In Ylläs, you’re always nestled next to the National Park
In Ylläs, you can access the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park almost right from your doorstep, with trails beginning just outside the fell villages. The park’s unique fell landscape has fascinated travelers since the 1930s — and no wonder, as the scenery of the Pallastunturi fells has been chosen as one of Finland’s national landscapes.
The national park offers excellent opportunities for outdoor activities all year round. In summer, you can hike and bike along hundreds of kilometers of marked trails or enjoy the peaceful scenery on a canoeing trip. In winter, various parts of the park feature numerous winter trails that allow for a wide range of activities. The routes are designed for different skill levels, so everyone can find their own way to enjoy the fell nature.
The northern part of the current park area was first protected in 1938 with the establishment of the Pallas-Ounastunturi National Park, making it one of Finland’s first national parks. In 2005, it was merged with another fell region, the Ylläs-Aakenus conservation area, forming the present-day Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. This nature reserve spans over 1,000 square kilometers, protecting a nearly 100-kilometer-long chain of fells and the region’s fragile ecosystems from north to south. It is the most visited national park in Finland in terms of visitor numbers.
National Park – a protected natural area
The national park’s round-topped fells with their rocky scree slopes are characteristic of the area. The fells and the region’s rich natural environment form a unique whole you won’t find anywhere else.
Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park is a protected area whose diverse nature, wildlife, and vegetation make it internationally significant in terms of natural value. The park features a wide range of landscapes, including dry pine forests, ancient old-growth woodlands, open fells, groves, and vast wetlands. For those interested in plants, animals, and birds, the park is a true treasure trove – a dream destination for nature lovers.
Exploring the national park
Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park offers a wide range of trails and experiences for all ages – from families with children to active outdoor enthusiasts. The routes pass through stunning fell landscapes, with options for both peaceful nature walks and more vigorous activities.
Many of the summer trails are reinforced to make walking easier and to protect the fragile terrain from erosion. Accessibility has also been taken into account: for example, the lean-to shelter at Lake Kesänkijärvi and the hut at Lake Pyhäjärvi can be reached via demanding accessible trails.
In winter, a large portion of Ylläs’s ski tracks and winter trails run through the national park, allowing winter visitors to enjoy the park’s tranquility and scenic beauty as well.
Please remember:
- Always stick to marked trails. Wet terrain is especially vulnerable to wear and tear.
- Camp only at permitted camping sites
- Make campfires only in designated sites
- During the snow-free season, cycling is only allowed on official summer trails. Going off-trail is prohibited.
- In winter, cycling is permitted on maintained winter trails.
- Pets must always be kept on a leash in the national park.
- Dogs may only be brought into huts with the consent of other visitors.
- This is a litter-free hiking area. Please bring your own trash bag and take all your waste with you.
There are areas in the national park where access is restricted or even completely prohibited. In Ylläs, such a restricted zone is located right next to Yllästunturi – in Varkaankuru. In this area, visitors are only allowed to use official marked trails between May 1st and November 30th. So please, stay on the trail! Camping or any kind of overnight stay is strictly prohibited throughout the Varkaankuru area, including around the Lapp hut.
Please check the detailed rules and guidelines for the area on Metsähallitus’ website or by contacting their customer service.
Facilities and services in the National Park
The park features several rest areas maintained by Metsähallitus, equipped with toilets and firewood supplies. Day-use huts, Lappish huts, and lean-tos are intended for daytime visitors, while wilderness huts also allow overnight stays. Please remember that the national park follows a no-littering principle: every visitor is responsible for carrying out their own waste and disposing of it properly.
Preparing your own meals outdoors is nice experience, and rest areas are great spots for cooking with a camping stove or over an open fire. Campfires are only allowed at designated fire sites. Always check the current forest fire warning before lighting a fire. During a warning, open fires are prohibited, and even fires in fireplaces with chimneys may be restricted.
Along the trails near Ylläs, you’ll find several charming wilderness cafés offering delicious breaks in the heart of nature – a perfect chance to rest and continue your journey well-fed. In Äkäslompolo, you’ll also find the Yllästunturi Visitor Centre Kellokas, run by Metsähallitus, where you can get comprehensive information about the national park and its trails, or explore the region’s nature, culture, and history through exhibitions.
Staying overnight in the national park
Want to experience the midnight sun or see the northern lights in the heart of nature? Overnight stays in the national park are allowed, as long as you follow the rules:
- Camp, pitch your tent, and make fires only in designated areas.
- In special, recreational, and cultural zones, camping is only permitted near marked rest areas, fire sites, and huts – except in restricted zones.