Muonio today: weather now, Pallastunturi trails and Gate, cross-country trails at Olos, where to eat with today's hours and tonight's aurora chance.
Taivaskero loop (Pallastunturi car park): A loop up Taivaskero, the highest peak in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. The Olympic flame for the 1952 Helsinki Games was lit here from the rays of the midnight sun, and a stone plaque on the summit marks the spot. The first stretch follows the arrow signs of the Hetta–Pallas trail up to the Taivaskero saddle. The route is moderately demanding and not suited to beginners. Walk it anticlockwise, and in wet weather come back from the summit the same way. It can only be walked when there is no snow: in winter it is not safe. Allow about 3.5 hours.
Vatikuru nature trail (Pallastunturi car park): A short loop near Pallastunturi Gate, marked with blue pine-cone signs. It is especially suitable for families with children, and part of the path is fine with a pram. You can walk or cycle it, and you pass a reindeer herders’ hut twice on the way. There is no fire pit along the trail: the nearest is at the Pallaskota hut. It can only be walked when there is no snow. Allow about 1 hour.
Särkitunturi climb (Car park on the Rovaniemi road): From the car park on the Rovaniemi road, a path of about 3 km climbs to the top of Särkitunturi (492 m), and you come back the same way. It is a good first fell for walkers of all ages. The view from the top towards the Pallas fells has been chosen as one of Finland’s national landscapes and has appeared on a postage stamp. The Särkivaara campfire shelter is on the way up. The photo shows the start of the trail, with Lake Särkijärvi and the Pallas fells in the distance. Allow about 2.5 hours.
Pallas fells and Pallastunturi Gate: The Pallas fells are the southern end of a 50 km chain of fells in Muonio and Enontekiö, and their highest summit, Taivaskero, is the highest point in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. Pallastunturi Gate stands next to the fell hotel, whose story goes back to 1938. The Gate is open every day around the clock, with a free exhibition, toilets, a water point and a scale for weighing your backpack, and pets are allowed. Hiking trails in summer and cross-country trails in winter start from the car park, and the Hetta–Pallas trail ends here. The Gate is 32 km from Muonio village, and on weekdays a bus runs there from the village.
Olostunturi: Olostunturi (524 m), 7 km from Muonio village, is a centre for both cross-country and downhill skiing, with a wind farm on its summit. Every year it hosts the Tykkikisat, international first-snow ski races that bring top skiers together. The 1.2 km first-snow cross-country trail is usually ready in late October, and the Olos loop is 11.9 km long. Across Muonio there are more than 200 km of lit and unlit cross-country trails. In summer Olos is popular for hiking and cycling.
Harriniva: Harriniva was founded in 1973 on the bank of the Muonio river, about 3.5 km south of the village, with Sweden on the other side of the water. Husky, snowmobile and white-water rafting trips start from its yard, and together with its Torassieppi farm it keeps more than 400 Alaskan and Siberian huskies.
Äijäkoski rapids: One of the most powerful rapids on the Muonio river, just under 7 km south of the village along the Tornio road. A viewpoint on the riverbank is easy to reach, and there is a fire pit nearby. The rapids are also used for white-water paddling.
Muonio Church: The church, designed by the architect Charles Bassi and taken into use in 1822, escaped being burned in the Lapland War. Anton Lindfors’s altarpiece shows Jesus among people, with rolling fells and a rainbow behind them. In the churchyard stands Sotaanlähtö (Leaving for War), a memorial by the artist Veikko Aalto.
Harriniva Adventure Resort (ravintola): Adventure resort restaurant serving Lappish dishes by the Muonio river.
Tunturiporo: Reindeer restaurant, cafe and meat shop serving Lappish lunch.
Ravintola Kammari: Cozy a la carte restaurant and bar at Olos fell.
Mirvan Lounas ja Kahvila: Lunch cafe serving pizza and daily meals in Muonio.
Lapland Hotel Pallas (ravintola): Historic fell hotel restaurant inside Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park.
Lapland Hotels Olos / Takka: Fell hotel with Takka bistro restaurant and kota at Olos.
Swiss Cafe Konditoria: Swiss-style cafe and patisserie in central Muonio.
Pub North (Harriniva): Bar at Harriniva Adventure Resort for post-safari drinks.
Polar Kota (Olos Polar Center): Relaxed slope restaurant at the foot of Olostunturi with slope food and movie snacks; one side is glass for the fell view.
Restaurant Jierra (Jeris Lakeside Resort): Hotel restaurant at a lakeside ski-heritage resort, with old wooden skis on the walls and à la carte dishes.
Rolls Muonio (SEO Muonio): Burger restaurant of a Finnish chain inside the service station in the village centre, with burgers, meals and salads.
Torassieppi Eco Reindeer Resort (ravintola): Organic and local food at a reindeer farm resort, with reindeer, lake fish, berries and mushrooms on a weekly changing menu.