Kellostapuli and Kellostapuli gorge

You can see Kellostapuli from the village of Äkäslompolo as a rocky extension of Ylläs and Keskinen laki (Middle Peak) landscapes of fells. In the winter Skistar image, the Kellostapuli glows in the background in the first snow.

We have climbed to Kellostapuli years ago in the winter time, but in the summer time we haven't done it earlier. This year we desided to realize our dream and started our hiking in the evening sunshine. From Kellokas and Y1 parking places, you can get to Varkaankuru along a well-rehabilitated path, and from there the route continues between Kellostapuli and the Keskinen laki to Kellostapuli gorge. Halfway through the journey, several paths can be found towards Kellostapuli.

We chose one of those paths and walked along it side of Lake Kesänkijärvi during towards Kellostapuli. At first, the path was easy to follow, but by the way up, the journey became more and more rocky. We lost the path and navigated from behind side to the top of Kellostapuli. For the rest of the trip, we had to choose between steep and very steep. We climbed upwards jumping from stone to other stone. To our surprise, we were quite quickly at the top of the Kellostapuli. At the top there was a familiar pile of rocks in place and we went to the Äkäslompolo side to admire the scenery and the evening sun. We found more peaceful place to seat on the Kesänkijärvi side and admired the lake and the Kesänki and Lainio fells in the behind of Kesänkijärvi.

I had plans to take pictures and videos by a drone about the scenery, but in the top of Kellostapuli was too windy, even though it was late evening. I set the drone and carefully tried flying. I couldn't find a enough flat rock for a departure and the drone bumped down when I took off. The wind was too strong for drone. Luckily, we were able to save the views in memory and even to a few photos.

For the return trip, we found a better path closer to Varkaankuru and got down along the rocky path safely, and our evening trip was very successful.

The next day we headed towards Kellostapuli gorge, where the new built path between Kellostapuli and Keskinen laki leads directly to the rocky gorge. The gorge is a truly magnificent place and there are seat places next to the path for rest and admiration. I thought the place looked very peaceful like a Zen place and I could sit there for long periods of time wondering and thinking.

The gorge path leads down and continues from there as a very rocky and difficult path towards Kesänkijärvi (Lake Kesänki). On our way, we met a few extreme cyclists who were driving fast on a narrow rocky path and continuing their journey towards Kesänkijärvi. Luckily, the cyclists seemed to have the proper helmets on their heads. According to the latest information, the route to Kesänkijärvi has just been closed and a more easier path is under construction. Around Kesänkijärvi such a route has already been completed. When rocky path towards Kesänkijärvi is ready, these easier and safer routes will be connected.

We will be back to Kellostapuli gorge on the next visit to Äkäslompolo, because I want to take photos and also more widely with the help of a drone. Also I want to sit and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the place for longer.