The Kivalonaapa Meadow Culture Trail is in Vikajärvi, 23.2 km from Rovaniemi toward Sodankylä. It is part of the Arctic Circle Hiking Area, a wilderness destination ideal for year-round outdoor recreation. The landscape's signature features are rugged hills, open water-logged string bogs, and Raudanjoki with its spectacular rapids and lush shoreline forest. The hiking area’s trail network is diverse and has several resting places, offering visitors of all ages a variety of hiking destinations. The location is easy to access all year round.
The Kivalonaapa Meadow Culture Trail presents traditional haymaking in peatland meadows. This meadow culture can be explored on the nature trail that is located in the midpoint of the Könkäiden Trail. You can also access the pier of the nearby Vaattunkilampi lean-to by boat along Raudanjoki. The circular trail that tours the Kivalonaapa Bog features the Meadow Cabin, a haystack and a hay barn. Peatland meadows are managed by mowing them annually. The trail features information boards presenting the meadow culture and Kivalonaapa, or the Kivalo Bog.
Besides hiking, the trail is suitable for cross-country skiing in the winter (no maintained ski trails). The round trip of the circular trail and the connecting trail is 1.5 km. The meadow culture trail is classified as easy. The connecting stretch along the Könkäiden Trail is medium.
Depending on your trail selection, resting places are available along the Könkäiden Trail and in the beginning of the meadow culture trail at Vaattunkilampi where there is a lean-to, campfire site, woodshed and outhouse. The Meadow Cabin is at the end of the meadow culture trail, a day-trip cabin equipped with a fireplace. The cabin’s yard features a campfire site, woodshed and outhouse.
Directions: drive 25.6 km out of Rovaniemi along Sodankyläntie to Vikajärvi; turn right into the Vikaköngäs parking area (200 m); walk 5 km along the Könkäiden Trail across the suspension bridge via Könkäänvaara to the Kivalonaapa meadow culture trail. Alternately, you can enter the meadow culture trail via the trails that start at the Vaattunkiköngäs parking area. The Arctic Circle Hiking Area is also accessible by bus along Sodankyläntie. The distance from Sodankyläntie to the Vaattunkiköngäs parking area is 2.1 km along Vaattunkikönkääntie. The Vikaköngäs parking area is in the vicinity of Sodankyläntie.