The hike from Saukkovaara to the frozen waterfalls

The two trails from Saukkovaara

Metsähallitus names two day trails at Saukkovaara. Koronjää can be walked on foot in summer and on snowshoes in winter; one of the icefalls along it is Jaska Jokunen, known in English as Charlie Brown. Piippukallion pihaus is a summer trail only, because its steep slopes are dangerous in winter. A longer hiking trail of 20 km also runs through the area.

Down into the canyon

The first part of the walk is the descent from the parking area to the canyon floor. Metsähallitus describes steep icy sections along the whole route in winter and rope railings that have worn thin in places. The slope is slippery partly because visitors slide down it on purpose; Metsähallitus has had to mark the route as dangerous in places, and sledging there is banned. Some reviewers enjoy the sliding, others write about falls. Beyond Arctic describes its walk as around 5 km "with slippery downhill and uphill parts". On the way down, Ruskeavirta comes into view on the opposite side of the canyon.

Along the icefalls

In summer Ruskeavirta is a stream; in winter it becomes a 60-metre wall of ice. Several streams freeze on the cliffs in the same way, and how many icefalls form, and how large, depends on rainfall and frost and changes from year to year. At the base, ice that hangs free can come down on its own. Keep to the path and do not stand directly under the ice.

This is also where it gets crowded. Metsähallitus counted up to 150–200 people below the icefalls at once. Tours that leave Rovaniemi early in the morning tend to reach this point before the midday peak.

The climb out

The way back to Saukkovaara is uphill. It comes at the end of the day, after the stop at the fire when everyone has cooled down, and it is the part reviewers mention most when they describe the hike as harder than expected. One reviewer calls the hike easy until the end, then "a huge hill". If anyone in your group is slow on climbs, tell the guide at the start.

Safety in numbers

Yle reported in 2023 that growing visitor numbers meant more rescues of lost hikers. Metsähallitus lists slippery paths, falling ice and hikers getting lost as the main safety problems, closed one section of trail because of unsafe bridges and, together with the rescue services, has planned two helicopter landing sites for difficult rescues. Mobile coverage is limited or missing in parts of the area. On a guided tour these are the guide's concern; walking on your own, carry a paper map and a charged phone and tell someone your plan.

Ice climbing

Korouoma is the largest and best-known ice climbing area in Finland. According to Metsähallitus, climbing is allowed at all the frozen waterfalls in the area, and beginners are advised to take a course with a climbing association or a commercial organiser before trying it. The hiking tours on this site do not include climbing; you may see climbers on the ice from the trail.