Pelkosenniemi

Pelkosenniemi is a municipality in central Finnish Lapland. Pyhä-Luosto National Park and Pyhä holiday resort are where most visitors are heading to and where most servicies are. Lampivaara amethyst mine is the only open amethyst mine in Europe.

The municipality is unilingually Finnish. As elsewhere in Finland, English is widely understood.

History
The municipality is named after Paavali Pelkonen, a Finnish settler from Ostrobothnia who arrived here in 1664. As the Crown of Sweden hadn't taken these lands into its ownership (yet), Pelkonen's act was actually illegal. The Samis sued him several times for hunting beavers and fishing, and finally in 1671 the court ordered Pelkonen's settlements to be destroyed. However, Pelkonen appealed to the Governor of Osthrobothnia and eventually got permission to stay on the grounds. He died in 1715 and was buried to Kemijärvi cemetery.

During World War 2, the Battle of Pelkosenniemi was between Finnish and Soviet Armies in December 1939. The Finns won the battle. After the Soviets retrieved, they were unable to ever strike again.

Since the 1950s, the was planned to create a new reservoir to produce hydroelectric power. This Vuotos Reservoir (Finnish: Vuotoksen allas) was one of the main topics in Finnish environment and energy politics for decades until 2018 when a political decision not to create the reservoir ceased the debate... at least for now. The public opinion in Finland was, and still is, mostly against the reservoir.

Being home for just 950 permanent residents Pelkosenniemi is the least populated municipality in Finnish Lapland and the population trend is still declining. The local economy is heavily based on tourism. The is the main employer but most workers at the resort come from elsewhere and stay here just for the season. Most leisure services have centred to the Pyhä resort.

The most famous person born in Pelkosenniemi is rock musician Antti Hulkko, better known as Andy McCoy.

By car
If you arrive by car, the main village is by the road E63. To get to Pyhä resort turn from E63 to road 962 at Vuostimo or from E75 at Torvinen.

By bus
There are a few daily coach connections to the parish village from Rovaniemi via Sodankylä or Kemijärvi. A bus ticket from Rovaniemi costs approx €30/adult and the trip takes about 2.5 hours.

From Kemijärvi there are more daily connections. A bus ticket costs €12/adult and the trip takes about an hour. Most departures visit Pyhätunturi resort on their way.

Check Matkahuolto for details. Use "Pyhätunturi" as your destination if you are heading to the Pyhä resort.

By train
The nearest train stations are in Kemijärvi and Rovaniemi.

VR has a direct coach connection from the railway stations to the Pyhä resort. When using the VR travel search use "Pyhä" as your destination. A one-way ticket from Helsinki costs around €100/adult including the following coach trip.

If you are going elsewhere you probably have to buy the coach ticket from Rovaniemi or Kemijärvi separately, see By bus above.

By plane
The nearest airport is in Rovaniemi. Most coaches from there go via the airport.

The SkiBus runs daily between Pyhä resort and Rovaniemi airport via Luosto. The SkiBus waits delayed flight for one hour. If your flight is delayed more than an hour contact Kutilan Liikenne Oy and inform about the situation. The SkiBus costs €31/adult, €21/young person, €15/child or student.

Get around
There is no local public transportation in Pelkosenniemi. You may use taxi or the long distance coaches if your destination in on their routes. Check Matkahuolto or ask your host for details.

During the spring season the Pyhä shuttle drives a circular route around Pyhä resort. The shuttle is free of charge.

By taxi

 * Smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi

Do
There are bird watching towers by many of those vast mires in the area. River Kitinen is a popular fishing destination.

Eat & Drink
There are several restaurants and bars at the Pyhä resort.



Sleep
For accommodation at Pyhä resort see Pyhä.

Connect
As of Nov 2023, Pelkosenniemi and its approach roads have 4G from Elisa, but no signal from DNA or Telia. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * The Pyhä resort.
 * Savukoski, the neighbouring municipality, even less densely populated, with a third of it protected areas, including part of Urho Kekkonen National Park, Kemihaara Wilderness Area, the northernmost part of the UKK trail, and the Korvatunturi fell, home of Father Christmas.