About 20 kilometres north of Rovaniemi, the main road to the far north crosses the Raudanjoki river at Vikaköngäs. On both sides of the bridge lies the Arctic Circle Hiking Area, a pocket of protected forest, bog and rapids managed by Metsähallitus. It is the easiest place near the city to walk in real Lapland nature on your own.
Nothing here is dramatic. The appeal is in the details: water sliding over dark rock, old pines hung with beard lichen, the smell of a campfire at a lean-to, and — a kilometre or two from the car park — complete quiet. It is free and open all year.
What to see and do: Arctic Circle Hiking Area
Vaattunkiköngäs and the short trails
From the main car park at Vaattunkiköngäs, a suspension bridge crosses the rapids to an island with a nature trail of about a kilometre and a half. A short, level trail on the near bank is surfaced for wheelchairs and pushchairs and leads to a fire shelter beside the water.
Longer circuits
Marked loops of roughly five to ten kilometres continue through pine heath and across open aapa mires on duckboards, with a birdwatching tower along the way. A longer trail links up with Vikaköngäs, further downstream.
Grill at a lean-to
Several lean-to shelters and a day hut have fire rings and stocked woodsheds. Making a fire and grilling sausages on a stick is what Finns do on a walk; bring matches, food and something to drink. Fires are forbidden when a forest-fire warning is in force.
Winter: snowshoes and skis
In the snow season the shortest trails are usually trodden firm, and the rest are best on snowshoes. Half-frozen rapids steaming in the cold are a memorable sight. A guided forest walk with a campfire makes this easy for first-timers.
Berries, mushrooms and fishing
In late summer the forest floor is covered in bilberries and lingonberries, which anyone may pick under Finland’s “everyman’s right”. Fishing in the rapids requires permits.
How to get to Arctic Circle Hiking Area
- Drive north from Rovaniemi on the E75 (road 4) for about 20 minutes; the car parks at Vaattunkiköngäs and Vikaköngäs are signposted just off the road.
- Long-distance buses heading north towards Sodankylä pass the area; ask the driver for the Vikajärvi or Vaattunkiköngäs stop and check return times carefully.
- Santa Claus Village is on the same road, so the two are easily combined with a car.
Insider tips
- From mid-June to early August, mosquitoes are plentiful. Bring repellent and long sleeves.
- The second half of September is the best time for autumn colour — see when to visit.
- Trails are marked but there is little mobile-phone coverage in places; take a photo of the map board at the car park.
- Carry out all your rubbish; there are dry toilets at the main shelters.
Best tours & tickets for Arctic Circle Hiking Area
These top-rated experiences pair well with a visit to Arctic Circle Hiking Area:
Guided nature walk from €105 From Rovaniemi: Vikaköngäs Forest Hiking Tour with BBQ
A short guided walk in the Arctic Circle Hiking Area, about twenty minutes’ drive north of town. Duckboard paths follow the Raudanjoki rapids through pine forest to a fire shelter. Easy enough for most ages.
- Rapids, hanging bridge and old pine forest
- Sausages grilled at a lean-to
- Easy trails
Guided snowshoe walk from €105 Rovaniemi: Hiking and Snowshoeing Adventure in Lapland
A quiet, engine-free outing into the forest on snowshoes, which take a couple of minutes to learn. The guide reads the tracks of hare, fox and reindeer and stops for a hot drink. A good counterweight to a day on a snowmobile.
- Walk through untouched snow
- Look for animal tracks
- Snack by the fire
Summer evening paddle from €90 Rovaniemi: Canoe Trip under the Midnight Sun
From early June to early July the sun does not set in Rovaniemi. This late-evening paddle takes you onto quiet water in that long, low light, with a guide and a break on the shore. A fine reason to visit outside the snow season.
- Paddle on calm water in golden late-night light
- No experience needed
- Summer only
Husky kennel visit + cart ride from €159 Rovaniemi: Autumn Husky Ride on Wheels
Before the snow arrives the dogs train by pulling wheeled carts, and visitors can ride along. It is fast, muddy and great fun, and the forest in September is at its most colourful. Rated 4.9.
- Dogs pull a wheeled cart on forest tracks
- Autumn colours
- Kennel tour
