F rom the Bothnian 6 days Bay to the high fells of Arctic

Highlights: National parks, the Arctic Circle, 24 hours The next stop is Lapland’s oldest tourist attraction, of daylight, outdoor activities scenic Aavasaksa Hill , close to the Arctic The fells of Lapland — lively villages and breathtaking Circle. This has always been a traditional place to scenery celebrate Midsummer. The French scientist Pierre Maupertuis took measurements from the hilltop in Day 1 1736 to determine whether the Earth was perfectly Bothnian Bay, seaside towns and the River spherical or oblate. The ornate log house on the hilltop was built in 1882 for the visiting Russian Tsar Alexander III.

The port towns Kemi and Tornio are both named after the large rivers that enter the sea here. The River Kemi is ’s longest river. Kemi’s inner harbour A ccommodation: Hotels, motels, cottages and welcomes sailors from around the world. Here you camping in Aavasaksa or Ylläs can visit the traditional sailing boats Katariina www.aavasaksa.fi and Jähti, and enjoy a taste of the local lifestyle in www.yllas.fi harbourside restaurants. This is also the starting Services and activities: www.visitkemi.fi point for boat trips to the beautiful islands of the www.visitmeri-lappi.fi Bothnian Bay National Park . www.nationalparks.fi/bothnianbay Next head north, along the banks of Europe’s longest www.kukkolankoski.fi free running river, the River Tornio, which is famed www.aavasaksa.fi for its whitefish and salmon. Follow Highway E8 to Fishing, hiking, mountain biking, skiing, canoeing, Kukkolankoski rapids  where you can go on a swimming — fantastic opportunities for outdoor whitewater rafting trip, or just watch the fishers on activities. the river bank. Day 2 The name of the park’s highest fell, Taivaskero, Day 5 Drive along the River from to Pello, Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park and the Village of means the fell on the edge of the sky. The untamed River Muonio — realm of wild salmon where a bridge leads over to . Don’t miss Seven Fells Pallastunturi Visitor Centre  is an excellent the experience of a whitewater rafting trip with the starting point for a hike up onto the fells. Here you local firm Lappean Loma, who also offer guided can breathe the freshest, cleanest air anywhere in fishing trips on the River Tornio. Europe. Lapland Hotel Pallas has been popular Drive on along the Swedish side of the River Tornio, with hikers since the 1940s. passing through charming villages. People on both Accommodation: www.laplandhotels.com sides of the river enjoy the same healthy arctic or other local hotels, motels, cottages and lifestyle, living close to nature. campsites Stop off at Luppio Hill  on your way. A restaurant Services: www.tunturi-lappi.fi on the top of this granite hill offers local delicacies www.nationalparks.fi/pallas-yllastunturinp from salmon to wild berries, as well as fine views. Activities, local food and relaxation: Try genuine local Your journey ends in the twin border towns of Lappish food at the restaurant of the Särkijärven Haparanda (in Sweden) and Tornio (in Finland). Majat or relax in a traditional lakeshore sauna. Here encounters between differing local and www.sarkijarvenmajat.fi The village of Muonio is best known for its salmon- national cultures create a unique centre for art, The villages Ylläsjärvi and Äkäslompolo are surrounded www.harriniva.fi fishing and the beautiful surrounding fells and handicrafts and history. by seven fells and the amazing scenery of Pallas- www.kemionkoukkaus.nettisivu.org famous Lake Jeris and Pallas. The view from Yllästunturi National Park,  offering great Tourist information: www.tunturi-lappi.fi Särkitunturi is one of the heritage landscapes in opportunities for outdoor activities. Enjoy local Day 4 Finland. Local firms including Harriniva Safaris hospitality and fresh, healthy local food. The  offer many activities here, from hiking Yllästunturi Visitor Centre Kellokas  is the best Sámi culture, silver jewelry — Genuine atmosphere in or mountain biking to fishing, river rafting or starting point for a hike. Visit the free exhibitions and Hetta canoeing. You can also meet Harriniva’s arctic get tips for your adventure. huskies. Enjoy unforgettable adventures in Explore the park’s wild forests and fells, take a guided this lovely part of Finnish Lapland and travel birdwatching tour, or rent a mountain bike. You can on the footsteps of kings and explorers. also stroll, walk or even run along the park’s many www.harriniva.fi trails, surrounded by the splendid scenery of this Accommodation: Hotels, cottages, camping and part of Finnish Lapland. hostels in Muonio © Lappean loma © Lappean Accommodation: www.yllas.fi www.tunturi-lappi.fi Services and activities: www.kylmamaatours.fi, Services and activities: Fishing trips, guided hiking A ccommodation: In the towns of Kemi and Tornio www.yllaksenyopuu.com, and other activities: www.visitkemi.fi www.laplandhotels.com, www.tunturi-lappi.fi www.haparandatornio.com www.safartica.com, www.keimionkoukkaus.nettisivu.org Services and activities: www.lappeanloma.fi www.polarlightstours.fi, www.laplandsafaris.com www.heartoflapland.com www.sarkijarvenmajat.fi www.travelpello.fi Follow the fells and the River Ounasjoki on northwards, Day 6 www.haparandatornio.com Day 3 passing small, picturesque villages. From Along the Golden Riverside Explore the heart of the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Ketomella village you can hike to Lake Hietajärvi Park — and breathe the freshest air in Europe! through the pristine natural scenery of the Pallas- Yllästunturi National Park. Pine trees dominate the lower forests here, as spruce trees do not grow this far north. Heading higher, above the tree line, you can explore the wide open landscapes of the high Ounastunturi. The village of Hetta is famous for its silversmiths’ workshops. Exhibitions at the Fell Lapland Visitor Centre  feature the lifestyle and culture of For more information: Yllästunturi Visitor Centre Lapland’s indigenous Sámi people. Here you can Kellokas, Äkäslompolo, +358 206 39 7039, also see delightful wooden birds made by a local [email protected] sculptor. Take a boat trip over Lake Ounasjärvi to find inviting trails leading off into the national park. Accommodation: Hotels, cabins, huts, camping near Nationalparks.fi Hetta village in Enontekiö www.tosilappi.fi Up-to-date information about Finnish national parks and The Pallas Fells lie in the heart of the Pallas- their facilities Services and activities www.tosilappi.fi Yllästunturi National Park. Climb up above the VisitFinland.com tree line to the windswept fell tops, and enjoy Tourist information: Fell Lapland Visitor Centre, tel The official travel guide of Finland breathtaking views of Lapland’s lovely landscapes. +358 206 39 7950, [email protected] www.tosilappi.fi Outdoorsfinland.com Find the best hiking, cycling and canoeing trails in Finland