The best spring destinations in Salla, Finnish Lapland
*Paid collaboration Salla in The Middle of Nowhere
Gateway to Land of National Parks - project
April 2021
Couple weeks ago the weather looked perfect for the entire week so I headed to Salla for a photoshoot. Meanwhile I was able to get to know some great skiing and biking tracks under the spring light.
In this post I want to introduce them to you :)
Ruuhitunturi
1. Ruuhitunturi skiing track
Distance: 21,5 km / 4h 40 min
Skiing map: HERE
Skiing time: Check from HERE
Starting point: Salla Reindeer Park or Sallatunturin tuvat
To see: Snow covered trees, sightseeing tower, landscapes far to 360 degrees, swamp areas
Difficulty: Average - Challenging
Coffee hut open: February - April (check from Sallatunturin Tuvat)
Map link to Salla Reindeer park HERE
This skiing track to Ruuhitunturi became easily my all time favourite track!
Even it goes all the way up, the way was very pleasant and I had no troubles at all. We stayed the night in a reserved wilderness hut up at Ruuhitunturi. You can reserve this hut via Sallatunturin Tuvat and it is really affordable. The hut fits 4 people in to sleep but notice you need to bring your sleeping bag, food and water for your own use. Outdoor toilet is around the corner.
You can also do this skiing tour in one day like most people do. This time it was perfect to stay the night and watch the stars at night above us <3
Skiing cafe and a reserved hut. You can book it via Sallatunturin Tuvat.
There is a sweet little cafe up at the fell and you can stop here for a coffee or lunch. We ate the lunch here and it was delicious.
The actual top of the fell is about 900 m from this hut. We skied up couple of times during our overnight stay here and it was just so beautiful.
There was still a lot of snow during March.
2. Sallatunturi fell skiing
I have visited this fell many times during this winter but I still find something new everytime I go there. This place is easily accessible and you can even go up just to see the sunset, like we did.
Distance: About 5 km roundtrip
Parking: HERE
Rent: Salla Ski Resort
Views: Towards the future National Park, Swamps
The top has been pretty windy every time I go there and this was no exception. It’s good to carry an extra jacket even if you are planning to make a quick visit to this fell.
The landscape from here is so beautiful that I could stay here all night (without the wind). The view is towards the future National Park lands and to Russian side.
You can walk here with snowshoes or ski with fell skis. Sometimes it’s also possible just to walk here when the track is in good condition.
Sallatunturi.
3. Cycling around Sallatunturi
If you are looking for some extra action you can also rent an electric fatbike and cycle around this Sallatunturi fell!
Distance: 13 km Kaippahanoja track
Rent: Salla Ski resort (fatbike or e-fatbike)
To see: Sallatunturi fell, landscapes, swamp areas
Kaippahanoja Route.
This was actually the first time I was trying e-fatbikes. We rented the bikes from Salla Ski Resort and cycled to the beginning of the route about few kilometers. These bikes are making uphills a lot easier and comfortable but you still need your own muscles and strength.
There are nice places to have a break between the couple of hours long cycling track like this Kaippahanoja laavu. The morning light was shining from the forest and it really could have felt like spring although the temperature was still 10 celsius degrees below zero.
Note: You can rent these e-fatbikes during winter but check the temperature limit from Salla Ski resort rentals, the guys are super nice there!
4. Kalliojärvi skiing track
Distance: 20 km
Skiing map: HERE
Starting point: Sallatunturin tuvat, or Salla town center
To see: Large swamp areas, rock wall
Difficulty: Average - Challenging
Map link to Sallatunturin tuvat HERE
DOGS ALLOWED
This skiing track is going to Kalliojärvi and the magnificent rock wall. There is a dayhut nearby where you could eat your snack before continuing to ski.
Winter is a great time to visit this place as you can ski on ice and take a closer look at the rock wall.
During my week in Salla I unfortunately ran out of time and couldn’t ski the entire track but I skied some part of it and will definitely return next season. So I will tell you more about this place when I get to visit that.
Dogs are allowed here. :)
5. Kaunisharju walking route
Winter tracks map: HERE
Starting point: Salla Reindeer Park or Kaunisharju
To see: Old forest, Kaunisharju view point
Difficulty: Easy
Map link to Salla Reindeer park HERE
This route is suitable for everyone, especially if you just walk from Kaunisharju to Reindeer park. You can walk here without snowshoes on a track made by snowmobile.
Great place for sunrise!
Sunset at Kaunisharju view point.
Night sky at Kaunisharju view point.
Night sky in Salla March 2021.
I hope you find these places inspiring! I certainly did :)
Thanks again all my friends in Salla for this great week!
Eeva
