Levi in Lapland is one of my favorite winter destinations. Yes, the husky safaris and skiing are amazing, but what I also love are the winter hikes. There’s something magical about wandering through snow-covered forests and exploring a fell with wide, white landscapes and frozen lakes unfolding around you. In this blog, I’m sharing the winter hikes in Levi that I’ve enjoyed the most.
The Levi Summit stairs
766 steps. That’s what stands between you and Levi Summit, the upper station of the Front Slopes.
It sounds like a lot but in cold weather it’s actually a really fun little challenge. Plus, it’s the perfect intro walk to get a first feel of Levi’s winter scenery.
You just head out from Levi Center. Find the sign tucked away to the right behind the Levi Express Gondola. And off you go.
It had just snowed when I did the hike. The air was crisp. The wooden steps were covered in a layer of snow. They were a bit icy in places. Still, the path was surprisingly well maintained.
The stairs wind up through the forest in a zigzag, you can’t see much of the trail from the bottom. It just slowly reveals itself as you climb, step by step. It’s not a tough walk, and there are a few spots where you can stop and take in the views. Or just catch your breath. As you get higher, the winter wonderland starts to open up around you.
Just before the top, you’ll pass a small reindeer enclosure that’s part of the Samiland Exhibition.
And then, finally, the summit. It’s not a real summit, quite different from the hike on the fell as I describe below. But there’s a viewing platform where you can admire the snowy forests and frozen lakes stretching out below.
If you want to warm up and enjoy the scenery from inside, pop into the restaurant at Hotel Levi Panorama. Huge windows, cozy vibes, and some seriously good hot chocolate, tea, or Lapland-style snacks.
And if you have the time, the Samiland Exhibition is absolutely worth a visit. It’s part of the UNESCO Observatory Cultural Village programme and gives you a look into the history and present-day life of the Sami people. I enjoyed the images, stories and hands-on displays.
For the way down, you can either take the stairs again, if they’re not too slippery – watch out in the dark – or hop on the Levi Express Gondola back to Zero Point.
I chose to walk down along the road instead. It takes a bit longer and isn’t particularly special, but there were still some lovely views along the way.
This hike is a convenient way to get a good view on the village and surrounding scenery. It’s not that high, but easy reachable, by steps or Gondola.
Winter hike around the fell
If you really want to soak up Levi’s gorgeous forests, the winter hike around the fell is perfect.
It’s about 11 kilometers and starts right in Levi Center. The route takes you out toward South Point, passing through Draivi and Kaakkoisrinne.
Most of the trail winds through peaceful pinewoods, with little glimpses of a frozen lake peeking through the trees. There are a few short climbs, but totally doable.
You can also break the trail in smaller loops. The map makes it easy to choose your adventure.
The trail itself is well maintained and easy to follow, sometimes shared with fatbikes.
When we hiked it, it was snowing. The forest was wonderfully quiet, barely anyone around.
You’ll pass ski lifts at Draivi and South Point. There are a few spots along the way where you can take a break. But just so you know: the only place with an actual restaurant is South Point.
From there, you can hop on the ski bus back to Levi Center. Or, like we did, you can walk back along the main road. It’s not the most thrilling route, but it’s easy.
You can enjoy the Immeljärvi lake at your left side, where we spotted some ice fishers. A typical sport for the Arctic and always intriguing to see how this works.
Stunning views on top of the fell
If you’re looking for jaw-dropping views, the hike on top of the fell is an absolute must. This is my favorite. The trail runs between Restaurant Tuikku and Gondola2000.
It’s a snowshoe-only hike. The trail is well marked on the paper or electronic maps.
You take the Gondola2000 cabin lift up the western side of the fell, step out at the top, and follow the route from there. The hike itself is about 3 kilometers. Just go slowly to enjoy it. And pick a day when the sky is clear, preferably near sunset.
The views over the surrounding forests and frozen lakes are stunning. I actually went up twice, and both times were incredible. My favorite time is sunset, when the sky lights up in these magical pinks and oranges. That’s for me the perfect Lapland winter moment.
After the hike, there’s hot chocolate at Tuikku. You can even sit outside if it’s not too cold. Sit and relax and enjoy the views.
The views are pretty similar to what you get skiing along the fell. Somehow hiking makes them feel even more special.
Snowshoeing to Kätkä
During my first visit to Levi in 2022, I hiked up to Kätkä, a small hill (503 m). It is right in front of the ski slopes and next to Immeljärvi Lake. And also snowhoe-only.
From the top, the views over the surrounding winter landscape are just beautiful. The hike itself is about 9 kilometers and took me around 3 hours.
Walking through deep snow was harder than I expected. It was the first time on snowshoes, so I needed to get used to it a bit.
Nearly at the top, it started snowing, and the path disappeared under fresh snow. That’s when the snowshoes really came in handy and made the hike easier. Here too, the forest was in complete stillness, I only met very few people.
Going down took me longer. Because it had been snowing, I had to keep looking for the track. So I wouldn’t recommend doing this in cloudy or foggy weather, you could easily lose your way.
Tips for winter hiking in Levi
Levi has plenty of hiking trails around the center. So whether you’re up for a short stroll or a longer trek, there’s something for everyone. Here are a few tips from my own experience to make sure your winter adventure goes smoothly:
- Get more information at Levi Tourist Information. They provide advice on weather conditions, hiking trails and can book guided hikes, if you prefer those.
- Check the weather before you go. Heavy snowfall can make trails harder to spot, even though most of them are well maintained. During my hike to Kätkä, the trail got covered in snow, so I literally had to find my way back.
- Use electronic maps, but don’t rely on them alone. You can get a paper map at the Levi Tourist Information or online. Cold weather can drain phone batteries faster than you expect. By the way, the Levi Track Service like INFOGIS/LEVI or Outdoor Active are excellent; it follows your location in real time.
- Know if you need snowshoes. Even if you’ve never used them, they’re super easy to handle and can make winter hiking so much more enjoyable. You can rent them at several places. We had great experiences renting from Zero Point.
- Watch your step on stairs. The stairs to Levi Summit can get slippery, especially at night, so take it slow on the way down.
- Bring water and snacks. If you’re hiking around the fell or to Kätkä,, there aren’t any restaurants along the trail, just at South Point.
- Tell someone your plan. If you’re hiking solo, let someone know your route and your expected return time.
Winter hiking in Levi is a real experience. Each trail offers something different. Quiet forests, frozen lakes, panoramic views, and the perfect sense of peace that only Lapland can give.
Strap on your snowshoes, grab a map, and step into this magical winter wonderland, you enjoy it!
Into more Lapland adventures? Read all about my speedy adventure or exploring Levi’s ski slopes.
Levi winter hikes: quick guide
Below a quick overview of the hikes I describe, based upon my personal experience. The difficulty also reflects my personal estimation. If you want more information, drop by the friendly Levi Tourist Information or consult the winter walking routes online.
| Hike | Distance | Difficulty | Snowshoes Needed? | Highlights | Food/Facilities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Levi Summit Stairs | 766 steps | Easy–Moderate | No | Forest trail, reindeer enclosure, Samiland Exhibition, panoramic views | Hotel Levi Panorama |
| Winter Hike Around the Fell | 11 km | Moderate | No | Pine forests, frozen lake views, peaceful solitude | South Point restaurant |
| Top of the Fell | 3 km | Moderate | Yes | Stunning panoramas, sunset views | Tuikku Restaurant, rentals at Zero Point |
| Kätlä Hill | 9 km | Moderate | Yes | Forests, Immeljärvi Lake, quiet winter nature | None along trail, rentals at Zero Point |