Location: Lapland Map
Area: 2550 km²
KoilliskairaVisitor center
Open: May- Sept
Mon- Fri 9am- 5pm
Sat- Sun 9am- 4pm
Tel. +358 (0) 205 64 7251
Urho Kekkonen National Park is located in Lapland
region of Finland. This Finnish national park is named after Urho
Kekkonen, President and Prime Minister of Finland. The nature park
covers an area of 2550 km². Urho Kekkonen National Park has several
trails from 1 km to 7 km in length with the shortest trail
handicapped assessable. Large reindeer herds are commonly seen in
the region. Fishing and hunting is allowed, but carries certain
restrictions. The best time to visit Urho Kekkonen National Park is
in the summer. Fairly mild continental climate warmed by the
Gulfstream makes summers fairly warm. The average temperature in
Urho Kekkonen National Park ranges from -20°C in winter to +20°C in
summer.
Area
Urho Kekkonen National Park is diverse.
Its signposted area to the west is also an easy destination for the
inexperienced hiker, while the park’s wilderness destinations are a
great place for long and demanding wilderness trips.
Hikes to
Urho Kekkonen National Park most often start at Kiilopää Mountain
Center, Aittajärvi on the banks of the Suomujoki River or
Raja-Joosep, and hikers often end up around the Saariselkä Mountain
Range, for example at the top of the area's highest mountain,
Sokost. Many of the hikers also spend the night in desert huts built
on the shores of Lake Luirojärvi at its foot.
The nature of
the Urho Kekkonen National Park includes both spectacular vast bogs,
not forgetting the wooded areas. Reindeer husbandry has a long
tradition in the area and remains a key industry in the area. In the
area reminiscent of it, there are deer graves, reindeer fences,
roosts and restored yellow fields.