Hetta Starting the 17th century, written documents from the region in the form of church, land and court books do exist. According to them, the first newcomers (i.e. Finns) to settle down at the site of contemporary Hetta village arrived at the turn of the 17th century. At the turn of the 18th Century, Heikki Heikinpoika Hetta from Matarengi, settled down at Lake Ounasjärvi shore where the present day Hetta lies. The village has been named after him. The village consisted only of few families until mid 19th century. The 5th church of Enontekiö was build in 1864 in Hetta and the first school building of the community was constructed in Hetta year 1888 at the very same site where the current primary school stands.
Gradually Hetta became an important tradepost on the route from Hetta via Palojärvi to Kautokeino and further to Bossenkopp in Alta. Another important trade route went from Hetta to Palojoensuu and followed the Muonio river both south and north all the way to Tornio and to Skibotten via Kilpisjärvi. The wooden river boats used at the time had to be pulled over a few hundred feet strech of land from Lake Muotkajärvi to Lake Sonkajärvi on the way west from Hetta. The name of the Muotkajärvi comes accordingly from the sami word of muotkut, meaning to pull a boat from a water way to another. The road from Muonio to Hetta via Palojoensuu was finished between years 1906-07.
In Enontekiö, there are several "seita", i.e. sacred stone idols and sacrificial boulders. Located near to the church village of Hetta on top of the hill of Jyppyrä there has been a table formed low worshipping stone resting on four stones, and standing behind it was a large boulder rock. These rocks were used in sacrificing for the gods to gain good luck in wild reindeer hunting. Later, after Christianity had arrived and paganism was banned the rocks were rolled to Lake Ounasjärvi in order to stop these unaccepted paganist worshipping traditions. During night, however, some locals not wanting to abandon their own gods, hauled the rocks back on top of Jyppyrä. When this was discovered the church immediately ordered this seita to be sunken to the depths of the lake, where it still remains.
Currently, Hetta is a 800 resident community center with having the most services of the municipality. There’s also a home for the elderly, a healthcare centre, primary and high schools and a college. Other schools in the community include the primary schools of Peltovuoma, Karesuvanto and Kilpisjärvi due to long distances from these villages to Hetta.
Hetta village forms a snug whole, where the services, trail heads and points of interest lie all within a easy walking distance from the many accommodation options available. There are two hotels, two traditional guest houses, two holiday villages with high quality full equipped log cabins, several smaller single luxury cabins and many more primitive "only for summer use" huts and a scenic campground. Most accommodation places, as the whole village, is located along the coast of Lake Ounas and many of them carry either X-country skis, canoes, rowing boats or bikes for rental. During winter there is about 200 km of maintained ski trails, of which seven km is lit. For hikers there are two nature trails and several hiking and (mountain) biking options to choose from.
Further information:
Kortelainen, Yrjö (1995): Entistä Enontekiötä. Porvoo.
Rinne, Reino (1991): Lapin rauha.
Therman, Erik (1990): Noitien ja paimentolaisten parissa. Juva.
Sightseeing in Hetta Church VillageChurch:Built in 1952 it is the sixth church of Enontekiö, designed by Veikko Larkas, with altar mosaic by Uuno Eskola.
Fell Lapland Nature Centre:Customerservicepoint of Metsähallitus
"From the Fells to the Arctic Ocean" exhibition
Outdoor recreation exhibition
Auditorium for 50 persons, multivision shows
Yrjö Kokko memorial library (famous author and swan saver, local vet and writer)
Hiking, Programme Service and Nature Information / Service Point
Café, souvenirs
Fishing and hunting licences
Snowmobile permits and equipment
Cabin rental and key collection point
Nature trail head for:
- Midsummer trail to Jyppryä Hill observation point. This trail formed by postmen years ago, when they delivered letters from Hetta to Näkkälä village.
- Wild Reindeer path with information boards telling the history of wild reindeer hunting.
Jyppyrä Hill:Ancient site of worship. Spectacular views over Hetta. Situated near the village centre and rising above the Fell Lapland Nature Centre.
Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park:Consisting of 102,000 hectares of magnificent fell land, through which runs a 55 km hiking trail, one of the most popular trails in Finland. Along the trail are situated several open and reservable wilderness huts.
Hetta Snow Castle:Located "down town Hetta" by Lake Ounas. Includes many snow buildings connected to each other. Consisits of dining hall, several bedrooms, cafe, chapel, court yard, swimming pools (both hot and cold). Possibility for overnighting, dining, concerts, vesper, meeting Santa Claus, etc. (for request). Open from December 15 th to April 15 (even to May 10 th depending on the spring).