Food & fire
Reception & restaurant
Check in here, then come back for lunch and dinner: Lappish dishes cooked from local ingredients.
How to Get to Muotkan Ruoktu in Inari
Fly to Ivalo Airport, then enjoy a scenic 1-hour-15-minute drive along the Kaamanen–Karigasniemi road, part of the legendary route to the North Cape.
How do I get to Muotkan Ruoktu?
Getting to Muotkan Ruoktu in Finnish Lapland is easy by plane, car or with regular public bus. Located along Road 92, the scenic Kaamanen–Karigasniemi route towards the North Cape, Muotkan Ruoktu is accessible year-round. Roads are regularly maintained, even in winter, although snowy conditions and lower speed limits may require extra travel time.
Enjoy a beautiful drive through the Arctic wilderness on your way to your Lapland adventure! Once you're here, adventures are right on your doorstep: the husky tour, the snowmobile experience and guided hikes all start close to the village.
Flying to Ivalo
Ivalo Airport (IVL) is the closest airport to Muotkan Ruoktu, just 103 km away. Small and easy to navigate, it offers regular year-round flights from Helsinki and seasonal direct connections from several European cities. Routes change each winter, so check the latest flights on Finavia's website. Airlines release their winter flights gradually, from mid-September, and more routes appear as the season gets closer. Flights to Ivalo fill up early, so look at them first and book your stay around them. Rovaniemi is the other option, with more connections but a drive of about 4 h 30 afterwards. Most guests find Ivalo the better choice.
From Ivalo Airport, you can rent a car, take a taxi or travel by bus with a connection. Prefer a more personal welcome? Ask us about our airport transfer service! We'll be happy to meet you at the airport and share the beautiful journey through Arctic Lapland.
Four ways to reach our village
| Route | Time to the village | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| By air to Ivalo, then by car | About 1 h 15 from the airport (103 km) | Most guests; the fastest way from anywhere in Europe |
| By air to Ivalo, then by bus | About 2 h 15 with one change | Travelling without a car; check the seasonal timetables |
| By car from Rovaniemi | About 4 h 30 (381 km) | A road trip with Lapland on the way |
| From Norway, via Karigasniemi or Kirkenes | 32 min from Karigasniemi (44 km), 2 h 46 from Kirkenes (204 km) | Combining the Arctic coast with the fells |
Travel times are based on normal summer driving conditions. In winter, snowy roads and limited daylight may make journeys longer, so allow extra time. And keep an eye out for reindeer and moose crossing the road all year round — you're travelling through their home!
From Ivalo airport to the village
- Rental carThe most flexible way to explore Finnish Lapland at your own pace. Free parking is available for guests at Muotkan Ruoktu. Book your rental car early, especially during winter and school holidays.
- TaxiA convenient option, but as the journey is long, taxis may be limited and fares can be expensive. We recommend booking in advance and confirming the price before travelling.
- BusTwo options connect our wilderness village with Finnish Lapland. Eskelinen operates a direct bus from Rovaniemi via Ivalo to Muotkan Ruoktu, while Airport–Inari provides connections from Ivalo Airport to Inari village. Bus services are convenient but limited, with typically just one direct connection per day. Always check seasonal timetables before travelling. If you arrive in Inari, ask us about a pickup or arrange a local taxi.
- Private Airport Transfer & PickupTransfers from Ivalo Airport or Inari K-Market are available on request, subject to our team's availability. Simply share your flight details when booking, and we’ll personally confirm pickup arrangements.
Distances by road
The fastest routes from the village, handy when you plan a day trip or combine your stay with Norway or Lemmenjoki National Park.
| From the village to | Distance | By car |
|---|---|---|
| Ivalo airport (IVL) | 103 km | About 1 h 15 |
| Ivalo village | 94 km | 1 h 12 |
| Inari village | 55 km | 40 min |
| Karigasniemi (Norwegian border) | 44 km | 32 min |
| Utsjoki | 115 km | 1 h 20 |
| Lemmenjoki National Park | 101 km | 1 h 20 |
| Saariselkä | 124 km | 1 h 36 |
| Kirkenes (Norway) | 204 km | 2 h 46 |
| Rovaniemi | 381 km | About 4 h 30 |
Source is Google Maps, fastest route, normal summer conditions.
Driving to the village in winter
Winter tyres are mandatory in Finland from December to February, and rental cars have them. The roads are ploughed and sanded but often snowy, so drive slower than you think you need to and keep a good distance from the car in front.
Reindeer walk on the roads, especially at dusk and in the dark, and they may appear quickly on the road and walk slowly across. Slow down when you see one, and expect more behind it. Days are short in December and January, and around the polar night most of your driving will be in twilight or darkness, so plan to arrive in daylight when you can.
Fuel up in Inari or Karigasniemi before the last stretch. Check road conditions and weather warnings at Fintraffic before you set off, and allow extra time on snowy days.
Nobody drives fast here, and nobody has to arrive in a hurry.
If your flight is late or the roads are slow, write to us or call. We would rather know you are on the way than have you rush the last kilometres in the dark.
Find us on the map
Muotkan Ruoktu sits on the Kaamanen–Karigasniemi road, by the Peltojoki river and directly on the way to-from North Cape. Zoom out to see the airport and the road from Inari. Type our full address into your navigation, Muotkan Ruoktu, Karigasniementie 2281, Inari.
Arriving in the village
Turn off the Karigasniementie road at the village entrance and park by the main building. Reception and the restaurant are inside, and the bus stops on the road nearby or enters on our parking directly. Open a place on the map to see where it is.
Sauna & wellness
Wellness house
Toilets, showers and a dishwashing room for the huts and the camping, with sauna 1 and the sport room.
Practical
WC & laundry
Toilets and a laundry room next to the hotel rooms.
Food & fire
Kota & grill
A closed Lappish hut with the fire in the middle: grill your dinner, warm and out of the wind.
Sauna & wellness
Hot tub & sauna 2
A wood-heated outdoor hot tub, the palju, and a sauna by the river. Book an evening when you book your stay, or ask at reception.
Food & fire
River kota-laavu & grill
An open fire shelter on the riverbank, with a grill and the sound of the Peltojoki.
Food & fire
Historic kota
The old kota of the village, kept as it was: sit by the fire and hear the stories of Muotka.
Sauna & wellness
Mongolian yurt
A yurt for wellbeing and quiet moments, at the edge of the forest.
Outdoors
Sky-swing
A big wooden swing on the riverbank, facing the fells.
Outdoors
Lake laavu
A fire shelter by the lake, where the fell trails start. A favourite spot to wait for the Northern Lights.
Practical
Rental kiosk
Snowshoes, skis, packrafts and warm overalls for your adventures.
Double Rooms
Hotel rooms 1–4
Four renovated rooms, each with its own door to the terrace.
- Up to 2 guests
- Shared bathroom
Adventure Cottages
Adventure Cottages
Simple huts for adventurers, close to the wellness house and the kota.
- Up to 4 guests
- Shared bathroom
Authentic Cottage
Jeageloaivi
Named after the fell above the village, in the typical Muotka style.
- Up to 4 guests
- 30 m²
- Private shower & WC
Authentic Cottage
Toanganoaivi
An authentic cottage in the typical Muotka style, by the main way.
- Up to 4 guests
- 30 m²
- Private shower & WC
Cosy Cottage
Ailigas
With its own terrace, in the row that faces the river.
- Up to 4 guests
- 30 m²
- Private shower & WC
Cosy Cottage
Ruohtir
With its own terrace, in the row that faces the river.
- Up to 4 guests
- 30 m²
- Private shower & WC
Cosy Cottage
Kuivi
With its own terrace, in the row that faces the river.
- Up to 4 guests
- 30 m²
- Private shower & WC
Cosy Cottage
Akuuvaara
With its own terrace, the last of the row, closest to the forest.
- Up to 4 guests
- 30 m²
- Private shower & WC
Big Lodge
Riekko
Riekko is the willow grouse, the white bird of the fells: a log lodge with its own sauna and a loft under the roof.
- Up to 5 guests
- 50 m²
- Private shower & WC
- Private sauna
Big Lodge
Kiiruna
Kiiruna is the rock ptarmigan, cousin of the willow grouse on the high tundra: a log lodge with its own sauna and a loft under the roof.
- Up to 5 guests
- 50 m²
- Private shower & WC
- Private sauna
Campervans and caravans
Caravan pitches
Pitches for caravans and motorhomes, with electricity and a view of the lake.
- Up to 40 guests
- Shared bathroom
Campervans and caravans
Camping area
Tent pitches by the forest, with a campfire place and the river a few steps away.
- Up to 40 guests
- Shared bathroom
Practical
Service area
Chemical toilet and grey water disposal for caravans and motorhomes.
Practical
Entrance
Turn off road 92 here and follow the main way to reception.
Practical
Parking
Free for our guests and always open, with spaces beside every cottage. Other visitors pay €5 a day.
Practical
Bus stop
The bus on road 92 stops at the village entrance.
Practical
Electric car charging
A charging point for electric cars, next to the main building.
Practical
First aid
The first aid point, next to reception.
Practical
Drinking water
Fill your bottles with fresh water here.
Outdoors
Swimming point
A natural pool in the Peltojoki, with stones to step in from. In summer.
Outdoors
River Peltojoki
Trout and grayling swim past the village. Fish from the bank, or come with us on a fishing trip.
Fishing tripsOutdoors
Hut Lahtinen (1949)
An old wilderness hut from 1949, a short walk up the river.
Outdoors
Jaegeloaivi fell, 550 m
The fell above the village. A trail leads to the top and its view over the Muotkatunturi wilderness.
Hiking
Questions ? Your Little Guide to Lapland
Free, with local tips from those who call Lapland home.
When to visit Finnish Lapland, what to wear, how to get here and what is myth or reality: the questions we hear most, answered from our own local experience to help you prepare, travel better and enjoy the real Lapland.
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Questions about getting here
Which airport should I fly to?
Ivalo (IVL), 103 km from the village and about 1 h 15 by car. Flights from Helsinki run all year, and several European cities add direct flights in winter. Rovaniemi has more connections but is about 4 h 30 away by road.
Do I need a car?
A car is the most flexible way and what most guests use. Without one you can take the bus, about 2 h 15 from Ivalo airport with one change, or ask us about a transfer.
Can you pick us up from the airport?
Yes, if we agree it with you in advance. We collect you at Ivalo airport and drive you to the village, about 1 h 15 away. For our holidays, transport during the programme is included in the price; flights remain yours to book.
Is there a bus to the village?
Yes. Buses from Ivalo, Inari and Rovaniemi stop on the road by the village. Timetables change with the season, so check Matkahuolto and Eskelisen Lapin Linjat before you go, and tell us when you arrive.
Should I fly to Rovaniemi or to Ivalo?
Ivalo is the better choice, with a drive of about 1 h 15. From Rovaniemi it is 381 km, about 4 h 30, which suits you if you want the drive to be part of the trip.
What if my flight lands late?
Tell us your flight number and your plans, and we will wait for you or help you decide. After a very late landing in winter, resting near the airport and driving in the morning is often the sensible choice, because the roads are slow and there may be reindeer.
Can I combine the village with Norway?
Easily. Karigasniemi and the Norwegian border are 44 km away, 32 minutes, and Kirkenes is 204 km, about 2 h 46. Many guests combine our village with the Arctic coast, and a stay in one of our cottages is a good base for it. Take your passport or ID card, and check road conditions on both sides in winter.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, dogs are welcome in our cabins, on the campsite and in the restaurant. Please keep your dog on a leash, because reindeer wander around the village.
News from the fell
A short letter when there is something worth telling, never more than once a month.
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Keep planning
Now that you know how to reach us, choose what to do once you are here.
Responsible travel
Small groups, local guides and respect for the wilderness and Sami culture, recognised by three sustainability labels.
How we protect the place
