Top Things to do in Enontekio
The 10 Best Things to Do in Enontekio, Finland
Discover the best top things to do in Enontekio, Finland including Hetta Huskies, Fell Lapland Visitor Centre, Jyppyra lookout, Transun Winter Wonderland, Enontekio Church, Nakkala Safaris, Halti, Pyhakero, Muotkatakka, Yrjo Kokko bird watching tower.
Restaurants in Enontekio
1. Hetta Huskies
Overall Ratings
5 based on 216 reviews
An innovative and award-winning sled-dog kennel known for its high standards in client care and sleddog welfare, located high above Finland's arctic circle.
Reviewed By Alex R - Barcelona, Spain
We were on December 29 and it was a perfect and very beautiful excursion.It was about 3 hours of excursion, through the woods and incredible locations, which I will certainly always remember.The only downside was that we were 8 groups and being the last we had to stop, waiting, so that with less group would have been more bearable.Sin duda, es una experiencia muy positiva, ya que tienen cantidad de perros, y al final de la excursión, te dejan que los ates a sus casitas, y tengas una unión con los animales.
2. Fell Lapland Visitor Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 39 reviews
The Fell Lapland Visitor Centre presents the genuine Nomadic Sami Culture, the diversity of northern nature and the history of tourism in Enontekiö.
Reviewed By John E - Solihull, United Kingdom
I spent an interesting two & a half hours looking at the Sami displays, the birds exhibits and watching old B&W movie footage of life in the past in this region. Very interesting, although I couldn't understand a word that was said! Interestingly there were leaflets to read in French, German & another language at some of the displays but I didn't see any in English. Maybe these were just translations of what was on the walls which told how life is affected by the 4 seasons at these high latitudes in Finnish, English and ?Sami?
3. Jyppyra lookout
Overall Ratings
4 based on 20 reviews
Jyppyra hill rises about 400 metres above sea level next to the village of Hetta. Our ancestors used to worship the spirits of the hill to guarantee a good hunt. A marked trail leads you from the Fell Lapland Nature Center to the top. Along the way you can explore the cultural history of Jyppyra and from the top you can admire the Pallas- Ounastunturi fell chain.
Reviewed By JariJK - Kouvola, Finland
The Jyppyrä lookout point is situated only 800 meters from Fell Lapland Visitor Centre. So it is very easily achievable with a short and very easy hike. The trail is marked with orange marks in which you can see a yellow sun. The total length from the visitor center to Jyppyrä and back is 1.8 kilometers.
Jyppyrä isn't a real fell. Fells (tunturi in Finnish) are so high Lappish hills or Mountains that there aren't trees on peaks. Jyppyrä is a vaara. It is a Finnish word for lower hills with trees on peaks. However, you can see an extremely beautiful fell and Wilderness views from Jyppyrä, which is situated 120 meters above Lake Ounasjärvi. At clear weather you may even see Halti, the highest peak of Finland, which is located 140 kilometers from here.
There is a partly open Lapp hut with a campfire at Jyppyrä. You may use the campfire free. Firewood is available there but you need own matchsticks.
We loved this place. It was so beautiful everywhere. I highly recommend Jyppyrä if you want to see the wonderful scenery easily.
4. Transun Winter Wonderland
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 130 reviews
Reviewed By irene054 - Manchester, United Kingdom
Booked via Santa Claus Trips who were agents for Transun. We were late arriving and taken to get into our thermal suits. We then travelled for about an hour to 'Winter Wonderland' which looked OK. We were not told anything on arrival apart that we should meet back later and then we would go and see Father Christmas. We were not told anything about food and when we could expect lunch (we found out eventually that we could have eaten at any time). Because other clients were delayed we couldn't see Father Christmas until it was time for our group which turned out to be late in the afternoon. By the time we had met the big man the coach was in a rush to get us back to the airport but first we had to travel to where we picked up our suits in order to get our own clothes. It was snowing. Because we were late the staff had gone home and our own clothes had been left outside (wet through).on the way back to the airport we were met by the coach in front of us over on its side so we had to wait to pass. On arrival at the airport everything was shut and we were rushed through even though we had to wait for the people on the other coach. All in all it was a disaster and money wasted. On the plus side the Father Christmas we saw was amazing and our grandson was in awe
5. Enontekio Church
Overall Ratings
4 based on 17 reviews
Enontekio Church is one of the most beautiful modern churches in Finland. It's located in the centre of Hetta village. Architect Veikko Larkas designed the present church and it was built in 1952 with help of American Lutherans. The mural on the wall behind the altar was designed by the artist Uuno Eskola. This Lapland themed mosaic work manifests the resurrected Christ blessing the people of Lapland and their daily life.
Reviewed By Ian S
Visited during a family Santa trip and for the adults an absolute highlight. A beautiful church both internally and externally, a must visit if you are in the area
6. Nakkala Safaris
Overall Ratings
5 based on 5 reviews
Snowmobile Safaris, Sami excursions, snowshoeing, car trips to Norway and Sweden, fishing trips, trekking trips, Wilderness excursions, canoe and cayak rental, mountainbike rental, Wilderness cabin rental, transports to Wilderness, atv transports, hunting guiding, trekking equipment rental, hot tub, rafting, boats, rubber boat adventures, tent overnights, outdoor equipment rental, mobile sauna, icefishing huts, nature excursions,
Reviewed By AnkeDS - Kapellen, Belgium
We did several excursions with this organisation. Samuli and Taina are very good people and they know what they are doing.
We did a Slegderide to the snow and ice castle. This was great! The castle is amazing and they told us that the shape is very year different. Wonderful place! if you're lucky, you can see the northern light (when visiting in the evening).
We also went on a snowmoblie tour with ice-fishing. The tour was also great. I expected a little bit more from the ice-fishing. We only spend half an hour on this.
A last trip we made to Kautokeino. We saw the city and the silver jewelry. Unfortunately, on the advertising folderin the hotel, they was mensioned Kautokeino was the capital of Sami people. Sadly, we didn't see much of this. Also the local history museum we didn't visit. I think more can be made of this trip.
My advise: Book a snowmobile tour and visit the castle!! Fantastic experiences!!
7. Halti
Overall Ratings
5 based on 3 reviews
Halti is the tallest fell in Finland (1324m). It's located 55 km to the northeast from the village of Kilpisjarvi. Halti lies close to the border between Finland and Norway with marked hiking and skiing trails. The Halti summit is easiest to reach by taking the Calotte Route from Kilpisjarvi. The Halti fell is part of Finland's national heritage and in ancient times, the spirits of the fell were worshipped to guarantee a good hunt.
Reviewed By JariJK - Kouvola, Finland
Backpacking is almost the only way to reach Halti Fell, the highest point in Finland (1324 meters above sea level), because there aren't any roads near Halti. Of course you can take a seaplane by Polar-Lento (to Lake Pihtsusjärvi 10 kilometers from Halti) or a helicopter. I prefer hiking and I think that it is the only right way.
You can hike to Halti from the village of Kilpisjärvi. The hiking route is named Kalottireitti (also known as Nordkalottleden Trail). You can start hiking from Kilpisjärven luontokeskus (also known as Luontotalo, Kilpisjarvi Visitor Centre or Kilpisjarvi Nature Centre) or from the village shop of Kilpisjärvi (Ravintola Kilpis). From these places in southern Kilpisjärvi the one-way hiking route to Halti is a bit less than 55 kilometers. Follow signs Kalottireitti or Halti.
You can also start hiking from northern Kilpisjärvi, e.g. Kilpisjarven Retkeilykeskus (Kilpisjärvi Hiking Centre) near Saana Fell or from the parking place of Malla Strict Nature Reserve. However, these routes are 5-10 kilometers longer. The path on the southern slope of Saana is quite wet, muddy and often full of mosquitoes. I recommend that you choose the northern path although it is a bit longer.
Remember to take enough food, good hiking shoes, a hat and a hiking map with you. Rubber boots are also needed if the weather isn't very sweltering. There aren't any services on the route. There are open Wilderness huts and outhouses every ten kilometers. However, you must have own toilet papers with you. It is also recommendable to have an own tent because Wilderness huts may be full. You get clean and safe drinking water from streams. However, it may be a good idea to boil it.
The winter 2016-2017 was very snowy in Lapland and the spring 2017 came late. So it wasn't possible to hike to Halti before July. Until mid-July it was possible to climb on Halti only in cold nights when snow on the slope was tough enough. After that almost all snow melted.
I started hiking with my teenage son (15 years old) from the village shop of Kilpisjärvi on the last week of July. Both of us had backpacks (less than 20 kilograms). We had a tent but no rubber boots. We hiked the whole route Kilpisjärvi - Halti - Kilpisjärvi (110 kilometers) in four days and nights. However, our last day trip from Lake Meekonjärvi to Kilpisjärvi was very long (33 kilometers). We are experienced hikers and I don't recommend as quick hiking for everybody. I have read that the recommendable hiking time is 5-7 days.
The path is quite challenging. It is partly very stony and there are many hills there. You have to get over some streams: you can jump from one stone to another or you can wade.
The weather was sunny, hot (daytime temperatures 20-25 degrees Celsius) and calm during our hike. We had only one thundershower. After that all slopes were very wet and muddy. There were also very many mosquitoes in some places. So you need mosquito repellents or protective clothing. Mosquitoes will disappear after the first night frost in late August. So I think that late August or early September before snowing could be a perfect hiking date here.
Halti isn't the only sight on the route. There is very much to see on the trail. There are many beautiful fells, lakes, streams and Waterfalls there. Especially Pihtsuskongas Waterfall is extremely wonderful (read separate TripAdvisor reviews).
We really loved this experience!
8. Pyhakero
Overall Ratings
5 based on 3 reviews
Pyhakero fell is located next to the village of Hetta, in the northernmost peak of Pallas-Yllastunturi National Park. It stands 7 km from the shore of the Lake Ounasjarvi. This fell is a great destination for a day trip or for a start of multi-day trip because of its clearly marked summer and winter trails. There is a Wilderness hut at the foot of the fell where to rest before climbing to the top.
Reviewed By Trish082 - Cannock, Staffordshire, England
At 86 I was still dying to visit some of the national park huts and so we went by car to the end of the roadhead, at the edge of the national park and I hiked in the first snows along the 2km of trail and boardwalk to the Pyhakero huts. The walk was gentle and I managed it fine and I know it is a favourite of my 3 year old grandson too, who likes to go out there and make pancakes in the open huts.
9. Muotkatakka
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
This is the highest point in Finland where the national road network reaches 565, 8 m above sea level. It's located 12 km south from the village of Kilpisjarvi. Muotkatakka has also a monument of the Lapland War. The last cannon shots were shot from Muotkatakka, when Finnish Army drove the remaining German troops to Norway.
Reviewed By Sami P
Pysähtymisen arvoinen paikka. Paikka on Suomen maanteiden korkein kohta ja samalla paikalla ammuttiin Lapin sodan viimeiset tykinlaukaukset huhtikuussa 1945. Paikalla on muistomerkki.
10. Yrjo Kokko bird watching tower
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Yrjo Kokko bird watching tower is a good place to observe the life of the typical birds of Lapland. Its typical inhabitants include smew, swan, white-tailored eagle and goose. The tower is located 10 km from Hetta by road 956. In the tower you can read about the local birdlife in the words of Yrjo Kokko who was a famous scientist and nature lover. There is a lean-to shelter next to the tower.
