Enontekiö

Enontekiö is the only part of Finland that intersects the Scandinavian Mountains, featuring 22 mountains above 1000m, including the country’s highest peak, Halti, as well as the iconic Saana fell. From these rocky hillsides, you can clearly see the peaks of the mountain range climbing skyward across the border in Norway. The rocky mountains, fells and plateaus continue south, through a dozen wilderness areas and nature reserves, into the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. 

Water-wise, Enontekiö has four major riverways: the border rivers (Könkämäeno, Muonio and Tornio Rivers), the Lätäseno River in Käsivarsi Wilderness Area, and the Ounasjoki and Pöyrisjoki Rivers. Of its more than 800 lakes, most are small, though there are a few notable exceptions, including Lake Ounasjärvi and Lake Kilpisjärvi.  

The spruce and pine treelines end near the southern border of Enontekiö. From this treeline, the vegetation becomes hardier and sparser, revealing more of the barren tundra-like surroundings. Despite the harsh tundra-like landscapes, the climate in Enontekiö is slightly milder than in central Lapland due to the proximity to the Arctic Ocean (40 min by car from Kilpisjärvi) and the Gulf Stream. 

Reindeer herding is still an important livelihood, and there are about 18,000 reindeer in Enontekiö. Herding reindeer requires a deep understanding of nature and reindeer, the knowledge being handed down from one generation to the next. Gathering the herd for earmarking in the summer is a good example of these skills. 

The population of Enontekiö is gathered in small villages across the municipality.  The two main villages are Hetta (municipality center) and Kilpisjärvi at the crux of the Finnish, Swedish and Norwegian borders.

Enontekiö is part of Sámiland, the Sámi homeland, and about 20 % of the population is Sámi. About 10 % speak the Northern Sámi language. Want to know more about filming with Sámi people?