Activities in Riisitunturi National Park

Come and experience the charm of the enchanting scenery of Riisitunturi. Enjoy hiking in the fell landscape and sit for a while at the campfire site.

Trekking

Pick the section that is suitable for you from the marked hiking trails (a total of over 40 km) in the national park. You can see the most magnificent views from the summit of Riisitunturi Fell. It is a pleasure to stop and have a bite to eat at the Riisitunturi open wilderness hut or in its yard. The most practical way to explore these destinations is by walking the Riisin rääpäsy circular trail (4.3 km). You can explore the wilderness in more detail by setting off on the Riisin rietas Trail (10.7 km). Along this trail, you will also find the Uusilampi and Soilu lean-to shelters, and at the Riisisuo barn, you can get an insight into the secrets of the meadow culture that thrived in the past. The trails are demanding because of the great altitude differences.

By hiking the circular trails of Kirinmatala (10.9 km) and Kirinkuoppa (7 km), which climb onto the wooded hills, you will get the opportunity to explore the Iso-Karitunturi Mire Reserve. At the Kuoppavaara lean-to shelter, you can catch your breath and put your feet up. You can get closer to the fell views by trekking to the Ahmatupa hut next to Karitunturi Fell or to the Karitunturi day trip hut (about 6 km in either direction). The trails are intermediate level.

Seeing the Sights and the Views

On your hike, focus on the breathtaking views opening out over the fells and the wooded hills. The cycle of the seasons creates an enchanting variation in the landscape. The 465-metre-high summit of Riisitunturi offers you spectacular views. Almost all of the national park is located more than 300 metres above sea level. The slope bogs are the finest in Europe and they are the pearls of the mire vegetation and the local colour scheme.

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing offers you the opportunity to enjoy the magic of the moonlit night and the dazzling spring sun. No wonder the national park is known as a paradise for winter hikers. Snowshoeing also gives you the chance to see and photograph the magnificent details in the landscape. The marked summer hiking trails (please see the Trekking section above) are excellent for snowshoeing. You can hire snowshoes from the Posio Tourist Information Office and from the cooperating partners in the national park.

Other Activities

• Cross-country Skiing: Hear the call of the snow-crowned forests! In late winter, you can ski along the Riisitunturi Multipurpose Track. On the easy Kirintövaara-Karitunturi Ski Trail (7 km), you can also enjoy the snowy forest by skate skiing. In addition, you can ski on virgin snow. Go on an adventure to the land of snow-crowned spruces and bare felltops. There are rest spots at huts and at lean-to shelters. Read more about Riisitunturi Winter Trails.
• Dog Sled Rides: Have an adventure with our canine friends! A dog sled route (17.5 km) runs at the foot of Riisitunturi Fell. The cooperating partners provide guided dog sled rides.
• Bird-watching: Come and see whooper swans, yellow wagtails and meadow pipits. The national park is also home to the northern hawk owl.  
• Berry and Mushroom Picking: Bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus), lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), cloudberries (Rubus chamaemorus) and crowberries (Empetrum nigrum) taste delicious and bring summer memories to mind in winter. In the national park, you can pick bolete, russula and milk caps.   
• Understanding the Cultural Heritage: There are hunting pits along the esker range in the stretch between the Liittolammet Ponds. They remind us of ancient Sámi culture. The barns and the lean-to shelters that were used by meadow mowers reflect the thriving meadow culture of former times.
• Observing the Starry Sky: There is no light pollution in the cloudless skies above Riisitunturi Fell. You can see the twinkling stars from the sheltered forests and from the felltop alike.
• Photography: The natural features of the fells and the wooded hills vary according to the cycle of the seasons, giving you a chance to photograph the landscape and the natural phenomena in various states. The northern lights, the snow-crowned spruces and the wildlife on the fells are utterly picturesque.