Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
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Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, located in Lapland, Finland, is the country's third largest national park covering 1,023 square kilometers. It stretches across the municipalities of Enontekiö, Kittilä, Kolari, and Muonio, featuring a nearly 100-kilometer-long chain of rounded fell mountains and extensive northern taiga forests. The park's highest peak is Taivaskero on the Pallas fells, rising 809 meters above sea level. The landscape is a remnant of an ancient folded mountain range dating back around three billion years, now shaped into smooth rounded summits called "keros." Geological diversity abounds, with rocks formed from ancient volcanoes and sediment layers, including quartzite and amphibolite. The park is part of the Natura 2000 network, encompassing the Pallas-Ounastunturi and Ylläs-Aakenus protected areas. It is Finland's most visited national park, attracting over half a million visitors annually who appreciate its scenic vistas, extensive trail and ski track networks, and well-maintained, safe environment. The park offers year-round activities such as hiking, skiing, and nature observation, making it a must-visit destination for lovers of Arctic wilderness and Nordic landscapes.
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Tip: The best time to visit Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park depends on your interests: summer offers endless daylight and hiking opportunities, while winter provides excellent conditions for cross-country skiing and viewing the Northern Lights. It's advisable to purchase any guided tours or special activity passes in advance during peak seasons. Visitors can benefit from discounts available for students, seniors, and groups. The park is accessible by road and public transport via nearby towns such as Muonio and Kittilä, which also offer accommodations and services. Dress appropriately for changing weather and prepare for remote wilderness conditions.
Interesting facts
- •Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park is Finland's third largest national park, covering 1,023 square kilometers.
- •The park features a nearly 100-kilometer-long fell chain, including the highest peak Taivaskero at 809 meters.
- •The fell landscapes are remnants of an ancient mountain range dating back approximately three billion years.
- •It is the most visited national park in Finland, with over 540,000 annual visitors recorded.
- •The park includes Natura 2000 protected areas: Pallas-Ounastunturi and Ylläs-Aakenus.
- •The park's landscapes have been shaped by the last Ice Age, leaving moraines, ridges, and dunes.
History
The Pallas-Yllästunturi area has been shaped over billions of years, with its mountain chain originating from an ancient folded mountain range about three billion years ago.
The rounded fell summits are worn remnants of this ancient range.
The national park was established to protect these unique geological formations, northern taiga forests, and the Arctic wilderness environment.
Over time, the park's boundaries have been defined to include significant natural habitats and Natura 2000 conservation areas.
It has grown to become Finland's most visited national park, reflecting its importance for nature conservation and outdoor recreation.
Place Guide
Taivaskero Peak
The highest summit of the Pallas fells at 809 meters, offering panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness and a prime vantage point for photography and nature observation.
Pallas Fell Chain~3 billion years ago (geological origin)
A continuous mountain chain stretching nearly 100 kilometers through the park, featuring rounded summits formed from ancient geological processes, ideal for hiking and skiing.
Taiga Forests
Extensive northern taiga forests cover much of the park, dominated by coniferous trees growing on moraine soils left by the last Ice Age glaciers.
Contact
Phone: 020 6397039
