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Photo: Ximonic (Simo Räsänen), CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Probably the most well-known mountain in Finland. A 4-km trail and the longest stairs in Finland take you to the very top of the 1000-metre Arctic hill with a weird shape. The stairs were completely renovated in 2019 and follow less steep a path than the ones before. Coming down is hard on your ankles, turn back in time if you feel you might not make it. Incredible views from the top.
Saana is a fell in Enontekiö, Finland. Saana's summit lies 1,029 metres (3,376 ft) above sea level and 556 m (1,824 ft) above the adjacent Kilpisjärvi lake. Geologically it is part of the Scandinavian Mountains, and is made of the same kinds of schist and gneiss rock. The peak is a popular destination for hikers and backpackers because of the sweeping views offered at the summit.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
5 km (to one direction) nature trail from the village showing nature at the west side of Saana. This trail does not climb up to the fell but goes around it all the way to the root of the fell Iso-Jehkas. Information about the nature and history on the way.
Research station of the University of Helsinki, founded 1964.
Return trip by boat from Kilpisjärvi to Koltalahti and 3 km hike to the tripoint: the boat trip over Kilpisjärvi takes half an hour (with nice views) and the boat waits two hours while the passengers visit the tripoint.
Kilpisjärven luontokeskus
Information on the wilderness area, the Saana fell and the Malla nature reserve by the tripoint. Maps (also for nearby areas in Norway and Sweden), fishing permits, snowmobile track permits, reservation and key of reservation huts, information on available service in the region and general advice. Exhibition about local nature and culture. Short audiovisual slide shows. Local handicrafts, products, books and souvenirs for sale. Children’s play corner. Free Wi-Fi. Accessible by wheelchair.
Hike through Malla nature reserve: 11 km one way, either way possible with boat, but using it for return, make sure it makes the trip. The trail starts at an information board (also in English) by a parking area in the north end of the village. After 2,5 km there is a detour to Pikku-Malla ("small Malla"), with nice views. The 7 km return trip to Pikku-Malla is through easy terrain in fell birch forest and over fell heath. Further up at the Iso-Malla hillside there is rough terrain (boulder, willow shrubs) and there are fords, normally easy but possibly difficult at high waters. Most advice about wilderness hikes in Lapland apply (spring comes late, be prepared for bad weather and weak phone connectivity, tell about your plans etc.). The trail shows most of the typical terrain types. As the Scandinavian bedrock of Malla differs from the Finnish, there are also many rare plant species.