| Ivalo Avveel, Avvil or Âˊvvel | ||
 | ||
| State | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Inhabitants | 3.175 (2011 estimate) | |
| Prefix tel | 358 | |
| POSTAL CODE | 99800 | |
| Time zone | UTC 2 | |
Position
| ||
Ivalo (in Inari sami Avveel, in Northern Sami Mr., in Sami Skolt Âˊvvel) is a city of the Finnish Lapland in the municipality of Inari.
To know
Ivalo is a famous Finnish tourist resort both for winter sports (alpine skiing, snowboarding, Nordic skiing, sledding with dogs or reindeer) and for summer sports (hiking, mountain biking, fishing, climbing, canoeing). It is also the largest city in the north of Lapland and it is no coincidence that the nearby ski resort of Saariselkä, built in its vicinity, is also the largest in the country.
Geographical notes
Ivalo is a small settlement located on the banks of the Ivalo River, about 20 km from the lake Inari and 38 km from Inari.
Background
Ivalo was badly damaged during World War II during the Lapland War when retreating German troops, led by Lothar Rendulic, severely damaged the country.
How to orient yourself
Ivalo: full screen map.How to get
By plane
L'Ivalo airport (IATA: IVL) is Finland's northernmost airport. Scheduled services consist of two daily flights to Helsinki (approximately 1 hour 40 minutes) on Finnair, although there are many charter flights from all over Europe during the Christmas / New Year high tourist season. The airport has a regular bus service to Saariselkä (25 km, 20 minutes, € 7.50). To get to Ivalo there is a [transport service bookable online[link not working] from Ivalo airport which then continues to Inari. This service must be booked in advance. There will be a minibus or coach (depending on the number of passengers booked in advance) waiting for each arrival of Finnair flights. Stops at most hotels and guesthouses, as well as connecting all outbound Finnair flights. Taxis to Ivalo and Saariselkä cost around € 17 and € 35 respectively.
By car
The city is crossed by the national road 4 (or E75) which comes from Helsinki passing through Lahti, Jyväskylä, Oulu is Rovaniemi.
By bus
Ivalo is located along the E75 motorway which runs from Norway Street Utsjoki for Sodankylä and until the term located at Rovaniemi (3 hours away), and is therefore served by any buses plying this route (including connections to / from Karigasniemi is Näätämö). Those who wish can also take a direct bus from Helsinki, which takes about 15 hours. There is also a bus connection from Murmansk in Russia three times a week.
How to get around
What see
Ivalo is a simple village, so there are few things to see. This is why most people come and go straight to Inari or Saariselkä.
Events and parties
What to do
- Metsahallitus customer service, Ivalontie 10, ☎ 358 64 205 7701, @[email protected]. Has information on state-owned lands in the municipalities of Inari is Utsjoki, in particular on possible excursions. They also sell maps, hunting and fishing permits, and they also accept reservations for cabin rentals in the wilderness.
- Canoe. Ivalonjoki is a nice canoe route of about 70km running from Kuttura in Ivalo.
- Snowmobile. There are many snowmobile routes that pass through the village.
Shopping
- 1 K-market, Ivalontie 17, ☎ 358 016 6755 700, fax: 358 016 6755 741.
Mon-Sun 08: 00-21: 00. Discreetly stocked supermarket.
Mon-Sun 08: 00-21: 00. Discreetly stocked supermarket.How to have fun
Where to eat
Where stay
Safety
How to keep in touch
Around
- Saariselkä - 30 km south of Ivalo.
- Inari - 40 km north of Ivalo.
Itineraries
The nearby Ivalo River (Ivalonjoki) was the scene of a gold rush in 1870 and some gold miners still try their luck. The former "Crown Station" Ivalonjoen Kultala it has been restored and is open to visitors free of charge. There is also an open country cabin and a rental cabin at the site. Kultala is in the Hammastunturi Nature Reserve, about 14 km from the nearest road (which is in poor condition) to Ivalonjoki. The recommended route (via the road to Kuttura) passes the gold washing area to the Sotajoki River, which is a sight, with makeshift camp site for caravans and drilling machinery in the stone banks of the river. Here, too, are historic villages from the Golden Age, with huts and some other facilities for visitors. Further from the road, the route passes through the most beautiful landscapes, but to get the best view of some of them, it may be worth making some detours from the main route. The Ivalonjoki canyon and the rope bridge that crosses it at Kultala are attractions in themselves.
