Services in Paistunturi Wilderness Area

Customer Service and Guidance

• Siida - Sámi Museum and Northern Lapland Nature Centre in Inari
  • Sales of maps and fishing permits.
  • Guidance and information on hiking, tourist information
  • Exhibitions with an admission fee: The permanent exhibition features the Sámi culture and the Northern Lapland ´s natural features. In addition there are temporary exhibitions.
  • Museum shop and a restaurant

Meals, Where to Buy and Prepare

Campfire Sites

• On state-owned lands, it is allowed to use branches and sticks from the ground for making a campfire. To take and use fallen trees of little value from the ground, you need a permit. This permit can be obtained from Ivalo Customer Service and Siida - Northern Lapland Nature Centre. However, if you find a used campfire place, it is recommended to use that. 
• There are seven designated campfire sites in the Wilderness Area. Campfire sites of Johtalanvárri, Lake Goahppelašjávri, Lake Nammajärvi and Vuolleseavttet are located along the Utsjoki Hiking Trail. In the southern part of the wilderness area, along Guivi Circle Trail, there are campfire sites at the open wilderness huts of Ruktajärvi and Njavgoaivi, and at the turf hut of Akujoki.
• Please note that lighting campires is forbidden also at the constructed campfire sites if the forest fire warning is in effect. However, it is allowed to use a camping cooker.
  • ​​This prohibition does not apply to cooking shelters or other fireplaces with a flue.

Drinking Water

• Water in the area is normally drinkable, but during the hot periods in the summer, it is recommended to boil the water before drinking. Usually running water is better for drinking than still water.

Waste Management

• Please consider in advance for taking unnecessary waste into the area. It is desiderable that you take all the non-degradable waste out of the area. 
• Biodegradable waste should be placed in a toilet or composter, and small amounts of clean paper and cardboard can be used as kindling in a campfire.
• There are recycling points at the open wilderness huts and at the end of Kevo Hiking Trail.
• Read more about Hiking without Littering.

Toilets

• There are dry toilets at the open wilderness huts and at the designated campfire sites.

Overnight Stays

Camping and Lean-to Shelters

• The hiker is free to choose his own camping place in the wilderness. However, to avoid erosion, it is recommended to use the grounds of the open wilderness huts and other previously used places for camping.

Open Wilderness Huts (owh)

There are three open wilderness huts in the wilderness area.

• Ruktajärvi owh is located on the northeastern side of the Lake Ruktajärvi, in the southern end of Kevo Trail, in the southwestern part of the Wilderness Area.
• Njavgoaivi owh is located northwest of Njavgoroáivi Fell (Nauguvaara), along Guivi Trail, in the southwestern part of the Wilderness Area, west of Kevo Strict Nature Reserve.
• Goahppelašjávri owh is located in the southern end of the Lake Goahppelašjávri, along Utsjoki Hiking Trail, in the northern part of the Wilderness Area.

Lodging in the Surrounding Area

• The following cabin is rented through Lomarengas Oy (lomarengas.fi)
  • Yläköngäs (lomarengas.fi) rental cabin is located along the road 970 (Utsjoki - Karigasniemi), 25 km from Utsjoki towards Karigasniemi.  
• Caravans and campervans can be parked on public parking areas. There are services for caravan tourists in the villages of Karigasniemi and Utsjoki.
• More information about accommodation possibilities in the surrounding areas from the tourist information of the municipalities of Utsjoki (utsjoki.fi, in Finnish) and Inari.

Services for the Disabled

• Siida - the Sámi Museum and Northern Lapland Nature Centre is accessible by a wheelchair. There is also a toilet for the disabled in Siida, and the outdoor museum of Siida is accessible by a wheelchair with assistance.

Other Services in the Surrounding Area

• In the village of Utsjoki (utsjoki.fi, in Finnish), all the basic services can be found: different shops, a post office, a health centre and accommodation services, for example.
• The village of Karigasniemi also has the basic services.
• The nearest grocery stores and petrol stations are in Inari, Kaamanen and Karigasniemi. Taxi drivers can be found in Inari, Kaamanen and Karigasniemi.
• The nearest ATM is in the village of Inari. The bank in the village of Utsjoki has shortened opening hours.
• The grocery stores in the surrounding areas have a small selection of medicines for sale.
• There are several companies offering services for tourists in the surrounding areas.
• Taxi drivers may also provide car relocation service, as well as may the companies which offer services for tourists (utsjoki.fi, in Finnish).
• Find out more about visiting Lapland (lapland.fi/visit/).