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Sodankylä - Saariselkä - Inari |  | |
The tour continues on road E75/4 from Sodankylä to Saariselkä and Inari. |  | | SODANKYLÄ > SAARISELKÄ (about 165 km) |  |  | Saariselkä Route E75/4 takes you to Saariselkä, in the heart of the fell area close to the Urho Kekkonen National Park. Saariselkä is an international tourist centre that has succeeded in preserving a warm, human, hospitable and genuinely Sámi atmosphere. Tourism has long traditions in Saariselkä and the tourist facilities and companies in the area have the ideal recipe for a successful holiday. In addition to services of high quality, Saariselkä also offers a well-marked network of paths and trails for hiking and bicycling. The area’s colourful gold prospecting history also entices visitors. There are gold panning excursions to Laanila and Ivalojoki.
From the Kaunispää outlook there is a wonderful panorama that spreads out over the Saariselkä fell landscape, 437 metres above sea level. There is a restaurant and the Souvenir Shop Tuliaistupa, tel +358 (0)16 668 803. |  | | SAARISELKÄ > IVALO > INARI (about 70 km) |  |  |
In terms of area, Inari is the largest municipality in Finland (17.32 km²). The population density in Northern Lapland is 0.5 inhabitants per square kilometre.
Ivalo in Inari has always been a centre on the road north to the Arctic Ocean, east to Russia and south to other parts of Lapland. Here you will find well-equipped shops, hotels and other overnight options, restaurants and good public transportation.
Ivalojoki River flows through the village and gold panning is the focus of several events during the summer. From Ivalo, we recommend that you take a trip to the village of Nellim along routes 44 and 969 in order to discover the Skolt Sámi culture. Another traditional Sámi village is Sevettijärvi along route 971 close to the Norwegian border, surrounded by water. |  | |
From Ivalo, you can continue to Inari along E75.
In the areas around Inari village you will find excellent hiking trails and good opportunities for fishing. Lake Inarijärvi is ideal for those who are familiar with boating. There are also daily cruises to Ukonkivi, an ancient Sámi place of sacrifice.
Inari is the administrative centre for Finland’s Sámi population. Visitors can learn more about the Sámi culture by visiting the Sámi Museum or go on an excursion to a reindeer farm or admire Sámi arts and crafts. |  |  | The Sámi Museum and the Northern Lapland Nature Centre Siida offer traditional and contemporary Sámi culture in the form of a story divided into century cycles. Inarintie, tel. +358 (0)16 665 212.
Ukonkivi, an ancient Sámi place of sacrifice on an island in Lake Inarijärvi. Motorboat transportation in the summer. Lake Lines Inari, m/s Inari II, tel. +358 (0)16 671 210, +358 0)400 295 731. Departures: 1 June - 30 September, daily.
Lake Pielpajärvi Wilderness Church. This small 18th century wooden church is located 7 km from Inari and is therefore very popular among the hikers. The church, where services were still held at the beginning of the last century, is now only used at Midsummer. |  |  | SHOPPING:
The Sámi Duodji shop and exhibit of Sámi arts and crafts. Lehtolantie 1, tel. +358 (0)16 671 254.
Samekki – studio shop Samekki offers a range of traditional Sámi handicrafts and one-off art pieces made from reindeer antlers, reindeer skin, gnarled wood, silver and gold. Lehtolantie, tel. +358 (0)16 671 086, +358 (0)40 761 0187.
Inari Silver – Handmade, traditional Sámi jewellery. Inarintie, tel. +358 (0)16 671 333. |
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