In February I had a chance to do a couple day road trip in Lapland. A friend of mine was invited to northern Finland for some work related excursion and as it’s a quite a long drive from middle / southern parts of Finland to the Lapland I tagged along to keep company.

As they were handling their work related duties, I took the couple days to drive around northern Lapland with my camera.

This post is mainly a huge image dump, and part 3 of 4 in series.

My route was from Inari >> Karigasniemi (pt.1), Karigasniemi >> Utsjoki (pt.2) and Utsjoki >> Inari (pt.3) in one day. On the next day I drove from Inari to Saariselkä and Kiilopää and back (pt.4). There might also later be some extra pics and material from the trip to and from Inari to Rovaniemi and maybe something else also, tho no promises.

Some of the pictures are taken through the windshield of the car, so some blurs and hazes and dots here and there.

• • Photo gear:
    – Olympus OM-D E-M10 mk1
    – Sigma 18 – 50 mm f/2.8 (4/3)
    – Super Varexon 135 mm f/2.8 (M42)
    – Zenit MS 3M-5SA 500 mm f/8 (M42)
    – M42 x2 extender

For the last part I drove from Utsjoki back to the Inari village in a beautiful light of the northern sunset. Started from Utsjoki at about 16:00 o’clock and arrived to Inari around 18:00.

While driving in Lapland one can listen to radio programs in sámi language and I would presume northern sami language to be more specific.

Exiting the Utsjoki and heading towards Inari. Big yellow sign reminds that one is within reindeer husbandry area and there are reindeers roaming around freely.

The Sun is still above the horizon and last light makes the scenery a beautiful sight.

There were few cars more on this road than on those two that I drove before.

Kirkkotupa is a small house or hut where people visiting the church from a long distance can stay for a while before heading back to their own houses far out in the wildernes. – Utsjoki kirkkotuvat is a museum area conservated by finnish heritage agency.

There are many parking spaces also on this road that are kept open and available also during winter months.

Some rivers won’t freeze over even during winter.

Still 78 km to Kaamanen and about 30 km from Kaamanen to Inari.

Another parking space place.

And yes, there are reindeer on the side of the road.

And reindeer on the road.

Wast emptiness of northern Finland.

Inari is also the largest municipality in Finland by area. Total area 17 334 km², population 6 900 and population density of 0.46 persons per km² or 1.2 persons per sq mi.

A fence to control the area where reindeer (and moose) moves.

Sunset colours and the Moon above the frozen swamps and marches of Lapland.

Only few cars came by on this trip. When the borders are open, there are much more traffic and during the summer months even more as the tourists, motorists and caravans hit the northern roads.

Literal translation: “Fat Fish Lakes”.

Also when driving in winder conditions one must be aware weather. Here the wind has blown some snow on the road, making other lane difficult to drive for a normal car. So keep the conditions in mind all the time and always be prepared to stop or slow down to avoid these snow banks, oncoming traffic and the reindeer.

And yes, there will be more reindeer on the roads. Some of them are afraid of a car and will try to make an escape.

Getting a bit darker and the Moon keeps me company as the Sun is already below the horizon.

The intersection in Kaamanen, from where I turned towards Karigasniemi.

Reindeer paths.

And some reindeer on the road again.

Some of the reindeer are turning to run.

Some won’t be bothered about you or your vehicle.

Some of them just don’t care and it’s you as the driver who must have the patience to wait for the animal to walk off the road.

Giving you “the eye” from the side of the road. “How dare you to bother me?”

Intersection at the south side of Kaamanen towards Näätämö (Neiden) and Kirkkoniemi (Kirkenes).

Arriving to Inari.

Siida museum in Inari exhibits sámi culture and way of living – under some renovation at the moment.

Juutua river flows next to Inari village center. On this side of the river is Siida and also Inarin Hopea (Inari’s Silver) famous for it’s silver handcrafts and jevelry.

Parts of the Juutua river rapids won’t freeze even during winter months when the temperature drops down to -35°C or below.

Sajos the culture and administrative center of the sámi people in Finland. Also a convention and event arena.

PaPaNa a local place known for it’s live gigs and food. Behind the Inari Souvenir and gift shop Näkkäläjärvi and the  Hotel Inari.