Härkävaara Open Wilderness Hut

Location

• Northern Lapland, Municipality of Savukoski (savukoski.fi, in Finnish), Urho Kekkonen National Park.
• Härkävaara, coordinates: Euref-Fin (~ WGS84) lat: 68° 01.9734' lon: 28° 43.3876'  ETRS-TM35FIN: N: 7547534 E: 571924
• The wilderness hut is situated near the boundary of the National Park to the west of Härkävaara Hill on the bank of the River Liittohaara.
• Suitable for overnight stays for hikers with good navigation skills. The hut is located in the Urho Kekkonen National Park's wilderness zone, which has no marked trails.
• The closest huts are the Peskihaara open wilderness hut, the Peuraselkä open wilderness hut, the Siulanruoktu open wilderness hut and the Tahvontupa open and reservable wilderness hut.
• You can get to the hut on foot or by skis from several starting points (pdf 659kt). The distance from Kemihaara is ca. 15 km. 

• Excursionmap.fi

Facilities

• A sleeping platform, a table, and benches.
• A wood-burning stove and a gas cooker.
• There is a smoke alarm in the hut, but we recommend bringing your own device with you. 
• A campfire site, a dry toilet and a woodshed.
• Take own candles, toilet paper and headlamp with you.
• Household water is taken from the river Peskihaara.

Notices

• There is bridge by the River Nuorttijoki at Kolsankoski.
• The sauna is available for use by all hikers, so you should be considerate of others and not stay too long in the sauna.During peak seasons you should agree bathing times with other hikers, for example, take turns between men and women at alternate hours.
• You can camp by the campfire sites.
• There are no accessible services in the hut.
• The route includes some river crossings. There are bridges by the River Suomujoki at Aitaoja, Kotaköngäs, and Porttikoski, by the River Luttojoki at Raja-Jooseppi, and by the River Kopsusjoki at Orponen. 
• Please note that it takes some time before the hut is properly warm.
• When leaving the hut, remember that it has to be clean and ready for the next customers.
• Make sure you pack a first-aid kit.
• Pets are permitted in the hut, but only in case that other visitors agree with it.
• Metsähallitus follows the principles of litter-free hiking. Visitors are adviced to bring their own waste out of the area. Read more about Hiking Without Littering.

• Safety on hiking.

Maintenance and Management

• Metsähallitus, Parks & Wildlife Finland. 
• For more information contact Urho Kekkonen National Park Customer Service Kiehinen tel. int. +358 206 39 7200.