Satu Renko
The Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park offers so much more than just the trails around Ylläs. Mountain bike enthusiasts should check out the map that covers the whole National Park. Last summer, your Ylläs Times reporter tested one of the routes recommendations on the Pallas-Ylläs Outdoors Facebook page: it starts from Ketomella and goes via Pippokero, Pahakuru and Seiponen to Hietajärvi, then returns to Ketomella, almost 23 kilometres in all.
Driving from Ylläs towards Pallas to the Ketomella car park takes about an hour and a quarter. It’s easy to find the car park and trail starting point. There is a large sign to Hietajärvi by the road.
We unload the bikes and set out along a sandy path.
The toughest climbs along the trail are all within the first 6 km. The climb is rocky and fairly steep in places, and requires good physical condition. Fine-grained sand skids easily under our wheels.
When my fatbike tyres collided with rocks at too low speeds on too steep ascents, I quickly released my pedal cleats and realised that it was easier to push the bike. Even so, we were able to ride up most of the time.
Having gained altitude surprisingly quickly, we are already high up enough to enjoy the spectacular fell scenery spread out behind us. We just passed Lake Hietajärvi, but now we can see it down below, glistening in the sunshine.
Our test team pauses to take in the beautiful surroundings.
“How can this be so different from the Ylläs fell scenery? It’s as if we are a world away from our local surroundings,” conclude our three-woman team members Saara Lauhamaa and Martta Myller.
The fine-grained sand, the low bushes everywhere and the attractively curled dwarf birch trees look exotic.
“It reminds me of the bike trail terrain in Northern Norway,” Saara adds.
When we reach Seiponen, there is a fork in the trail. You can ride the trail either clockwise or anti-clockwise, and we decide to go anti-clockwise. So we head off towards Pippokero along a sandy and rocky ATV track.
Having huffed and puffed our way up the hill, another stupendous view opens out both in front of and behind us. As if the trail would continue for ever. There is no sign of anyone anywhere.
Now we get to experience the thrill of speed. Being both rocky and potholed, the descent is technically demanding. This is not a problem for casual day cyclists, as long as they remember to co-ordinate their speed with their riding ability. No doubt active bike enthusiasts would prefer more demanding terrain, but along this trail the stunning scenery comes first.
The circuit can be lengthened by going via Tappuri, but we decide to turn back along the main Hetta-Pallas trail towards Pahakuru. The route past Rouvivaara and Pikkuvaara is rocky and includes long but well-maintained duckboard stretches – not to mention other travellers both hiking and out on bikes.
We take our first meal break at Pahakuru cabin. The day has been hot, but we have plenty of water with us. If our water bottles and pouches should run dry, there are freshwater streams along the trail, where we can replenish our supply despite a dry spell.
From Pahakuru a route leads towards Hannukuru and onwards to Pallas, but we turn left towards Seiponen. We pass a swamp which has been turned white by the cotton grass. It’s easy to ride along the wide trail, especially when it is so dry. We push our bikes down one short but very steep stretch. Riding up to Siponen, we reach the fork where we turned off towards Pippokero in the morning. Ahead there is a long descent towards Hietajärvi, which should not be missed on any account: its pale-tinted sandy beach and crystal-clear water entices you in for a dip after a hot and sticky ride.
There is a well-kept campfire and shelter by the beach. It’s definitely worth coming here with children on a day trip.
Hietajärvi is only 2 km away from here by car. After our trip, all three of us agree that we should boldly try out new trails more often. This trail has certainly been a diamond in the rough!
Planning with a map and Visitor Centre
Buy a copy of the Ylläs summer trail map at Kellokas Visitor Centre or local stores in and around Ylläs. It costs 10 euros and the proceeds will go towards trail maintenance and upgrading.
The Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park map displays the trail network in more detail. You can buy it at the Visitor Centre.
Why not try out the new Ylläs trail finder at yllas.fi, and the MTB enthusiasts’ website at pallasyllasoutdoors.com.
The Visitor Centre will be happy to tell you more and help you select other route and trail options.
Whenever you set off into the wilderness, remember to take the appropriate equipment with you. You should always have a map, extra water and energy bars with you. Download the 112 app on to your smartphone.
Retkivinkit Katso mihin Ylläksellä ja lähistöllä kannatta suunnata retkeilemään. Parhaat vinkit ja ohjeet jokaiselle vuodenajalle
Näytä lisää
Ylläksen palvelut Katso miltä palveluita Ylläksellä on auki tällä hetkellä, hae palveluita sijainnin mukaan
Ylläksen retkivinkit Katso mihin Ylläksellä ja lähistöllä kannatta suunnata retkeilemään. Parhaat vinkit ja ohjeet jokaiselle vuodenajalle
Ylläksen bussiyhteydet Katso lentokenttäbussien, junabussien ja skibussinaikataulut kätevästi Kuukkelista.
Ylläksen sää Katso sääennuste tälle päivälle tai tulevalle viikolle kätevästi Kuukkelin sivuilta ja lue samalla lisää artikkeleita Ylläksen säästä.