Free & self-guided
Public Grilling Huts in Levi: Kotas and Lean-tos
FreeYear-round (varies by site)
Grilling sausages over an open fire in a kota (an enclosed Lappish hut with a central fire and a roof vent) or a laavu (an open-fronted lean-to shelter) is one of the most Finnish things you can do, and it's free.
Levi has dozens of these fire sites on the fells, along the ski slopes and beside the trails. Anyone can use them.
What to bring
- Matches or a lighter, plus some newspaper or birch bark as a firestarter.
- Sausages (makkara), marshmallows, or bread dough to wrap round a stick (tikkupulla). Many huts have grill grates or sticks, but not all, so a foldable roasting fork is worth packing.
- A small bag of firewood as backup. Wood is provided at many sites, but supply isn't guaranteed. Never cut living trees.
- A headlamp in winter. Daylight is very short from November to January.
- Something to sit on and extra warm layers. Benches can be snow-covered, and you'll cool down quickly once you stop moving.
On the ski slopes (winter: open during lift hours only)
| Site | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Huipunkota | Middle of the West Slopes | Also open in summer |
| Himmelriikki hut | Middle of slope 13.1, West Slopes | Winter only |
| Lammaskuru hut | Bottom of lift 12, West Slopes | Winter only |
| Sivakka kota | Above Restaurant Sivakka, lower slope 8.4, South Slopes · Map | Winter only |
| Leevilandia kota | Top of the carpet lift, South Slopes | Needs a ski pass or Leevilandia area pass |
| Lift 5 and lift 6 huts | Northeast Slopes | Winter only |
| Draivi lean-to | By Restaurant Draivi · Map | Open in summer during restaurant hours |
Trails and nature spots
| Site | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lean-to on the winter walking trail | Between Draivi and Levi Zero Point · Map | Easy walk from the village |
| Korkeaniemi lean-to | Near the Kätkä walking trail | Has windows; firewood provided |
| Kätkänlaavu | South side of Kätkä fell | Also a café stop for cross-country skiers in spring |
| Kätkän kota | Top of Kätkä fell | Reward after the climb |
| Birdwatching tower fire site | Between Levi and Köngäs · Map | Good for spotting birds in spring and autumn |
| Levi Pay Park kota | Map | Snow-free seasons only |
Hut etiquette
- Share the fire. Kotas are communal, so make room for newcomers and don't reserve seats with gear.
- Keep the fire small and use only the wood you need.
- Put the fire out completely before leaving. Douse it or smother it with snow.
- Leave no trace. Every fire site has bins nearby for sorting waste.
- In winter, you may need to clear snow from the benches and fire pit yourself.
