Pielpajärvi Wilderness Church (Pielpajärvi erämaakirkko) is a pretty wooden church located on the banks of Iso Pielpajärvi lake. It sits at the heart of the old center of Inari, which was once a winter gathering place for Sámi families. Established in the mid-1700s on the grounds of a 17th-century church, Pielpajärvi Wilderness Church is one of Finnish Lapland’s oldest buildings. Today, it serves as a reminder of the remote lifestyles of the Sámi people.
Reach the church by hiking along a 3 mile (5 kilometer) scenic trail. It passes through birch forests and meadows while skirting the shorelines of two lakes, Iso Pielpajärvi and Pikku Pielpajärvi. Gaze across the icy lake water, spot arctic flowers and watch colorful birds fly overhead. During the winter months the trail is covered in snow so you’ll need to use skies, snowshoes or even a snowmobile.
The church itself is a simple wooden structure surrounded by a stony garden. Its belfry doubles as a porch entrance and leads inside to a cross layout with a central altar. The church hosts two annual services, which take place at Easter and Midsummer, in addition to occasional wedding ceremonies.
Stand in the church’s garden and envisage a time when the area was a thriving Sámi winter settlement. Families would migrate here after spending the spring and autumn hunting and fishing at different places. Merchants, ministers and tax collectors also visited the village, thus making it a busy social and commercial community.
The trail to the church begins at the Sarviniementie parking area, which is about 2.5 miles (4 (kilometers) from modern-day Inari’s village center. Extend your visit and hike the trail to Pielpavuono Fjord, situated 1.9 miles (3 kilometers) southeast from the church. Then, walk back to Inari or return to the village by boat.
Pielpajärvi Wilderness Church is open daily and admission is free. A guide operates at the church in the summer months.
