Kilpisjärvi in Autumn Colors
Autumn in Kilpisjärvi is at its finest – and often the most colorful in all of Lapland. Bright red leaves of the alpine bearberry and glowing orange mountain birches paint the endlessly rolling fell landscape, where no green coniferous trees soften the view. After dark autumn nights, the rising sun invites you to plan the day’s adventure – the summit of Saana, Little Malla, or the Kitsiputous waterfall? The entire area is at its most beautiful in autumn.
The Best Time for Autumn Colors in Kilpisjärvi
In Kilpisjärvi, the peak autumn season usually begins in the last days of August and lasts for about three weeks, depending on the year. Autumn arrives here earlier than in southern Lapland. All of September is a wonderful time for day hikes, as frosty mornings turn into bright, sunny autumn days.
If timing feels uncertain, we have put together a comprehensive guide on the topic: Kilpisjärvi in Autumn – when the colors begin, where they are at their best, and what you should know.
Follow the Autumn Progress
Every year, Kilpisjärven Retkeilykeskus organizes a popular autumn color watch, where we share daily photos and videos showing how the season is unfolding. This gives you the best possible sense of when the colors are at their peak. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook and plan your autumn holiday for exactly the right moment.
What to Do in Kilpisjärvi During Autumn
Autumn is the perfect time for:
- day hikes to Tsahkaljärvi, Salmivaara, Saana, and Malla Strict Nature Reserve
- photography and observing nature
- watching the northern lights – around the autumn equinox, aurora activity is often at its strongest
- cozy lakeside sauna evenings and good food
In our Trail Stories section, you will find practical route suggestions and personal experiences from Kilpisjärvi in every season.
Stay in the Heart of the Autumn Colors – Book Early
Autumn is one of the most popular seasons at Kilpisjärven Retkeilykeskus, so accommodation should be booked well in advance. With us, you can stay in cozy 1–2 person rooms right at the foot of Saana, or in camping cabins by the shore of Lake Kilpisjärvi.
Will next autumn be blazing orange, bright yellow, or deep red? Come and see for yourself.
Book your autumn holiday for 2026 now.