Summer Hiking Trails in Riisitunturi

A close-up of mountain cranberry shrub in autumn colours.

Starting Points for Trails and Parking Areas

Please note! The Noukavaara starting point has been taken out of use due to the poor condition of the road.

Other Maps

Riisitunturi National Park Map © Parks and Wildlife Finland 2020.

Easy Trails  

Trail to Riisitunturi Open Wilderness Hut, 1.5 km each way

When there is no snow on the ground. No winter maintenance.
Travel time 0.5–1 hour
Category: Symbol for Easy trail. easy – Symbol for Intermediate trail. intermediate

The path to the Riisitunturi Open Wilderness Hut offers stunning views that stretch as far as the eye can see all year-round, and the enigmatic shapes formed by snow-crowned forests add to the magic in the winter.

Two hikers walking along a gravel path towards the photographer.

Starting Point
The Riisitunturi starting point at the edge of the park.

There is space for dozens of cars and a few buses in the parking area.

Hiking Structures 
An information shelter and gate next to the parking area, including a dry toilet. There are duckboards and bridges along the trail. The Riisitunturi Open Wilderness Hut with a campfire site, woodshed and toilet.

Trail Description 
Route markings: green paint on posts.

The path to the Riisitunturi Open Wilderness Hut runs from the Riisitunturi starting point to the open wilderness hut, at first through coniferous forest then through hanging bogs. The route is mostly ascending when travelling towards the hut.

Please Note
You should bring your own toilet paper.

Four hikers grill sausages over the fireplace. A dog is standing next to them.


 

Riisin rääpäsy, 4.3 km, Circle Trail

When there is no snow on the ground. No winter maintenance.
Travel time 2–3 hours
Category: Symbol for Easy trail. easy – Symbol for Intermediate trail. intermediate

See and experience the most fabulous vistas and views of Riisitunturi. The trail is well suited for families with children and inexperienced hikers.

Three hikers having a break on top of a rock on the fell slope. A fell- and lake landscape opens up in the background.

Starting Point
The Riisitunturi starting point at the edge of the park.

There is space for dozens of cars and a few buses in the parking area.

Hiking Structures
An information shelter and gate next to the parking area, including a dry toilet. There are duckboards and bridges along the trail. The Riisitunturi open wilderness hut with a campfire site, woodshed and toilet.

Trail Description
Route markings: green paint on posts.

The Riisin rääpäsy Trail is a scenic route to Riisitunturi Fell. The scenery along the way includes, for instance, vistas over the Kitkajärvi lakes, Ikkunalampi Pond, hanging bogs and the top of Riisitunturi Fell.

Please Note
Direction of travel: clockwise.
You should bring your own toilet paper.

Two children reading an information board next to a gravel path.

Other Hiking Trails

Riisin rietas, 10.7 km, Circle Trail

When there is no snow on the ground. No winter maintenance.
Travel time 4-5 hours
Category:  Symbol for Intermediate trail. intermediate – Symbol for Demanding trail. demanding

The longest day-trip trail in Riisitunturi National Park runs through fell tops, hanging bogs and forests. Riisin rietas has several rest spots suitable for a snack break.

Three hikers with backpacks walking in a line up a shrub-covered fell slope. The sky is clear and fells can be seen in the background.

Starting Point
The Riisitunturi starting point at the edge of the park.

There is space for dozens of cars and a few buses in the parking area.

Riisin rietas – Day Trail (pdf 1,4 Mb, julkaisut.metsa.fi)

Hiking Structures
An information shelter and gate next to the parking area, including a dry toilet. There are duckboards and bridges along the trail. The Riisitunturi Open Wilderness Hut with a campfire site, woodshed and toilet.

 

Trail Description
Route markings: green paint on posts.

Riisin rietas is a slightly more challenging route. It winds through Riisitunturi's hill and fell area, offering spectacular views over the Koillismaa Region's landscape of lakes and forests.

Please Note   
Direction of travel: clockwise.
You should bring your own toilet paper.

A narrow path leading through shrubs to a lean-to shelter. Big spruce trees can be seen next to the shelter and there is forest in the background.


Kirinkuoppa, 7 km, Circle Trail

When there is no snow on the ground. No winter maintenance.
Travel time 2–3 hours
Category: Symbol for Intermediate trail. intermediate

A lean-to shelter on a stony slope surrounded by big spruce trees. There is a fireplace in front of the shelter.

Starting Point  
Kirintövaara resort.

Hiking Structures  
The Kuoppavaara lean-to shelter. There is a dry toilet at the lean-to shelter.

Trail Description  
Route markings: green paint on posts. 

Starting from the direction of Kirintövaara, the Kirinkuoppa Trail offers a varied feast for the eye: Lake Kitkajärvi, Lake Posiojärvi, Kirintövaara Hill and a rocky old pine forest. 

Please Note    
Direction of travel: clockwise. 
You should bring your own toilet paper. 
 


Kirinmatala, 10.9 km, Circle Trail

When there is no snow on the ground. No winter maintenance.
Travel time 3–4 hours.
Category: Symbol for Intermediate trail. intermediate trail.

Starting Point
Kirintövaara resort.

Hiking Structures
The Kuoppavaara lean-to shelter, information boards. There is a dry toilet at the lean-to shelter.

Trail Description
Route markings: green paint on posts.

The trail mostly runs through wooded wilderness in Posio, with occasional spots where the trees give way to impressive views over the area's fells and lakes.

Sights
Lake Kitkajärvi, Lake Posiojärvi, Kirintövaara Hill, Karitunturi Fell, as well as the rocky old pine forest and the stunted hilltop forest of Matalavaara Hill.

Please Note  
Direction of travel: clockwise.
You should bring your own toilet paper.


Riisitunturin reitti Hiking Trail, 26 km each way

When there is no snow on the ground. No winter maintenance.
Travel time 1–2 days.
Category: Symbol for Intermediate trail. intermediate – Symbol for Demanding trail. demanding

Hike from Riisitunturi Fell to Kirintövaara Hill through a landscape of fells and hanging bogs.

A wooden footpath leading through a mire overgrown with grass and bushes. There are two barns in the background of which one is very deteriorated. Behind the barns, a dense forest can be seen.

Starting Point
The Kirintövaara or Riisitunturi starting point.

Hiking Structures
Along the trail are the Riisitunturi Open Wilderness Hut, Karitunturi Day-use Hut and Ahmatupa Open Wilderness Hut. There are dry toilets at the huts and starting points.

Trail Description
Trail markings: orange paint on wooden posts.

The trail runs across hilltops from the Riisitunturi starting points north-east via Karitunturi Fell to Karitunturi.

The trail is not a circle trail and can be travelled in either direction. The trail is suitable for a hiking trip lasting a couple of days.

Please Note  
You should bring your own toilet paper.

Customer Service

Oulanka Visitor Centre
Tel. int. +358 206 39 6850
Email: oulanka(at)metsa.fi

Oulanka Visitor Centre in Kuusamo is closed from 29 February 2024 for the spring. Hikers can still get advice on matters related to Oulanka National Park on the Nationalparks.fi website and Mon-Fri 12pm - 3pm by phone and email.