Näkkälä By the shore of Lake Näkkälä and the upper end of Näkkälä River, which flows down to Ounas River, lies the village of Näkkälä. It was built in 1873 by various Sami families. The village can be reached by car from Palojärvi, a village about 10 km to the west.
The village houses are mainly built on a "tongue of land" protruding out into the main lake. Situated in the gently rolling mountain birch tundra, the dwellings are surrounded by meadows and potato fields. In Näkkälä are located several fairly old buildings, such as in Aittaniemi, Syynitieva and Niemilä. In the surroundings of the village, and on view for all to see, are many old reindeer pits, used in the olden days for trapping the wild deer.
From Näkkälä, an old narrow trail leads to Hetta church, whilst a wider country track leads to Pöyrisjärvi summer hut. A former frequently used trade and winter road ran via the village, leading from Enontekiö to Kautokeino and further on to Alta’s market place, by the shore of the Arctic Ocean.
In front of the village, by the banks of Näkkäläjärvi Lake, stands an approximately 3.5 metre high boulder, which according to legend was once, and still is a Lappish seita, or sacrificial stone idol.
Sightseeing in NäkkäläNäkkälä Seita (Sacrificial boulder):
Old worshipping ground by the shore of Lake Näkkälä.
Pöyrisjärvi:
Lappish fishing huts, unique sand dunes covered by juniper bushes, and Pöyrisjärvi’s beautiful sandy beaches.
Kalkujärvi Lapp village:
Sami summer village about 10 km north east from Lake Pöyrisjärvi.