Ylitornio: Ski resort, river landscape and trails

Aavasaksa ski resort has a lift and three slopes. This gives you a concrete number of slopes to consider when weighing up the local offerings against other activities in Ylitornio. A cross-country ski connection between Ainiovaara and Aavasaksa links Ainiovaara ski resort with Aavasaksanvaara. The lift and cross-country skiing offer different ways to shape your stay around winter activities.

Winter activities in Ylitornio

The other activities mentioned also differ considerably. Kruununkierros, an observation trail, is on Aavasaksanvaara. In the Miekojärvi area, the Sompasen nature trail introduces visitors to the nature, geology and history of Sompasen-Kalottivaara. Aurinkovaarojen Jotos is described as a challenging hiking trail in Ylitornio. These trails suit different interests: views, nature and geology, or a challenging hike. Choose according to what you would like to focus on during your trip.

Aavasaksa: views and history

Aavasaksa is one of Finland’s official National Landscapes. The area is also associated with two surveying projects: Aavasaksa was used as a point for measuring the arc during Maupertuis’s measurements in 1736–1737. The Struve Geodetic Arc measurement point on Aavasaksa was established in 1845. These dates refer to different surveying projects and make Aavasaksa interesting to visitors who want to explore the landscape and the history of science together.

Specific directions are useful for finding your way around. A paved road leads to the Aavasaksa measurement point. The observation tower is 400 metres from the car park; you can reach it either by footpath or by road. This lets you include the tower in your plans and take account of the stated distance and the two routes described. Kruununkierros is another observation trail on Aavasaksanvaara.

River, lake and marked trails

Ylitornio is located in Tornionjokilaakso, a traditional agricultural area. The landscape is shaped by the Tornionjoki River and the rugged fells rising on both sides of the river valley.

Orhinselänniemi, a unique sandbank on the Ylitornio side of the lake, is on Miekojärvi. The marked Miekojärvi–Vietonen hiking trail leads to its sandy beach. The Yöttömän yön melontareitistö paddling route network also runs across Miekojärvi to the Tornionjoki River; Ylitornio is among the named landing places. This information can help you choose between hiking and paddling as different interests. Find another location page at Meltosjärvi.

Getting there and local character

Ylitornio railway station is right in the town centre. Buses run from Ylitornio to Tornio, Rovaniemi and Pello; you can also travel to Helsinki and Oulu by train, among other destinations. A train connection to Sweden is available from Haparanda railway station. Highway 21 runs west of the town centre. When planning your journey, you can use the railway station, bus connections and road as different reference points.

Ylitornio and the Swedish town of Övertorneå together form a historically, linguistically and culturally unique cross-border entity. Alongside winter activities, this gives the choice of location a cultural and regional perspective. For your stay, you can first decide whether you want to focus on the lift and slopes, cross-country skiing, trails and landscapes, or cross-border local history.

For an overview of the wider region, see: Lapland.