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The Tornio River Valley Lapland
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Plan your visit to the Tornio River Valley
How to get here
The Tornio River Valley is located in Western Lapland in northern Finland. It is a vast area that stretches from the Bay of Bothnia to the northern fells and covers both the Finnish and the Swedish sides of the Torne River.
There are several airports of which Rovaniemi, Kittilä and Kemi-Tornio are favoured by tourists. Other airports are located in Pajala and Kiruna, and further south in Oulu and Luleå. See the Finnish air traffic at Finavia and the Swedish at Swedavia. For example, Finnair, Norwegian, SAS and Jonair fly to the area.
A train is an environmentally friendly choice of travel. The railway in Finland goes all the way up to Kolari and there is another track running via Rovaniemi to Kemijärvi. See the railway connections at VR’s web pages. There are a few railway connections to the Swedish Lapland, check them out here.
Bus connections are well available along the river. Find the Finnish bus routes at Matkahuolto, northern Sweden is covered by Länstrafiken Norrbotten and Tapanis buss. It’s also possible to book a small or large charter bus from Carls Buss.
The perille.fi app offers the best connections and most environmentally friendly travel options. And, it would be great if you could share a lift with others.
Taxi services are available from all locations and for shorter journeys you can even use an electric bike!
”Don’t drive past us!”
Distance and Travel Time
- Rovaniemi – Ylitornio – about 113 km (1 h 30 min)
- Rovaniemi – Pello – about 100 km (1 h 20 min)
- Tornio – Ylitornio – about 63 km (50 min)
- Tornio – Pello – about 120 km (1 h 30 min)
- Ylitornio – Pello – about 56 km (45 min)
- Ylitornio – Matarenki (Övertorneå, Sweden) – about 10 km (10 min)
- Pello – Kolari – about 70 km (50 min)
- Pello – Pajala (Sweden) – about 60 km (50 min)
- Pello – Kiruna (Sweden) – about 245 km (3 h 15 min)
- Tornio – Kilpisjärvi – about 460 km (6 h)
Where to Stay in the Tornio River Valley
Looking for accommodation in Lapland surrounded by peaceful nature? In the Tornio River Valley you can stay in cosy cabins, riverside lodges and small hotels close to forests, lakes and the flowing Tornio River. Whether you travel in summer or winter, the region offers welcoming places to rest after a day of exploring Lapland.
Best time to visit the Tornio River Valley
The Tornio River Valley in Western Lapland, Finland, offers unforgettable experiences in Lapland throughout the year. Each season brings its own atmosphere to this peaceful region on the border of Finland-Sweden, from the northern lights of autumn and winter to the bright nights of the midnight sun in summer.
Autumn – Northern Lights and Colourful Landscapes
Autumn is a beautiful time to visit the Tornio River Valley. Forests turn vibrant shades of red, orange and yellow, and the nights gradually grow darker. From September onwards, the northern lights often appear in the sky, making autumn a perfect season for nature walks, hiking, photography and quiet evenings by lakes and rivers.
Winter – Snowy Landscapes and Arctic Night
Winter covers the Tornio River Valley in deep snow and silence. Frozen rivers and lakes, snowy forests and wide northern skies create the classic landscape many travellers imagine when thinking about Lapland. It is the season for snowshoeing, husky tours, reindeer experiences, snow mobiling, ice fishing and watching the northern lights in the long Arctic night.
Summer – Midnight Sun and Outdoor Adventures
In summer the sun barely sets, and long bright days invite you to explore the outdoors. The Tornio River Valley is known for salmon fishing on the Tornio River (Tornionjoki), peaceful hiking trails, canoeing on lakes, sauna and swimming, and quiet road trips through scenic northern landscapes under the midnight sun.
Explore the seasons and find experiences in the Tornio River Valley.
Explore the Tornio River Valley Map
Explore the Tornio River Valley on the map below and discover places to visit across the region. The map highlights accommodation, local businesses, nature trails, viewpoints and attractions on both sides of the Tornio River. Use it to plan your journey and find interesting stops while travelling through Western Lapland, Finland.
Click the icons on the map to explore accommodation, activities, nature trails and attractions in the Tornio River Valley.
Locations
