In Enontekiö, you can for example go cross-country skiing, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, hunting, birdwatching, or join snowmobile and husky safaris.
Cross-country skiing
All ski trails can be accessed directly from the yards of our cottages. The groomed trail network around Enontekiö covers about 120 km, most of it stretching south of the village in the stunning landscapes of the Ounas fells. To the north, a 20 km trail leads through the canyon lake of Pahtajärvi, and there is also a 10 km illuminated track.
On the trails, there is plenty of space to ski peacefully while enjoying the surrounding nature. Along the routes, you will find wilderness huts and campfire sites. During the ski season, our cottages provide trail maps and a heated ski waxing room equipped with a waxing bench, iron, and cleaning supplies.
Hiking and Mountain Biking
In the Enontekiö village area, you can hike on sandy ridges, easy-to-walk fell slopes, and bright, natural pine forests north of the spruce tree line. Here, you breathe the purest air in the world, free from crowds. In Enontekiö, you won’t encounter ticks, deer flies, snakes, or predators dangerous to humans. The area also offers numerous trails suitable for mountain biking — enough routes to explore for a week and beyond.
South of Hetta village, the northernmost and widest fell chain of Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, the Ounas fells, rise from ancient pine forests. The northernmost peak, Pyhäkero, can be reached with a 5 km hike. The same route continues along the fell ridge all the way south to the Pallas and Ylläs fells. The slopes are covered with rich vegetation, and rocky terrain does not hinder hiking. Pallas-Yllästunturi is Finland’s most popular national park in terms of visitor numbers.
To truly appreciate the uniqueness of Enontekiö’s nature, climb up to Jyppyrävaara, an old Sámi sacred site with a scenic viewpoint just 800 m from the Fell Lapland Nature Centre. From here, the village and surrounding fell landscape surprise visitors with their beauty time and again. Jyppyrävaara itself is a pine-dominated forest, with only a few scattered spruces, since the northern spruce tree line runs some 20 km further south. Various hiking paths start from Jyppyrävaara, making it an excellent spot for day trips.
The Enontekiö region is also characterized by its unique and easy-to-access sandy wilderness areas. You can explore them in Pöyrisjärvi and Kalmankaltiot, as well as near Ounasloma at Ullatieva, where you can enjoy magical old-growth forest on a high ridge. The dry sandy terrain keeps mosquitoes away. In Kalmankaltiot, pale sands even form small dunes, with only juniper bushes and dwarf birches as vegetation.
You can also take a day trip to Lake Hietajärvi, a sandy-shored lake nestled among the Ounas and Pallas fells. Fed by a spring, the water is so clear that you can watch whitefish swim above the sandy bottom in turquoise waters. Spend the day at the lakeshore shelter or continue deeper into the fell landscape. Another option is the 18 km Pahtajärvi loop, which takes you through the dramatic Pahtajärvi canyon lake and across the summit of Paljaanselkä, offering a variety of landscapes and nature experiences in just one day.
Not all of the most beautiful places are marked on maps. In Finland’s most sparsely populated region, there is endless space for those who wish to explore their own paths. At Ounasloma, we know the area well and are happy to share tips on how to best enjoy the unique nature of Enontekiö. We also provide maps for your day trips.
Fishing
At Ounasloma, guests have free access to four rowing boats on Lake Ounasjärvi, a long and narrow lake stretching 13 km in length but only about 1 km wide. The lake offers the chance to catch truly large trout, with the best trolling season from late summer into autumn. You are also welcome to bring your own outboard motor.
The Hetta area is surrounded by several rivers — the Närpistöjoki, Näkkäläjoki, Vaikkojoki, and Periläkoski, all within 10 km of the cottages and easily reached by car. These rivers are home to grayling and trout. The upper reaches of the Ounasjoki River also offer excellent rapids and runs. The prime season for river fishing begins after the spring floods settle in late May to early June and lasts until the autumn colors. Fishing here requires the Finnish state fisheries management fee (for ages 18–64) and a Hetta fishing permit, both of which can be arranged at Ounasloma. Free maps and tips are available on site.
Trout and grayling are also excellent for ice fishing and can be caught from the same rivers. You can reach the best ice fishing spots on skis or borrow a kicksled from us. Lake Ounasjärvi and many other nearby lakes are also known for their large perch. The peak season for ice fishing begins in March and continues until the ice melts, often well into May.
Our cottages also serve as a great base for fishing trips to the Kautokeino River in Norway, less than an hour’s drive away. The river is famous for its large trout and excellent rapids. Norwegian fishing permits can be purchased online, and we are happy to help you with the process.
Hunting
Our accommodation serves as an excellent base and place to recharge close to the hunting grounds. The willow ptarmigan hunting season in Enontekiö typically begins on September 10 and continues until March 31.
In 2008, the surrounding state-owned hunting areas managed by Metsähallitus were reorganized: instead of two areas, the municipality of Enontekiö now has four separate hunting zones. From Ounasloma, the three eastern areas are accessible: Hetta–Karesuvanto (1614), Näkkälä (1615), and Nunnanen (1616). These permit areas include old pine forests, mountain birch groves, and open fells. Thanks to the hard, wind-packed slopes of the fells, spring hunting for ptarmigan on skis is possible. With a ptarmigan license, it is also permitted to hunt hare, waterfowl, and small predators. Further information about hunting on Metsähallitus lands is available at the Fell Lapland Nature Centre.
In addition, the Enontekiö Jointly Owned Forest sells small game permits for its 30,000-hectare area. Game species include willow ptarmigan, waterfowl, hare, and small predators. From our cottages, it is only 15 km to the Joint Forest hunting grounds. The area lies south of Enontekiö, on both the eastern and western sides of the Ounas fells, divided into two separate tracts that can both be hunted with the same permit. Both tracts are accessible via forest roads. More information about permits can be found at www.enontekion-yhteismetsa.fi.
Birdwatching
At Ounasloma cottages, you stay right in the heart of rich birdlife and unspoiled nature. In summer, especially in May and June, the chorus of birdsong is truly multi-voiced, and you can observe the nesting and flight of goldeneyes as well as various small birds. Each cottage has its own bird feeder right outside the window, offering year-round entertainment — perfect to enjoy while sipping your morning coffee. Hundreds of kilos of seeds are consumed here annually. Ounasloma also has numerous nesting boxes for goldeneyes and many other bird species, which are occupied every year. Common birds around the cottages and feeders include bullfinch, pied flycatcher, bluethroat, greenfinch, brambling, redpoll, chaffinch, Siberian tit, redstart, siskin, great tit, blue tit, house sparrow, snow bunting, and goldeneye.
Enontekiö is home to several bird species typical only of the Arctic, such as willow ptarmigan, rock ptarmigan, snow bunting, Siberian jay, snowy owl, hawk owl, gyrfalcon, long-tailed skua, horned lark, rough-legged buzzard, Siberian tit, Lapland pipit, dunlin, Arctic warbler, Lapland longspur, Arctic tern, pine grosbeak, tundra redpoll, ringed plover, and broad-billed sandpiper.
The well-known conservationist and swan protector Yrjö Kokko once lived in Ungelo, Enontekiö. The Yrjö Kokko bird tower not only offers rich birdlife but also magnificent views towards the Ounas–Pallas fell chain. Typical species seen from the tower include whooper swans, geese, ducks, golden eagles, peregrine falcons, common snipes, redstarts, bluethroats, and bramblings. The tower is located 12.5 km from the Ounasloma cottage area and can be reached by car or bicycle; from the parking area, it is just a 200 m walk.
Another excellent site is the Sotkajärvi bird tower, where you can observe divers, bean geese, cranes, willow ptarmigan, common snipes, whooper swans, smews, golden eagles, white-tailed eagles, and many waders, ducks, hawks, and owls. Several rarities have also been spotted here. Sotkajärvi is 16.5 km from Ounasloma and the bird tower is wheelchair accessible.
Husky Safaris
In Enontekiö, you can experience the thrill of a husky sled ride through the wilderness. The season usually begins in November and lasts until May. During snow-free months, you can visit the husky farm on a guided tour.
Typically, on a safari one person rides in the sled while the other drives the team, with roles swapped halfway through. It is also possible to drive the entire trip yourself for a small additional fee. A 6 km safari can even be done in the dark for added atmosphere — and with some luck, you might witness the Northern Lights.
For more information, please ask the staff at Ounasloma.
Snowmobiling
Enontekiö is an excellent base for snowmobilers. The village offers all the services you need for a holiday, and trails lead in many directions — you can even ride all the way to the Arctic Ocean. Snowmobile trails are accessible directly from the cabin yard.
Most routes pass over lakes and marshes, where the wind keeps the trails in good condition, allowing riders to focus on enjoying some of Finland’s most stunning scenery. Snowmobiling is free in Enontekiö and neighboring municipalities, except for the Palojärvi–Kilpisjärvi route and the connected Karesuvanto–Syväjärvi and Saarikoski–Raittijärvi sections, for which a State Forest permit is required.
