Lemmenjoki National Park

Inari, Kittilä
Lapland

Hear the Call of the Vast Wilderness

Lemmenjoki, Finland’s largest national park, is a vast stretch of wild Lapland wilderness. The legendary Lemmenjoki National Park brings to mind the glittering gold sands of the riverbanks and endless expanses of fells and open wilderness. The wolverine serves as the park’s emblematic animal.

The park borders Norway’s Finnmark region and is part of Sámi land. You can gain insight into the Sámi way of life and traditions by joining guided tours. Additionally, the magnificent Sámi Museum Siida in Inari provides extensive information on the history, nature, and culture of the Sámi areas.

Did you dream of panning for gold as a child? You can try that, too, under guidance in Lemmenjoki. Be sure to visit the Kaapin Jouni field and Matti Musta’s cabin, which share their unique stories of life in Sápmi and the history of the region.

Or perhaps you’re driving along the Kittilä road and feel the immensity of Lemmenjoki National Park opening up right beside you? Stop at the Repojoki parking area and head toward the Sallivaara reindeer fence. The round-trip trail spans a total of 12 kilometers if you walk all the way to the fence.

Services

Find Your Cabin Near Lemmenjoki

After your long journey north, it’s worth recharging in peace and comfort in a cabin. Spending a night in a cozy cabin allows you to ease into Lapland’s unhurried atmosphere, preparing you for either day trips or extended hikes through the national park’s scenic landscapes.

Find and book your cabin in Inari here >>

Plan Your Trips Carefully

If you leave the Lemmenjoki valley and venture deeper into the national park, it’s quite possible you won’t encounter anyone else on the trails. Lemmenjoki National Park has a few wilderness huts available for overnight stays. Prepare thoroughly for your trip and, ideally, bring a friend along. Explore the wilderness fells and observe the life of the open terrain. Perhaps you’ll cross paths with a moose, or if exceptionally lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a wolverine.

The wilderness is unforgiving, and nature is not to be taken lightly when you truly step away from civilization. Local guides are happy to introduce even less experienced nature enthusiasts to Lemmenjoki’s wilderness in a safe and guided manner. To venture off the marked trails in Lemmenjoki, you must have experience hiking in the wilderness of Lapland.

Trails in Lemmenjoki National Park

First Time in Lemmenjoki?

The best way to start exploring Lemmenjoki is from Njurkulahti. The most direct route to Njurkulahti from Highway 4 is signposted from Inari, with the initial part of the drive heading toward Kittilä. In Njurkulahti, you’ll find everything from a short nature trail to the starting point for countless hiking opportunities. You can reach Lake Ravadas and Ravadas Falls on foot or even by boat. During the summer season, daily riverboat rides are available on the Lemmenjoki River. This vast national park offers an extensive trail network with rest and camp sites along the way.

On the nature trail starting from Njurkulahti, you can experience the golden river’s atmosphere right at the edge of the wilderness. You can also hike up to the summit of Joenkielinen or listen to the thundering waters of Ravadas Falls.

In Lemmenjoki National Park, you are free to roam and explore. Only in the Ravadas Falls area is there a restricted zone where you must stay on marked trails. Otherwise, the entire vast park is open to human-powered exploration: you can choose to stick to the marked routes or blaze your own path. Wherever you wander, please remember to respect and protect nature.

Circular Trails in Lemmenjoki

Lemmenjoki Nature Trail (4.1 km) starts from Njurkulahti and offers a great introduction to the park, perfect for first-time visitors. The trail follows the river and includes a campfire spot and nature trail signs. Read a trip report here.
Joenkielinen Loop is a 16-kilometer circular trail that ascends to the summit of Joenkielinen. Starting from Njurkulahti, the route includes designated campfire spots. Read our trip report here.
Ravadasjärvi and Kultala can be explored on a 26.5-kilometer circular route. The start and endpoint are at Lake Ravadasjärvi. Along the trail, you’ll find Ravadas Falls, campfire sites, tent areas, and huts.

Other Trails

Njurkulahti–Ravadasjärvi is a 15-kilometer route along the Lemmenjoki River. The trail includes several campfire sites, the rental hut at Härkäkoski, and a wilderness hut at Lake Ravadasjärvi. You can also travel one or both ways by riverboat.
Trail to the Sallivaara Reindeer Fence is 6 kilometers one way. At the site, you’ll find the Sallivaara wilderness hut and an old reindeer roundup area. The trail starts from Repojoki on the Inari–Kittilä road, with signs at the parking area. Read our story here.

Also worth noting:

Njurkulahti–Kultala Canoe Route, a 20-kilometer route that follows the same waterway used by riverboats.

How to get there

By Car – or Once a Week by Taxi

If you prefer to follow your own schedule, you can arrive in Lemmenjoki by car whenever it suits you best. Of course, it’s also possible to start a long hike from Inari, which is easily accessible by bus.

By car

Njurkulahti Parking Area Located at the end of Lemmenjoki Village Road. Starting point for trails such as the Lemmenjoki Nature Trail and Ravadas Falls.

Repojoki Parking Area Located along the Kittilä Road. Starting point for the trail to the Sallivaara Reindeer Fence.

By public transport

Several bus services arrive daily in Inari via Highway 4 from the south.
The nearest airport is in Ivalo, from where you can take a bus to Inari.
It’s possible to reach Njurkulahti by public transportation once a week when a taxi service, priced like a bus ticket, runs from Inari to Lisma. The taxi will detour to Njurkulahti upon request. Read more.