Easy Trails
Karhunpesäkivi Bear’s Den
When there is no snow on the ground, travel time 1 h
For people who are interested in light walks and natural attraction; for families with children.
Are you brave enough to crawl into a bear’s den? After climbing up the steps, you can slink into a spacious cave that according to stories used to be a bear’s den.
Starting Point
Ivalo-Inari roadside (E75) there is a café and parking area, about 23 km from Ivalo village, address Inarijärventie road 2288, Inari.
Coordinates: Euref-Fin (~ WGS84) lat: 68° 49.0316' lon: 27° 18.8447' ETRS-TM35FIN N: 7634011 E: 512666
Hiking Structures
Steps have been built to lead up to the Karhunpesäkivi Bear’s Den, and a platform stands in front of the cave to protect the surrounding nature from erosion. There is a viewing platform with stools at the end of the climb.
Road Description
The steps leading up the fell start behind the café. There are a few resting platforms along the way. The two entrances to the cave are low but the cave itself is spacious. The duckboards continue uphill from the cave through old-growth pine forest. The end of the trail rewards you with a viewing platform that, in clear weather, allows you to gaze over the bays of the Inarijärvi Lake.
Juutua demanding Accessible Trail, 500 m /each way
Available all year round, travel time 1 hour.
This demanding accessible trail is suitable nicely for families with children. The path is demanding due to altitude differences, the parking area descends to the river and the return is the same route back. Juutua demanding Accessible Trail is part of the Juutua Trail.
In summer, globeflowers blossom on the banks of the River Juutuanjoki and grayling leap in the river. In winter, you can travel along the illuminated trail and admire the beauty of the northern natural features.
Starting Point
Parking area by the side of Kittiläntie Road (number 955), about 3 km from the Northern Lapland Nature Centre Siida, address Kittiläntie 156, Inari.
Coordinates: Euref-Fin (~ WGS84) lat: 68° 53.7205' lon: 26° 57.9799' ETRS-TM35FIN: N: 7642693 E: 498647
Hiking Structures
Accessible lean-to shelter, woodshelter and dry toilet are located right next to the Jäniskoski bridge on the northern side of the river.
Route Description
Route markings: The trail signs are fixed onto lamp posts.
The trail runs from a parking area by the side of Kittiläntie Road to the bridge at the Jäniskoski Rapids. The trail is an unpaved dirt road that is lighted and kept open from the snow in winter. The lights are dim enough to be able to see the sky. The trail is 500 metres long in each direction.
Please Note
The Juutua demanding Accessible Trail is part of the Juutua Trail, which is about 5.8 km long. The information boards along the Juutua trail feature stories on travellers and events in the area.
Tuulijärvi Trail, 1.5 km /each way
Lake Tuulijärvi is an excellent destination for families with children.
Lake Tuulijärvi is a legendary site for catching Arctic charr. On the lake shore, you will find a lean-to shelter for making a campfire and enjoying snacks. The destination is excellent in summer as well as during the ice-fishing season.
Starting Point
At the Tuulispää Fell parking area, at a distance of about nine kilometres from the parish centre of Inari. From Inari, drive towards Ivalo for about six kilometres (E4) Inarijärventie 3261, 99800 Ivalo (Inari), from where turn to a gravel road that runs onto the summit of Tuulispää Fell. Continue along the gravel road for about 2.5 km to the parking area.
Coordinates: Euref-Fin (~ WGS84) lat: 68° 51.3950' lon: 27° 7.5930' ETRS-TM35FIN: N: 7638404 E: 505075.
Hiking Structures
Tuulijärvi lean-to shelter, including a dry toilet and woodshed.
Route Description
The trail is marked with x signs.
The trail runs on a level fell terrain where the mountain birch and pine thrive. Return along the same trail. The total distance is three kilometres.
Please Note
The parking area is ploughed every year in mid-February.
Other Hiking Trails 0-10 km
Pielpajärvi Wilderness Church Trail, 5 km/each way
Available when there is no snow on the gound, travel time 6 hours.
The trail is stony and the roots make walking difficult.
Pielpajärvi Church was built between 1752 and 1760 and was in use till the end of the 19th century. During this time, the church was the centre of Inari. A few services and weddings are still held at the church every year.
Parking area on Sarviniementie road, 3 km from the Northern Lapland Nature Centre Siida.
Route Description
Juutua Trail, 5.8 km Circle Trail
Available all year round, travel time 4 hours.
Suitable as a day trip for families and partly accessible to all.
The information boards along the trail feature stories on travellers and events in the area. So far, the Juutua Trail is the only nature trail where the texts are also in the Inari Sámi language. The illustrations are by Merja Aletta Ranttila, an artist from Inari.
Parking area by the side of Kittiläntie Road (number 955), about 2,5 km from the Northern Lapland Nature Centre Siida, address Kittiläntie 156, Inari.
Coordinates: Euref-Fin (~ WGS84) lat: 68° 54.4992' lon: 27° 0.8037' ETRS-TM35FIN: N: 7644140 E: 500538
Along the trail, there are information boards on the history of Juutua, a suspension bridge and two campfire sites, one of which is an accessible Jäniskoski campfire site. The trail is illuminated and cleared of snow in winter.
The trail on the southern riverbank starts at the parking area of nature centre Siida or Jäniskoski parking area. When starting from the nature center's yard, the beginning of the route is taken along the footpath over the Juutuanjoki bridge to the intersection of Kittiläntie (350 meters). Take Kittiläntie (290 meters) to Saarikoskentiie. Follow the Saarikoski road for 450 meters, after which the Juutua path goes left into the forest. In the rolling terrain, the path following the banks of the Juutuajoki is wide, gravel-based and easy going. After 2.5 kilometers you reach Akselinlaavu lean-to shelter. 400 meters from Akselinlaavu shelter there is an intersection of paths, from where the Juutua path continues to the right to the Jäniskoski suspension bridge 150 meters away. 4 people can go on the bridge at the same time.
The northern trail section from the Jäniskoski Rapids to Kortelampi and Korteoja has been covered.
Other Hiking Trails over 10 km
Inari - Otsamo Trail, 9 km /each way
Available when there is no snow on the ground, travel time 8 h.
An intermediate trail due to its steep ascent and stones along the route.
At the village of Inari, opposite to Northern Lapland Nature Centre Siida.
From the top, you can also continue to Riutula, which is 10 km away.
Cross-country Skiing Trails
Inari - Otsamo Skiing Trail, 19 km
Skiing trails in the surrounding areas are maintained from mid-February to the mid-April. This trail is opened and driven every friday spring 2023. Please check out the skiing trail condition from the Northern Lapland Nature Centre Siida.
Inari - Pielpajärvi Wilderness Church Skiing Trail, 19.5 km
Pielpajärvi day trip hut and campfire site; Pielpavuono Campfire hut.
Observe the wind direction when travelling to the long skiing trail on the ice of Lake Inarijärvi. This trail is opened and driven every monday and friday spring 2023. Please check the actual situation from Northern Lapland Nature Centre Siida.
Biking trails
Menesjärvi old road, 55 km
The trail is not marked and there is no services available.
Canoeing Routes
Lake Inarijärvi offers a wide range of alternative routes for canoeists and rowers. The thousands of islands of the lake provide shelter, but there are also large open water areas. The longest route canoeing around the lake is about 250 km.
Snowmobile Tracks in the Inari Area
