Lapland · Finland
Käsivarrentie
21E8Palojoensuu to Kilpisjärvi
The northernmost arm of Finland’s Road 21 traces the border river into the Käsivarsi Wilderness, climbing past the treeline to the highest paved road in the country before the lake village of Kilpisjärvi.
From Palojoensuu the road follows the Muonionjoki northwest, the forest thinning from spruce to fell birch to open Arctic tundra. It crests the Muotkatakka saddle at 565.8 m, the highest point on any Finnish public road, before a descent reveals Lake Kilpisjärvi and the angular Saana fell. The last 12 km are above the treeline; reindeer wander the tarmac year-round.
Scenery
Best seasons
In these collections
Käsivarrentie on the map88.4 mi · point to point
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Character
Corners
busiest around mile 88Elevation
under 4%4–8%over 8%271.9 – 561.9 mFrom the road
Points of interest3 stops
- Saana FellIconic 1029m flat-topped fell rising straight above Kilpisjarvi village and the road88 mi in
- Salmivaara ViewpointEasy roadside climb with a wide panorama over Lake Kilpisjarvi to Saana, Sweden and Norway87 mi in
- Iiton Palsasuo MirePermafrost palsa mounds beside the highway with a parking area and short boardwalk trail62 mi in
Hazards
- Reindeer on road
- Snow and ice outside summer
- Remote with limited services
- Closures in severe winter weather
See the typical season and live conditions for the high passes ›
Sources
“The highest point of any Finnish public road is on this stretch. The road becomes increasingly wild, with some more alpine landscapes.”
Verified route: mapped from real road geometry and fact-checked by a human editor. How roads get checked
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