New hiking area Vaattunkiköngäs to open in Rovaniemi, Finland

A new official hiking area is set to open in Rovaniemi on Wednesday, enhancing Finland’s natural tourism appeal. Known as Vaattunkiköngäs, this area is not entirely new, as it was previously designated for recreational use by Metsähallitus, a Finnish governmental agency. The new designation enhances its branding and development, according to Samuli Sillman, deputy director of Metsähallitus’s nature services.

This marks Finland’s sixth official state hiking area and the first in Lapland, established under a government regulation in June 2024, with official opening ceremonies held on September 18, 2024. Located near Highway 4, close to Rovaniemi city, the airport, and the Arctic Circle, it joins other established state hiking areas: Kylmäluoma, Iso-Syöte, Ruunaa, Oulunjärvi, and Evo, which was designated in 1994.

The goal behind developing these hiking areas is to ease visitor pressure on national parks and accommodate the rising demand for nature tourism, without overwhelming specific locations. The new status is also expected to strengthen local businesses, as lodging services already exist in the Vaattungin area, alongside enterprises in nearby Apukka.

Sillman emphasizes that the focus is not to turn the area into a commercial hub but to create sustainable solutions based on visitor demand. He highlights the importance of maintaining ecological integrity and enhancing visitor experiences. Last year, approximately 110,000 visitors explored the area, and with the new status, numbers are anticipated to grow significantly, with around 70,000 visitors already recorded in the early part of this year.