Snow-Shoeing in Enontekiö

Snow-Shoeing in Enontekiö

Snowshoe Enontekiö's summer hiking trails in winter, with three classic marked routes and notes on local etiquette and deep-snow conditions.

As with XC skiing, all the summer hiking trails are accessible (in one form or another) by snow-shoe during the winter but not all are maintained as winter trails, so - although their marker posts mean that you are unlikely to get lost - sections can have very deep snow (i.e. you'll either need to use BIG snow-shoes or be prepared to work very hard).

  • All summer hiking trails are snowshoe-accessible, though not all are winter-maintained
  • Use BIG snowshoes or expect hard work in deep snow
  • Avoid the groomed ski tracks: it's culturally frowned upon
  • Kultima–Leppäjärvi Trail: 25 km, good day trip, also a biking route
  • Kaaresuvanto–Lavivaara–Syväjärvi Trail: 20 km, undemanding; wilderness hut at Syväjärvi
  • Palojärvi–Salvasjärvi Trail: 20 km old postal track; bring a passport (crosses into Norway)

Trail Etiquette

It is generally considered bad practice to snow-shoe (or snowmobile) on the groomed ski tracks, as you carve up the surface and ruin the moulded classic-style grooves, which hard-core skiers find annoying. In traditional Finnish style, even if annoyed they will probably frown about you rather than say anything to your face. But now you know it isn't culturally appropriate!

The Kultima-Leppäjärvi Trail (25 km)

The easiest place to set off on the Kultima-Leppäjärvi Trail is along a sandy road from the village of Kultima. The trail is a good day-trip route and leads through mainly lichen filled dry forest, but there are damper sections on it without maintained duckboards. The last 5 km of the trail from the River Palojoki to the village of Leppäjärvi is a dirt track and there are privately-owned cottages along it. The trail is also suitable for mountain biking. Sights: At the trail's halfway point you can turn off the route and go 1 km north to Lake Pahtajärvi, which is clear and surrounded by cliffs.

The Kaaresuvanto-Lavivaara-Syväjärvi Trail (20 km)

This trail starts at the village of Kaaresuvanto and leads to Lake Syväjärvi via Lavivaara Hill, where it changes from a gravel road to a dirt track. It is marked with kilometre posts, as are all trails maintained by the Finnish Road Administration. The terrain is undemanding, if a bit rocky at the Syväjärvi end, and is suitable for mountain biking. Services: Syväjärvi open wilderness hut.

The Palojärvi-Salvasjärvi Trail (20 km)

This old postal track, maintained by the Finnish Road Administration and still regularly used by locals, is clearly visible in the terrain and runs from the north side of the village of Palojärvi to reindeer herders' summer cabins at Lake Salvasjärvi. It has kilometre signs, but still take a map and compass so you don't get lost.

The track crosses into Norway at one point, so you should technically carry your passport. Approaching Lake Salvasjärvi, the trail ascends onto the tundra plateau, ending on the lake's east side at Salvasjärvi open wilderness hut. It is also suitable for mountain biking, but demanding, with great changes in altitude and vast mires. Services: Salvasjärvi open wilderness hut.