Ever wondered what it feels like to dig for gold in the middle of Europe’s last great wilderness? In the heart of Lemmenjoki National Park, far from roads and crowds, this hike takes you deep into Finnish Lapland where rivers whisper of the gold rush and the air tastes of freedom.
Your journey begins with a boat ride up the Lemmenjoki River before hiking 13–15 km through wild tundra and fells to reach a working prospector’s cabin. Here, under the guidance of a local gold prospector, you’ll grab a shovel, learn the art of panning, and hear stories of bearded men who once rushed to these very rivers in search of fortune. Evenings bring shared meals, a crackling sauna, and the thrill of knowing you may walk away with a glimmer of gold in your pocket.
Along the way, you’ll sleep in quality tents, hike to the world’s most remote library, and explore some of Europe’s most pristine wilderness. From riverside camps to quiet valleys, every step blends adventure with history. All equipment, meals, and logistics are taken care of — just bring your spirit of discovery and join this rare Lapland adventure. Join us on the trail where wilderness meets legend, and uncover your own golden story in the heart of Lapland!
You can also contact us for private departure for your own group, minimum group size: 4.
over 18 y.o.
- Local prices – no extra feesBook tours directly from local tour providers
- Verified tour providersAll guides confirm their qualifications
- Reviews from travelersWe monitor the feedback from our travelers after each tour
Tour highlights
Route details
Arrival in Inari (nearest airport: Ivalo, Finnish Lapland). Dinner and overnight in local accommodation. Rooms are shared (two people per room), with the option for single rooms if preferred.
Accommodation
The adventure starts at a nice hotel in Inari, where we all meet up for dinner and briefing. On the final day we will come back and you can enjoy the hotel facilities.
Tickets to group meeting place
Weather during the tour
- the forecasts for this season
- the statistics from previous years’ trips
Conditions
- professional and qualified hiking guide;
- experiencing one of the best hiking trails in Europe;
- sleeping equipment: tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mattresses;
- gold prospecting equipment;
- gold prospector’s fee;
- boat fee;
- accommodation before and after the hike;
- dinner & breakfast at accommodation upon arrival and after the hike;
- breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for each day on trail;
- gear list;
- video meeting with the group, whatsapp group chat, help with packing;
- safety briefing.
- flights/train/bus to finnish lapland, nearest airport ivalo;
- transportation to the accommodation (there are direct buses);
- backpacks;
- outdoor clothing (gear list will be provided);
- own travel and accident insurance (mandatory on this trek).
It's important to know
You’ll arrive at Ivalo airport and transfer to the nearby village of Inari. After a comfortable night in a hotel, the adventure begins with a boat ride up the Lemmenjoki River. During the hour-long journey, there’s time to take in the sweeping views of Lemmenjoki National Park as we travel deeper into the wilderness. At the last harbour, we step ashore and begin our hike — about 15 km across open tundra and fells — until we reach the claim of our gold prospector, Aki. Here we set up camp with high-quality tents, thick air mattresses, and warm sleeping bags, drifting off with dreams of gold.
The following day is dedicated to prospecting. With shovels in hand, we join Aki, a local professional prospector, who shares his knowledge of gold digging and the traditions of Lapland’s gold rush. After digging, we pan for gold together, separating the flakes and listening to stories of the people and the culture that shaped this land. In the evening, reward yourself with a rustic sauna and a refreshing dip in a crystal-clear stream.
Our journey continues with another hike, this time to the most remote library in the world, perched on top of a small fell in the middle of Lemmenjoki National Park. Visitors are welcome to borrow or even exchange books in this extraordinary spot. From there, we cover around 10 km to reach a beautiful camping site, where we spend our final night in tents. On the last day, a short 3 km hike brings us back to the Lemmenjoki River, where a boat carries us downstream to Inari and back to civilisation.
Reviews
- MTMarkus T.about provider18 Mar, 2025Our 4-day ski touring adventure in the Kilpisjärvi region was absolutely fantastic. The landscapes were surreal - a winter wonderland at its finest. Joona and Minttu were our guides, and their calm, confident leadership made the whole journey feel both safe and exciting. There were challenging routes for the adventurous and easier ones for those wanting to enjoy the scenery. At the end of each day, we could either stay in cozy wilderness cabins or brave the elements and sleep in tents - a true Arctic experience! If you’re looking for a meaningful, nature-based adventure - this is the one. Can’t recommend it enough!
- EEmmaabout provider25 Feb, 2025Joona and Minttu truly turned our trip into something magical. Their professionalism, deep knowledge, and ability to support everyone in a mixed-level group really stood out. You can tell how much they care - they shared their best tips, made sure everyone was safe and happy, and did it all with so much heart and humour. They’re not just great guides - they’re genuinely amazing people! My 4-day ski expedition was an experience I’ll never forget. Highly recommended with all my heart ❤️
- LLiamabout provider6 Jan, 2025Exploring the Arctic winter in Lapland with snowshoes was something I’ll never forget. The conditions were intense, but that’s exactly what made it such an adventure. Our guides, Minttu and Joona, were absolute legends - knowledgeable, prepared, and incredibly supportive. What made it even more special was the bond we formed - we began the trip as clients and guides, and ended it as friends. Thank you both for creating a truly standout experience. I’ll be recommending this trip to every fellow adventurer I know!
Dates and Prices
- from8 – 13 Aug6 days 5 nights
