Stuorrahanoaivi trek
Photo: Kanuto90, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
This hike through Tarvantovaara Wilderness Area in Eanodat (Finnish: Enontekiö) in northern Finnish Lapland leads to the Stuorrahanoaivi peak on the World Heritage Struve Geodetic Arc, from either side of the wilderness area.
Our article on the Struve Geodetic Arc says "if you visit many points, the vastness of the project performed in the age of horses and carts may come off as what's really fascinating about this set of locations". This point is the one that remains in roadless wilderness, as most of Lapland was in the days of Struve. The couple of days on this trek of a mere 60 km could in your imagination be extended to the more than tenfold distance the expeditions trekked, without the comfort of modern hiking equipment.
Metsähallitus, responsible for the wilderness area, describes it as "a perfect retreat for experienced hikers looking for peace and quiet as well as unforgettable nature experiences". Take your time to enjoy.
UnderstandThe stretch of the arc from Tornio to Kautokeino was led by the Swede Nils Selander in the years 1845–1852.
PrepareTreat this as Arctic wilderness. Off trails nobody will find you unless they know to search for you, and there are areas without mobile phone coverage.
Get inThree routes to Stuorrahanoaivi are described below: from Bálojávri (Palojärvi), from the Hetta–Kautokeino road (road 93, E45) closer to the customs, and from Karesuvanto on the Muonio–Kilpisjärvi road (road 21, E8)…
WalkThe route is described from the Kautokeino road and from Karesuvanto to Stuorrahanoaivi. You can return the same way after Stuorrahanoaivi or continue to the other trailhead.
Stay safeRespect the wilderness: don't come unprepared, don't try a ford when the waters are too high, don't do anything foolish. Have clothes and equipment for the worst possible weather.
RespectA dog can break havoc among nesting birds or reindeer, even if it is friendly. Keep it on a leash unless where you have full control and know there are no ground-nesting birds.
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Stuorrahanoaivi trek" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Kanuto90, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons