Halti - Finland's highest mountain?

Halti is a mountain on the border between Finland and Norway. The peak of the mountain is about 1 km into the Norwegian side. The highest point on the Finnish side is 1324 meters and is thus the highest point in Finland. The point is marked with a yellow painted border cairn.

The height puts Finland in fourth place in the list of the highest points in the Nordic countries. Between the third place Swedish Kebnekaise (2097 meters) and Danish Møllehøj (171 meters).

A proposal has been submitted in Norway to move the border 200 meters so that the nearest peak is on the Finnish side. Finland’s highest point would then be a peak of 1331 meters. The proposal was intended to be implemented as a gift in 2017 when Finland would celebrate the 100th anniversary of its independence from Russia. Both countries were in favor of the border change but it was never implemented as it was said that moving the border would violate Norway’s constitution.

For those who have visited or managed to climb the highest point in Finland and want a memento, we sell really nice cloth badges, stickers and pins with Halti.

Pins, badges and stickers with Halti

Pin Halti – Finland

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Embroidered Patch Halti – Finland

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Metallic Sticker Halti – Finland

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How high is Halti?

The highest peak of Mount Halti is located in Norway and is called Ráisduattarháldi. The peak has a height above sea level of 1365 meters. But the highest point on the Finnish side is a point with the height of 1324 meters located on the slope just below a sub-peak called Hálditšohkka or Halti.

Halti	Dimensions
Height above sea level:	1365 m
Primary factor:	501 m
Secondary factor:	26.57 km(Adjit)

Altitude information Halti (Ráisduattarháldi)

Description Primary factor, Secondary factor

Where is Halti located?

The highest point in Finland is located in the municipality of Enontekiö in Lapland. The area has many hiking trails and is a popular area for hiking. The 800km long North Calotte Trail runs through the area. Halti is located in the northernmost western parts of Finland. On the border with Norway.

Country:	Finland
Landscape	Lapland
municipality	Enontekiö

Where is Halti located

Coordinates

DMS Format:
69°18’27.7″N 21°15’49.2″E

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UTM Format:
34N 510397 7688696

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Map of the mountain

Printed map of Halti

It is always an excellent idea to have a proper printed map with you if you go hiking. Cell phone coverage in the area around the mountain is poor and cell phones can break. Having a printed map is a good idea. Printed outdoor maps and topographic maps come in several varieties.

Here is an example of a suitable water-resistant map if you start from Kilpisjärvi.

Halti Kilpisjärvi Pältsan 1:50 000

Here is an example of a suitable water-resistant map based on Norway.

Kåfjord Calazo 1:50000

Web-based map

The following address has an excellent zoomable map of the area with trails and huts etc marked. Please note that coverage in the Finnish mountains can be poor and you may not be able to access the internet on site.

https://www.retkikartta.fi/?id=1962&lang=sv

Climbing Halti

Climbing Finland’s highest point on the Norway-Finland border offers a mile-wide view of the Lapland wilderness area with its rugged high-mountain wilderness.

The area borders the Norwegian national park Reisa. The nearest lake visible on a clear day is Háldijávri, and if you look closely you can see the lodge on its shore. Further away in the distance you can see the larger lake Pitsusjärvi.

The border between Finland and Norway is marked with yellow painted border cairns. The highest point in Finland is marked with an extra large yellow painted cairn. The site also has a letterbox with a logbook that you can fill in and record your ascent

Trails to the summit of Halti

You can hike to Halti either from the Finnish side or from the Norwegian side.

From the Finnish side you start from the village of Kilpisjärvi and the hike is about 55km one way.

On the Norwegian side, you can drive via a dirt road to the Halti trail park located on Lake Guolasjávri just 7km from the summit.

Option 1 – From the Finnish side, Kilpisjärvi – Halti (55km)

Altitude meters from Kilpisjärvi: 587m
Altitude meters from Haltistugan: 400m

Kilpisjärvi is a village in northern Finland that is a popular starting point for hiking and outdoor activities in the area. Kilpisjärvi has a grocery store, restaurants, gas station, hotel, hostel, parking and the Kilpisjärvi Visitor Center.

The trail to Halti starts at the tourist information parking lot and continues to the peak of Halti. Along the way, it crosses the border into Norway. Even the peak of Halti is inside the Norwegian side.

The hike is scenic and on the way you get to see mountains, lakes, rivers and even Finland’s highest waterfall Pitsuskungäsfallen. The waterfall is an impressive 17m high. The height of the falls prevents fish from moving on and upstream there are only char that have lived there since the ice sheet retreated. It’s not uncommon to encounter reindeer grazing here during the summer. If you are lucky, you may also see lemmings.

At the end of the hike you are rewarded with the view from the highest point in Finland.
The trail is part of the long (800km) Nordkalottenleden hiking trail that runs through Sweden, Norway and Finland.

The hiking trail is marked with orange painted wooden sticks of about 40cm. It is a challenging hike but mainly due to the length of the hike. The last bit up on Halti is steep in parts and there are a lot of loose rocks but no climbing is needed. The trail crosses streams and rivers but all difficult crossings have bridges built. Although the terrain itself is not challenging, you are far north and the weather can be unreliable on the bare mountains even in summer. Windy weather, snow and fog are not uncommon. Make sure you do your research and have the right equipment and map.

Cottages along the trail to Halti

Along the trail there are cottages at slightly different distances that you can spend the night in.

From inside the Halti cabin — The cottage in Pitsusjärvi

Most of the cottages have a free section where you can stay overnight subject to availability and a bookable section that can be reserved. In the bookable part there are simple mattresses on the beds, while in the free part you can use your own sleeping mat.

The cabins have wood stoves for heating and drying clothes. Firewood is available free of charge in wood sheds. There are also outhouses adjacent to the houses, but remember to bring your own paper. The cottages are often situated in a scenic location by a lake, which also makes it easy to fetch water. The cabins have cooking facilities with free access to a gas stove.

Keep in mind that you are not guaranteed a place to sleep if you have not booked and the cabins are popular during the high season. Many campers choose to camp nearby to make use of the outhouses and to spend some time indoors eating and keeping warm.

The cottages can be booked through the Kilpisjärvi Visitor Center where the keys are also collected. Outside the opening hours of the center you can pick up the keys at the customs station in Kilpisjärvi. The booking fee for the cottages is 16.50 EUR per person per night. You can see pictures and the booking status of all the cottages in the area online at Nationalparks.fi.

At the following address there is a zoomable map of the trail with cabins and other things of interest marked. You may need to zoom in quite a bit to see more detail. https://www.retkikartta.fi/?id=1962&lang=sv

The cabins with approximate distance from the previous cabin and from Kilpisjärvi:

From Halti Wilderness Hut it is then about 5.5km to the peak of Halti.

Number of days for the Kilpisjärvi – Halti T&R hike

Depending on your physical condition and how many miles you are prepared to hike each day, it takes between 5-10 days to hike to Halti and back.

Keep in mind that when it comes to a multi-day hike, a distance that you are comfortable with during a day trip can feel very long when you have been hiking for several days in a row. You may also want to take breaks and not rush to the destination.

Another uncertainty to take into account is the weather.

When to climb Halti via Kilpisjärvi?

The best time for a hike is early July to mid-September. Before then, the ground is often very wet and further into September the weather starts to become more unpredictable and temperatures lower.

It is also possible to reach the summit in winter by ski or by snowmobile on marked trails.

Pictures from the Kilpisjärvi to Halti trail

Option 2 – From the Norwegian side, Halti Trail park – Halti (7km)

Altitude meters from Halti Trail Parking: 552m

An alternative if you don’t want to hike that far is to get to Halti from the Norwegian side. From the Norwegian side, you can start from the Halti Trail parking lot, which can be reached by car via a small dirt road that starts just outside the Norwegian village of Birtavarre.

Birtavarre is located next to the European Highway 6 (E6) in northern Norway. The area is known for its spectacular nature with narrow fjords and steep mountains. In Birtavarre there are some grocery stores and a gas station. There are also some simple hostels.

From Birtavarre you continue on road FV333 for about 6km where the road then turns into a gravel road. The gravel road is about 20km long and occasionally narrow, bumpy and steep. But not more than it can be driven with a normal car as long as you take it easy. The parking lot is at the end of the road.

Sheep on gravel road — The beginning of the dirt road

Halti Trail Park

Halti trail park is a parking lot nicely located next to Lake Guolasjávri. There are nice tent facilities next to the lake, a simple shelter with tables and benches and information boards describing the area. It is a popular starting point for many different hikes in the area.

Tent by the lake next to the parking lot — Halti Trail Parking

The trail to Halti

From the parking lot you have about 7km hike to Halti. The trail is described on the information boards and should be marked with unpainted cairns. However, these cairns can collapse during storms and also be difficult to see as they are the same color as the surroundings. Visitors may also build their own cairns which can cause confusion. Fog also occurs in the area and it can be difficult to see the next cairn.

The walk starts at the parking lot where you can open a gate in a reindeer fence.

The first kilometer is quite flat and if you are lucky you will see grazing reindeer.

Shallow hiking at the start — Gate in the reindeer fence

After about 1km comes the steepest part of the hike as the trail takes us up the mountain. The surface is rocky with a combination of stone and larger blocks to balance on.

View of Guolasjávri — Steep climb at the beginning

After the sharp climb, the trail levels out but the surface remains large boulders. The trail rounds the peak Ráisduattarháldi which is the highest peak of Halti on the Norwegian side.

The trail goes along the reindeer fence — After the initial surge

With about 2km to go you reach a riverbed and the trail turns off and continues about 600m along the riverbed. Depending on the time of year, the river can be more or less dried out and difficult to spot under all the boulders.

The trail then turns away from the riverbed in the direction of Halti. First you reach the sub-peak of Halti on the Norwegian side and 50m from there you reach the highest point in Finland, which is clearly marked with an extra high yellow-painted border cairn.

Finland's highest point on Halti shrouded in fog — Hálditšohkka or Halti

As the trail can sometimes be poorly marked, it is recommended to bring a map, GPS or a phone with GPS and map downloaded offline.

Number of hours for the walk from the Norwegian side to Halti

Although the hike is only about 7km, you can expect about 2.5 to 3.5 hours one way. Except for the first kilometer, the surface consists of large and small boulders that you have to walk / jump between which takes time. Sturdy boots are recommended to avoid getting sore feet or getting a sprain.

Also, don’t forget to bring plenty of food and suitable clothing for the hike. The weather can be beautiful at the parking lot but at the top it can be rainy, windy and foggy.

When to hike

The gravel road up to Guolasjávri is often covered in snow until mid-June, which means that early July can be a good benchmark for the start of the season.

The first snow usually comes in October and after that the road becomes impassable again.

How difficult is it to climb Halti?

It is relatively easy to climb Halti. No climbing or more difficult ascent is needed whether you come from the Norwegian or Finnish side.

From the Finnish side, the difficulty lies rather in the long hike which can be challenging for someone not used to hiking with a pack.

From the Norwegian side, the difficulty lies more in the surface, which in majority consists of large boulders. Another difficulty can also be to actually find and follow the trail, which especially in bad weather can be difficult to follow.

Whatever route you take, you should not underestimate the weather. Even if you do the hike in high summer, you are far north in mountain meadow and you should be able to handle fog, rain and sometimes even snowfall.

Can an exerciser climb Halti?

An exerciser can absolutely climb Halti.

Can a child climb the mountain?

Children can definitely climb Halti. Here it is very much about adapting the pace to the child’s conditions. Regardless of which trail you choose, you should have hiked with the child before and not make this excursion as a first trip.

What is the best time to climb Halti?

Suitable timing is early July to mid-September.

Find accommodation near Halti

In Kilpisjärvi there is a large selection of hotels, cottages and simple hostels. The easiest way is to check the offer on the big biking sites or Google.
Hotels in Kilpisjärvi

There is also a campsite here, Camping Kilpisjärvi, where you can park your motorhome, caravan or rent a cabin.
Camping Kilpisjärvi

If you start from the Norwegian side, the nearest accommodation is in Birtavarre, where there is a simple motel with rooms and cabins.
Basecamp Birtavarre

How to get to Halti?

Kilpisjärvi can be reached by car or bus. If you want to get to the Norwegian side and Halti Trial Parking, you need a car. You can of course fly or take the train to a nearby town and rent a car there.

Travel by bus and train

Kilpisjärvi is served by daily bus services from Rovaniemi and from Tromsø in Norway. From Rovaniemi the bus ride takes 6h 10min and from Tromsø it takes 3h 25min. More info and timetables. To Tromso you can fly and to Rovaniemi you can both fly and take the train.

For example, you can take a train from Helsinki to Rovaniemi and then take a bus or rent a car to get there(https://www.vr.fi/en).
Another option is to take a train from Stockholm to Kiruna and rent a car from there(https://www.sj.se/).

Take the car to Halti

Halti is located in northernmost Finland and distances up here are long. But at the same time, the journey can be part of the experience and offer wonderful nature. Keep in mind that travel times by car can vary and that you should also plan for breaks.

Keep in mind that you can be in up to three different countries depending on your travel route. Norway, Sweden and Finland. You may need to take out extra insurance on a rental car and pets may need different certificates.

Itinerary by car	Details
Rovaniemi to Kilpisjärvi	5 h 10 min, 419 km
Rovaniemi to Halti Trail Park	8 h 10 min, 540 km
Kittilia Airport to Kilpisjärvi	3 h 20 min, 265 km
Kittilia Airport to Halti Trail Park	6 h 20 min, 386 km
Tromso to Kilpisjärvi	2 h 30 min, 172 km
Tromso to Halti Trail Park	4 h 00 min, 188 km
Kiruna to Kilpisjärvi	3 h 40 min, 284 km
Kiruna to Halti Trail Park	6 h 40 min, 405 km
Stockholm to Kilpisjärvi	ca 16h, 1422 km
Stockholm to Halti Trail Park	ca 19h, 1543 km
Helsinki to Kilpisjärvi	ca 14h, 1189 km
Helsinki to Halti Trail Park	ca 17h, 1310 km

Travel times to Halti by car

Airports near Halti

Kittila International Airport (KTT)
Rovaniemi Airport (RVN)
Tromso Airport (TOS)
Kiruna Airport (KRN)

Buy pins, badges and stickers

Reward yourself with a nice souvenir if you have climbed or visited Halti. Maybe you want to collect all the highest peaks in the Nordic countries? We have them all.