Mäntyvaara – Pohtimolampi outdoor route

The Mäntyvaara – Pohtimolampi outdoor route is the first outdoor route with outdoor route delivery in Lapland.  The route can be used during the thaw from May to October. Mountain biking is possible on the route at your own risk, due to the structures, the route is demanding for mountain biking.

To make mountain biking easier, a strengthened path has been built in the swamp areas between Mäntyvaara and Mellavaara. In winter, a ski track is made on the route between Mäntyvaara and Sinetänpää laavu. The length of the track is approx. 7.8 km.

The route is easy in parts, but when walked in one go (27 km) the route is demanding in terms of its length. The route can be roughly divided into three parts:


1. Mäntyvaara - Mellavaara lean-to

The path has a good surface on dry terrain and the area's open marshes are crossed along long trees. The route is marked with orange-tipped pole. Along the streams, there are raven spruces and morass. Both old and young mixed forest grow on dry fabrics. The area is a popular berry area. The partial route is classified as easy.  Mellavaara has a lean-to, a campfire site and woodshed.


2. Mellavaara lean-to – Sinetänpää lean-to

The path is good on dry land and the open marshes are crossed along long trees. The route is marked with orange-tipped poles. The forests are a mixed forest and before Pissinperä the path goes through a raven spot. The part of the ski trail that is maintained in winter ends at Sinetänpää's lean-to. In Mellavaara, the route crosses the forest road and the Rovaniemi – Pello snowmobile route. The partial route is classified as easy.


3. Sinetänpää lean-to - Pohtimolampi

The most challenging part of the entire route section starts from Sinetänpää laavu, because there is no service equipment before Pohtimolampe. Part of the route is located near Lake Sinettäjärvi, so in terms of scenery, the route is located in a beautiful area. The path is well marked and well traveled. There are raven spruces on the ditch banks, otherwise the forest is a mixed forest with pines. The wettest areas are equipped with along long trees.
 
The route comes to Sinettäharjuntie, along which we continue approx. 1.5 km to Kulkkusenvaara, where the route diverges again into the forest area. After about 7 km, the route joins Sinettäharjuntie again and crosses Sonkajoki. After crossing the river, you reach Pellontie. The route goes along the left edge of Pellontie.

From Pellontie, turn left onto Näkkivaarantie, from which immediately turn right onto Karhulammentie for about 2 km. From the road, follow the signs to the right along the path for about 700 m, after which the road begins. The route ends at Pohtimolammi tourist area. The partial route is classified as easy, but the lack of service equipment poses challenges for hikers.

Drive 4.3 km out of the city centre of Rovaniemi along Ratakatu, which turns into Korkalovaarantie; turn right on Mäntyvaarantie; drive 1.7 km to the parking area. The trail can also be accessed from the Korkalovaarantie parking area near the Mäntyvaarantie intersection, or via the Korkalovaara Hiking Trail.


Route administrator: City of Rovaniemi
Route maintenance: Alltime Oy
Ski trail maintenance: Rovaniemi Latu ja Reitti Oy
Feedback on the route: https://asiointi.rovaniemi.fi/eFeedback
Emergency number: 112