Snowmobiling in Enontekiö

Snowmobiling in Enontekiö

How to snowmobile around Hetta and Enontekiö along the marked trail network, including permits, the Victoria route and self-drive rental options.

Enontekiö is one of the favourite snowmobile destinations for Norwegians - and they have the whole of Scandinavia to choose from! The snowmobile is a great way to travel when you need to get around swiftly. Go on your own, or travel with a local guide.

  • Marked trails radiate from Lake Ounasjärvi in every direction
  • Victoria route links Hetta to Kilpisjärvi and the Three Nations' Border Point
  • No permit needed around Hetta or on the Victoria route
  • Metsähallitus permit required to cross the tundra to Kilpisjärvi/Karasuando
  • No snowmobiling inside the National Park or Malla Strict Nature Reserve
  • Self-drive rental via the ski centre, hotels, garages or Joen Safaris
  • Never leave the marked trails: hidden weak ice over rivers and lakes

Routes from the Hetta Area

From the Hetta Area you can snowmobile in various directions. The easiest start is Lake Ounasjärvi, joining the long track that crosses it from east to west. At the western end you can connect to the Victoria route, which leads via Palojoensuu to the western Enontekiö trails and ultimately to Kilpisjärvi. Eastwards, trails run to Kittilä via Vuontisjärvi, Peltovuoma and Nunnanen, or you can turn just before Vuontisjärvi towards Raattama.

You can also turn off the lake near the village of Hetta onto southern tracks leading to Pyhäkero open wilderness hut and ultimately to Muonio. Heading north, two track options connect at Lake Palojärvi, from where trails cross the tundra towards Kilpisjärvi and others run north to Kautokeino and Norway.

Permits & Restrictions

No permit is needed to snowmobile on the tracks around the Hetta Area or on the Victoria route. Snowmobiling is forbidden inside the National Park, though, and anyone crossing the tundra and wilderness areas from Hetta to Kilpisjärvi or Karasuando must buy a Metsähallitus snowmobile permit from the Fell Lapland Nature Centre, as permits fund Metsähallitus's maintenance of the Palojärvi–Kilpisjärvi track.

The Hetta-Kilpisjärvi track runs through Tarvantovaara Wilderness Area, and the Syväjärvi-Kaaresuvanto track turns off it. Enontekiö's local tracks are mainly maintained by the municipality, but you ride them at your own risk. In Kilpisjärvi you may visit the Three Nations' Border Point via the Victoria Route for free, but other tracks need a paid permit, and snowmobiling is forbidden in Malla Strict Nature Reserve.

Rentals & Guided Safaris

Snowmobiles can be rented in several places in Hetta, via the ski centre, hotels and garages. Both the operators of Hetta's snow castle and the safari company Nakkala offer snowmobile safaris of various lengths, and your hotel can probably help too.

To hire your own snowmobile and head out without a guide, 'Joen Safaris', just down the hill from Hotel Majatalo, are one of your best options. If you do, take great care never to leave the designated trails: under the soft snow you have no idea where the weak ice over rivers and lakes lies.