Tuntsa Wilderness Area

Tuntsa Wilderness Area is a protected region in Eastern Lapland featuring forests, wetlands, and the Tuntsajoki River flowing through the landscape. Multiple hiking routes wind through the terrain, offering walkers different ways to explore the natural environment at their own pace.

The Finnish government designated this region as a protected area in 1991 as part of a broader effort to safeguard significant natural zones in Lapland. This decision aimed to ensure that large stretches of unspoiled land would remain protected for the future.

Forest ranger A. E. Järvinen documented the natural heritage of the Tuntsa region through literature, contributing to the understanding of Finnish wilderness.

The area is best explored on foot, with hiking routes offering different difficulty levels to suit various skill levels and interests. Wilderness shelters are located along the main trails, providing resting points and overnight stops for those planning multi-day walks.

The landscape here bears visible marks from past forest fires, creating areas at different stages of natural regrowth that tell the story of how nature recovers. Visitors walking through can observe firsthand how the ecosystem rebuilds itself over time.