Lapland

Region ·🇫🇮 Finland

Population 176,711

Area 98,261 km²

Time zone Europe/Helsinki

Official website www.lapinliitto.fi

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Explore Lapland

Lapland's Absolute Essentials

This selection covers Finnish Lapland’s diverse landscape, from the coastal SnowCastle of Kemi to the northernmost point of the European Union in Nuorgam. Key cultural sites include the Arktikum in Rovaniemi and Siida in Inari, which document Arctic science and Sami heritage. The region’s natural geography is represented by the fells of Urho Kekkonen and Pallas-Yllästunturi National Parks, alongside the UNESCO-listed Aavasaksa hill, part of the Struve Geodetic Arc.

15 places

Wilderness Huts & Shelters

This collection features essential shelters across Lapland’s most remote landscapes, from the Käsivarsi fells to Urho Kekkonen National Park. It includes historic sites like the 1870 Ivalojoki gold-mining station and strategic stops on the Nordkalottruta trail. These structures range from free open wilderness huts (autiotupa) and day-trip shelters to reservable cabins (varaustupa) and traditional peat-covered turf huts (kammi), providing critical infrastructure for long-distance hikers and skiers in the Arctic.

20 places

Finland's Lakes and Ponds

Lapland’s aquatic landscape ranges from the vast, island-studded expanse of Lake Inari, the third-largest in Finland, to unique geological formations like the Pakasaivo canyon lake. This collection features diverse water bodies including Livojärvi, known for its extensive white sand beaches, and the man-made Neitokainen, which is shaped like the map of Finland. These lakes and ponds are central to the region’s geography, serving as historical Sámi sacred sites and key components of the Arctic wilderness ecosystem.

20 places

Finnish Peaks and Vistas

This collection features the most significant geographical landmarks across Finnish Lapland, ranging from Halti, the nation's highest point, to the iconic Saana fell overlooking Kilpisjärvi. The selection includes the UNESCO-listed Struve Geodetic Arc at Aavasaksa and the deep canyon lake of Pakasaivo, known as the 'Hell of Lapland.' These sites highlight diverse Arctic terrains, including the ancient rocky gorges of Kivitunturi, the birdwatching wetlands of Rovaniemi, and the expansive fell plateaus of Urho Kekkonen and Riisitunturi National Parks.

20 places

Wilderness Huts and Cabins

Explore a network of essential backcountry shelters across Finnish Lapland, ranging from historic 19th-century gold mining stations like Ivalojoen Kultala to modern day-trip huts. This selection includes free open wilderness huts (autiotupa) for flexible trekking, reservable huts (varaustupa) for guaranteed berths, and day-use facilities. These structures provide vital safety infrastructure in remote regions like Pallas-Yllästunturi, Lemmenjoki, and the Käsivarsi wilderness, typically featuring wood-burning stoves, basic sleeping platforms, and dry toilets.

20 places

Lapland's Sacred Sites

This collection showcases the diverse ecclesiastical architecture of Lapland, ranging from 17th-century wooden block-pillar churches to mid-20th-century post-war reconstructions. Highlights include the Sodankylä Old Church, one of Finland's oldest wooden buildings, and the Utsjoki Church, the northernmost in the European Union. These sites, often situated along major rivers like the Kemijoki and Tana, reflect the region's history, from medieval traditions to the neoclassical designs of C.L. Engel and modern functionalist styles.

20 places