About Saariselkä

In the middle of the fells near Urho Kekkonen National Park is an international tourist center which has managed to retain its human touch, hospitality and genuine Lapp mentality. Tourism has long traditions in Saariselkä and the tourist enterprises in the area know what it takes for a successful holiday!

In addition to high-standard services, Saariselkä offers a network of well-marked hiking, ski and biking trails. The area's colorful gold history also attracts tourists. Guided gold-panning excursions are arranged to Laanila and Ivalojoki.

Location

Saariselkä is located in the municipality of Inari, approximately 1000 kilometers north of Helsinki with excellent connections.

Population

Inari: appr. 7,700 inhabitants

There are approximately 2,200 Sámi Lapps living in Inari.

History

Fjells of Saariselkä are the roots of old mountains. 2000 million years ago here were 4000 m high mountains. The area is north to the fir area, the climate is clearly more warm than in the area little bit south.

The history of Saariselkä is connected to the beginning of gold washing and tourism doesn't come 'til much later. It was year 1865 when Konrad Planting panned for gold in Lutto and found the first signs of gold. Three years later gold was found from Ivalojoki-river which caused the gold rush. First claim in Saariselkä was 1871.

At the turn of centuries was a new gold rush and this rush created the Laanila and Saariselkä area. In 1902 by order of mine company Prospektor began work to built cart trail from Sodankylä to Laanila, next year the trail was ready, later the trail was continued to Liinahamari. In 1914 has probably the first car driven up the Kaunispää slope.

In 1952 a log cabin was built on the top of Kaunispää, which is nowadays used as a souvenir shop. In the middle of 1960's started plans to make Saariselkä a modern tourist attraction, building and extending started to happen in the 1960's and 1970's. Laanihovi was the first restaurant to get the liquor lisence in 1969 and Sininen Pirtti got their lisence in 1973. In 1978 Kiilokappeli-chapel was built next to the Tievatupa. In May 5th 1983 the UKK-National park was fouded.

The Siida Museum was highly praised, and awarded a special mention in the European Museums of the Year 2000 competition. The impressive exhibition, as well as the efficient co-operation between the Forest and Park Service and the Sami Museum were considered a suitable model for the future to the other places, too.

Source: www.saariselkä.fi