Ylläs is full of possibilities in summer, but sometimes that’s exactly what makes planning surprisingly difficult. What should you do, where should you go, and how should you plan your day?
We have put together three different ready-made day plans so you can choose the one that best suits your group. Whether you’re travelling with family, looking for active adventures, or simply enjoying a relaxing cabin holiday, these itineraries help you plan the perfect summer day:
An easy and fun summer day for families
A relaxed morning at the cabin
A summer day starts best without any rush. Breakfast on the cabin terrace and the fresh fell air gently wake the whole family for the day ahead. Depending on the children’s ages and energy levels, you can choose activities that everyone enjoys together. And if it feels like there’s too much to fit into one day, there’s always something left to discover on the following days.
Start your summer day with a nature adventure! For a day trip, it’s good to pack enough drinks, snacks, and picnic food such as fruit, berries, sandwiches, and sausages for grilling. For dessert, especially children tend to love traditional Finnish dough buns (tikkupulla) baked on a stick over the fire. Weather-appropriate clothing, hand sanitizer, and wet wipes are also useful when eating outdoors. Remember to bring a trash bag as well to help keep nature clean.
A trip to the Kesänkijärvi lean-to shelter
Kesänkijärvi is one of the easiest and most beautiful hiking destinations for families in Ylläs. The distance from the Kesänkijärvi parking area to the lean-to shelter is about 1.6 km. The parking area is located at the end of Sahatie road. The trail is easy to walk and also suitable for bicycles and strollers. For children, the route feels like the perfect little adventure.
Take time to stop and explore the small wonders of nature: flowers, scents, and the different textures of the forest. Let children play freely, jumping on rocks, climbing trees, and throwing sticks into the water. Nature offers endless opportunities for fun and curiosity for younger children.
At the lean-to shelter, you may spot Siberian jays, which are very friendly and sometimes even come to eat directly from your hand. It’s a good idea to bring a small amount of suitable snacks for them, such as bread, nuts, or small pieces of cheese.
Swimming or visiting the nature centre in the afternoon
The small and beautiful beach of Äkäslompolo is located in stunning fell scenery on the northeastern shore of the lake. The nearest parking area is at Äkäshotelli (paid parking), from where there is a 1.3 km boardwalk route to the beach. This walking distance is worth keeping in mind if you are travelling with small children. The beach offers beautiful views toward the village, and the warm sand together with the refreshing water make it a perfect summer stop.
The Kellokas Nature Centre features an interesting exhibition about local life and nature, with plenty to explore for children as well. Outside, there is an open hut for enjoying your own snacks and a playground for children. Kellokas is located right next to the protected nature area, entrance is free, and parking is free of charge. A short trail from the parking area leads to a scenic viewpoint overlooking the fell landscape. Along the route, you’ll also find unique self-made art sculptures, and at the end of the trail, stunning fell views open up before you.
More things to do on the Ylläsjärvi side
Near Ylläs fell, there are two great family-friendly activities in the same area, making it easy to plan the day however you like.
Taking the gondola lift to the top of the fell is an easy and enjoyable way to experience the fell landscapes. It’s a fun experience for children and offers incredible views. At the top, there is a café where you can buy snacks or enjoy an ice cream as a summer treat.
Ylläs Bike Park offers activities for those looking for a bit more speed and excitement. There is a pump track and a family-friendly practice area where younger riders can safely learn the basics of downhill biking on gentle slopes. More experienced riders can challenge themselves on longer trails accessible by chairlift or gondola.
There is also a pump track next to K-Market Eeli’s Store, where both children and adults can practise mountain biking for free using their own bikes.
A relaxing evening at the cabin
The perfect ending to the day is a peaceful evening at the cabin. After a day outdoors, it feels wonderful to simply relax without any rush. Sauna, an evening snack together, and board games, many of which are already available for guests at the cabins, create the ideal cosy atmosphere for the evening.
Plenty of activities for active travellers
Start the day by biking to Kukastunturi
Enjoy a light breakfast and pack your gear. An active day is best started early while the air is still fresh. Preparing your equipment already the night before makes it easy to head out quickly in the morning.
The Kukastunturi area offers beautiful scenery and just the right amount of challenge. The Kukastunturi loop is a pleasant biking route of around 20 km that takes about three hours to complete. Thanks to the constantly changing landscapes, the route stays interesting from beginning to end. Parts of the trail run through peaceful forest areas, while others open into wide fell landscapes, with exciting downhill sections and climbs along the way.
Take a break during the ride to admire the scenery while enjoying your snacks, or stop by a village café at the end of the route.
Kayaking or disc golf in the afternoon
Kayaking or canoeing creates the perfect balance after an active morning. Exploring Ylläs from the water offers a completely new perspective on the surrounding landscapes. The area offers versatile routes, whether you prefer flowing rivers or peaceful fell lakes. Long river routes combine exciting rapids with calm sections where you can simply relax and enjoy nature. The Ylläs area has waterways suitable for both beginners and more experienced paddlers. You can join a guided kayaking tour with a local guide or rent equipment for an independent trip.
The disc golf course in Äkäslompolo is another great option for an active afternoon. The course runs through spacious forest terrain and offers enough challenge while still being suitable for beginners. It’s a relaxed way to stay active and enjoy nature at the same time. If you don’t have your own discs, they can be rented or purchased from local sports stores such as Sport Shop or Sport Corner.
In Ylläsjärvi, the Ylläs Ski Resort disc golf course runs through open fell landscapes and features impressive elevation changes. The course starts next to Lapland Hotels Saaga, and discs can be rented from Hill Ski Rent.
Still have energy left?
If you still feel energetic, Ylläs Bike Park offers even more excitement. You can take the gondola up with your bike, saving your energy for the actual riding. From the top, long downhill routes lead through incredible landscapes. Along the way down, the terrain changes beautifully from open fell scenery into forest trails. The routes suit different skill levels, so you can either take it easy or go for more speed depending on your mood.
Recover at the cabin sauna
After an active day, it feels amazing to relax at the cabin with good food and a sauna. An evening swim in the fresh lake water refreshes both body and mind and washes away the dust of the day.
A day for relaxed enjoyment
This day is for those who don’t want to rush through their holiday but simply enjoy the feeling of having nowhere to hurry.
Start the morning slowly at the cabin. Just you, a cup of coffee, and a good book while enjoying the peaceful silence of the fell landscape from the terrace. Could a morning begin any better?
A gentle hike to refresh the body and mind
After waking up slowly and peacefully, it’s time to gently wake up the body as well with a light hike. Choose a short and easy trail leading to a scenic viewpoint, or simply explore nearby paths at your own pace. The goal is not to exercise intensely, but to move slowly and take time to stop along the way.
Observe your surroundings and the unique nature of Ylläs. Choose a route close to you from the Ylläs trail map and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
A café moment while watching village life
Enjoy a relaxed lunch or a cup of coffee with pastries at one of the cafés or restaurants in Äkäslompolo village while peacefully watching village life go by.
Near the national park, you’ll find Karilan Navettagalleria, a charming spot for a leisurely lunch or coffee break. The cosy atmosphere and peaceful surroundings make it a perfect place to pause for a while and enjoy homemade pastries, coffee, or a light lunch.
After your meal, there’s also plenty to explore for lovers of art and local history. The gallery features art exhibitions, and nearby forest trails include outdoor artworks. In addition, the local story trail shares the history of the village through stories passed down by local families.
A relaxing afternoon of berry picking or fishing
As summer goes on, the forests become full of berries. Blueberries, lingonberries, and many other treats can often be found close by. Please make sure to pick only edible berries. Blueberries and lingonberries are safe and easy to recognize choices. Picking berries peacefully in the middle of nature is wonderfully relaxing and gives the mind time to rest.
Alternatively, you can head out fishing. Fishing is exactly the kind of activity where time seems to stop. There’s no rush anywhere, only the present moment and the surrounding nature. At the same time, there is always a little excitement while waiting for a catch. At its best, a fishing trip combines peacefulness, enjoying nature, and the joy of success if you happen to catch something.
Good food, better mood
Choose the kind of evening that suits your mood best, enjoy dinner at a restaurant or spend a peaceful evening cooking at the cabin. At a restaurant, you can enjoy delicious local flavours without worrying about cooking and simply focus on relaxing. At the cabin, on the other hand, you can enjoy complete privacy and prepare dinner slowly at your own pace. Good food, a glass of wine, and the quiet surroundings create the perfect relaxing evening.
A bright summer night
In Ylläs, summer evenings continue for a long time, and it never truly gets dark. The soft light of the midnight sun creates a unique atmosphere, and often this becomes the best moment of the entire day.
In Ylläs, a summer day can be exactly what you want it to be: active, easy-going, or completely peaceful. Often the best holidays are created by combining all of these experiences. It’s worth booking at least a week of holiday so you have enough time to enjoy everything the summer season in Ylläs has to offer.
Staying at a cabin somehow makes everything easier. Nature begins right outside the door, and each day can be built entirely at your own pace, without any rush. If you’re looking for the perfect place to stay for your summer holiday, explore AuroraCottage’s cabin selection and find your own holiday cabin where the perfect summer day can begin.
