Duration: 2 days
Trail markings: Orange paint
Difficulty level: Medium, out-and-back trail
Suitability: Suitable for experienced hikers. Due to the length of the trail, we recommend reserving plenty of time, food and water for the trip. It is also advisable to take a map or/and gps. A good destination for cross-country skiers, snowshoers, trekkers, bird watchers and photographers.
Trail description
Riisitunturi Trail goes over the fell tops from Noukavaara in the north-east via Riisitunturi Fell to Karitunturi Fell in the south-west, where there is a connection trail to Kirintövaara. The route travels in varying forest, fell and mire sceneries. The highland areas offer spectacular views of the most expansive sceneries of Posio over Lake Kitkajärvi and forests beyond. Hikers are also enchanted by rare hanging bogs, small creeks and streams as well as the impressive Riisinsuo meadow area, where you can visit the old barn and can get an insight into the secrets of the meadow culture that thrived in the past.
Good to know
Along the way there are four lean-to shelters with campfire sites, the Riisitunturi open wilderness hut (6 beds), Karitunturi Day Trip Hut and other smaller resting areas with dry toilets.
Kirintövaara recreation area has several rental cottages as well as Hotel Kirikeskus, which is located at the foot of the Kirintövaara fell. In the winter, the area is a skiing center with 60 km of cross-country skiing tracks, three ski slopes as well as snowmobile route connections to Ruka, Suomu, Syöte and elsewhere in Lapland. During the summer, activities include orienteering, disc golf, geocache orienteering and hiking.
A longer hiking trail, the National UKK Trail, goes through the National Park following Riisitunturi Trail through Kirintövaara, Karitunturi, Riisitunturi and Noukavaara. From Noukavaara onwards the markings of the trail are insufficient and therefore the route is suitable only for hikers with good navigation skills. This trail goes all the way to Rukatunturi and Oulanka National Park.
To start the trail
There are two starting points for the trail – in Noukavaara and Kirintövaara. The trail can be started from whichever end.
The Noukavaara starting point of the trail is about 40 km from the center of Posio. Drive 15 km from Posio into the direction of Kuusamo. Turn left to road Patoniementie and drive about 20 km to the village of Tolva. Take a left to road Holtinojantie and drive 8 km to the starting point. This road is in bad condition, and it is not maintained during the winter.
The Kirintövaara starting point is about 9 km from the center of Posio. Drive 6 km from Posio in the direction of Kuusamo and turn left to Kirintövaara when you see a sign for Hotel Kirikeskus. The starting point is the parking area of Hotel Kirikeskus, where you will also find information boards.
The points can be reached with a car or taxi (Tel. +358 16 3721555). You can also take a bus to the Kirintövaara junction (on the road Kuusamontie), from where there is a 2.5 km walk up the fell to reach the Kirintövaara starting point. Buses leave twice a day and start from Ingan Tupa café (Address: Toritie 4). Detailed schedules: www.matkahuolto.fi. From the end point you will need to hike or take a car/taxi back to the starting point. Hotel Kirikeskus also offers transportation service.
Noukavaara starting point
Address: Holtinojantie, 97925 Posio
WGS84
lat: 66° 15.3223'
lon: 28° 36.4014'
ETRS-TM35FIN
P: 7349301m
I: 572185m
KKJ
P: 7352375m
I: 3572386m
Kirintövaara starting point
Address: Kiririnteentie 1, 97900 Posio
WGS84
lat: 66° 6.4674'
lon: 28° 17.0842'
ETRS-TM35FIN
P: 7332519m
I: 558060m
KKJ
P: 7335586m
I: 3558255m