Finnish Lapland: Rovaniemi to Inari

Route description

Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland, was rebuilt after the Second World War; Arktikum explains the Arctic world better than anywhere else. Just north of town the E75 crosses the Arctic Circle at Santa Claus Village.

The road then runs for hours through pine and birch forest, with reindeer often standing on the tarmac: slow down as soon as you see one. Sodankylä has an old wooden church from the 17th century and hosts a film festival under the midnight sun in June.

Further north, the fells rise around Saariselkä, gateway to Urho Kekkonen National Park; the short climb to Kaunispää gives a wide view over the wilderness. Then the road descends to Inari, the centre of Finnish Sámi culture, on the shore of a huge lake.

Visit Siida and, if you have half a day, walk to the Pielpajärvi wilderness church. In winter the roads are well ploughed but you need winter tyres and patience with short days; the northern lights appear from late August to early April.