Pallastunturi Hills

The Pallastunturi Hills - with their treeless slopes one of Finland's most popular skiing areas - lie in the northwest of the country, near the Swedish frontier, in the middle of a chain of hills extending from Yllästunturi (740m/2,428ft) in the south to Ounastunturi (738m/2,421ft) in the north. The highest point is Taivaskero (821m/2,694ft); to the northwest is Laukukero (777m/2,549ft), to the east Pallaskero (646m/2,120ft).

From Muonio, a trim village at the junction of the Jerisjoki with the Muonionjoki, Road 79 runs east to Rovaniemi. 7km/4.5mi along this road, on the right, is Olostunturi (509m/1,670ft; skiing pistes), with a footpath running up to the top. 5km/3mi beyond this, at Särkijärvi, take a road on the left which climbs through beautiful hill scenery; then at a junction 15km/9mi farther on, where a road goes off on the right to Pallasjärvi, turn left into a road which climbs in 7km/4.5mi to the Pallastunturi Turisthotel, at the foot of Taivaskero (good skiing area; lift). Adjoining the hotel is the National Park information center. Here the midnight sun is visible from May 27 to July 16.