Hetta & Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park

Introducing Hetta & Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park

One of the easiest long-distance walks in Lapland is the excellent 55km trekking route between the northern village of Hetta (also known as Enontekiö) and Hotelli Pallas (532 441; s/d €110/140, summer €52/65; ). The marked trail passes through Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, Finland’s third-largest, and can easily be completed in four days. There are seven free wilderness huts, but these can be packed with people in summer so it is wise to carry your own tent.

The Fell Lapland Nature Centre (556 215; www.enontekio.fi; Peuratie, Hetta) is the combined local tourist office and a visitor centre for the national park. At the southern end of the trek, the Pallastunturi Nature Centre (0205-647 930; 9am-5pm daily Jun-Sep, 9am-4pm Mon-Fri Oct-May) at Pallastunturi Fell provides information and can also make hut reservations.

Hetta is the service village for the Sami homeland of Enontekiö, and has plenty of accommodation, including summer camping and cabins.

Hetan Majatalo (554 0400; www.hetan-majatalo.fi; s/d €60/80) This fine guesthouse in the town centre has Nordic-pine country-style rooms, some with spacious lofts. There are cheaper rooms inside the traditional inn (singles/doubles €42/56).

In summer, there’s one daily bus from Muonio to Pallastunturi (€5.20, 45 minutes). Buses to Hetta run daily from Rovaniemi (€43.70, five hours) via Kittilä and Muonio.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009