Plizio Visual Lab

Joutsitunturi

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Mountain

Weather…

Joutsitunturi is an imposing elevation in eastern Lapland, not far from the village of Salla. Geologically, the mountain is part of the Karelian fold belt, which formed billions of years ago through tectonic collisions and now appears as a heavily eroded massif. Historically, the region gained strategic importance during the Second World War, as heavy fighting took place here between Finnish and Soviet troops. The slopes of Joutsitunturi are covered with ancient spruce forests, which transition into barren rocky landscapes toward the summit. From the top, there is an impressive view of the border area and the vast wilderness areas of Russia to the east. The area is now a destination for nature tourists who value the untouched silence and the rich birdlife of the region.

Location: Finland
Nearby: Pyhä (29 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	-13	-13	-8	-2	5	11	15	12	7	0	-6	-10
Rain mm	45	37	41	47	75	87	110	94	81	70	56	52

📋 Practical info

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Getting there

Approaching this impressive mountain range in the Salla region generally involves driving out from nearby towns towards wilderness trailheads. The overall area is quite remote, firmly making private transport the most reliable option for visitors.

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Best season

Late summer directly through early autumn is typically the absolute best period for hiking across the vast forests and natural bogs. Winter heavily transforms the region, making it highly suitable for experienced cross-country skiers or snowshoers.

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Terrain & paths

The demanding route towards the mountain involves navigating through expansive forests and potentially very wet bogland areas. The final ascent itself is often characterized by rocky ground and harsh alpine tundra near the much higher elevations.

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What to bring

High-quality waterproof boots are absolutely critical for safely crossing the bogs and handling the extremely uneven mountain trails. Layered, windproof clothing is essential as weather conditions on the exposed mountain can easily change rapidly.

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Parking

Visitors usually conveniently park at designated wilderness staging areas or small gravel lots near the main forest access roads. Parking space is generally quite ample, but any added facilities are typically very basic in this remote region.

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Safety

The absolute vastness of the surrounding forests and bogs means getting hopelessly lost is a real risk without proper navigation tools. Hikers should be highly prepared for sudden weather shifts and always carry completely sufficient emergency supplies.

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Time needed

A highly typical hike to the mountain and back predictably requires at least a full day of demanding and continuous physical effort. Multi-day trekking is also extremely common for those genuinely wishing to explore the extensive surrounding wilderness areas.

Geography

Coordinates

67.00000, 27.80000

Facts

Joutsitunturi reaches an elevation of 538 meters above sea level.
The name 'Joutsitunturi' can be roughly translated as 'Bow Fell'.
The Salla region is known as one of the coldest inhabited areas in Finland.
Many rare beard lichen species are found in the surrounding forests.
The mountain is located about 20 kilometers west of the Finnish-Russian border.
On clear days, the mountains of Alakurtti in Russia are visible from the summit.