Urho Kekkonen National Park

Urho Kekkonen National Park (Urho Kekkosen kansallispuisto)
Protected area
The waterfall in Paratiisikuru (valley), in Urho Kekkonen National Park
Country Finland
Region Lapland
Location Savukoski, Sodankylä, Inari
 - coordinates 68°20′N 028°00′E / 68.333°N 28.000°E / 68.333; 28.000Coordinates: 68°20′N 028°00′E / 68.333°N 28.000°E / 68.333; 28.000
Area 2,550 km2 (985 sq mi)
Established 1983
Management Metsähallitus
Visitation 289,000 (2009[1])
IUCN category IV - Habitat/Species government Area
Website: www.outdoors.fi/urhokekkonennp

Urho Kekkonen National Park (Finnish: Urho Kekkosen kansallispuisto) is a national park in Lapland, Finland, situated in area of municipalities of Savukoski, Sodankylä and Inari. Established in 1983 and covering 2,550 square kilometres (985 sq mi), it is one of Finland's largest protected areas. It is named after Urho Kekkonen, late President and Prime Minister of Finland.

The Suomujoki river flows through the northern parts of the diverse park. The marked paths in its western part are an easy destination even for the inexperienced backpacker, whereas the wilderness is good for long and demanding trips.

Most trips to Urho Kekkonen National Park are started from the Kiilopää fell center, the Aittajärvi lake along the Suomujoki river, or Raja-Jooseppi, and backpackers usually end up nearby the Saariselkä fell line, for instance on the top of its highest fell, Sokosti. Reindeer herding is still a common livelihood in the area.

Paratiisikuru valley in the middle of the Saariselkä fell line, seen from the top of Ukselmapää fell.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Käyntimäärät kansallispuistoittain 2009" (in Finnish). Metsähallitus. Retrieved September 29, 2010.


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