Province of Lapland
Municipalities: Inari (www.inari.fi, in Finnish), Sodankylä (www.sodankyla.fi), Savukoski (www.savukoski.fi)
Area: 2,550 sq. km.
Established in 1983.
The area is managed by Metsähallitus.
Urho Kekkonen National Park is an inviting place for visitors to hike during
all seasons. The sun-lit nights of spring and summer, bright changing colours of
autumn and calming darkness of the Polar Nights (kaamos) help visitors gather
their strength, while hiking and experiencing this forest wilderness, which is
unique in Europe. The western side of the park has marked trails, which make it
easy for even the inexperienced backpacker to move around. Alternatively it is
possible to go on long and demanding hikes in the park’s wilderness zones.
Urho Kekkonen National Park is one of Finland’s largest
protected areas. The huge expanse of the park covers magnificent fells, broad
mires and backwoods. Reindeer husbandry, hunting and fishing have long
traditions in the region. They have left their mark in the form of hole traps,
reindeer fences, herders’ huts and restored Koltta Sámi settlements. Reindeer
husbandry is to this day the main source of livelihood in the region and will
retain its special status. Sompio
Strict Nature Reserve
(in Finnish) and
Urho Kekkonen National Park have a mutual border. An old trail called Ruija Trail
leads across the strict nature reserve.
The address of this web page is
www.outdoors.fi/urhokekkonennp
