Nunnanen The village of Nunnanen is situated in the east of Enontekiö municipality. Nunnanen’s neighbouring village in Enontekiö is Peltovuoma. Its neighbour village southwards, the nearby village of Pulju, is located already in the municipality of Kittilä.
According to village folklore, the Nunnanen got its name during a migration of nuns to the village, which may have taken place in the 15th Century. The village was completely destroyed during the Lapland war in 1945 and has been totally rebuilt. From Nunnanen it is a 40 km journey to Hetta. The village area includes the important lakes of Vieltojärvi and Venejärvi. The village can be divided into three areas: the head of Venejärvi Lake, the village centre and the reindeer farm area. Close to the village flow rivers of Ylijoki and Käkkälöjoki, both of which have been old, important water transportation ways since the old days. Nunnanen village has about 130 inhabitants, of which one fifth are Saami.
Nunnanen village is situated in a traditionally strong reindeer husbandry area. Important means of livelihood in the village include: reindeer herding, hunting, fishing and berry picking. In the immediate vicinity of the village are abundant marsh areas, which the villagers make good use of by picking cloudberries. The village offers wilderness services, some cabin accommodation, as well as car maintenance and building services. Recreation possibilities include hiking, mountain biking, cross country skiing, hunting, fishing, as well as guided trips. About 15 km north of Nunnanen, on the banks of the naturally beautiful Käkkälöjoki River, is situated Kalmiokaltio Loma Wilderness Centre, a rennovated former border guardian station. The village school has been closed down, but thanks to the village community, the building has remained in use e.g. for the purpose of handicrafts and wood works.
Sights in NunnanenHietatievat:
Protected ridge area, found along the road to Kalmakaltio, about 8 km from Nunnanen village.
Kalmakaltio:
Large, clear watered, mossy bottomed, cold spring, located about 2 km before Kalmiokaltio Loma, on the eastern side of the road. Hiking trails and demanding mountain biking routes lead from Kalmakaltio, along the top of Enontekiö’s open fell region, towards Poyrisjärvi and eventually further on to Hetta via Näkkälä.