Savukoski

The oldest archaeological findings are dated to 300 BC and the Savukoski area was inhabited by nomadic Sami people until the 1690's when the first Finnish settlers arrived. Christianity was introduced during the 17th century but before the 20th century there is little history to tell.
In beginning of 1900's the forest industry had become the most important business in Finland and there were thousands of square kilometers of untouched forest in Savukoski. Chief forester Hugo Richard Sandberg bought two modified steam locomotives from the United States, brought them to Tulppio village and started massive loggings. The locomotives greatly improved the log transportation but the loggings soon ceased by World War I and never continued. These locomotives are now preserved; one is still in Tulppio and another one in Lapland Forestry Museum at Rovaniemi.
During the World War II the area suffered sabotage by Soviet partisan troops. Especially, the partisans committed massacres in Kuosku September 1941 and September 1942, and in Seitajärvi July 1944. Later, during the Lapland War, the retrieving German troops burned virtually all the villages into ashes.
Present day Savukoski is all about wilderness. The nature consists of endless forests, vast mires and lonely treeless fells. One third of the municipality's total area belong to some kind of nature conservation area. The vast is one of the most visited national parks in Finland but few enter the park from Savukoski direction. The is an important mire and old-growth forests reserve without marked trails. Maltio Strict Nature Reserve and Värriö Strict Nature Reserve are closed to the public. Entering the strict nature reserves is forbidden without a written permission from the Finnish Forest Administration and such permission is given for scientific reasons only. The University of Helsinki runs a biological research station inside the Värriö Reserve.
Even though significance of tourism has grown, Savukoski is fairly rural community. The reindeer herding and collecting wild berries are important sources of income to many locals. There is a huge phosphate reserve in Sokli and debate whether or not a phosphate quarry should be opened has continued for decades. It would bring employment and money but possible adverse effects towards nature and reindeer herding are serious issue.
The climate is quite continental. At winter temperatures as low as −30°C are fairly common. July is the warmest month.

Unless you have a car, a coach is the only means to get here. There are few daily bus connections from Rovaniemi to the main village, mostly you've got to change buses once or twice. A bus ticket from Rovaniemi cost €30-50/adult. Use Matkahuolto travel search for timetables.
The nearest airport is in Rovaniemi and the railway stations are at Rovaniemi and Kemijärvi.

There is no local public transportation in Savukoski. Taxi is available but due to long distances it is fairly expensive option. The long distance coaches from/to Sodankylä, Pelkosenniemi and Salla stop in the villages on their route. A scheduled share taxi operates between the Savukoski village and Pelkosenniemi village few times a week serving the needs of locals. The share taxi must be pre-booked.
Phone numbers of the local taxi drivers can be found here.
If you consider hichhiking, please, do understand that the traffic is extremely low.

• The midnight sun or the polar night. The northern lights are common.

• Savukoski church

  phone: +358 40 184 9300
  address: Samperintie 6 B
  A wooden church built in 1956. Open during the services otherwise by request.

• Salpalinja fortifications

  address: Sallantie
  Salpalinja was over 1200 km long fortification against Soviet Army in World War II. A short part of the fortifications is visible in the main village. Circular trail 1.2 km consist mostly of duckboards.
• and

• Tarkkala wilderness estate

  address: Tarkkalantie
  An old farm so deep in the forest it survived the Lapland War. The Riikonen family lived in the estate until 1980's. Today the nearest house is four kilometers away. The buildings were completely renoved in 2006. Visiting the yard is free but if you wish to go inside the buildings you need to contact the local entrepreneur.

• Sandberg's locomotiveOne of two steam locomotives modified for forest environment and used in Samperin savotta loggings in the early 1910's. Part of the 'railway' is also preserved in the forest some 8 km to the north.

• Korvatunturi fell

  phone: +358 44 303 6062
  The Finnish home of Santa Claus, Korvatunturi fell, is located 18 kilometers from the nearest road. Local entrepreneur arrange guided snowmobile tours at the wintertime. The fell is located inside the Finland-Russia border zone and there are views to Russia as well. If you wish to hike the area yourself you need to apply the border zone permission from the Finnish Border Guard in advance.

• Nuortti canyon and hiking trailThe river Nuortti flows to the Arctic Sea and is famous for its trouts and graylings. There is a 40 km long circular trail in and around the impressive canyon where the river flows. Several open wilderness huts and lean-to shelters for sleeping. The trail is located inside the Urho Kekkonen National Park so the rules and regulations of the national park apply. There is no public transportation to the trail and the road is not maintained in winter. For fishing you need to buy a permit.

Most visitors are interested in hiking, hunting or fishing. Bears and trouts are the most desired catch. Some just enjoy the silence. Unfortunately the Finnish Forest Administration closed their information hut at Savukoski in August 2019. Now Visitor Center Naava, located at Pyhä, offer information about the area.

• Korvatunturin Retket

  phone: +358 44 303 6062
  Trips to Korvatunturi fell and to Tarkkala wilderness estate. Hires also a reservation hut at the Kivitunturi fell.

• Kivitunturi nature trail

  address: Kivitunturintie
  An easy 5.8 km long circular trail and more demanding 9 km long circular trail. Very diverse nature from rocky felltop to lush ravines. The trail starts by a gravel road some 13 km from the Savukoski main village and 10 km from the main road. No public transportation.

• UKK hiking trail

  address: Haukijärvenoja
  The UKK hiking trail starts from North Karelia and is 950 km long in total. The trail is named after Finland's president Urho Kaleva Kekkonen who actually hiked this route in 1957. The northern end of the trail is at Haukijärvenoja near Tulppio village. The northernmost trail section between Tulppio and Naruska village (in Salla) is 119 km long. The trail is marked and has campfire sites but no other services. The Nuortti hiking trail starts from the very same parking lot at where the UKK trail officially ends.

Savukoski region is famous for the dried reindeer meat. Also various wild berry products like juices and jams are popular. The Dry Meat Fair (Kuivalihamarkkinat) held every Easter Saturday are a major event.

• Sale Savukoski

  address: Uittotie 1
  Groceries. Alko pick-up point.

• Korvatunturin Puoti

  phone: +358 40 728 5238
  address: Soklintie 1B
  Handicrafts. Groceries. Reindeer meat products.

• K-kauppa Hietala

  phone: +358 40 140 3001
  address: Sodankyläntie 299
  Groceries and mail service. Gasoline when the store is open.

• Restaurant Samperin Savotta

  phone: +358 16 841 351
  address: Samperintie 34
  À la carte. Lunch at weekdays. Karaoke at weekend evenings.

• Lyytin Pubi

  phone: +358 40 183 2099
  address: Kauppakuja 1
  Bar and lunch restaurant, kiosk and mail service.

• Hotel Samperin Savotta

  phone: +358 16 841 351
  address: Samperintie 34
  A hotel with rooms and cottages. Restaurant. Various activities by request. Bikes, canoes etc. for rent.

• Muorin tupa

  phone: +358 16 841 351
  address: Koskikatu 3
  Rooms and cottages. Caravans and camping. Café at the summer.

• Joosula B&B

  phone: +358 44 241 1521
  address: Yhtiöntie 6
  B&B, caravan site with electricity and kitchen. Sauna.

• B&B Savukoski Herrala

  phone: +358 40 527 1900
  address: Sauherrantie 5A
  B&B. Pre-booking is mandatory!

• Kelloniemi holiday village

  phone: +358 400 293 212
  address: Kenttämaantie 4B
  B&B. Fishing. Other activities by request.

• Tanhuan erämajat

  phone: +358 400 394 733
  address: Pessijoentie 2
  Cottages by the river Luiro. Caravans. Taxi service.

• Kairijoki wilderness center

  phone: +358 16 841 481
  address: Kairijoentie 365
  Open June-September. Cottages in the wilderness. Caravan site. Restaurant.

• Tulppion Majat

  phone: +358 50 520 5164
  address: Tulppiontie 36
  Cottages and camping in the wilderness. Restaurant. Sauna. Activities by request. Fishing permits.

Mobile phones probably work well in the villages and along the main roads, while there is no guarantee elsewhere.