Utkujärven Majat - Come visit the real Lapland!
A non-profit
organisation that runs Utkujärven Majat has offered accommodation for over 30
years. We have had many happy visitors, anyone from
school kids to the President of Finland.
Utkujärven Majat offers accommodation in Fell Lapland, Finland. Utkujärvi is an
amazing place for reducing stress, relaxing, and to have new experiences that
empower you in life.
You can go hiking
and trekking, skiing, fishing or just enjoy the beautiful, calming atmosphere
from the sauna terrace. If you wish, you can learn about Lappish nature and
visit one of the last areas of untouched European wilderness.
Even though you are surrounded by wildness and nature, you have all the modern
services you need nearby - from shops to healthcare. The lodging is near
Muonio, about 10 kms north of the village.
Winter Sport: Skiing, Snowboarding, Hiking, and More
The nearest skiing
centres and the National Park of Pallas-Ylläs are not far. Olos skiing
centre is 17 kms, Pallas 27 kms, Ylläs 64 kms and Levi 72 kms. All centres
provide downhill skiing, snowboarding,
cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
In the autumn, when the trees light up with beautiful reds and oranges, there
are a variety of trails and routes to hike to see much beauty. Hetta is 52 kms
from Utku and one of the most popular trekking routes; Hetta-Pallas starts from there. This amazingly beautiful area has
various fells, lakes and streams.
Utkujärven Majat is on a picturesque cape. The address is Kilpisjärventie 948, 99310 Muonio. The location on the map: Karttapaikka
Accommodations
Utkujärven majat consists of a main building (päärakennus), two semi-detached
houses (paritalo), two cottages (aitta), a sauna by the lake (rantasauna), a
smoke sauna (savusauna) and a Laplander's hut (kota). On the premises there are
also a service building and a BBQ area.
Utkujärven Majat can be used for a variety of events. It has hosted weddings, birthdays, meetings, school
camps and educational courses.
Renters are welcome to use the disc golf baskets and discs, the rowboat, the canoe, and the Nordic
Walking staffs. On request, there are also a
few pairs of snowshoes available.
There are electrical heating plugs for cars in the semi-detached houses and the
main building. The yard is big enough for a bus to drive and park in front of
to the main building.
Main building
The main building is constructed from two lumberjack cabins in the 1980's. It
has since been renovated, remodelled, and expanded - with the addition of a new
kitchen, electric sauna, drying room for clothes, and the central cabin area.
When bigger groups are staying at Utkujärven Majat, the central cabin is the
place for meeting up or chilling out together. The original timber creates a
peaceful atmosphere. The ambiance of the original lumberjack cabins is still
present and it is preserved through using old tables and benches. The central
cabin can be used for meetings or training sessions as well as for dining when
groups are visiting Utkujärvi. The central cabin can fit up to 40 adults
when seated.
In the central cabin there are a beautiful soapstone fireplace, tv and wifi
available.
If extra accommodation is needed, there are four big bunk beds and two sofabeds
in the cabin, so up to 8 people can sleep there comfortably.
The kitchen has an industrial stove and oven, a fridge and a freezer, a
dishwasher and kitchenware for 30 people. The main building also has a washing
machine.
If your group has a need for catering, we will be happy to help you.
Semi-detached houses
Utkujärven Majat has two semi-detached houses. Both have two apartments with
two bedrooms, a living room with a kitchenette, and a wc/shower.
In the kitchenette there is a stove, a fridge, and kitchenware.
The older house also has a sauna and a small living room area that is for joint
use of both apartments. The newer house has two saunas - one in each
apartment - and one bigger living room area with a fireplace for joint use.
Rooms in the middle can be locked up from both ends of the houses.
The semi-detached houses have a tv and radio in each apartment. In each bedroom
there is a bunk bed with a bigger bottom bed for two adults and a top
bed for one. One apartment can accommodate six adults and one additional
adult in the middle living area. Both houses together can accommodate up to 26
people.
There are outdoor sockets for warming up cars during the winter.
Cottages
There are two cottages at Utkujärven Majat. Each one can accommodate up to 7
people.
The cottages are two storey. Neither cottage has water nor wc. The cottages are
not leased separately but meant for additional accommodation with bigger groups.
Also,while not typically used for this purpose, the
lakeside sauna has a very modest possibility of accommodating 1-2 people on
sofa bed and sofa in the dressing room if extra beds are needed.
Total accommodation capacity of Utkujärven Majat is 50 people in beds and sofa
beds - and of course, during the summer time, outdoor area can be used for
tents as well.
Other buildings
Besides the four electric saunas there is a lakeside sauna with a wood heated
stove and a smoke sauna. Neither have running water and water needs to be
carried from the main building or the lake.
The lakeside sauna is available for all the visitors who are staying overnight at no extra cost. There is a small cast
iron fireplace in the dressing room.
The smoke sauna needs to be booked in advance and can be set up for an
additional charge. The traditional smoke sauna will keep the heat for hours
with a soft steam. The smoke sauna experience is amazing with a totally silent
stove. The heat bakes into the very heavy set of rocks beforehand and
there is no fire when the sauna bath is taken. Smoke sauna is wonderful
during either the summer when you can enjoy a dip in the clear and shallow
water of the lake just meters away - or when it is winter, when you can
take a roll in the pure, untouched snow.
Laplanders' Hut
Nestled away between majestic candle spruces, there is the
Laplanders' Hut. It is built like the traditional Sámi dwelling, with a fire in
the middle. The hut can fit up to 20 people to while away the night singing or
cooking on an open fire.
BBQ and fire ring
Between the main building and the lake there is a BBQ area with two fire pits
under a roof. You will also find the equipment for smoking fish on open
fire.
When the weather is clear, the most fantastic place to be is the open fire ring
under the stars or under the midnight sun. You can take reindeer skins to sit
on and enjoy yourself in a magical moment. That will give you a lifelong
memory of peace, quiet, and tranquility like you can find no-where else. You
might hear a bird passing over the lake or see the lights of the tiny
village far away, across the lake. But the peace you will find is peace you
will long for later on -and that is
something that will lure you to return here.
Services in the area
Muonio has services such as grocery stores, a souvenir store, pharmacy, health
center, liquor store, bank and a flea market. Nearby there are several
special tourist attractions for travellers; husky- and motor sleigh safaris,
white river rafting and a reindeer husbandry farm. Also, the
Pallastunturi Visitor Centre offers information of the National Park of
Pallas-Ylläs.
Useful Links
Weather Forecast Sääennusteet Muonio
Skiing slopes of Ylläs Ylläksen rinteet
Muonio municipality Muonion kunta
Slopes of Olos Oloksen rinteet
Trekking routes Luontoon.fi / retkeilyreitit, autiotuvat
The National Park of Pallas-Ylläs Pallas-Yllästunturin kansallispuisto
Levi Skiing Centre Levi