Description

This traverse is an amazing way to experience the southern part of Pallas-Ylläs National Park, especially during January when the light is amazing.

The riding isn’t difficult but you must have stable conditions because there are some areas that will get a lot of wind loading at times. The distance for the traverse is in between 20 to 25km depending of the route choice.

The fells you will get to visit are: Kellostapuli, Kesänki, Lainio and Kukas Kellostapuli Start from Äkäslompolo ski area parking lot T1.

From there you will move towards the first fell of Kellostapuli.

The north face has potential for good steeper descents but you need very stable conditions.

A safe way down is to choose the gully a bit lower from the top.

This gully collects snow and you can have some nice turns there even if the snow conditions are low tide.

Once in the tree line, continue to the bottom until you catch the cross-country skiing track.

Stay on the track until you reach the bottom of Kesänki south face. Kesänki Head up towards the gully called Pirunkuru - this is rather easy way to reach the treeline.

Continue moving over the fell.

Once on the top, you can change to riding or skiing mode and start the descent towards the north.

Make sure the snow is stable.

This face will get a lot wind loading and can avalanche big if conditions are difficult.

If conditions are safe, enjoy! This is a really fun run! Lainio At the bottom of Kesänki Northside change back to touring mode and start moving towards Lainio.

This is the biggest fell on the traverse.

In January the light is very nice on the south face and it’s highly recommended to do a run here before continuing to the top of Lainio.

It's a little extra work but worth it! Reaching the top of Lainio feels endless.

This Fell has a tiny peak on top that at first feels like very far away but you will get to it.

Once on the top you get to see amazing scenery towards the north.

You will realize that reaching the Northside of Lainio is rather far away for this reason - there is another way down through Lumikuru (snow gully) which is located at the west face of Lainio.

If conditions are safe, you can work your way down on the steeper but rather short side of Lumikuru, Otherwise go around it and you will be fine.

Once at the bottom start touring towards Kotamajat from where you can find a route to Kukas fell. Kukas Kukas is the last fell of the traverse.

It is the shortest descent of the traverse but has rather good turns.

Ride down until you reach the cross-country ski trail and start making your way to the cafe called Karilan Navettagalleria.

This is where the traverse ends.

You can catch a ski bus back to town. I highly recommend this traverse for anyone wanting to really experience the feeling of Finland’s high fell areas!