Saariselka and Urho Kekkonen National Park

Fell Village And One Of Finland'S Largest National Parks, In Northern Lapland; A Leading Northern Lights Destination · Saariselka, Lapland

Saariselka is a small fell village in northern Lapland, about 250 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, at the edge of Urho Kekkonen National Park, one of the largest national parks in Finland, a vast wilderness of rounded, treeless fells, pine forest, bogs and rivers where reindeer are herded by Sami and Finnish herders. It is one of the best places in Finland to see the northern lights, far from city lights and with clear winter skies, and nearby resorts such as Kakslauttanen made the glass igloo famous around the world. In winter visitors ski on long cross-country tracks and a small downhill area, ride husky and reindeer sleds and wait for the aurora; in summer and the colourful autumn ruska season, the park is one of the best hiking areas in the Nordic countries, with a network of open wilderness huts that anyone may use for free, and reservable huts for a fee. Ivalo airport is about half an hour away. Winter temperatures often fall well below minus twenty, and the polar night lasts for weeks.

Saariselka village and Urho Kekkonen National Park, Inari and Sodankyla municipalities, Saariselka, Lapland, Finland

The park is open at all times. Wilderness huts: open huts are free on a first-come basis; reservable huts are booked in advance. Winter activities run from about November to April; hiking season is June to September. Ivalo Airport is about thirty minutes by road.

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