Saimaa Trails organizes guided fast packing tours in Urho Kekkonen National Park (UKK Park), Lemmenjoki National Park and other wilderness areas.

​

What is fast packing?

​

A trailrunning hike or fastpacking is a multi-day adventure that combines running and walking. Running allows you to cover longer distances each day, enabling you to see more in a shorter time. The key to this experience is lightweight gear carried in a running vest or pack, making trail running hikes a form of lightweight trekking—or, as it’s often called internationally, fastpacking.

​

Essential lightweight gear and shelters suitable for this activity can be rented, meaning you don’t need to buy everything upfront. This makes it easier to try out the activity without a significant investment.

​

In summer 2026, Saimaa Trails offers three multi-day trailrunning tours. We also provide tailored trail running adventures for private groups, clubs, or work teams. Challenge yourself or your group, for example, with the Kiilopää tour, where 10 fell peaks are conquered in one day.

​

Discover our tours:

​

2026 Fastpacking Tours

​​

Lemmenjoki - The Heart of Golden Lands Fri-Sun 14.-16.8.2026 (max 4 persons)

​

Lemmenjoki National Park offers a breathtaking setting for a trailrunning fastpacking tour, where you can immerse yourself in the pristine wilderness of Finnish Lapland and its fascinating gold mining history. This trailrunning adventure combines the thrill of running on varied trails with moments to pause and admire the stunning surroundings of Northern Europe’s largest national park.

​

Our route takes you through ancient pine forests, along tranquil riverbanks, and across open fells. Along the way, we delve into the rich and storied past of Lemmenjoki’s gold mining heritage.

​

Highlights of the experience include Ravadasköngäs, a majestic waterfall where the bravest can take a refreshing swim, and a riverboat ride back at the end of the three-day journey.

​

This experience is perfect for those who love trail running and exploring the wild outdoors, offering a blend of physical challenge and a profound connection to the natural and cultural heritage of the area.

​

• Distance: approximately 90 km, depending on chosen routes and weather conditions

• Start: from Saariselkä Fri 14.8.2026 at 9 am, from Njurgulahti at 11 am

• Accomodation: Rental huts in Morgamoja Gold Prospektor (1 night) and Härkäkoski (2 nights)

• Return: to Saariselkä Sun 16.8.2026 at 10 pm, depending on river boats schedule

• Experience: Daily distances range from 25 to 40 kilometers, depending on the chosen routes. Participants should have experience with distances of 25–35 km within the past year. Events such as NUTS KK 34, NUTS Ylläs 37, or other similar trail running races serve as good benchmarks.

• Price Includes: Transportation between Saariselkä and Njurgulahti (round trip), 3 nights’ accommodation in rental huts, 2 saunas, guidance, a boat ride on the Lemmenjoki River, and a comprehensive information package about the trail running hike and required gear provided in a pre-trip webinar.

• Reservations: Until 26.7.2026

Price: 300 € / person

​

​

Trailrun adventure - Eastern Wilderness of UKK Park Thu-Sun 20.-23.8.2026

​

Come and experience the rugged and impressive wilderness of the eastern part of Urho Kekkonen National Park, where wide fells, quiet valleys and ancient pine forests create the purest nature of Lapland.

​

On this adventure we run through the wilderness, near to border region of Finland and Russian. See the mystical Vongoiva and its ancient pine forests, far from marked trails and human sounds. The route runs through open wilderness and over several large fells, offering landscapes where the horizon seems to continue forever.

​

This is a true wilderness run, offering a challenge to more experienced runners. The day trips aren't so long, but the elevation variations makes this demanding. The reward is the wide landscapes, complete silence and a sense of freedom that can only be found in the wilderness of Lapland.

​

The adventure begins from Aittajärvi and offers an experience for those looking for a challenge, the peace of nature and a connection to the true wilderness through running. 

There is an option to participate with full cabin accommodation (4 places, 3 nights), with your own accommodation and with your own accommodation and cabin nights (4 places).

​

• Distance: about 110 km, depends on chosen routes and the weather conditions

• Start: from Saariselkä Thu 20.8.2026 at 9 am, from Aittajärvi at 10.30 am

• Accomodation: Reservation hut of Muorravaarakka, Tahvontupa and Luirojärvi

• Return: to Saariselkä Sun 23.8.2026 afternoon

• Experience: Daily distances range from 25 to 40 kilometers, depending on the chosen routes. Participants should have experience with distances of 25–35 km within the past year. Events such as NUTS KK 34, NUTS Ylläs 37, or other similar trail running races serve as good benchmarks. Also earlier experience of trailrunning hike is good benchmark.

• Price, 300 €, includes: Transportation between Saariselkä-Aittajärvi-Saariselkä, 3 nights’ accommodation in reservation huts, 2 saunas, guidance and a comprehensive information package about the trail running hike and required gear provided in a pre-trip webinar

• Price, 240 €, includes: Transportation between Saariselkä-Aittajärvi-Saariselkä, 2 saunas, guidance and a comprehensive information package about the trail running hike and required gear provided in a pre-trip webinar. Your own tent or bivy and tarp are required.

• Reservations: Until 2.8.2026

​​

​

Trailrun Adventure Through Urho Kekkonen National Park Fri-Sun 4.-6.9.2026 (max 8 person)

Tour in autumn colours

​

This trailrunning fastpacking tour from Raja-Jooseppi offers an unforgettable journey through the pristine wilderness of Urho Kekkonen National Park. The route takes you through the heart of the park, passing the park's highest fell, Sokosti, and the iconic landscapes of Luirojärvi, all the way to Kiilopää.

​

The adventure combines the thrill of running with peaceful moments to pause and admire open fell landscapes, crystal-clear streams, and the serene quiet of northern nature. At Luirojärvi, you can experience the unique atmosphere of the national park, with opportunities along the way to stop, enjoy the scenery, and capture photos of autumn colours.

​

This adventure is ideal for runners accustomed to long daily distances, seeking a physical challenge while exploring the wild beauty of Lapland. The adventure offers the perfect blend of exercise, breathtaking views, and a deep connection to Finland's largest wilderness areas.

​

• Distance: about 100km, depending on chosen routes or weather conditions

• Start: from Saariselkä Fri 4.9.2026 at 9 am, to the tour from Raja-Jooseppi at 11 am

• Accomodation: Reservation hut of Sarvioja and Luirojärvi

• Return: to Kiilopää Sun 6.9.2026 afternoon

• Experience: Daily distances range from 30 to 40 kilometers, depending on the chosen routes. Participants should have experience with distances of 25–35 km within the past year. Events such as NUTS KK 34, NUTS Ylläs 37, or other similar trail running races serve as good benchmarks.

• Price Includes: Transportation between Saariselkä and Raja-Jooseppi, 2 nights’ accommodation in reservation huts, 1 sauna, guidance and a comprehensive information package about the trail running hike and required gear provided in a pre-trip webinar.

• Reservations: Until 16.8.2026

​Price: 250 € / person

​

​

Kiilopää Challenge: 10 Peaks in One Day (max. 10hlö)

 

Embark on an epic trail running adventure with the Kiilopää Challenge, where you’ll by yourself or with your group conquer 10 fells towering over 500 meters in just one day. This exhilarating route takes you through the rugged and breathtaking landscapes of Urho Kekkonen National Park wilderness.

​

Feel the thrill as you ascend steep climbs, traverse ridgelines, and push your limits across varied terrain. Between summits, take a moment to soak in the silence of the Arctic fells and the beauty of untouched nature. This challenge is perfect for experienced trailrunners seeking an unforgettable, high-energy experience in one of Finland’s most iconic regions.

Are you ready to summit all 10 peaks and create your own Lapland legacy?

​

The mountains are Kiilopää, Niilanpää, Rautupää, Kutturapää, Lankopää, Lupukkapää, Vasanlyömäpää, Tuiskupää, Ampupää and Teräväkivenpää. Each peak will be marked as visited with a GPS stamp and your name will be added to the results list of the 10 Peaks in one day-participants.

​

• Price: 120 € / person

• Time and reservations: To be agreed separately with the organizer, saimaatrails@gmail.com

• Distance: about 70-80 km, depending on chosen routes

• Start: from Kiilopää at 8 am

• Return: to Kiilopää hopefully before midnight

• Experience: Trailrunning experience needed

• Equipment: Trailrunning shoes and clothes suitable for running, windbreaker or gore-tex jacket and pants, gloves, running vest or backpack. energy and drinks at least 1 liter.

 

 

Fastpacking tour prices include (excluding the Kiilopää tour):

 

Guidance

Overnight stay in a reservation hut for 2-3 days (excluding trips with your own accommodation)

Transportation from Saariselkä to the starting point

Guidance on purchasing/rental of equipment

Remote group meeting approx. 1 month before the tour

• Preparing for the trail running tour

• Equipment

• Food

• Progressing on the tour

• Safety

Equipment list for the tour (mandatory/recommended)

Equipment check and guidance on how to use the equipment before the tour (and during the tour)

​

Fastpacking tour prices do not include:

 

Trips to Saariselkä

Accommodations before and after the tour (tips are available)

Food

Insurance (participants must have valid accident insurance)

 

Booking, payment and cancellation terms

​

You can make a reservation in the online store or by email: saimaatrails@gmail.com. Free cancellation and refund of paid money is possible up to 21 days before the start of the tour. After this, we charge 30% of the total tour amount to cover our own costs.