Mire trail

The Mire Trail is located in Vikajärvi, 20.8 km from the city centre of 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 Mire Trail introduces the diverse bog nature of Vianaapa. The start and end of this mostly duckboarded, circular trail are at the Karhukumpu lean-to. The trail crosses poor fens, bogs and coniferous mires, and occasional patches of forest. It introduces the different bog types and their flora and fauna. In spring when the snow melts, Säynäjäoja floods over the trail, making it impassable. Besides hiking, the trail is suitable for cross-country skiing in the winter (no maintained ski trails). The Mire Trail is 6.8 km long. The Karhukumpu lean-to is 1 km from the parking area, so the total length of the trail is 8.8 km. The difficulty level is easy.

There is a lean-to, campfire site, woodshed and outhouse at the starting point of the trail in Karhukumpu. You can stop at the Säynäjäoja lean-to around halfway through the trail. There is also a bird-watching tower along the trail.

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. Access the start of the Mire Trail at the Karhukumpu lean-to along the accessible duckboard trail over the suspension bridge to Könkäänsaari, where the trail continues on duckboards to Karhukumpu. The lean-to is around 1 km 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.