Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park is in Finnish Lapland, on the border between Forest-Lapland and Fell-Lapland. The park lies in the municipalities of Enontekiö, Kittilä, Kolari, and Muonio. With an area of 1,020 km² the park is third in size in Finland. It has around 350 km (220 miles) of marked hiking trails and 500 km of cross-country skiing trails. It is the most visited national park in Finnish Lapland. Services, such as meals in the terrain, are available in a larger extent than in most Finnish national parks.
The fell area is above the tree line, enabling visitors to experience Fell-Lapland where Forest-Lapland still dominates, with the northern bound of spruce forest going through the park. Height differences are more than 500 m, which is unusual for Finland. The location gives an interesting mixture of fells, forests and mires, associated species and local livelihood (where farming ends and reindeer husbandry becomes important). Enontekiö, with its centre Hetta at the northern end of the park, is part of the Sami native region (where Sami have special rights, such as Sami being an official language).
Due to the nearby ski resorts (Ylläs and Levi) and the comparably southern location, connections to the park are good (especially in season), with night trains, planes and coaches (combining with regional bus or shuttle taxi transport). The park is visited by around 400,000 people per year.
The Hetta-Pallas hiking trail is the oldest in Finland. Pallas-Ounastunturi National Park, one of the oldest in the country, was founded 1938. It was merged with the Ylläs-Aakenustunturi protected area 2005, and the new Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park was formed.
The peak season is in February–April (especially the winter vacations of schools and Easter). In March–April the snow is at its thickest and the days often warm and sunny. Harsh weather is possible, though.
Earlier in the winter conditions are demanding also without any surprises. Daylight is scarce. Temperatures below -20°C (0°F) are normal and -40°C/F possible.
May to middle June is spring, with lots of water because of melting snow. Trails are very susceptible to wear.
Summer and early autumn, from mid June onwards, are also popular seasons. With the summer come the mosquitoes and their friends. Visitors should take precautions, such as having long sleeves, repellent and mosquito-proof tents.
Ruska, the time of red and yellow leaves, starts in mid-September and last for a few weeks, unless ended earlier by a storm. Snowfall is possible. Winter starts at the end of October, although before New Year there is often only little snow.
There are no entrance or hiking fees for the park. There are a few restricted areas, where access is allowed only along marked trails, otherwise you may choose your own routes, as long as you do not cause erosion or otherwise harm the environment.
Beds in the reservation huts are available for a fee paid in advance (about €10/person/night).
Fishing is possible for a fee. Permits for Lake Pallasjärvi are sold at Pallastunturi Visitor Centre, permits for Lake Kesänkijärvi at Kellokas Visitor Centre.
Equipment, such as boats, canoes, skis, mountain bikes and hiking boots, can be rented from local businesses.
Events for large groups (more than 50) require permission.
- Nature
- Exhibitions at Fell Lapland Nature Centre
- Vuovjjuš – Wanderers exhibition: about the nomadic Sámi culture and northern nature
- Travellers of the North: about researchers, tourists, and other travellers
- Nestling: children's exhibition
- Exhibitions at Pallastunturi Visitor Centre
- From Forest to Fell Tops: flora and fauna changing by elevation
- about the research of the Meteorological Institute, with a research station at Sammaltunturi
- Temporary exhibitions of art and photography
- Exhibitions at Kellokas Visitor Centre
- Meän elämää (Our Life): life in the villages of the fells and the Tornio-Muoniojoki area, the rivers and other natural features
- Gallery Kellokas: temporary exhibitions
- Our Gallery: temporary exhibitions by Metsähallitus
- The hiking exhibition
- Art yard outside the centre
- Logging Museum
Hiking, obviously. There is a lot more services in this national parks than what is usual in Finland. You should be able to find full service packages with somebody preparing your meals, heating the sauna, transporting your luggage and guiding you along the trails. There is still plenty of backcountry for those preferring more lonely paths (although you will meet day hikers closer to the resorts).
There are several villages and holiday resorts around the park. Also in the park there are a few cafés, open at least in the peak spring season. Meals can also be arranged to be served in the terrain through several businesses.
Berries and edible mushrooms may be picked, except in the restricted areas.
There are stoves in the wilderness huts. In some of the huts there is a separate gas stove for cooking, which is safe also in dry periods.
Campfires are allowed at the campfire sites and also by water in the wilderness zone. At the official campfire sites, including lap pole tents and lean-to shelters, firewood is provided (use sparingly). Twigs and dead branches on the ground can be used as firewood elsewhere.
In times of wildfire warnings open fires are prohibited. In really dry periods also using the wood heated stoves is advised against, as sparkles can be enough to light a wildfire.
Carrying a portable stove is recommended for most visitors. These can be used (with due care) also during wildfire warnings.
Water near the huts may be unhealthy (not everybody is careful with washing dishes, etc.) There are usually instructions about recommended water sources in the hut's instruction folder. At some huts the water has to be boiled.
Water in the wilderness is usually potable, but in warm weather or if there is some other reason to doubt the quality, boiling the water before drinking is recommended.
Take all waste out of the area. There are recycling points at the visitor centres. There are also waste bins at some of the huts, but these should not be used unless necessary.
Dry toilets can be found at open and reservable wilderness huts, day trip huts, lean-to shelters and at most campfire sites. Carry your own toilet paper.
Dogs may not be allowed in the wilderness huts (either outright forbidden or requiring permission from the other guests, there is contradicting information). Use tents if you have a dog. Do not let the dog disturb wildlife.
Let somebody know your routes and timetables (including backup plans) and have a dead line when rescue authorities should be called (112). Remember to tell about changes in your plans and about your having returned. The business where your have been or are going to sleep can be used, as can the visitor centres.
There are areas without GSM coverage or where the coverage is spotty. Connections are usually best in open or high areas.
Be prepared to help yourself for quite some time in any emergency, especially in bad weather.
Weather can change quickly on the fells. Be prepared for fog and blizzards. Have a compass and a good map even if following marked trails, and be prepared to have to camp earlier than planned.
In midwinter the conditions can be extreme, with poor light, possibly snowstorms and temperatures of -40°C (-40°F). Be prepared for cold weather also in autumn and spring.
- Pöyrisjärvi Wilderness Area, north of Hetta