Hammastunturi Wilderness Area

A fast-flowing river with rocky banks and rising land on both sides. A hanging bridge crosses the river.

Northern Lapland Region.
Municipalities of Inari, Kittilä and Sodankylä.
Area: 1821 sq.km. Established in 1991.

Hammastunturi Wilderness Area is located in the forest and fell area between Urho Kekkonen National Park and Lemmenjoki National Park. The core part of the area is the upland of Kehäpää, Hammastunturi and Appistunturi Fells, the highest tops of which rise up to 500 metres. The northern limit of spruce growth crosses the wilderness area, and the spruce forests of the southern part are replaced by pine forests in the north.

Hammastunturi Wilderness Area has had a colourful history in the last two centuries. Before the Inari - Pokka road was built, the areas of Hammastunturi Fell and River Lemmenjoki formed one of the largest roadless backwoods in Finland. In the past, the area has been used for reindeer herding, there has been a gold rush and, later, roads and villages have been built. During the gold rush, there were hundreds of people living in Kultala Village along River Ivalojoki. The number of gold diggers was equal to the number of actual inhabitants in Inari altogether.

The destination is managed by Metsähallitus, Parks & Wildlife Finland.

This is the web page nationalparks.fi/hammastunturi