Plizio Visual Lab

Kivivaara

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

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Weather…

Kivivaara is a prominent hill located in the Kainuu region of Finland, situated near the border with Russia. The geology of the hill is characterized by Precambrian crystalline bedrock and glacial moraine deposits, which are typical of the Finnish taiga landscape. Historically, the Kivivaara area served as an essential landmark for reindeer herders and hunters from local communities. Today, the area is known for its pristine natural environment, with surrounding forests consisting primarily of pine and spruce trees adapted to the harsh Nordic climate. The region is part of a larger ecosystem that provides a habitat for rare animal species such as brown bears and lynxes. In recent years, Kivivaara has gained economic significance through the establishment of wind farms in the wider vicinity, while nature conservation remains a top priority for the territory.

Location: Finland
Nearby: Salla (37 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	-3	5	11	14	12	7	0	-7	-11
Rain mm	46	38	42	48	77	93	114	98	80	74	56	52

📋 Practical info

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Getting there

Located in far eastern Lapland, access is typically achieved via remote local roads heading towards the sparsely populated Russian border zone.

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Best season

The short summer features the famous midnight sun for safe navigation, while late winter is generally preferred for extended snowshoeing or skiing across the fells.

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Terrain & paths

The impressive landscape is characterized by an extremely remote wilderness, featuring gentle rolling hills and vast, trackless stretches of ancient boreal forests.

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What to bring

A highly reliable GPS device, physical topographic maps, ample extra provisions, and heavily weather-resistant outdoor clothing are absolutely essential in this region.

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Parking

Visitors typically leave their vehicles at the very end of the public dirt roads in the nearest small rural settlements before trekking off into the deep wilderness.

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Safety

Due to the extreme remoteness and strict regulations near the Russian border, hikers must firmly stay within permitted zones and carry reliable emergency communication.

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Time needed

A thorough exploration of this profound wilderness typically requires at least a full demanding day, though multi-day camping expeditions are much more common for trekkers.

Geography

Coordinates

66.80000, 29.50000

Facts

Kivivaara is located in the municipality of Hyrynsalmi within the Kainuu region.
The elevation of the hill reaches approximately 300 to 350 meters above sea level.
The area is part of the Finnish taiga belt, characterized by boreal coniferous forests.
One of Finland's largest wind farms, featuring over 30 turbines, is located nearby.
The average annual temperature in the region is around 1 degree Celsius.
The geological bedrock consists of gneiss that is over 2.5 billion years old.