Könkäänvaara trail

The Könkäänvaara Trail is in Vikajärvi, 20.9 km from Rovaniemi toward Sodankylä. It is part of the Arctic Circle hiking area, a wilderness destination ideal for year-round outdoor recreation. The landscape's signature features are rugged hills, open string bogs, and Raudanjoki with its spectacular rapids and lush shoreline forest. The hiking area’s trail network is diverse and has several resting places, offering visitors of all ages a variety of hiking destinations. It is easy to access at all times of the year.

The Könkäänvaara Trail connects the Vaattunki and Makialampi parking areas and passes over rocky terrain on top of the Könkäänvaara, or Könkään Hill, so it can be slippery when it rains. It passes through a few young forests, but there is an old pine forest on Könkäänvaara. The hilltop offers great views over the surroundings, a table and benches for a scenic break. The round trip of the circular trail and two linear trails totals 4.9 km. Besides hiking, the trail is suitable for snowshoeing. The difficulty level is medium. Conveniences in the area include a table and benches on top of Könkäänvaara, and an outhouse and eco-point at the Vaattunki parking area.

Directions: drive 22.1 km out of Rovaniemi along Sodankyläntie; turn right on Vaattunkikönkääntie; drive 2.1 km to the parking area at the end of the road. Follow the Könkäänvaara Trail signposts from the parking area. The Arctic Circle hiking area is also accessible by bus along Sodankyläntie, 2.1 km from the Vaattunkiköngäs parking area along Vaattunkikönkääntie. The Vikaköngäs parking area is located in the vicinity of Sodankyläntie.