More about the area and How to Find Us

Notable destinations

Other notable tourist destinations within Enontekiö include the Fell-Hotel Vuontispirtti, Raattama village in the north of Kittilä municipality, Kalmakaltio Wilderness Centre and Kelotin Rantamajat Holiday Village. Vuontispirtti, in the south-eastern corner of the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, draws hikers, cross-country skiers and berry pickers. Kalmakaltio (north-east of Nunnanen village) and Kelotin Rantamajat (on the shore of Lake Leppäjärvi) are good bases for hunting, fishing and cloudberry picking.

Enontekiö's hut network

In addition, the Forest and Park Service and the Forest Research Institute own about 20 bookable cabins and 50 open huts for hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts. A separate page explains how Finland's wilderness hut network works and how the huts are classified (open wilderness huts, day-trip huts, turf huts, lapp pole tents, reservable huts and rental huts).

Routes also used for hiking

A number of the routes described in the hiking section of our website are also suitable for biking. For instance, Hetta-Näkkälä (26 km), Kalmakaltio-Pöyrisjärvi-Näkkälä (c. 93 km), Näkkälä to Pöyrisjärvi (c. 18km), Kalmakaltio to Naltijärvi (c. 20km) and Hetta to Sonkamuotka via Muotkajärvi (c. 30km). There are Metsähallitus-maintained wilderness cabins in Pöyrisjärvi and Naltijärvi, and cabins available for hire in Pöyrisjärvi.

For expert riders

Slightly more demanding trails include Kultima to Leppäjärvi and Hetta to Ylimuonio. For expert riders we recommend the terrain trails from Pöyrisjärvi to the Norwegian border, or from Kaaresuvanto via Syväjärvi and Puussasvaara to Neuhkana. A very exotic mountain bike route runs from Kåfjord on the shores of the Arctic Ocean, up the 'mountain road' leading to Guolasjärvi, and onwards on good terrain and quadbike trails all the way to Somasjärvi, east of Halti, Finland's highest mountain.

The Hetta-Näkkälä Trail (26 km)

This trail is part of an old postal route that carried post from Hetta to Näkkälä and on to Pöyrisjärvi and Kalkujärvi. Undemanding as a hike, it is demanding to bike, as the trail is rocky in places. There are duckboards, but not at every wet spot.

Rustic but comfortable

This accommodation is rustic but comfortable. There are charging ports, underfloor heating and water for basic hand-washing, but no running water (no shower). The toilet is an outdoor one c.200m away near the farmhouse, as standard in Lappish wilderness settings. Sleeping bags and liners are included, though you may use your own. Since the kota sits in the middle of the c.200-dog farm, a guide will facilitate your experience.

What's included

The price includes a farm tour (€20 per person) and the option to walk old dogs (normally €35 per person), assuming you arrive early enough. You are welcome to brush dogs or help with feeding and bedding. Optional add-ons include a dog agility session, joining the evening feed, or bike-joring with the dogs. Breakfast and dinner — cooked over the open fireplace — are not included but can be requested ahead of time.

Meals & logistics

Continental breakfast includes porridge, cereals and bread. Dinner is normally a traditional Lappish meal of reindeer with mashed potato and lingonberries, or locally-caught white fish with rice and vegetables. Check-in is after 4pm (a bus stop is just outside the homestead); dinner is served by 7–7.30pm. Check-out is before 11am in summer and before 10am in winter.

Only four roads

There are only four roads running through the whole region. One leads west to where the northernmost borders of Sweden, Finland and Norway meet and continues on towards Tromsø in Norway; en route, you can turn off towards Kiruna and Northern Sweden. The second road crosses the high tundra to our north before dropping down to Alta and the Arctic Ocean. The remaining two roads effectively head south, contouring around the borders of the line of fells that form the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. To our east lies nothing but pure wilderness for mile upon mile.

Protected land

National Parks are only one form of land protection in Finland. Indeed, over 75% of Enontekiö is protected land and, as such, the rugged and pristine nature is a paradise for nature lovers and those seeking relaxation in the pure air of the great outdoors.

Hetta-Pallas car transfer services

A number of companies, including ours, offer car transfers from one end to the other of the National Park for those planning to hike or ski its length. Ask for further details.

Living with the seasons

We live in firm connection with nature, and Lapland's 8 distinct seasons bring remarkable changes to daily life. Seasonal awareness matters in the arctic: the activities possible in our pristine nature vary as much with the seasons as does the rhythm of life on the husky farm. So choose wisely between deep winter, late winter, spring, early summer, summer, late summer, autumn and early winter.

Jyppyrävaara Hill and Lake Ounasjärvi

The best place to take in the uniqueness of the Hetta area's natural features is the look-out at the top of Jyppyrävaara Hill, where the village and surrounding fell landscape astound visitors time after time. The hill is covered by pine-dominated forest dotted with birch, aspen and mountain ash, with only a few lone spruce, as the northern growth line of spruce is 20 km south. Lake Ounasjärvi lies between the Pallas-Ounastunturi fell-chain and Hetta, and is the source of the River Ounasjoki, one of Lapland's longest free-flowing rivers.

Hetta-Pallas car transfer services

A number of companies, including ours, offer car transfers from one end to the other of the National Park for those planning to hike or ski its length. Ask for further details.

Downhill ski slopes and heliskiing

The ski slopes at Hetta Hiihtomaa are 250 to 800 metres long, and children have their own 100-metre slope and sledding hill. The slopes are the perfect steepness for learning to telemark or carve, and advanced skiers will find an abundance of wilderness slopes across Enontekiö. We have run several corporate heli-skiing programmes in the Kilpisjärvi region in the past, though northern Finnish helicopters are currently reserved for rescue and medical use.

XC ski track network

Hundreds of kilometres of tracks are open around Hetta in winter. The first are maintained as soon as the snow is deep enough; a wider network opens once the rivers and lakes have frozen securely; and by mid-February (the traditional Finnish skiing holiday) the whole network is open. Trails are groomed for as long as conditions stay good. Back-country skiers should also check out the Käsivärsi and Pöyrisjärvi Wilderness Areas.

Season and the ruska

The mountains blossom throughout July and August, and summer activities are possible from mid-June to the end of September (though between c. 20th June and 20th August you want to be on a fairly high trek because of the mosquitos). In autumn, particularly the first three weeks of September, the landscape turns vibrant with colour. This ruska period draws most of the Finnish 'summer' tourists – almost as many as visit in spring for the long warm days of skiing.

Karesuvanto

Between Kilpis and Hetta lies Karesuvanto, a destination for wilderness enthusiasts. Many visitors use it mainly as a base for fuel, coffee or lunch before leaving by boat or water plane for the Lätäseno river. The village hosts a Fly Fishing Contest in early August and 'ruska' markets in autumn, and the Arctic Canoe Race passes by.

Choosing a route

If money is not an issue, or you book well in advance, flying into Kittilä or Rovaniemi in Finland and transferring by bus is the best option. You can sometimes save by comparing entry routes (Alta, Tromsø, Kiruna etc), though note that some overland bus and train connections are seasonal. For very last-minute bookings, charter flights are also worth checking, as they sometimes release seats to individual travellers.

Transfer times from northern airports & terminals

ENONTEKIÖ (ENF): 10 mins (airport shuttles available) – primarily open to charter flights; we are happy to pick clients up with advance notice.

KITTILÄ (KTT): 2+ hours (buses twice per day) – the closest commercial airport in Finland and the most hassle-free way of reaching us.

ROVANIEMI (RVN): 4+ hours (buses twice per day) – the main train terminal in northern Finland; a larger hub than Kittilä with more budget flight options. By bus the journey takes 5 hours door-to-door (c. 3.5 hours by hire car).

ALTA (Norway): c. 2+ hours, and TROMSØ: 4+ hours. A daily bus runs from Alta to Kautokeino (our closest Norwegian village, 1 hour from Hetta).

Our websites

Facebook is the best place for regular updates about our farm, dogs and guides. Our YouTube channel hosts both polished farm videos and fun clips. The CAPE Lapland website (still in development) will feature our more extreme 'polar' / 'survival' courses and products, while the Hetta Huskies site focuses on our dog-sledding and husky farm products.

Our tour operator partners

We cooperate with a number of companies internationally who extend the reach of our product portfolio by advertising our products in their markets. They include, but are not limited to: Campfire Adventures, Timetours, Fintouring, Finstours, Aventure Arctique, Spice UK and Student Adventures.

Useful area information

There is a vet in Hetta most days of the week and the Muonio practice is open most Tuesdays. Päivi Nilimaa in Ylimuonio (040 568 8092) is the dog rescue person for that area. Hetta Hiihtomaa, Hetta's ski centre, has a website with information about the ski track network and downhill skiing. Enontekiö is the starting point for information about local businesses and events, and Tosilappi is the tourist-focused website for our area. Minna's Reindeer Farm is a useful link for those interested in reindeer sleigh rides and farm experiences close to Hetta.

Early Mushing Season

We might be sledding as early as October or as late as end November. At first we run only a few safaris: the first route opened each season is a 5km loop close to the farm, and the next to open depend on whether ice or snow conditions are better. By mid-December at latest the full range of short-safari routes is open. In early January we begin opening the longer Multiday Safari routes – we call weeks 2-5 'Early Winter Trail Blazing'. Multiday safaris at this time mean challenging arctic conditions: little light, unconsolidated trails and tough going.

Mid-Winter Mushing Season

We call weeks 6-9 the 'Frosty Depths of the Arctic Winter'. The picture-perfect arctic (snow-laden trees etc) is still likely at the start of February, but conditions are harder to predict: the cold can be even more intense than early season, or mushing can be fairly easy. At least one week in February tends to be very cold, and at least one tends to bring the last huge dump of snow.

Spring Mushing Season

By week 10 we enter the Spring Mushing Season – a fun time to mush, as the snow crystallises underfoot and other users consolidate the trails. Everything gets a little easier, letting guides and dogs recover and giving customers a real chance to enjoy the dogs and each other at the end of their days.

The high fells

There are 40 fells over 1000m high, including Halti (1324 m), Ridnitsohkka (1316 m), Ruvdnaoaivi (1239 m), Kiedditsohkka (1200 m), Urttasvaara (1200 m), Kovddoskaissi (1200 m), Loassonibba (1190 m), Pihtsosjunni (1160 m), Saana (1029 m) and Toskalharji (1026 m), among many others. Halti is Finland's highest mountain.

Remote and relatively unknown

Although the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park has long been a popular Finnish outdoor destination, most of the area remains fairly remote and relatively unknown. The major wilderness areas around Enontekiö include Pöyrisjärvi, Tarvantovaara, Pulju and the Käsivärsi (the 'Arm' of Finland) around Kilpisjärvi.

A unique mix of terrain

We have a unique mix of terrain. At the northern edge of Europe's great boreal forests, the taiga gives way just 20km north of our base to high tundra and exposed, treeless arctic plateaus. Enontekiö sits at the intersection of three national borders – Norway, Sweden and the Arctic Ocean are only a day-trip away.

The great fells

The great fells of Enontekiö, such as Saana and Malla in Kilpisjärvi, stand watch over the nation's oldest nature reserve and form part of the national landscape. Even on the Lappish scale, this legendary great fell region offers more than other areas can dream of.