Saariselkä, Finland
A non-commercial fell centre founded in 1964 at the gateway to Urho Kekkonen National Park, with six trail loops, Spider Tree Tents over a mountain stream, and one of Finland's top five smoke saunas.
Six marked hiking loops leave directly from the front door into Urho Kekkonen National Park. Kiilopuro River runs alongside the centre, feeding the cold plunge below the Kuurakaltio smoke sauna. Spider Tree Tents hang suspended over the river in the Nature Hotel Auhto. Old-growth forest and open fells stretch in every direction. There is no resort village feel here, just trail maps and birch smoke.
Suomen Latu ry, Finland's outdoor recreation organisation with over 83,000 members, founded this place in 1964 to teach fell trekking. It still runs it. The centre operates on a non-commercial principle: activities powered by your own physical effort. Accommodation ranges from a renovated hotel to cabins, a hostel, and a caravan park. Kiilopää sits in the Sami homeland, and that context shapes how staff guide guests through the landscape.
The 4 km return hike to Kiilopää fell summit is the most popular route. Five more marked loops extend into Urho Kekkonen National Park, from 1 km strolls to 20 km treks through fell and forest. Mountain biking follows designated park trails, with electric-assist bikes available and guided MTB tours running about four hours. A 19-hole disc golf course crosses water features on the property. An 18-point orienteering network works with the Mobo app.
Winter brings lit cross-country ski trails and guided snowshoeing through snow-covered fells. Berry picking starts in late summer: cloudberries, blueberries, lingonberries, chanterelles, boletus. Kiilopää Adventures rents gear year-round from the on-site shop.
Explore additional experiences in the surrounding area.
Route length: 35km routeEstimated time: 8hRuijanpolku is a historic 35 km one-way hiking route managed by Metsähallitus. It connects Sompiojärven parking area to Laanila, passing notable spots like Kaptukaislampi lean-to and Kiilopää road.
Route length: 1km loopEstimated time: 13minLoop routeVasapolku is a short, 1 km roundtrip hiking trail within the local walking network. Its compact length makes it ideal for a brief nature walk or beginner-level hiking.
Route length: 5.3km loopEstimated time: 1hLoop routePoropolku is a 5.3 km roundtrip trail classified for hiking in the local walking network. The trail provides hikers with an engaging outdoor experience.
Route length: 1.2km linearEstimated time: 5minDifficulty: EasyLinear routeRetkeilyreitti is a path with an excellent trail visibility and a sand surface, making it comfortable for outdoor activities. The route connects Kiilopää retkeilykeskus to Luulampi and is 3 meters wide. It is suitable for both hiking and cycling as indicated by the bicycle accessibility tag.
Route length: 1.9km linearEstimated time: 9minDifficulty: EasyLinear routeAholammentie is a sand-surfaced highway track identified as a grade 3 route. It supports mountain biking with a low difficulty scale and has a source reference from OpenAerialMap.
Route length: 1.7km linearEstimated time: 8minDifficulty: EasyLinear routeYlä-Hangasojantie is a sand-surfaced highway track. It is classified as a grade 2 track suitable for mountain biking with a low difficulty scale.
Route length: 1.1km linearEstimated time: 5minDifficulty: MediumLinear routeIisakkipään luontopolku is a designated footpath featuring a sandy surface that is suitable for mountain hiking. The trail is approximately 2 meters wide and is accessible for both hikers and cyclists. Motor vehicles and horses are not allowed on the path, and trail visibility is excellent, ensuring a clear route for outdoor enthusiasts.
Straight-line distance from hotel: 50 m directSeason: Late winter / springA recurring guided back-country skiing program based at Kiilopää. The event is advertised as an opportunity to discover back-country skiing with a professional guide, departing from the Kiilopää Adventures rental shop.
Straight-line distance from hotel: 50 m directSeason: WinterLapland North lists a combined snowshoeing and smoke sauna experience at Fell Centre Kiilopää. It is presented as a bookable sauna-and-outdoor activity package.
Route length: 2.6km linearDifficulty: MediumLinear routeValaistu kuntorata is a lit path designated for skiing and cycling. The dirt surface supports groomed classic and skating skiing with intermediate difficulty and excellent trail visibility.
Café-Restaurant Kiilopää opens daily from 8 AM to 10 PM. Breakfast, a soup and salad buffet lunch, and a dinner buffet anchor the day. The a la carte menu leans on Finnish ingredients: traditional sauteed reindeer, pan-fried rainbow trout, creamy salmon soup. Pizzas carry Finnish names like Havuja prkl and Ponnistus.
Kammi Restaurant and Fireplace Lounge hosts group dinners by appointment. Turf Hut Maahinen opens for special events like Inari weeks, pairing open-fire fried salmon with a smoke sauna session. The kitchen uses Finnish meat throughout and increasingly sources local and organic produce. Vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free options run across the menu.
The Kuurakaltio smoke sauna, built in 1998 beside Kiilopuro River, ranks among Visit Finland's five must-experience saunas. The scent of smoke and dim light lead you to the roots of Finnish sauna culture. Ninety-minute sessions run in afternoon shifts, with a maximum of ten guests per booking. Cold baths in the mountain stream follow every session.
An ice swimming hole, built in 1997, stays open through winter. Electric saunas serve hotel and hostel guests. Evening sauna comes included for Hostel Ahopaa, Nature Hotel Auhto, and caravan park stays. A guided Secret of Smoke Sauna experience runs two and a half hours. A mini gym rounds out the on-site wellness options.
Kiilopää was built on a sustainability philosophy before the word entered travel marketing. Its 1964 founding principle, activities powered by guests' own physical effort, still defines the centre. Suomen Latu ry runs it as a non-commercial operation, framing economic sustainability as continuity. The centre sits in the Sami homeland and actively links guests to responsible tourism guidance from the Samediggi.
Kiilopää holds Green Key certification since 2021. Air source heat pumps installed in 2019 reduced heating demand. Staff measure annual carbon footprint and track water, electricity, and waste. Guides stay on marked trails during summer hikes to protect fell vegetation. The kitchen increasingly sources local and organic products while working to minimise food waste.
Kiilopää Fell Centre & Northern Lights Resort offers 9 accommodation types.
Nature Hotel Auhto — Johka (Spider Tree Tent)
A Spider Tree Tent suspended along Kiilopuro River, suitable for up to three adults or two adults and two small children. Sleeping bag rental included in the price.
Hotel Niilanpää Twin Room
Recently renovated twin rooms in Hotel Niilanpää, located on two floors at the gateway to Urho Kekkonen National Park. The hotel has 34 rooms in total.
Hotel Niilanpää Triple Room
One of two triple rooms in the recently renovated Hotel Niilanpää, situated at the gateway to Urho Kekkonen National Park.
Hotel Niilanpää Quadruple Room
One of five quadruple rooms in the recently renovated Hotel Niilanpää, suitable for families or groups of four.
Hotel Niilanpää Accessible Twin Room
One of two accessible twin rooms in Hotel Niilanpää, designed for guests with accessibility needs.
Cabin
Suomen Latu Kiilopää's cabins provide the perfect setting for an active nature holiday amidst the landscapes of Kiilopää.
Holiday Apartment
Holiday apartments for 2–10 persons within walking distance of all services, each with a kitchenette or full kitchen, a fireplace in the living room, and a private sauna.
Hostel Ahopää
Traditional hostel-style accommodation in shared rooms; 40 beds in total across different-sized rooms. Price includes bed linen, towel, and evening sauna.
Hostel Bed (Shared Room)
At Suomen Latu Kiilopää's hostel, you stay in the style of a traditional hiking lodge. From the hostel you can book a bed in a shared room, rooms have bunk beds. Shared rooms are for 4 – 8 people and…
Fall asleep to the burble of a fell stream. Wake up at the gateway to Urho Kekkonen National Park.
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