Hetta-Pallas hiking trail
Hetta-Pallas is Finland’s oldest hiking trail, and it introduces visitors to some of the most beautiful scenery in our country. The trail passes over the fells and descends into ravines and before giving hikers another breath-taking view from the top of the next fell.
Trees are few and far between on the barren open fells, but you’ll see plenty of low-growing plants that have adapted to conditions in the fells. Beautiful mountain birch with twisted trunks grow at the tree line. In September, hikers on the Hetta-Pallas trail can witness an amazing display of autumn colour as the Arctic bearberry, bog bilberry and blueberry plants turn the ground a beautiful glowing shade of red.
The route usually takes four days as hikers move from one hut to another, for an average of 13 kilometres per day. When you start at Hetta, the hike begins with a crossing of Lake Ounasjärvi. If the starting point is Pallas, the trail ends with the boat ride. A fee is charged for the boat ride, and you can make a booking with one of the national park’s partner entrepreneurs.
You can spend the night in an open wilderness hut if space is available or you can also contact the Visitor Centre to book a sleeping space at a reservable hut. Tents may only be set up in the immediate vicinity of serviced campsites. Hannukuru Wilderness Sauna is a great opportunity to enjoy the pleasant steam of a sauna while surrounded by the fells.
Hetta-Pallas is suitable for beginners as long as you’re properly equipped for fell conditions. The level of difficulty on this trail comes from the long ascents and descents when climbing up Pyhäkero, Suastunturi and Lumikero Fells. Pallas has a long rocky climb to the highest point on the trail, where you can extend your hike by continuing to Taivaskero Fell, which is the highest point in the whole national park.
Author’s recommendation
Before you leave, familiarise yourself with the trail, instructions as well as equipment and safety matters at https://www.nationalparks.fi/hettapallashikingtrail
Rest stops
Fell Lapland Visitor CentreHetan Kota
Lapland Hotels Hetta
Hotelli Jussan Tupa
Pyhäkero Open Wilderness Hut
Pyhäkeron autiotuvan kaivo
Hannukurun kaivo
Suaskuru kota
Montellinmaja tulentekopaikka
Rihmakuru kota
Pallaskota Rental & Open Campfire Huts
Pallastunturi Visitor Centre
Lapland Hotels Pallas
Safety information
Before you leave, familiarise yourself with the trail, instructions as well as equipment and safety matters at https://www.nationalparks.fi/hettapallashikingtrail .
Tips and hints
Before you leave, familiarise yourself with the trail, instructions as well as equipment and safety matters at https://www.nationalparks.fi/hettapallashikingtrail .
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
Before you leave, familiarise yourself with the trail, instructions as well as equipment and safety matters at https://www.nationalparks.fi/hettapallashikingtrail .
Note
Public transport
Getting there
https://nationalparks.fi/pallas-yllastunturi
Parking
Free parking at in Hetta (Fell Lapland Visitor Centre) and Pallas (Pallastunturi Visitor Centre).Coordinates
Equipment
Before you leave, familiarise yourself with the trail, instructions as well as equipment and safety matters at https://www.nationalparks.fi/hettapallashikingtrail .
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Statistics
- 37 Waypoints
- 37 Waypoints
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