Saanatunturi is one of Finland’s most famous fells and is widely regarded as the most beautiful one. Its distinct flat-topped appearance, the largest elevation difference in its surroundings, and easy accessibility along a popular travel route to Norway all contribute to this reputation. Moreover, at 1,029 meters, Saanatunturi is one of Finland’s highest peaks.
Saanatunturi is located in the Lapland of Finland, in Kilpisjärvi, right near the tripoint where the borders of Finland, Sweden, and Norway meet. From the summit, you can admire the landscapes of all three countries at once.
On previous trips, we drove past Saana a couple of times but skipped the hike due to bad weather. This time, however, the weather was favorable, and as the saying goes, “the third time’s the charm.” So, it was time to tighten our hiking boots and experience the breathtaking views Saanatunturi has to offer.
Saanatunturi
Length: Approximately 8.2 km round trip
Elevation gain: 556 meters
Summit height: 1,029 meters
Starting point and parking: Käsivarrentie 14850, Kilpisjärvi
Difficulty: Intermediate
Duration: Approximately 3.5-4 hours
Trailhead and Parking for the Saanatunturi Hiking Trail
The hike to the summit starts from the parking area at Malla Nature Reserve, located 6.5 kilometers past Kilpishalli towards the Norwegian border. Kilpishalli is a popular stop before the border, offering services such as a grocery store, gas station, and restaurant.
The parking lot at Malla Nature Reserve is spacious, and even in mid-July, there was plenty of room, although we arrived later in the evening, as we were setting off on a midnight sun hike to marvel at the sun shining all night long in the stunning fell scenery. It’s worth noting that the parking area has no toilets, trash bins, or other facilities.
At the start of the trail, there is an information board with route maps, where you can double-check the route, although the path to the summit is relatively straightforward, with little risk of getting lost.
It’s advisable to wear sturdy hiking boots, though the trail can also be managed in sneakers. However, a supportive shoe will be much more comfortable for the longer stretches up and down the trail.
The Initial Section Through Dwarf Birch Forest
The trail doesn’t have any steep ascents, descents, or flat sections; rather, it consists of a gradual, steady climb all the way up.
The initial part of the trail leads through a well-maintained path amidst the low-growing trees typical of fell landscapes, with refreshing mountain streams occasionally trickling alongside the path. The scenery is both impressive and inviting right from the start; the path begins and disappears into the dwarf birch forest, with Saanatunturi dominating the view behind the trees. From the slopes of Saana, you can clearly see the path that you will soon be following towards the summit.
After just over a kilometer, you’ll encounter a short set of stairs that leads to the first and only rest stop, Saanan Kota (a traditional Finnish hut). The hut is in excellent condition and appears to be relatively new, with a woodshed and dry toilets available at the rest area. It seemed like a great place to take a break and admire the surrounding fell landscapes, but since we had just eaten before setting off, we decided not to stop here.
The hut is located right at the tree line, meaning the forest ends here, and from this point on, the views start to open up even more.
It’s easy to continue on from here, as the trail is clearly visible and winds its way along the slope of Saana towards the summit. The path continues to be well-maintained and smooth, just as it was before.
Expanding Views Beyond the Tree Line
Around the halfway point, the views start to open up nicely, allowing you to admire the surrounding fell and lake landscapes as you climb higher. The sight of Kilpisjärvi, Malla Nature Reserve, and the surrounding fells and mountains in both Finland, Sweden, and Norway is simply breathtaking and provides ample motivation to keep going. Looking back, the trail you’ve already covered snakes its way pleasantly up the slope, showing that the hike has progressed without much effort
The New Stone Staircase
About halfway along the trail, you’ll come across another staircase, which is somewhat longer than the one before the hut. If you’ve heard stories about Saana’s famous stairs, these are not the ones being referred to. The old staircase, which was about 2 kilometers long, has been dismantled, and the trail has been rerouted to help preserve the natural environment.
Saana is a very popular destination, with about 30,000 hikers visiting the summit each year. The trail guidelines advise staying on the marked path to help prevent erosion.
After the new stone staircase, the trail becomes slightly more rugged. While the path up to the base of the stairs was almost like a gravel road, beyond the staircase, it traverses rockier terrain. However, the trail remains easy to walk, just with a slightly different character. There is no need to worry about encountering a rocky maze like the one on Noitatunturi; this trail is still perfectly manageable. You can read more about the Noitatunturi hike in its own post.
The trail is marked with orange-painted wooden posts, which are spaced out along the route, and the path is also easy to follow due to the wear on the rock, so there’s no concern about losing your way.
Windy at the Summit
As you approach the summit, the first sign that you’re getting close is the sight of the antenna near the top of Saanatunturi, which becomes visible from a distance. I think anyone who has climbed a few peaks knows the feeling of thinking, “the summit must be just behind that hill.” Saana offers a few of these moments, but thankfully, the summit eventually does appear, and this only adds to the sense of achievement when you finally reach it.
As is often the case, it’s quite windy and chilly at the summit, so it’s wise to be well-prepared with proper gear so you can enjoy the views without being driven away by the cold. And since we’re in Lapland, there were plenty of mosquitoes, at least in mid-July. In fact, they were present throughout the hike, with no difference between the starting point and the summit.
At the summit, you’ll find a mailbox with a guestbook, where you can, of course, leave your mark.
We spent some time at the summit enjoying the magnificent midnight sun, which shone from behind the Norwegian mountains and painted the landscape in stunning shades of orange. It was an absolutely fantastic experience! The views are simply breathtaking; in one glance, you can marvel at the wilderness of Finland’s Lapland and the fells and mountains of Sweden and Norway.
Many people have reportedly seen reindeer on the Saana hike, but we didn’t encounter any. However, on our way back down, we spotted a fox on the slope of the fell, curiously watching us as we descended.
The Saanatunturi hike is definitely worth experiencing and undoubtedly offers some of Finland’s most beautiful scenery. It’s no surprise that this hike is on so many bucket lists.
The Saanatunturi hike is suitable for visitors of all ages. As we set off, we saw families with young hikers returning from the trail. The trail is easy to navigate, with no challenging sections along the way. Naturally, the distance and elevation require a moderate level of fitness, but with breaks and a steady pace, it can be managed by hikers of various fitness levels.
