THE SEVEN FELLS OF YLLÄS

The seven fells of Ylläs have delighted travelers for centuries. Being some of the oldest hills in the world, they’ve eroded from sharp mountains to round fells through time. Have you topped all seven yet?

Yllästunturi

719m

Reach the top

All year round

Special features

Views that stretch over 100km Gondola

Yllästunturi fell is a landmark of western Lapland that can be spotted from far away. 719 metres above sea level and 500 metres above the surrounding terrain, the fell top presents views that stretch over 100 kilometres all over Lapland. By relative relief, Yllästunturi is one of Finland’s great fells.

You can reach the top comfortably by gondola all year round. In summer, walk on a hiking trail or on a ski resort service roads from both sides of the fell – Ylläs Ski Resort Ylläsjärvi and Ylläs Ski Resort Äkäslompolo – lead to the top. In winter skiers, snowboarders and snowmobilers enjoy the fell landscapes.

Tip

Kukastunturi 477m

Reach the top

All year round

Special features

One of the easiest to conquer

A three-kilometre gentle ascent on the trail through a pine forest. Up the steepening slope to the treeline and the treeless fell top. That’s it! Kukastunturi fell is one of the easiest to conquer. Stroll to the top without breaking a sweat or get a workout on your way up – it’s up to you.

The views from the top reward the hike. In the north, peaks of Pallastunturi fell catches your eye and in the east, the Lainiotunturi fell is almost within reach. In the south, Yllästunturi fell rises as its most beautiful. The summer hiking and mountain biking trail leads to the top and in winter, a xc ski trail, snowshoe trail and winter biking trail take you to the highest point.

Even if it’s cloudy down in the village, the fell tops could be bathing in the sun above the clouds!

See our weather cams: yllas.fi/weather

Ps.

Kindly remember that piling stones is prohibited

You can often find old, even large piles at the top – please focus on admiring them instead of altering anything. Thank you for leaving no trace in nature.

Kesänkitunturi

535m

Reach the top

All year round

Special features

Pirunkuru Gorge

On the other side of lake Kesänkijärvi rises the rugged Kesänkitunturi fell. In summer, the Pirunkurun ponnistus trail provides breathtaking views over the lake and fells. This straight way to the top will get you winded if you keep a brisk pace. In winter, a xc ski trail and snowshoe trails take you up the gentler slope to the Tahkokuru day trip hut, located at the treeline of the fell.

Kuertunturi

446m

Reach the top

In winter

Special features

Easy to conquer in winter

In winter the relatively easy Kuertunturi fell snowshoe trail is one of the finest in Ylläs! At the top, the snow covered trees frame the vast landscape. In summer there’s no trail to Kuertunturi fell, making Kesänkitunturi fell a feasible option, for example.

Aakenustunturi

565m

Reach the top

In summer

Special features

Feel the remote wilderness

New wilderness hut along the trail

The long and horseshoe-shaped fell offers a feel for wilderness and natural quietness. In summer, the Aakenustunturi fell can be conquered via the Totovaaran tunturireitti trail that starts from the Totovaara parking area. Alternatively, start from the Pyhäjärvi parking and follow the Vareslaen kierros trail. The newest wilderness hut in Ylläs, the six-person Aakenustupa, is positioned beautifully and is definitely worth a visit! In winter, a cross-country ski trail goes around the Aakenustunturi fell. Follow the trail to nearby Totovaara hill for amazing views of the chain of fells.

Lainiotunturi

613m

Reach the top

Only in winter (no marked trail)

Special features

Well suited for backcountry skiing

Lainiotunturi fell’s steep slopes rise in the middle of the area. No trails lead to Lainiotunturi, but a crosscountry ski track goes around the fell with several mellow resting spots on the way: the Hangaskuru hut, Kotamaja wilderness café and the Karhukota hut. In winter, you can spot backcountry skiers and snowboarders on the slopes of Lainiotunturi fell.

Pyhätunturi

495m

Reach the top

Only in winter (no marked trail)

Special features

Part of restriction zone – avoid moving during snow-free periods

Fell vocabulary

FELL, finnish: tunturi

Treeless round peak. Compare: mountain is treeless sharp peak and forested hill (finnish: vaara) is what the name implies.

KERO

Fell top. For example, Pallastunturi fell has many “keros” aka many peaks.

Framing the northern edge of the Ylläs area, the wide Pyhätunturi fell has no trails. The fell is best admired from the Kotamaja wilderness café, lake Pyhäjärvi shore or in winter the cross-country ski trail that goes around it.

Kindly note: the Pyhätunturi fell is part of the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park restriction zone, where camping is prohibited and even accessing it in summer should be avoided. Thank you for not wearing the fragile fell nature.

TREELINE, finnish: puuraja

The border where trees do not grow because of coldness, dryness or such. In Ylläs, the treeline lies about 380 meters above sea level.

OPEN FELL AREA, finnish: avotunturi, paljakka

Treeless fell area, in other words the area above the treeline.