Saariselkä

Saariselkä] (Northern Sámi: Suoločielgi, Inari Sámi: Suáluičielgi, Skolt Sámi: Suâlčiõʹlj) is a largish winter sports centre in the municipality of Inari high up in Finnish Lapland, some 250 km north of the Arctic Circle and nearly 1000 km away from the southern capital Helsinki.

See: 2
Do: 6
Eat: 11
Drink: 1
Buy: 2

22 places

Eat

Café-ravintola Kuukkeli

The little canteen inside offers one of the cheapest eats in town. Reindeer hash, cranberry jam and mashed potatoes will set you back EUR 16.90.

Iisakkipää

There is a nature trail (6 km) to the top of Iisakkipää (slightly higher, with a view less disturbed by ski resort structures) and back, telling about traces of the Ice Age. There is also a shorter variant (2.5 km), along the lower slopes. In winter the trails are marked as snowshoe trails.

Kaunispää

For general Arctic scenery, climb (or take the bus) up Kaunispää to take in the view. In clear weather Russian mountains 40 km away can be seen. The fell itself isn't too exciting, as the infrastructure leaves little room for natural beauty.

Eat

Kaunispään Huippu

Offers panoramic views of the mountains around and is a good option for a lunch or just a hot drink. Try the reindeer fillet with peppercorns, worth taking a drive up for a meal.

10:00–19:00

See

Kiehinen

Customer service point of Metsähallitus

Free exhibition about the nature and hiking possibilities in Urho Kekkonen National Park and other nearby protected areas. Advice on hiking. Maps, bookings and keys, fishing and snowmobile track permits etc.

Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00, in season also Sat Sun 09:00–16:00 or 10:00–17:00, closed 6 Dec and 24-26 Dec

Kiilopää

There are natural trails (1–6 km) and a trail to the fell top also at Kiilopää (546 m; no lifts here), some 15 km south from Saariselkä. If you take the time to roam around, you can enjoy the fell heaths and fell landscapes, not much disturbed by modern development. Gravel roads and footpaths lead further into the national park, such as via Raututunturit to Rautalampi (10 km from the Kiilopää hotel), where you can overnight in an open wilderness hut. The Kiilopää resort has a restaurant, equipment rental etc.

Eat

Laanilan Kievari

Restaurant serving à la carte dishes with good beverages. Also possible to book a sauna and outdoor jacuzzi for own use.

Mon–Sat 16:00–22:00

See

Magneettimäki

Memorial stones at the Magnetic Hill, 6 km north of Saariselkä. The national road 4 originally lead to Petsamo (Pechenga), with a winter harbour at the Barents Sea, especially important in 1940–1941. The steep gravel road used to be 5 m wide, and was so hard for lorries, the drivers thought there must be some magnetics involved.

Eat

Muossi Grill

Snack kiosk in the central square near Holiday Club Hotel. Hamburgers etc.

Eat

Petronella

Specialities include reindeer fillet and Lake Inari whitefish. Excellent choice of wines. Also check the 'Petronella' house cocktail (for warming up in winter weather).

Eat

Pirkon Pirtti

Most famous restaurant in Saariselkä. Hard to find vacant table – delightful log fires and delicious traditional dishes, a great place to dine.

Prospector's trail

Prospector was the gold mining firm. The trail leads to a mine and a mine hut near Laanila (1 km). The trail (skiing track in winter) continues to meet other trails in the national park (trail description, background story).

Rumakuru

About 6 km from Saariselkä and from Laanila, by marked hiking routes or maintained skiing tracks. The steep and rocky Rumakuru is a product of the Ice Age. One of the two day huts in the Rumakuru valley is from about 1900, probably built by gold diggers. You can choose another route for returning.

Drink

Do Not mapped

Eat

Siberia

Restaurant (and café) – fine dine in exotic Lapland.

Buy

Supermarket Kuukkeli

Kuukkeli

09:00–21:00

21 of 22 places have map locations.