Hiking to Montellin Cabin: a day trip from Levi

The area around Levi is excellent for day hikes, and one of the finest fell routes in the region leads straight into the heart of Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, to Montellin Cabin. This roughly 10 km out-and-back trail is a perfect choice when you want genuine fell scenery, well-marked paths and a touch of local history without packing a week's worth of gear.

Our morning started from our base at Chalet Nulkka in Levi. We packed our rucksacks with a good trail lunch and plenty to drink, then headed for the Vuontisjärvi (Vuontispirtti) parking area on the Enontekiö side. The drive from Levi takes only about an hour, which makes the destination a very easy day trip to reach.

Quick trail guide

Here is a short summary of the key Montellin trail facts to help you plan the hike:

• Location: Vuontisjärvi, Enontekiö – Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
• Start point: Vuontisjärvi / Vuontispirtti parking area (about 1 h drive from Levi)
• Trail length: About 10 km (out and back)
• Duration: About 4 hours (including a long lunch break)
• Difficulty: Easy / Moderate (gentle climb after the first kilometre)
• Highest point: About 500 m above sea level (Montellin Cabin)

The first stretch: pine forest, marshland and distant fells

The weather was on our side: the thermometer showed a fresh 13 degrees, the sky was partly cloudy, and a light fell breeze meant there were no mosquitoes or midges on the trail at all. The route starts from Vuontisjärvi as a comfortable, wide and clear path. For the first kilometre the terrain is fairly flat.

The dry pine forest soon gives way to more open marshland, with the day's destination and the fell silhouette already shimmering on the horizon. Along the way you can admire the colourful plant life of Lapland's marshlands.

Climbing the fell and encounters along the way

After the easy first kilometre, a steady but fairly gentle climb begins towards the fell. The path is in really good condition the whole way, and the trail markings are clear.

We also got a taste of authentic Lapland on the way, when one of the fell's regular residents strolled across the trail. A reindeer moved along entirely in its own world and paid the hikers little attention, and a little further on a young reindeer broke into a light trot to get away.

There is no sheer wall to climb, so the going is relaxed as you take in the views. Once you climb above the tree line, the views over the fell valleys of Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park and the lakes shimmering below truly begin to open up.

In the lower sections the trail was damp in places, and a few marsh stretches were softer than the rest of the path. Even on a dry day it is worth bringing boots that can handle water if you want to keep your feet dry.

The destination: the historic Montellin Cabin (~500 m)

The highest point of our route and the day's destination sat at about 500 metres above sea level in a fell ravine, where Montellin Cabin stands. The area now has a day hut and a place to make a fire.

The original cabin was built by forestry officer Justus Montell at the very beginning of the 20th century for his botanical research. Although the original cabin was destroyed in the war, the hut built on the site proudly carries his name. The cabin door still bears the iconic text "HOTELLI MONTEL".

We took a long food break at the cabin, enjoyed our trail lunch and drinks sheltered from the fell wind, and admired the surrounding quiet. The whole trip – from the parking area to the cabin and back – took us about 4 hours, including a generous, relaxed break at the top.

Summary and route details

The Montellin fell hike is highly recommended for anyone staying in Levi who wants a full fell experience with moderate effort. It works perfectly as a day trip, but the route also offers great conditions for an easy one-night tent trip, as the terrain around Montellin Cabin and the nearby Nammalakuru are popular camping spots.

Planning your own hike in the fells around Levi? Stay at our cosy and modern Chalet Nulkka accommodation in Levi – it makes a handy base for day trips into Pallas-Yllästunturi.