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National park in Lapland region, Finland
Photo: R.Schmitt, CC BY-SA 2.0 de via Wikimedia Commons
Lemmenjoki National Park is the biggest national park in Finland, covering some 2.860 km² in Inari and Kittilä in Finnish Lapland. The park features the valley of the river Lemmenjoki (Sami: Leammi) and the surrounding wilderness, with old pine forest, fell birch forests, mires and treeless fell tops. Metsähallitus describes it as "one of the whole Europe's most extensive uninhabited and roadless backwoods". It is also known for the gold rush in the 1940s, with some gold digging even today.
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There was a gold rush in the 1870s to Ivalonjoki in the Hammastunturi Wilderness Area, and a new one to Lemmenjoki in the 1940s. There are still people digging and panning gold in both areas, although digging by machine ended in the national park in 2020. This is the largest national park in Finland and the area is generally wilderness – and was at the time of the gold rushes – but the gold areas by Lemmenjoki are easily reached by car and a boat tour, and some of the locals arrange gold related tours. Many different techniques, old and new, have left their marks and can be studied. The "crown station" in the Hammastunturi area can be visited by a trek, a former village and some of the gold grounds (by Sotajoki) can be approached with a sturdy car.
Karhu-Korhosen kirjasto
Small former airstrip service building, made into a library as 80-years birthday present for the gold digger Karhu-Korhonen (1922–2003; one of the founders of Tankavaara). The original books were a donation from the city library of Oulu, later more have been donated by gold diggers. Probably the most remote library in Finland (check whether still functional). The airfield (ICAO: EFJP) was official until 2006, used for service flighths.
Lemmenjoki holiday village/Lemmenjoen lomamajat
Sami family firm with café-restaurant, also arranging meals in the wilderness, boat trips, gold panning, fishing and hiking trips etc. Cabins for rent. Service available also in Swedish, English, French and German.
Cabins by the river, Njurkulahti. Also boat trips, with gold panning if desired.
Kruununtupa
On an old postal route. Wood stove for heat and gas stove for cooking. 5 persons.
Former home of Matti Musta and his family, built 1903–1905, with the yard still kept open by grazing. Fireplace and gas stove. 3 persons.
Vaskojoen autiotupa
Built by the Finnish Air Force's Lapinmaja Foundation in 1966. Probably an open part (8 persons), a rental part (3 persons) and a sauna, but check! 4 km away is the 590 m Látnjoaivi.
Camping. Also cabins, boat trips, canoes for rent, gold panning, programme services, etc. Caravan or family tent €20/night, cabins (4–8 persons) €50–120/night.
Kaija Paltto
Handicraft from reindeer leather and felt. Also reindeer meat and fishing licences.
By bus and taxi
The coaches from Rovaniemi to Utsjoki and Karigasniemi, some of them continuing to Norway, pass by Ivalo airport and Inari. From Inari you take a taxi to Njurkulahti, Repojoki or Lisma.
By car
Take either national road 4 (E75) to Inari or road 79 towards Muonio and Kittilä.
By snowmobile
There is a network of snowmobile routes and tracks through most of Lapland.g. Inari (55 km), Kittilä (175 km) or Saariselkä (140 km).
There is a motor boat service from Njurkulahti to Lake Ravadasjärvi and to Kultahamina (twice a day in season, only evenings in shoulder season, 1½ hours, check or book in advance).
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