From King’s lean-to, you’ll see a landscape familiar from many photos and videos. The lean-to (laavu in Finnish) is located on the top of Santavaara hill approximately 8 km’s from Rovaniemi city center to north. There are actually two lean-tos as there’s another, smaller lean-to next to King’s lean-to. The lean-to is a good day hike destination both in winter and in summer. In winter, it’s better to rent snowshoes in case you’ll try to reach the lean-to independently. Many outdoor safari’s take place at the lean-to. The lean-to offers magnificent views over River Ounasjoki and villages Ylikylä and Nivankylä. Both lean-tos have benches and a campfire site. Firewood can be found in the nearby woodshed.
Directions: From the city centre of Rovaniemi approx. 2.6 km along Sodankyläntie road, turn left onto Ounasjoen itäpuolentie road for approx. 4.4 km and continue onto Santavaarantie road for approx. 2.5 km to the end of the road to a gravel pit. The lean-to is situated at approx. 300 m to south-west. In the winter, snowmobiles are driven on the road and you can walk, snowshoe or ski to the lean-to. A snowmobiling track goes to the lean-to in winter.
Please notice! Due to bad road conditions, Santavaarantie road cannot be driven by a normal car.
There is no winter maintenance on Santavaarantie road.
