recommended routeRiisin rääpäsy snowshoe trail in Riisitunturi National Park
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/ Hiker in Riisin rääpäsy trail in February in Riisitunturi National ParkPhoto: Veera Vihervaara, Ruka Kuusamo -
/ Interactive 3D flight: Riisin rääpäsy snowshoe trail in Riisitunturi National ParkVideo: Outdooractive
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/ The snow-covered trees of Riisitunturi National Park make the scenery magicalPhoto: Veera Vihervaara, Ruka Kuusamo
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/ Lake Kitkajärvi seen from Riisitunturi fell, along Riisin rääpäsy trailPhoto: Veera Vihervaara, Ruka Kuusamo
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/ Riisitunturi open wilderness hut in winterPhoto: Ruka Kuusamo
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/ Winter Trip to Riisitunturi National Park at Ruka KuusamoVideo: Ruka Finland
Snowy fell landscapes together with beautiful sunrises and sunsets are an essential part of Lapland’s magic, and this trail is just the right choice to experience it!
The snow-covered trees in Riisitunturi National Park create a white winter wonderland and offer a great backdrop for Aurora watching. Riisin rääpäsy trail ascents to the top of Riisitunturi fell and then descents back to the starting place. Riisitunturi open wilderness hut halfway on this circle trail offers a atmospheric place to warm your toes, and you could even spend a night in the hut. Riisitunturi has very little light pollution, so it is an ideal location for hunting the northern lights.
- Trail is marked with green paint on posts.
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Recommended to be hiked clock-wise.
- Drytoilets are located in Riisitunturi National Park's entrance and next to Riisitunturi open wilderness hut. Bring your own toilet paper.
Author’s recommendation
Safety information
See instructions and rules for Riisitunturi National Park in nationalparks.fi.
In Riisitunturi the weather can change quickly and the night-time temperatures in the winter are often very cold. Even when planning a brief winter trek it’s important to be prepared for changing conditions.
Tips and hints
- See all the trails in Riisitunturi National Park in nationalparks.fi.
- Services in Riisitunturi National Park in nationalparks.fi.
- For renting snowshoes, see options in ruka.fi
- For guided snowshoe trips to Riisitunturi, see Ruka Adventures
- Want to try ski touring with skinbased skis? Check trips to Riisitunturi with Outdoorpassion Finland
Start
Note
Public transport
Getting there
Riisitunturi National Park starting point is along Tolva road (Syrjälahti), about 6 km from Tolva Village. See in Google Maps.
From Kuusamo, it is about 54 km to Riisitunturi National Park. Drive north on road 5 (E63) towards Ruka and Kemijärvi for about 31 km. Drive pass Ruka and about 6,5 km after passing Ruka, turn left onto the road going to Kitka. There are signs to Riisitunturi National Park before the fork of the road. Drive on road 9471 (Kitka - Patoniemi) for about 11 km, and then turn to Tolva, which is about 9 km away.
From Rukatunturi / Ruka area it is 35 km drive to Riisitunturi National Park. Drive to road 5 (nro 5 / E63) towards Kemijärvi (north) 6.5 km, turn to left Alakitkantie road and drive about 12 km. After that turn left to Tolvantie road (nro 3471). Drive about 13 km and turn to a forest road and drive 1.2 km to the parking area of the national park. There are national park's traffic signs near the crossroad.
Parking
- There is space for dozens of cars and a few buses in the parking area.
- On peak seasons (especially Finnish winter holiday weeks 8-10 in Febryary-March) the parking lot can get a bit crowded.
- Please note, that there is a 20 metres no parking zone at the upper part of the parking area - this space is reserved for rescue vehicles.
Coordinates
Equipment
- Snowshoes and warm clothes.
- Depending on snow conditions, this trail might be walkable without snowshoes, but before taking this trip without snowshoes, we recommend you check the snow situation from Oulanka Visitor Center's customer service.
- If you plan on staying on the trail past daylight, bring your own light source.
- Read the arcticle on how to dress right to enjoy the winter in Finland from visitfinland.com
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