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Municipality in Lapland, Finland
Photo: JIP, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Savukoski is a municipality in Finnish Lapland. Having an area of 6,496.50 km², more than twice that of Luxembourg, but only 1,000 inhabitants, it is the least densely populated municipality in Finland. The area is generally very remote and travelling around without a car is at least challenging. For a person who wants to calm down in nature this is one of the primary destinations. Most visitors come here for fishing, hunting or hiking.
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A wooden church built in 1956. Open during the services, otherwise by request.
Salpalinja was an over 1200 km long fortification against the Soviet Army in World War II. A short part of the fortifications is visible in the main village. The circular trail 1.2 km consist mostly of duckboards.
An old farm so deep in the forest it survived the Lapland War. The Riikonen family lived in the estate until the 1980s. Today the nearest inhabited house is four kilometres away. The buildings were completely renovated in 2006. Visiting the yard is free but if you wish to go inside the buildings you need to contact the local entrepreneur.
Samperin veturi
One of two steam locomotives modified for forest environment and used in Samperin savotta loggings in the early 1910s. Part of the 'railway' is also preserved in the forest some 8 km to the north.
A quite ordinary bog area, but with the longest name in Finland. The name was probably made up by a local frustrated by map makers interrupting their work, but made it to the maps. A bar (now closed) was named after it: the owner had previously tried any conceivable name, but failed to register them; all were taken. Near the bog is Näpnähtämäselkä, which also sounds unlikely (although easily pronounced by locals).
The home of Father Christmas (according to the Finns), 20 km from the nearest road. Local entrepreneurs arrange guided snowmobile tours in the winter and guided hikes at other times. The fell is at the Finland-Russia border, inside the border zone; there are views to Russia as well. If you wish to hike the area yourself you need to apply for the border zone permission from the Finnish Border Guard in advance. There is a minor peak, Korvatunturinmurusta, at the end of the trail (2×20 km), outside the border zone, from where one can get a glimpse of the fell (4 km away) in good weather, without permits. Hiking on your own requires skills and some preparation (the trail is marked and has bridges and duckboards, and there are two open wilderness huts along it, but it may not be easy to follow all the distance). Mobile phone (and data) coverage is probably weak or non-existent. Don't be disappointed if you don't see Santa Claus or any of his staff – when he is in the mood of meeting tourists he usually does so in Rovaniemi or in markets, here he just might show up. The chances are better to see some of his reindeer. You can write him at the address "Joulupukki, FIN-99999 Korvatunturi".
Trips to Korvatunturi fell and to Tarkkala wilderness estate. Hires also a hut at the Kivitunturi fell.
An easy 5.8 km long circular trail and a more demanding 9 km long circular trail. Very diverse nature from a rocky fell top to lush ravines. The trail starts by a gravel road some 13 km from the Savukoski main village and 10 km from the main road. No public transportation.
The river Nuortti flows to the Arctic Sea and is famous for its trout and graylings. The parking area and the trailhead are by the river, so you don't have to hike to get to its shore. There is a 40 km long circular summer trail in and around the impressive canyon where the river flows. The current bridge in the far end was built in the autumn 2020 (the former one collapsed under heavy snow load). At high waters the river cannot be forded at the trailhead, so hike clockwise or check forecasted flow, not to find the ford too dangerous on your way back. If you do return by the north shore and waters then are too high, you could continue upstream, ford the tributary Kärekeoja or use the bridge 1 km up that stream, continue to the Kemihaara road 6–8 km away, depending on route, and call a taxi to fetch you.
There are several open wilderness huts and lean-to shelters for staying overnight. The trail is in the Urho Kekkonen National Park, so the rules and regulations of the national park apply. There is no public transportation to the trail and the last part of the road is not maintained in winter. For fishing you need to buy a permit.
Designated wilderness area (212 km²) with beautiful and easy terrain. The distance from Tulppio to the Tuntsa road in Salla through the wilderness area along the UKK trail is 36 km. There are two wilderness huts along the trail, one of them with sauna.
UKK-reitti
The UKK hiking trail starts from North Karelia and is 950 km long in total (some legs destroyed by logging, though). The trail is named after Finland's president Urho Kaleva Kekkonen who actually hiked this route in 1957. The northern end of the trail is at Haukijärvenoja 12 km north from the Tulppio village. The northernmost trail section from the Naruska village (in Salla) is 119 km long. The trail is marked and has campfire sites, but shelters and huts are sparse and there are few other services. The Nuortti hiking trail (see above) starts from the very same parking lot where the UKK trail officially ends.
À la carte. Lunch in weekdays. Karaoke in weekend evenings.
Bar and lunch restaurant, kiosk and mail service.
A hotel with rooms and cottages. Restaurant. Various activities by request. Bikes, canoes etc. for rent.
Rooms and cottages. Caravans and camping. Café in the summer.
B&B, caravan site with electricity and kitchen. The rooms and cottages have cooking facilities. Meals by agreement. Sauna. Laundry by agreement. Facilities for dogs. Programme services: fishing, hunting, mushroom picking and berry picking trips. Spa-like treatments on advance request. Equipment rental: canoe, two kayaks, two bikes, tent sauna, "half platoon tent" (with stove for warmth, for perhaps 8 civilians), some other outdoor and sports equipment.
B&B. Pre-booking is mandatory!
B&B. Fishing. Other activities by request.
Cottages by the river Luiro. Caravans. Taxi service.
Kairijoen eräkeskus
Open June–September. Cottages in the wilderness. Caravan site. Restaurant.
Cottages and camping in the wilderness. Restaurant. Sauna. Activities by request. Fishing permits.
Groceries. Alko pick-up point.
Handicrafts. Groceries. Reindeer meat products.
Groceries and mail service. Fuel when the store is open. The grocery selection differs significantly from that in most southern stores, with few options for fresh vegetables and fruit (and large selections of some other stuff). You might want to check beforehand.
The nearest airport is in Rovaniemi (RVN) and the nearest railway stations are in Rovaniemi and Kemijärvi.
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