Ylläs fell offers some of the best summer activities in Finnish Lapland, from long-distance hiking and mountain biking to fishing, kayaking, and wildlife watching under the midnight sun. The fell’s open landscape, exceptionally clean air, and well-maintained trail network make it a genuinely rewarding destination for outdoor lovers of all fitness levels. Below you’ll find answers to the most common questions about spending a summer holiday at Ylläs.
What outdoor activities can you do at Ylläs in summer?
At Ylläs in summer, you can hike, mountain bike, fish, paddle, swim, pick berries and mushrooms, go horseback riding, and explore the fell landscape on foot or by bike. The area transforms completely once the snow melts, revealing a wide open wilderness that rewards both active adventurers and those who simply want to slow down and breathe some of Europe’s purest air.
Hiking and trekking
Ylläs sits at the heart of one of Finland’s most extensive trail networks, with hundreds of kilometres of marked routes ranging from easy day walks to demanding multi-day treks. The Hetta–Pallas route connects two major fells and runs through Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park — one of Finland’s largest protected areas at over 1,000 km² — giving walkers access to some of the most beautiful open fell scenery in the country. Day hike options range from short, easy loops suitable for families to longer fell crossings that take several hours.
Water activities
The lakes around Ylläs, including Äkäslompolo and Ylläsjärvi, are ideal for kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding. Fishing is popular throughout summer, with grayling, perch, and pike found in local waters. Many cottages in the area come with a rowing boat, kayak, or canoe available for guests, so you can get out on the water without any extra planning.
Cycling and other pursuits
Mountain biking trails around Ylläs range from gentle lakeside paths to more technical fell routes, with options for beginners and experienced riders alike. Berry picking becomes a real highlight from late July onward, when cloudberries, blueberries, and lingonberries ripen across the fell slopes. Guided nature tours and horseback riding are also available through local operators in the villages of Äkäslompolo and Ylläsjärvi. For those looking for something more structured, guided e-bike and fatbike tours are a popular way to explore the trails without needing technical experience.
Is Ylläs worth visiting in summer or only in winter?
Ylläs is absolutely worth visiting in summer, and for many people it is the better season. While the fell is famous as one of Finland’s largest ski resorts in winter — with 61 slopes and 29 lifts — summer brings a completely different and equally compelling experience: long daylight hours, lush green landscapes, warm lake swimming, and trails that are far less crowded than the ski slopes during peak winter season.
In summer, you get to experience the midnight sun, which is a genuinely remarkable phenomenon. Around midsummer, the sun stays above the horizon around the clock, meaning you can hike at midnight or paddle across a glassy lake at 11 pm in full daylight. This alone makes a summer visit to Ylläs something you won’t easily forget.
The fell landscape looks completely different without snow. At 719 metres, the open treeless summit of Ylläs offers panoramic views across a sea of birch forest and distant fells, and the wildflower meadows that appear in June and July add real colour to the scenery. If you visited in winter and loved it, summer will show you a side of Ylläs you didn’t know existed.
What is the best hiking route at Ylläs fell?
The best-known and most rewarding long-distance hiking route at Ylläs fell is the Hetta–Pallas trail, one of Finland’s oldest and most legendary routes, running approximately 55 kilometres through Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. For a single-day highlight, the Taivaskero circuit — around 8–9 km — is hard to beat, offering sweeping fell views and a clear, well-marked path accessible to most walkers. Those looking for a greater challenge can tackle the Kukastunturi loop, a longer 20 km route through dramatic fell scenery.
The Hetta–Pallas route passes through some of the most pristine wilderness in the country. You’ll walk across open fell tops, through ancient taiga forests, and alongside clear streams. The trail has several wilderness huts along the way where you can rest, cook, and stay overnight, making multi-day trekking very manageable even without a tent. The Kellokas Visitor Centre in Äkäslompolo is a useful first stop for up-to-date information on routes and conditions.
For families or those looking for a shorter outing, the marked day trails starting from both Äkäslompolo and Ylläsjärvi villages are well-suited options. The Varkaankuru path — around 3–4 km along a forest stream — is an easy and scenic choice, while the Kesänkijärvi loop at 5–6 km suits families with children. These routes are clearly signposted, relatively gentle in gradient, and give you a genuine taste of fell hiking without requiring any specialist equipment or experience.
One practical tip: wear proper hiking boots even on shorter routes. The fell terrain can be boggy in places, especially in early summer when snowmelt is still draining. Layers are useful too, since the open summit areas are often cooler and windier than the sheltered valleys below.
When is the best time to visit Ylläs in summer?
The best time to visit Ylläs in summer is from late June through August. This period offers the warmest temperatures, the longest days, and the most accessible trails. July is typically the warmest month, with temperatures often reaching the mid-twenties Celsius, and it’s when lake swimming is most enjoyable.
June is a wonderful month if you want to experience the midnight sun at its most dramatic. The sun stays above the horizon around midsummer, and the light has a golden, almost surreal quality throughout the night. Trails can be slightly wetter underfoot in early June as snow continues to melt from the fell tops, but the landscape is strikingly green and the fell is peaceful and quiet.
Late July and August bring berry season, which is one of the hidden pleasures of a Lapland summer. Cloudberries ripen on the fell slopes in July, followed by blueberries and lingonberries through August. This is also a good time for fishing, as the fish are active and the evenings are warm enough to sit by the lake well into the night.
Early autumn — from mid-September onward — is worth considering if you want to experience the ruska, when the birch forests and fell slopes turn vivid shades of red, orange, and yellow. The colours typically peak around mid-September and last for several weeks before the first frosts arrive. If you’re visiting in 2026, booking accommodation early is a good idea, particularly for July. Summer demand for lakeside cottages at Ylläs has grown steadily, and the most popular spots fill up well in advance.
Where should you stay when visiting Ylläs in summer?
The best places to stay at Ylläs in summer are the villages of Äkäslompolo and Ylläsjärvi, both of which offer direct access to hiking trails, lake swimming, and local services. A lakeside cottage gives you the most flexible and immersive experience, letting you set your own pace and enjoy the surroundings without having to travel far for your next activity.
Staying in a cottage rather than a hotel or hostel makes particular sense at Ylläs because so much of what makes the destination special happens right outside your door. A well-equipped cottage with its own sauna, a private stretch of lakeshore, and a rowing boat or kayak available for guests turns your base into a destination in itself. You can fish from the dock in the morning, hike the fell in the afternoon, and end the evening in the sauna watching the midnight sun from the terrace.
We at AuroraCottage offer a wide selection of quality cottages in Äkäslompolo and Ylläsjärvi, many of them right on the lake. Plenty of our cottages come with a boat, kayak, or canoe available for guests, which means you can get out on the water from day one without any extra arrangements. Cottages are well-equipped with a proper kitchen, living space, and sauna, and many include a fireplace or outdoor hot tub. Whether you’re coming as a couple, a family, or a group of friends, you’ll find options that fit. You can browse and book cottages directly online in a few simple steps.
Choosing a cottage in the right village also depends on what you want to do. Äkäslompolo has a lively village feel with cafes, a small supermarket, and good trail access directly from the village. Ylläsjärvi is quieter and sits closer to the ski centre, with its own easy trails and the gondola lift available in summer for effortless access to the fell summit. Whichever you choose, you’re well-placed for a genuine Ylläs summer holiday.