Hotels in Kilpisjärvi: Discover Nature and Hiking Trails

Kilpisjärvi can be organised around your travel priorities: hiking, activities on the lake or nature experiences. The Three-Country Cairn and the visitor centre offer additional points of interest to help with your planning.

Hiking Trails and Fell Landscapes

The marked trails in the Saana and Kilpisjärvi area pass through mountain birch forests, open fell landscapes and lakeshores. If you enjoy seeing a variety of landscapes while hiking, you can use this combination of forest, open fell and lakeshores as a guide.

The Kilpisjärvi–Halti Trail is part of the Kalottireitti and is approximately 55 kilometres long. This route is one option for a longer hiking trip. The Tsahkaljärvi Trail starts at the Kilpisjärvi Visitor Centre car park, passes Tsahkaljärvi and returns to the village centre of Kilpisjärvi. The two trails can be considered in terms of different features: the approximate total length is an important measure for the Kilpisjärvi–Halti Trail, while the starting point and route via the lake to the village centre are the key reference points for the Tsahkaljärvi Trail.

Lake Activities and Visitor Centre

The waters along the shores of Kilpisjärvi are suitable for kayaking and rowing on the lake. Wind conditions can be challenging there, so take them into account when planning a water activity. Fishing is subject to its own conditions: fishing with hook and line and ice fishing are permitted on the Finnish part of Kilpisjärvi under general fishing rights. Check the current rules before fishing.

The Kilpisjärvi Visitor Centre provides advice on hiking trails, rest stops and permit requirements. If you need guidance on any of these, the centre is a useful place to visit. Opening hours may change, so check the current visiting hours before you go.

Three-Country Cairn and Snowmobile Trails

The world’s northernmost Three-Country Cairn is located in Kilpisjärvi and can be reached by boat, on foot, on snowshoes or on skis. These different ways of getting there offer a range of options for planning an excursion. Seasonal transport availability may vary; if you plan to travel by boat, check availability in advance.

The snowmobile trails in the Kilpisjärvi area are maintained by Kilpisjärven Ladut ry. Before travelling, check trail availability and the applicable permit requirements.

Nature Conservation and Reindeer Experience

Finland’s oldest nature reserve is located in Kilpisjärvi and protects rare tundra plants and butterfly species on the Malla Fells. A reindeer farm experience in the Kilpisjärvi region includes learning about and feeding reindeer. The experience is seasonal; confirm its availability before booking. The two nature-related activities also differ in type: one is a protected area, while the other is a seasonal experience at a reindeer farm in the Kilpisjärvi region.

Discover more destinations: Kolari, Napapiiri, Ivalo, Tornio, Tervola, Sirkka, Pelkosenniemi, Räisälä

For the main travel overview: Lapland.