Sirkkakoski – Lakes, village culture and nature

Sirkkakoski is located on Lake Miekojärvi and Lake Lankojärvi. The village brings together experiences on the lakes, village history, fishing and winter activities. This gives you a clear question to consider when planning your holiday: should your stay be shaped mainly by the water, nature watching or the village’s cultural stories?

Lakes, harbour and fishing

You can buy fresh fish at the fishing harbour. Fish from Lake Miekojärvi is sold there directly by fishermen to individuals and businesses; live crayfish are also available. This gives the harbour a tangible connection to local fishing. If you are interested in local food, this spot is therefore just as relevant as a starting point for a trip out on the water.

You can go boating on Lake Miekojärvi from the fishing harbour. Sirmet trips depart from the Sirkkakoski marina at Pientie 3. The Sirmet ferry operated by Lapland Wild Fish is also suitable for guests with reduced mobility. If you would rather combine your stay with a swimming or fishing spot, you will find Kivilahti at the end of the village road. There is a swimming beach and a place for seine-net fishing.

Out and about in every season

In winter, a network of ski trails stretching several dozen kilometres runs around the village and the lakes. The length of the routes makes Sirkkakoski appealing to travellers who enjoy spending their days on skis and exploring the area on longer tours. The village also has a lit fitness trail. This offers another way to include exercise in your stay without making any particular winter sport the main focus.

Nature here also has its special features: Sirkkakoski is on a busy migratory bird route, and some migratory birds stay to breed. If you enjoy birdwatching, you can take this into account when choosing what to focus on during your trip. You can observe the flowing Sirkkakoski rapids from the village association’s lean-to shelter. This brings together two distinct nature themes: a waterside viewpoint and birdlife.

Village life and history

The old school now serves as a village hall. Village evenings and various events are held there, connecting the building’s former role as a school with community life in the village. Since 2010, Sirkkakoski has hosted stage dances on Midsummer Eve and lantern dances in autumn. The Maakansanmuseo offers further cultural insights with a collection of about 1,600 objects, each with its own story.

The village’s founding is also connected with an expedition: Sirkkakoski was founded in 1738 by Jonas Hansson, who served as a guide for the French Maupertuis expedition. An expedition had already landed at the rapids in 1736 to set up equipment for triangulation. Verstas Kotila adds a craft theme to the village’s stories today: Sanna Posti runs a shop and workshop there specialising in shoemaking and saddlery.

Another chapter in the harbour’s history is the Miekojärvi Trolling Marathon and the Great Lure Test 2024. The Sirkkakoski boating and fishing harbour served as the event centre, and the event took place from 17 to 21 July 2024. So, when planning a trip, the harbour is associated both with boating and fishing and with this dated event.

What suits your holiday plans

If you are looking for holiday accommodation in Sirkkakoski, you can choose based on the kind of holiday you want: time by the lake and fishing, winter ski trails, nature watching or village history. The experiences described offer different ideas to help you decide, without any one activity having to define your stay.

If you would like to browse more destination pages: Ylläsjärvi, Kittilä, Kemijärvi, Räisälä, Mäntyjärvi, Keminmaa, Utsjoki, Enontekiö.

For the overview of the wider region: Lapland.