WITCH FELL ADVENTURE IN LAPLAND (Noitatunturi, Pyhä)

Описание: One fascinating thing about Noitatunturi (“Witch Fell”) in Pyhä, Lapland is its deep connection to Sami mythology and Finnish folklore.

In the Kalevala (Finland’s national epic), Noitatunturi is said to be the dwelling place of Louhi, the powerful witch-queen of the North (Pohjola). This gave the fell its mystical reputation as a place of spells, shamans, and supernatural power.

Archaeological finds suggest the area around Pyhä-Luosto was a sacred landscape for the Sámi, who considered Noitatunturi and nearby fells as holy sites. They were used for rituals, offerings, and as natural temples long before Christianity.

Even today, hikers often describe the summit of Noitatunturi as having a special, almost otherworldly atmosphere—a mix of rugged beauty, silence, and sweeping views across Lapland’s wilderness.

Long ago, the fell was believed to be the seat of powerful witches and shamans. One tale says that a great noita (witch or seer) lived atop Noitatunturi, where she could see far across Lapland and control the winds, storms, and even the herds of wild reindeer. Villagers feared her wrath but also sought her help in times of famine, illness, or when hunters lost their way.

It’s also said that during the darkest winter nights, fires and strange lights could be seen dancing around the fell—interpreted as either spirits answering the noita’s call or as the aurora borealis responding to her magic. Because of this, people avoided climbing Noitatunturi, believing it to be a sacred and dangerous place where the natural and supernatural worlds met.