Kevo Canyon Trail
Also known as Kevon reitti · Kevo Summer Trail
Some of Finland's most breathtaking scenery lies along the Kevojoki gorge — a canyon over 40 km long and nearly 80 m deep, cutting through the remote fell highlands of Utsjoki near the Norwegian border. The trail winds along the canyon floor, climbs back to bare open fell, and crosses the river three times, passing the Fiellu Waterfall and the great Kevo Wall where the gorge opens dramatically into view. This is wilder, harsher and less polished than Finland's national-park trails — easy to underestimate, and humbling for those who do.
Kevo is a STRICT nature reserve, not a national park — the rules are far stricter than elsewhere in Finland. You must stay on the marked trail at all times, and may NOT pitch a tent outside designated sites, light fires outside marked spots, fish, hunt, or pick any berries, mushrooms or plants. Everyman's right does NOT apply here. The reserve is closed to hiking from April to mid-June.
Getting to the trailhead
Reach Inari first (drive, bus, or fly to nearby Ivalo from Helsinki, then onward). From Inari, take the Karigasniemi-bound bus and ask the driver to drop you at the clearly marked Sulaoja trailhead (about 1¼ h).
The main trail is point-to-point: southern trailhead at Sulaoja (Karigasniementie 5646, 99950 Utsjoki, ~11 km east of Karigasniemi), northern trailhead at Kenesjärvi / Kenestupa on the Kaamanen–Utsjoki road.
From the Kenesjärvi end, buses run to Inari (about 1¾ h, one daily) or toward Utsjoki/Nuorgam. Bus connections are slow and infrequent, so plan them carefully. A car-transfer service (e.g. Kevon autonsiirrot) can move your vehicle between trailheads.
Plan by season
Temperature
Cool; highland and canyon weather changes quickly
Daylight
Midnight sun through the core season
Trail condition
Open only from mid-June (the reserve is off-limits Apr to mid-June). River fords depend on water level — ask before setting off. Snow-free core season roughly July–September.
What to pack
A remote, demanding trail with no resupply and only minimal shelter. You must be self-sufficient and prepared for fords.
Tent — there is only one wilderness hut on the main route, so you cannot rely on huts
Sandals or wading shoes for the three river crossings; trekking poles for balance
Waterproof boots with grip for slick boardwalks and steep canyon stairs
Map (1:100,000 Utsjoki Kevo) and compass/GPS — staying on the marked trail is mandatory
Full food supply for the whole trail; no shops or cafés en route
Mosquito net and repellent; warm layers for exposed fell sections
Trail stops — tap one
Intermediate km and stop placements are approximate, reconciled from several sources; the main trail is 63 km. Verify against the official Utsjoki Kevo map before publishing.
Sulaoja
Southern trailhead. Karigasniementie 5646, ~11 km east of Karigasniemi. The trail climbs from forest onto rocky hillside.
Good to know
Water
River and natural water along the trail should be boiled or filtered before drinking. Ask about water levels before you start, as the three fords depend on them.
Camping
STRICT reserve rules: pitch a tent only at the designated camping sites (there are a limited number inside and just outside the reserve). Wild camping is not allowed. You must stay on the marked trail throughout.
Campfires & toilets
Fires only at marked campfire spots, and always check the wildfire warning first. Foraging is prohibited: no berries, mushrooms, plants, fishing or hunting anywhere in the reserve.
Waste
Carry out everything; there is no waste management in this remote reserve. Pack with recyclability in mind.
Mobile signal
Remote and exposed; mobile coverage is unreliable, with no signal for long stretches.
Trail markings
The trail is marked throughout, but staying on it is legally required in the strict reserve — carry the Utsjoki Kevo map and a compass/GPS as well.
Huts & shelters
Only one wilderness hut on the main route (two more on the Kuivi/Guivi loop), plus a few traditional turf huts (Akukammi, Fiellu, Njaggaljávri) that have a table, benches and fireplace but no beds. Carry a tent — you cannot rely on huts.
Emergency & winter
112 works across the EU even with low signal. This is a remote, demanding route far from help — tell someone your plan and return time, and check ford water levels before setting off.
Segment by segment
Sulaoja → Njaggaljávri
~20 kmFrom the Sulaoja trailhead the path climbs from forest onto rocky hillside and out toward the fell highland, with the first turf-hut shelter and designated camping along the way. Reindeer are a common sight under the trees.
Njaggaljávri → Fiellu / Kevo Wall
~12 kmThe trail works toward the heart of the reserve, reaching the Fiellu Waterfall — where the Fiellujoki drops about 26 m into the canyon — near the great Kevo Wall, the point where the gorge opens dramatically into view. A turf hut sits near the falls.
Fiellu → canyon fords
~13 kmThe most demanding character of the trail: repeated steep descents to the canyon floor and climbs back to the open fell, with cliff-edge paths, stairs, and crossings of the Kevojoki. Fords depend on water level — change into wading footwear and use the fixed ropes where present.
Canyon fords → Kuivi junction
~12 kmContinuing through alternating canyon-floor and highland scenery past designated camping sites, to where the Kuivi/Guivi loop variant rejoins the main trail.
Kuivi junction → Kenesjärvi
~6 kmA gentler final stretch onto a high plateau, leveling out toward the northern trailhead at Kenesjärvi and its bus connections.