Pyhä-Luosto National Park
Pyhä - Luosto National Park (142 km2, was founded in 1938 and extended in 2005) is the oldest national park in Finland. It is a 35 km-long string of fells. The Pyhätunturi Fell is the southernmost of the great fells of Finland, and it was the southernmost border of Lapland, a boundary mark between peasant settlements and Lapland, dating as far back as the sixteenth century, termed as the Lapland and Lanta border.
The highest top is called Noitatunturi (540 m) and the deepest of the rocky gorges is Isokuru, more than 200 m in depth. Isokuru is Finland’s largest, over 200 metre-deep fell ravine, at the end of which is the Pyhäkuru Gorge, Uhriharju Ridge and the Pyhänkasteenlampi Pond and Pyhänkasteenputous Waterfall. Huttuloma has a wilderness cabin. Huttukangas was the ancient home of Huttu-Ukko, one of the last Forest Lapps.
Other popular sights are, for instance, the Aittakuru Gorge Amphitheatre, Rykimäkuru Gorge, Luosto’s untouched forests over 400 years old, and Europe’s only functioning amethyst mine in Lampivaara, where you can visit the mine, hear tales about the amethyst and even excavate your own lucky stone to take home with you. Access to the mining area is restricted.
Lots of places easy to reach and popular for hikers and skiers to visit because of their accessibility and unique environment, e.g. Pyhänkasteenlampi (= a pond), Pyhänkasteenputous (= a waterfall), Rykimäkuru, over 400-year-old forests of Luosto, Ukko-Luosto (514 m), and the only active amethyst mine of Europe in Lampivaara.
Next to the main K-shop is the Pyhä-Luosto Visitor and Culture Centre "Naava", tel. +358 (0)20 564 7302. Maps, equipment, lots of nature information.
There are Arctic Husky Farm and Reindeer Park on the road between Luosto and Pyhä.