie; Kolmiloukkonen and Kaunisharju are also described with parking options opposite the pond for shorter approaches.

Good to know

Follow Metsähallitus national park rules: stay on marked routes where required, use designated fire and toilet facilities at laavut and grillikatokset, and treat water from natural sources unless signs state otherwise—Outdoor Active notes untreated pond water must be boiled. Kolmiloukkonen’s eastern and northern shore sections are described as steep, rocky, and partly unmarked on the short loop; Erakon polku shares lean-tos and views in the same terrain, so footwear and map skills should match rough esker ground.

History

Ei palijon missähän recounts local stories about a solitary man who reportedly built a rough shelter on Kaunisharju and was remembered by Salla residents; the blog also points to Lasse Marjokorpi and Pekka Luusua as writers who touched the hermit theme in local literature. The trail name Erakon polku reflects that Kaunisharju hermit tradition rather than a single documented biography.

Managed by

Salla

Official Maintenance

Trail info

Walk in the direction that fits your transport and connections to Kaunisharjun latu, UKK sections, or resort return; the line is point-to-point.

Route direction

National Park

Area

Recreation Area

Lake

Where the trail overlaps UKK and national park routes it follows those markings; the Kolmiloukkonen landscape includes partly red square markings and partly unmarked stretches on the short loop around the pond.

Route Signs

Open / Good Condition

Outdoor Active – Kolmiloukkonen loop, Salla

Activities allowed

Hike / Walk

Activity

Terrain & conditions

10.2 km

Distance

About 3–5 hours for 10.2 km in forest and esker terrain, depending on pace, weather, and stops at Kaunisharju–Kolmiloukkonen and Tunturilampi.

Est. Time

Duckboards / Dirt / Gravel

Surface

Point-to-Point, Single Track

Route Type

Light Traffic

Traffic

Partial Shade

Shade

Location

66.75928°N, 28.76993°E

Approximate location

FinlandCountry

LaplandRegion

SallaCity

Hiking TrailsCategory

Explore nearby

Holiday Club Salla

151 m

Sallan liikuntakeskuksen kuntosali

344 m

Sallan liikuntakeskus

355 m

Sallan hiihtokeskus

194 m

Grandma's Trail

389 m

Free

Ruuhitunturi Trail

254 m

Free

Ruuhitunturin kierros

252 m

Free

Aihkipetsi circle trail

218 m

Free

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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.

Finland Lapland Salla Hiking TrailsHermit's Trail (Erakon polku)