Located a stone’s throw from Finland’s border with Sweden, Muonio is a sprawling municipality within the Arctic Circle. It’s famed for having the longest snow season in Finland and serves as a training ground for cross-country ski champions, as well as being on the doorstep of the beautiful Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park.
Things to do in Muonio
You can delve into the past at the Muonio Local History Museum, which occupies a rustic cabin and storehouses that are among the only buildings in Muonio to have survived the Continuation War. Learn about this World War II conflict that was fought by the Finns against the Soviet Union, with military assistance and support from Nazi Germany.
Muonio is a popular base for exploring Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, which encompasses more than 1,000 square kilometres of fells and taiga forests. It’s the most visited national park in Finland, with an extensive network of hiking, mountain biking and cross-country skiing trails to explore. You can stretch your legs on the oldest marked hiking trail in the country, the Hetta-Pallas Trail, which offers an introduction to some of Finland’s most spectacular scenery.
If you’re visiting in the winter months, head to the Olos Ski Resort, which has 10 downhill slopes and more than 250 kilometres of cross-country skiing trails. Soak up the magnificent views across Lake Särkijärvi and Lake Jerisjärvi as you explore the surrounding terrain or coincide your visit with the annual Lapponia cross-country skiing race to see the best of the best in action.
Getting around Muonio
Muonio is an hour’s drive from Kittilä Airport, which has seasonal flights to destinations across Europe. Buses travel to Muonio while renting a car gives you greater freedom to explore the region. The centre of Muonio can easily be explored on foot.