ACTIVITY SERVICES IN THE LEMMENJOKI NATIONAL PARK

The Lemmenjoki National Park was founded 1952 and it is the largest national park in Finland. Lemmenjoki offers you many exciting trekking in the wilderness or you can make a boat trip to see the scenic river, with its steep slopes and the Ravadas waterfall.

First signs of deer hunting with pitfalls and settlements in the area are hundreds of years old. Main part of the inhabitants in the Lemmenjoki village area came here over one hundred years ago, Sami reindeer herders. Today reindeer herding is still one of the main livelihoods in the area and most of the families have strong roots in the Sami culture.

The Goldrush in the River Lemmenjoki started 1950, when the first gold nuggets where found by local Ranttila brothers. This was also a start for the local tourism service and for the special scheduled post boat on the river. Still today every summer gold diggers find genuine goldnuggets from goldsand to even 50-gram nuggets.

SUMMER ACTIVITY PROGRAMS

WELCOME TO THE VILLAGE OF LEMMENJOKI AND THE NATIONAL PARK

Come and visit the Lemmenjoki village and the National Park on your own easily by a post taxi or by a car. Summer times the post taxi starts every day, except Sundays from the village of Inari at 15.00 o´clock to Lemmenjoki and from Lemmenjoki, Ahkun Tupa at 13.15 to Inari.

Lemmenjoki situates 45 km west from Inari. Follow road in the direction of Kittilä and after 35 km turn right to the Lemmenjoki National Park. When you drive 6.5 km along the Lemmenjoki road, you will find the Kammigalleria, a new interesting place to visit. Kammigalleria is a hexagonal exhibition chalet, hosting a wide production of arts and crafts made by artist Kikka Laakso. The gallery includes unique jewellery and design articles of reindeer antler, leather and wood.You have a chance to make purchases there. You will meet there traditional handicrafts and modern design, as well as some Lemmenjoki gold nuggets.

In summertime Kammigalleria is open Tu-Sat 12.00-18.00 and on request at other times.

From the Kammigalleria it is a short drive (3 km) to Njurguilahti to the Holiday Village Ahkun Tupa. The cosy café-restaurant Ahkun Tupa serves daily lunch and coffee, but also delicious local specialities. You may accommodate in cottages with shower/wc or even in traditional log huts. Fishing permits are available from Ahkun Tupa. You can also rent fishing equipment and even a rowing boat, enjoy the river Lemmenjoki and take your time.

In the afternoon you make a visit to the Nature Center of Lemmenjoki National Park, where you find information with photos about local flora, gold digging history, local reindeer herding and inhabitants. You can also hike 6 km along the marked nature path, there is a place for campfire and for a picnic. If you want to hike on the top of the fell Joenkielinen, the scenery will reward your 8 km hiking upwards during a nice summer evening.

Do not miss the 3-hour river trip by a local speciality, a scheduled post boat and see the Ravadas falls. You will enjoy the beautiful river canyon and the special atmosphere in the motorboat when heading to the heart of the National Park. You can also spend the whole day hiking the marked paths in the National Park. Alternatively you can return later by the scheduled evening boat or even spend a night in a hut in the middle of the wilds and maybe visit the gold digging areas.

If you have enjoyed your staying, spend more time in the Lemmenjoki and the National Park area.

Prices
Post taxi Inari-Lemmenjoki-Inari one way 12 €/person
Scheduled river boat trip Njurguilahti – Ravadas falls one way 10 €
Njurguilahti – Kulta hamina one way 12 €

More information: Ahkun Tupa tel: +358 16 673 435, www.ahkuntupa.fi

RIVERBOAT CRUISE IN THE LEMMENJOKI NATIONAL PARK AND KAMMIGALLERIA VISIT

Enjoy an unforgettable riverboat trip in the heart of the National Park and visit Kammigalleria presenting art of reindeer antlers

Arrival to Kammigalleria at Lemmenjoki, where you meet artist Kikka Laakso and her unique handmade jewellery and articles made of reindeer antlers. You will see a presentation of sustainable reindeer, traditional crafts as well as new design. You have a change to make purchases in the gallery.
A short drive (3km) to Njurguilahti to the holiday village Ahkun Tupa, where we start our motorboat trip. During the trip you will see Joenkielinen-fell and the scenic river Lemmenjoki. After the boat trip you may try gold panning on the river bank at Ahkun Tupa. Everyone receives a small bottle of goldsand as a souvenir. After trip we enjoy our delicious lunch in restaurant Ahkun Tupa.

The trip takes 3 hours and suits for grous 5-50 persons

TREASURES IN THE LEMMENJOKI NATIONAL PARK

Enjoy the unforgettable river boat trip in the heart of Lemmenjoki National Park and visit the Kammigallery presenting art of reindeer antlers

Arrival to Kammigalleria at Lemmenjoki, where you meet artist Kikka Laakso and her unique handmade jewellery and articles made of reindeer antlers. You will see a presentation of sustainable reindeer, traditional crafts as well as new design. You have also a change to make purchases in the gallery.

A short drive (3 km) to Njurguilahti, to the holiday village Ahkun Tupa, where we start our motor boat trip about 20 km along the river Lemmenjoki through the amazing National Park. You will enjoy the scenic river canyon and the special atmosphere in the boat. During the boat trip short walks along the river bank. At the Ravadas –falls we have time to walk around and enjoy the fascinating views of the area. After boat trip coffee and pastry in the cosy restaurant Ahkun Tupa.

The trip takes 5-6 hours and suits for groups 5-50 persons.