Lake Inari

Inari (North Sami: Anár, Inari Sami: Aanaar, Skolt Sami: Aanar, Swedish: Enare) is a village in the municipality of the same name in Finnish Lapland, on the shore of Lake Inari. The village is an administrative and cultural centre of the Sami people in Finland (but not of the municipality itself). The lake, its surroundings and some other destinations in the municipality are also covered in this article.

Understand

Winter in the village of Inari.

Because Inari is 300 km north of the Arctic Circle, there is Midnight sun from late May to late July and Polar Night from the beginning of December to middle January. The last ice within the lake disappear at the end of May. Even in July, the average day temperature is only about 17°C. Inari municipality is the largest municipality in Finland by area covering 5 % of the country, stretching from the Norwegian border in the west to the Norwegian and Russian borders in the east. There are less than 7,000 inhabitants though. The municipality got road connection when the road to Petsamo – connection to the Arctic Sea – was accomplished in 1931.

Four languages are spoken in Inari: Finnish, Northern Sámi, Inari Sami, and Skolt Sami. Inari Sami is the language traditionally used in the surroundings of the lake. Northern Sami is the biggest Sami language, spread with large scale reindeer husbandry and acts as the lingua franca among the Sami people around the whole Nordic. The Skolt Sami people were evacuated from Petsamo (Russian: Pechenga) when Finland lost that area in the World War II, and the people were resettled into the Inari municipality.

Ivalo (40 km south) is the administrative centre of the municipality and the biggest village with some 4,000 inhabitants. Inari is the second (1,000 inhabitants) and houses the Sami parliament, the Sami cultural centre, Finland's National Sami Museum, and the 1 Sami Education Institute (SOGSAKK) a vocational school and a training centre giving education both in Finnish and in the three local Sami languages. SOGSAKK is also one of those few places where anyone can study Sami languages and Sami culture.

Other villages include Angeli, Kaamanen, Lisma, Nellim, Näätämö, Saariselkä, and Sevettijärvi. There are parts of two national parks (Lemmenjoki and UKK) and six wilderness areas (Muotkatunturit, Paistunturi, Kaldoaivi, Vätsäri, Tsarmitunturi, and Hammastunturi) in the municipality. Lake Inari is the third largest lake in size in Finland but there are 8,000 other lakes here as well.

Get in

The nearest airport is in Ivalo. By car, the easiest way to get here from southern Finland is by car/sleeper train to Rovaniemi. Inari lies along road E75, but it's over 15 hours by bus from Helsinki.

There is one border crossing from Norway in the municipality, in Näätämö, and one from Russia: Raja-Jooseppi, with junction on E75 in Ivalo. Neighbouring Utsjoki has three more from Norway. From Norway, crossing the border anywhere is allowed, except at the border zone to Russia. There is a trail across the border from the backcountry of Kirkenes to Kessi, with road to Nellim.

By bus

Coaches from or via Rovaniemi pass Inari on their way to Utsjoki, Vadsø, Nordkapp or Kirkenes.

Get around

By taxi

• Menevä Inari, ☏ +358 50-471-0470 (head of office), toll-free: 0800-02120 (booking). Also bookable by app or web. Fixed price based on calculated route and time if destination address given when booking by app or web. Flag fall M–Sa 06:00–18:00: €7, other times and holidays: €7; 1–4 persons €1.00/km + €0.90/min, 5–8 persons minimum €20, €1.60/km + €0.90/min (March 2021). (updated Mar 2021)

See

Home in the Siida open-air museum

Church of Nellim

You can observe the northern lights dancing across the dark sky between September and March, during your night walk if the sky is clear.

Other sights:

• 1 Siida museum (Inari Sámi Museum), Inarintie 46, Inari, FI-99870, ☏ +358 400-898-212, siida@samimuseum.fi. Jun 1-Sep 19: 9:00-20:00; Sep 20-Mar 31: 10:00-17:00. The Siida is a museum devoted to the history and culture of the Sámi, the original people of the area. It also doubles as a natural history museum for the region, displaying plants and wildlife from all of the areas inhabited by the Sámi. The main building is from 1998, the outdoor museum has traditions from 1959. The exhibitions are of international standard, and text is provided in local languages, English, and German. In addition to the indoor exhibition, there is an outdoor museum which features traditional Sámi dwellings. Plenty of free parking available at the site. Souvenirs, including literature on local Sámi languages. Restaurant Sarrit serve lunch. Siida acts also as a visitor centre for the national parks and other Finnish Forest Administration's facilities nearby (some not so near). The museum will receive a new extension during 2020-2022. The construction work may affect the opening hours! Adults: €10, Museum Card valid.  
• 2 Sajos cultural centre, Sajos 2. M-F 09:00–17:00. Sami cultural centre and the headquarters of the Finnish Sami Parliament. Guided tours every working day at noon. Café Čaiju. Authentic Sami handicrafts and other products in Duodji Shop. National Sami library. 
• Lake Inari (Finnish: Inarijärvi, Northern Sami: Anárjávri, Inari Sami: Aanaarjävri, Skolt Sami: Aanarjäuʹrr) is the largest lake in Lapland and the 12th in Europe; about 40 x 80 km. The deepest point is 92 m. More than half of its area is not open water but a labyrinth of more than 3300 islands. The lake is a popular fishing destination, trout, Arctic char and grayling being the main catch. Sightseeing cruises start from the village. The lake starts to freeze in late October, and there may be still some ice left in June. The surface water temperature remains virtually always under +20°C.
  • 3 Ukonsaari island. (Inari Sami: Äijih) This small but tall island has been – and still is – a sacred place for the Sámi people. In the Lake Inari some 11 km from the Inari village. Offer rituals may have been held still in the 19th century, probably even later. Guided tours from Siida will let you see the island in summer. To respect the sanctity of the place, since 2020 there are no more guided tours that call at the island. The Finnish Forest Administration will demolish all structures on the island that served tourism. Hautuumaasaaret ("Graveyard Islands"; protected area) and some other special islands nearby. (updated Feb 2017)
  • 4 Korkia-Maura Ice Cave (on the island Korkia-Maura, without road connection). A 15 metres long cave with permanently frozen few meters thick ice layer on the floor. Reachable with boat in summertime, over the ice in the winter. (updated Feb 2017)
• 5 Pielpajärvi Wilderness Church (at the former winter village of Inari). The wooden church is from 1760 and thus one of the oldest buildings in northern Lapland. There is a 5 km trail to the church from Sarviniementie parking lot, 3 km from Siida, through a nice forest. In wintertime there is a 18 km ski trail passing by the church. Campfire areas by the church and halfway. The church is still used for services every now and then. 
• 6 Bear's Nest Stone (Karhunpesäkivi), Inarijärventie 2362 (by the road E75, about 17 km south from the Inari village). An old legend tells that once a local man sought shelter during a snowstorm and found the opening under the stone. Next morning when he woke up he realized he had been sleeping next to a bear, hence the name. This huge stone high on a hill is actually almost hollow making it one of the weirdest places around. The stone itself is a glacial erratic and the geological name of this kind of void is "tafoni". The entrance into the stone is via a small opening close to the ground, inside the stone there is enough room for several people standing. Unfortunately not suitable for disabled: 200 m through the forest, mostly by stairs. The forest behind the hill has never been subject to logging and some pines are over 700 years old. There is a café by the parking lot. free. 

Do

Jäniskoski Rapids of Juutuanjoki in August 2022

Lake Inari is ideal for fishing, canoeing/kayaking and boating: you are mostly alone and maybe won't meet any person for weeks. The landscape is very nice because of the islands, but prepare for lots of mosquitoes. There are a number of open wilderness huts, lapp pole tents, and cabins for rent on the islands. For boating you need the Lake Inarijärvi yachting chart (Inarijärven veneilykartta; chart no 480).

Canoes and bikes can be rented from the shop next to Hotel Inari. There are "sea kayaking" routes on the lake, and the Juutuanjoki for those preferring whitewater (but the Jäniskoski rapids have to be portaged; a memorial by the shore for one who thought he'll manage but drowned as he thought he had made it a little too early). It is possible to come by canoe all the way from Kultasatama in Lemmenjoki National Park (about 70 km, most of it more easy/quiet canoeing).

There are also opportunities for horse riding and sleigh riding with huskies, depending on the season.

There are many nature and hiking trails in the area.

• Nature trails:
  • Oi Juutua! telling about people, events and fishing. 7.5 km, starting point by the bridge in the village.
  • Snowshoe Trail, telling about snow, 1.3 km, starting at the mouth of the Juutuanvuono Fjord.
  • Five Senses Nature Trail, telling about the history and nature, tough, unmarked but with GPS coordinates.
• Other trails:
  • Inari – Otsamo Trail, 9 km. The trail goes by the river through old pine forest, passes the fell birch zone to the treeless 7 Otsamo fell top at 418 m. Great view from the top. Start from Siida or Jäniskoski (where you can get by car or by the Juutua trail). There is also a shorter trail (3 km) to the fell top from the Otsamo/Rovajärvi parking area.
  • Pielpajärvi Wilderness Church Trail, see above

There are also cross country skiing tracks, biking trails and snowmobile tracks in the area.

• Lake & Snow Inari, ☏ +358 16 671-108. Cruises, fishing trips and snowmobile safaris. (updated Nov 2019)

The 1 Lemmenjoki National Park is nearby (45 km), the largest National Park in Finland, and, according to Metsähallitus, "one of the whole Europe’s most extensive uninhabited and roadless backwoods". The park can partly be explored by riverboat, but there are also marked trails and wilderness huts as well as rental huts, and a vast backcountry. The park borders to Øvre Anárjohka National Park in Norway.

Also nearby is the 2 Muotkatunturit Wilderness Area, "literally a wilderness area" according to Metsähallitus. There are no marked trails, few wilderness huts or other facilities in the wilderness area itself – and phones are out of signal except on fell tops. Experience and adequate equipment are needed, but the terrain is quite easy. Suitable for hiking and cross-country skiing, for those who enjoy the silence. A few places are more frequented, such as the Stuorraäytsi canyon.

At the south-eastern shore of lake Inari, there is the Nellim village, with an orthodox church. Nearby (5–7 km) there is infrastructure from the war (Rautaportti, "iron gate"), and a restored log-floating flume. 30 km farther is the common border point between Finland, Norway and Russia (guided tours offered; mind the border zone if going by yourselves, the border point itself is reachable without permits by a long hike around the border zone and along the Norwegian side of the border).

At the eastern end of the lake, past Nellim in the south and Sevettijärvi in the north, is the roadless Vätsäri Wilderness Area, part of the Pasvik-Inari Trilateral Park. Rugged landscape with a mosaic of pine forests, mires and a labyrinth of the lakes. The Piilola trail through the area leads to Øvre Pasvik National Park in Norway (a rather special shortcut to Kirkenes). The trail is marked and there are wilderness huts, but hiking experience is needed as you are on your own here.

Events

• 3 Ijahis Idja, Inari. Indigenous music festival held in August since 2004. The event is concentrated on traditional and modern Sami music. The name is Northern Sami for Nightless Night. (updated Jul 2020)

Buy

• 1 K-Market Inari, Inarintie 45, ☏ +358 50 364 9654. daily 07:00-22:00. Grocery store with pharmacy and post office services. (updated Jul 2020)
• 2 Sale Inari, Lehtolantie 2, ☏ +358 44 788 6370. daily 07:00-22:00. S-group grocery store. (updated Jul 2020)
• 3 Neste Inari Polkutie, Menesjärventie 1, ☏ +358 16 671 002, neste.inari@pp.inet.fi. M-F 08:00-20:00, Sa-Su 09:00-20:00; lunch M-F 11:00-14:00. Gas station with a well equipped store and a small café which also serve lunch and burgers. (updated Jul 2020)
• 4 Kaamasen kotipuoti, Kaamasentie 2835 (28 km north from the village), ☏ +358 400 016 753. M-F 09:00-17:00, Sa 09:00-14:00, Su (summer only) 10:00-15:00. Small grocery store 30 km north from the village, next to Kaamasen Kievari guesthouse. Post office. (updated Jul 2020)

There are several dedicated shops selling souvenirs and local handicrafts along the main road (Inarintie, E75). If buying Sami related products always check that they have Sámi duodji certificate of authenticity!

• Samekki (on a side street by the church), ☏ +358 16 671-086. M–F 10:00–16:00. Handicraft by Petteri Laiti, a famous Sami goldsmith. Mr. Laiti often combines silver and reindeer horn. Among the products are large leuku knives, jewelry, spoons, and wooden kuksa cups. Not cheap, but true to Sami tradition and highly regarded. 
• Inarin hopea (by the Juutuanjoki bridge), ☏ +358 16 671-333. Daily in summer (15.6–31.8) 9:00–20:00, winter M–F 10:00–17:00. Sells locally made modern jewellery inspired by the traditions and nature of Lapland. You can also watch the goldsmith at work. (updated Jul 2020)

Eat and drink

• 1 Bar PaPaNa, Inarintie 49, ☏ +358 40 6526276, papana@hotmail.com. 11:00-until late. Bar in the heart of the village. Occasionally live artists. Food available. (updated Jul 2020)
• 2 Pub Rantsu, Inarintie 40, ☏ +358 16 671 026. daily 08:00-22:00. Pub-like lobby bar at the Hotel Inari. (updated Jul 2020)
• 1 Restaurant Aurora, Inarintie 40, ☏ +358 16 671 026. daily 12:00-21:30. Restaurant at the Hotel Inari. View to the Juutua river estuary. (updated Jul 2020)
• 2 Restaurant Sarrit, Inarintie 46, ☏ +358 40 700 6485, ravintola@sarrit.inet.fi. June-Septmber: daily 09:00-16:00, lunch 11:00-14:00; October-December Tu-Su 10:00-17:00, lunch 11:00-15:00. A small café and restaurant at the top floor of the Siida museum, featuring a lunch buffet and sandwiches. Takeaway meals available by request. Sarrit means bilberry in Northern Sami. (updated Jul 2020)
• 3 Café Čaiju, Sajos, ☏ +358 40 588 4062, caiju@samediggi.fi. M-F 09:00-16:00, lunch M-Th 11:00-13:30. Café and lunch restaurant (lunch only M-Th, at F there is just a salad buffet) in cultural center Sajos. Čaiju is a Skolt Sami word for tea (loanword from Russian 'chay'). (updated Jul 2020)
• 4 Restaurant Aanaar, Saarikoskentie 2, ☏ +358 16 511 7100, inarin.kultahovi@co.inet.fi. A prestigious à la carte restaurant with a river view in the Hotel Kultahovi. Ranked several times as one of the best restaurants in the whole Finland, and lately awarded as Restaurant of the Year 2020 by the Finnish Gastronomic Society. Lunch at the summer season. Aanaar is the name Inari in Inari Sami. (updated Jul 2020)

Outside the village

• 5 Karhutupa, Inarijärventie 2290 (at the start of the path to Bear's Nest Stone). They offer meals from €6. It seems a bit like a tourist trap with the singing bear at the entrance. An a few hundred metres climb through the forest to the Bear's nest stone (nice variation to sitting in the car). 
• 6 Kaamasen kievari, Kaamasentie 2855 (28 km north from the village), ☏ +358 16 672713, info@kaamasenkievari.fi. Legendary guesthouse by the highway E75 some 30 kilometers north from Inari village. Atmospheric restaurant and cabin accommodation. (updated Jul 2020)

Sleep

Pisteri Open Wilderness Hut in Vätsäri

Budget

• 1 Uruniemi camping, Uruniementie 7 (2 km east from the village, towards Ivalo), ☏ +358 50-371-8826, pentti.kangasniemi@uruniemi.fi. Camping site June 1st – September 20th, cottages all year. Camping, cottages and rooms. By the lake. Café and kiosk. cottages from €30, rooms from €25 (single?). (updated Feb 2017)
• 2 Vasatokka, Angelintie 696 (about 10 km from the village), ☏ +358 16 670-7960. A modern and comfortable hostel. Also cottages. €54; breakfast €7.40. Sauna €15/h. 

Going out boating or on the trails, right to access applies, except minor protected areas (and of course private yards etc.). There are campfire sites along the trails (not to be used during wildfire warnings). There are open wilderness huts on some islands in the lake, and in the wilderness areas. There are also wilderness huts for rent. Camping by open wilderness huts or campfire places is to be preferred over wild camping, where reasonable. Yards of rental huts are to be treated as yards of private homes.

Mid-range

• 3 Hotel Inari, Inarintie 40 (in the village), ☏ +358 16 671-026, fax: +358 16 671-047, info@hotelliinari.fi. Check-out: 12:00. Free internet available in the reception area and nearby rooms. Rooms have different standards. Nice view over Lake Inari from some rooms. Restaurant with full menu at a reasonable price. Many of the courses are based on local produce such as reindeer, fish from Lake Inari, and berries. Bar open to 03:00 in summer. €108. 

  

  Wilderness Hotel Juutua when it was still known as Hotel Inarin Kultahovi.

• 4 Wilderness Hotel Juutua, Saarikoskentie 2 (in the village.). Originally named Inarin Kultahovi, dating back to 1937. The building was destroyed in the Lapland War but was soon rebuilt. Today it belongs to the Wilderness Hotels chain. The hotel has a riverfront sauna. €106. 
• 5 Hotel Korpikartano, Meneskartanontie 71 (at lake Menesjärvi, some 30 km south-west from Inari centre, 10 km from Lemmenjoki National Park), ☏ +358 40-777-4339, menesjarvi@menesjarvi.fi. Variety of summer and winter activities are offered. €89; sauna. 

Splurge

• 6 Wilderness Hotel Nellim (in Nellim by the south-east end of Lake Inari, 40 km from Ivalo; you can book transfer from the hotel), ☏ +358 50-430-9648 (M–F 08:00–16:00), +358 50-472-1505 (M–F 08:00–16:00; English and French), sales@wildernesshotels.fi. Accommodation, restaurant, programme services. Rooms, suites and cabins, all with cabin feel. Also "aurora accommodation". Minimum 3 nights' stay. From €600/three nights. 

Connect

Postal code 99870 Inari.

Mobile phones should work well in the village and along the main roads, but in the wilderness there are large areas with spotty coverage.

Go next

• The gold village Tankavaara, 100 km to the south, on E75
• The ski and spa resort of Saariselkä, 70 km to the south

Routes through Inari

Vardø ← Utsjoki ← Kaamanen ←

N  S

→ Ivalo → Rovaniemi