4-Day Snowshoe Trek Pallastunturi from Rovaniemi

Four days crossing one of Europe's last wilderness areas on foot in deep snow

A 4-day guided snowshoe trek across Pallastunturi National Park in Finnish Lapland, departing from Rovaniemi, Kittilä, Levi or Ylläs. You hike roughly 50–60 kilometres over four days through snow-covered forests, frozen lakes and open fells, staying in wilderness huts each night with your guide preparing meals. The group stays under eight people, and the trek includes snowshoes, winter gear, all accommodation and transport to and from your chosen departure point.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Start trek from Hetta

• Guide collects you from departure point
• Lunch in Hetta restaurant
• Begin snowshoe trek on frozen lake
• Hike through white forests and hills
• Arrive at private wilderness hut
• Relax while guide prepares dinner

Day 2: Hike to valley and sauna

• Enjoy hot breakfast in hut
• Hike 16-18 km to valley
• Break with Finnish snacks by open fire
• Arrive at wilderness hut with sauna
• Relax in separate men and women sauna

Day 3: Hike to Pallastunturi fells

• Choose route with guide: fells or ski trail
• Hike 13-15 km with winter scenery
• Overnight in warm wilderness hut

Day 4: Final hike and return

• Hike 10 km to Pallas ski resort
• Stop at viewpoints along the way
• Drive back to arrival point
• Lunch at restaurant to conclude trip

What’s included

• Snowshoes and winter equipment.
• accommodation in four wilderness huts with heating.
• all meals prepared by your guide.
• winter overalls and boots if needed.
• transport in an air-conditioned vehicle to and from your departure point (Rovaniemi, Kittilä, Levi or Ylläs).
• professional English or French-speaking guide for all four days.

Times

Next departure: 10 Jan 2027

12 departing soon ›

Before you book

Group Up to 7

Live guide English and French Another language? ›

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup included. You can choose from 13 pickup points.

Book up to 2d before

Ages Adult (14 to 75 years) · Under 14: can't be booked

Cancellation and refunds No refund if you cancel. It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Confirmation Confirmation within 48 h

Good to know

Moderate physical effort Public transport nearby Not recommended during pregnancy Not recommended with heart problems Not recommended with back problems

Operated by Nordic Odyssey

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Need assistance?Message us on WhatsApp or by email›

The experience

You start from your chosen town (Rovaniemi, Kittilä, Levi or Ylläs), and your guide drives you to Hetta for lunch before the trek begins on the frozen Ounasjärvi lake at the northern edge of Pallastunturi. That first day runs about five to six hours and covers sixteen kilometres through white forests where animal tracks crisscross the snow. You'll climb into the first hills as the sun sets and reach your private wilderness hut by evening. The huts are heated and your guide cooks dinner, so the cold outside stays outside.

Day two takes you across Ounastunturi and Tappuri toward the valley on the other side: about six hours and sixteen to eighteen kilometres, with a break halfway to warm up around an open fire and eat Finnish snacks. The surprise on this night is a sauna in the middle of the national park, a genuine Finnish ritual after a long day of hiking. Day three offers a choice: depending on your fitness and the weather, you and your guide decide whether to climb to the fells' summits or follow the winter ski trail through the valley. Either way, it's thirteen to fifteen kilometres and another night in a heated hut between two fells.

The final day is ten kilometres along the fells to Pallas ski resort at the base of Laukukero hill, with different viewpoints along the way. Your guide drives you back to your starting point and stops at a restaurant for a celebratory lunch. The trek covers some of Finland's most walked winter trails, and you may spot reindeer, moose, birds or the tracks of wolves and other predators, though the silence and the scale of the landscape are often the real draw.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

Can I join this trek if I've never snowshoed before?

Yes, snowshoes and all winter equipment are included, and your guide will brief you before you start. The trek requires at least moderate physical fitness and a willingness to hike for five to six hours on the first day and similar distances on days two and three, but no prior snowshoeing experience is necessary.

What's included in the price and what do I need to bring?

Snowshoes, winter overalls and boots (if needed), all accommodation in wilderness huts, meals prepared by your guide, transport to and from your departure point, and the guide's company are all included. You'll want to bring warm layers, a good backpack, sunscreen and a headlamp. Your guide will send a detailed packing list when you book.

Is there really a sauna in the middle of the national park?

Yes, on the second night, your hut has a sauna. It's a genuine Finnish experience and a welcome way to relax your muscles after a full day of hiking. Men and women use it separately.

What are the chances of seeing Northern Lights?

The first night on the frozen lake offers the best viewing conditions if the sky is clear, but the Northern Lights depend on solar activity and weather. Your guide will watch for them and wake you if they appear, but they're never guaranteed.

How many people go on this trek?

The group is always kept to a maximum of seven guests plus your guide, so the huts stay intimate and the silence of Lapland doesn't get crowded.

What if I'm not fit enough to complete all four days?

Day three offers a flexible route. You and your guide can choose between climbing the fells or following the easier winter ski trail in the valley depending on how you're feeling. If you have concerns about fitness before booking, contact the operator to discuss your situation.