Hike to Hammastunturi Wilderness Area

Hammastunturi Wilderness Area (Finnish: Hammastunturin erämaa; literally translated “tooth fell”) is one of the most remote and least visited wilderness areas of western Europe. The core part of the area is the upland of Kehäpää, Hammastunturi and Appistunturi Fells, the highest tops of which rise up to 500 metres. The northern limit of spruce growth crosses the wilderness area, and the spruce forests of the southern part are replaced by pine forests in the north.

Hammastunturi Wilderness Area has had a colourful history in the last two centuries. The areas of Hammastunturi Fell and River Lemmenjoki form one of the largest roadless backwoods in Finland. In the past, the area has been used for reindeer herding. During the gold rush, there were hundreds of people living in Kultala Village along River Ivalojoki. The number of gold diggers was equal to the number of actual inhabitants in Inari altogether.

Our hike starts from the road where we leave the car and start to walk up trough the pine forest which slowly turns to mountain birch forest and eventually open plateau. On a plateau slopes are gentle and the walking surface is soft mor with rocks underneath and crowberry, mountain bearberry and heather growing as main plant. On top of the fjell we can see Ivalo river valley in south and the vast pine tree forest in the west and north.

When we walk we see the marks of reindeer herding and if lucky grazing reindeers in the valleys. Some other animals we might see are many birds like willow grouses, siberian jays, whimbrels and golden plovers. While we have our break on top of the fjell we might see a rough-legged buzzard circling around looking for it’s daily meal.

The pace we go is slow and we experience silence and openness around us, we feel and see the nature how it really is.

We will start at 10:00 from Xwander Nordic, Ivalontie 12

If you have any questions about the day or its activities you can contact us by email or phone:

info@xwander.fi

+358 10 200 7633