Luosto Amethyst Mine Tour – Best of Rovaniemi In Winter

Photo Courtesy: All About Lapland

What do you say about a trip to a Finnish nature park in Lapland during winter? Someplace that paints the picture of an ideal winter wonderland! I say hell yes!! 

As you scale heights in a packed Snowcat moving at 20-25 km per hour en route to the amethyst mine, you get to watch the brutally beautiful landscapes of Pyhä-Luosto National Park in Finnish Lapland – a top winter destination in the world. 

Lapland, Finland’s northernmost province, is unmistakably the place to be during the winter. The charm of winter in Lapland is unparalleled, with magical natural phenomena, exciting outdoor winter activities, and all the snowy landscapes around. The tours here aren’t merely touristic activities per se, but like experiencing a way of life locals have been leading for centuries.

Photo Courtesy: All About Lapland

Pyhä-Luosto National Park in Finnish Lapland and forests and frozen lakes turn unbearably cold at the peak of winter. In -30 degree conditions, Lampivaara Amethyst Mine in Pyha-Luosto National Park makes for an excellent full-day activity totally worth experiencing during your trip to Rovaniemi beyond the Arctic Circle Line.

Luosto Amethyst Mines is a 1.5-hour trip from Rovaniemi in the Pyhä-Luosto National Park and is open to the public throughout the year.

Amethyst Mine Lapland (Luosto) – All You Need to Know

Photo Courtesy: All About Lapland

Also known as Lampivaara Amethyst Mine, this spectacular natural wonder was formed about 2000 million years ago in the core of ancient mountains. The amethyst mine on Lampivaara hilltop is a major tourist attraction. The Amethyst Mine in Luosto has sustained for hundreds of years and is believed to stay for quite a long time. During a tour of the Lampivaara Amethyst Mine in Lapland, visitors are permitted to dig for their gemstones.

Photo Courtesy: All About Lapland

What’s more, there? From the top of Lampivaara hill, appreciate the most beautiful landscapes of the Finnish national park area.

Details of the Luosto Amethyst Mine tour

The entire trail from the parking to the hilltop is buried under tons of snow during winter, making hiking here impossible. That’s why there are snowcats to haul you to the hilltop. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience. Snow-cat is a winter-specific vehicle that can effortlessly cruise through heaps of snow. Soon after getting down from the Snow-cat, the visitors are seated in the museum for a briefing.

Photo Courtesy: All About Lapland

The museum is a warm wooden cabin embellished with fancy antiques, varieties of rocks found in the region and other interesting facts related to the national park environment. The mine authorities serve warm berry juice to the visitors upon arrival, narrate facts and stories related to the mine and amethyst, and answer any doubts whatsoever should anyone have one.

Eventually, every visitor can search for and dig their amethyst stone and take it with them as a souvenir. Tourists are provided special digging equipment with a proper introduction to carry out the whole procedure. The shop next to the mine sells various jewellery and souvenirs made of amethyst, which anyone can buy.

Amethyst Mine Tour duration: 6-7 hours

Prices

Luosto centre 11:10 – 86 €/adult, 42 €/child (3-15 years)

Ukkoluosto parking lot 11:30 and 14:30 – 68€/adult and 32€/child (3-15 years)

Lampivaara café 12:00 and 15:00 – 35€/adult and 17€/child (3-15 years)

Contact information: Luostontie 4, 99555 LUOSTO

E-mail: visit@amethystmine.fi

Phone: +358 (0)16 624 334

How to reach Lampivaara Amethyst Mine in Lapland

Photo Courtesy: All About Lapland

Lampivaara Amethyst Mine is 120 km northeast of Rovaniemi, connected by the E75 motorway. You can book the tour straight from the official website of Lampivaara Amethyst Mine. It is easily possible to rent a car from Rovaniemi city and drive to the Amethyst mine 1.5 hours away. Details related to parking and pickup in the snowcat can be found on their website, or you can call them eventually. Tickets can also be bought on the spot at Lampivaara café. I advise you to check and book beforehand to avoid any last-minute hassle during the winter months.

Photo Courtesy: Amethyst Mine

Details related to parking and pickup in the snowcat can be found on their website, or call them. Tickets can also be bought on the spot at Lampivaara café. I advise you to check and book beforehand to avoid any last-minute hassle during the winter months.

Arranging the transport or a self-driven trip can be too much of a hassle. That’s why I recommend finding one from a bunch of tour operators in the Rovaniemi City Centre. They organise a guided tour of the amethyst mine almost every day. Once you book with a tour operator in Rovaniemi, you get pick-up and drop-off.

Please make sure that you check for hours, price, and other season-specific announcements on their official website before you start planning the trip!

Amethyst Mine Tour Inclusions (Not for DIY trips, essentially, but mostly useful!)

1. Departure from Rovaniemi

Photo Courtesy: All About Lapland

Depending on the distance of your stay from the city centre, the tourist’s pick-up is arranged. The tour guide will drive you to the Lampivaara Amethyst Mine in Pyha-Luosto National Park. 

3. Lift by Snow-cat

Photo Courtesy: Nordic Adventures

From the parking area, the Snow-cat transfers you to the Amethyst Mine. It includes a pitstop at Cafe Lampivaara or Uksakka.

A quick stopover at Uksakka

Photo Courtesy: All About Lapland

Here you can ease up a bit, get around to take pictures of the snow-clad outdoors, and even savour some delicious Lappish delicacy. Eventually, the Snow-cat will transfer you to the top of Lampivaara Hill, where the Amethyst Museum and Mine await you.

4. Tour of the mine

Photo Courtesy: Nordic Unique Travels

A tour of the Lampivaara Amethyst Mine includes a visit to the museum, warm drinks, entry to the mine where you can dig up an amethyst for yourself, and eventually to the shop from where you can buy yourself a souvenir.

5. Descent back on the snowcat

Finally, you hop on the same Snow-cat to get back to the parking and be on your way back to Rovaniemi.

6. Lappish barbecue at a Kota in Lappish wilderness & Northern Light watching

Photo Courtesy: Nordic Unique Travels

Of many other things, Lapland is also famed for Kota – the open fireplace in the woods and wilderness. You can stop by one of these huts to make a fire and barbecue. Optionally, if you have more time to spare and aren’t freezing already, you can check the Aurora forecast and settle down under a clear sky. Wait for the Northern Lights to appear! Since it gets cold and pretty dark during winter months, sometimes the Auroras can appear even around 7-8 pm. 

What could be better than enjoying Finnish fish soup, reindeer meat sandwich and sausages, and rye bread under the magnificent northern lights in Rovaniemi?

Protip: Isokuru Gorge is 220 m deep and one of the largest in Finland. The gorge is lined with rocks on both sides, with a stunning waterfall at the end. Expect the waterfall to be completely frozen during winter in Lapland.  Hundreds of meters of stairs and plenty of magical landscape await you as you find your way out of the gorge. Plan a trip to Isokuru Gorge if you’re travelling on your own, have a tent or live in a nearby location. 

That’s everything I got on the Luosto Amethyst Mine Tour. Photos in the blog are from All About Lapland & Amethyst Mine.

Whether you’re planning a winter escape to Finnish Lapland or looking to explore beyond Santa Claus Village, the Luosto Amethyst Mine Tour promises a sparkling twist to your Arctic holiday. Need help planning your Rovaniemi winter itinerary or booking unique local tours like this? Reach out, I’m here to make your Finnish adventure unforgettable.

Further read: 12 Handpicked Winter Activities For A Quintessential Lapland Itinerary