Luosto

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Luosto is a small, peaceful fell village in Finnish Lapland, roughly 130 km north of Rovaniemi. Surrounded by old-growth pine forests and the fells of Pyhä-Luosto National Park, it has some of the darkest skies in Finland and is consistently rated as one of the country’s best aurora viewing locations.

The village is home to the Luosto Aurora Chalet, a dedicated Northern Lights viewing station, and several operators run guided aurora excursions by snowshoe, snowmobile or minibus to viewpoints away from the village. The fells provide elevated, open terrain with unobstructed views of the northern horizon, ideal for spotting the aurora even during lower levels of geomagnetic activity.

Luosto is also known for the Lampivaara Amethyst Mine, the only active amethyst mine in Europe open to visitors, where you can dig for your own gemstones year-round. In winter, the national park offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and fat biking. The Pyhä ski resort, connected to Luosto by a scenic 20 km trail, adds downhill skiing to the mix.

Compared to the larger resort of Levi, Luosto is quieter and more traditional, appealing to those who want a genuine Lapland experience without the bustle. Rovaniemi airport is the nearest major hub, with the drive north passing through classic Lapland scenery of frozen rivers and snow-laden forests.

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How are my chances of seeing the aurora today?

Many factors contribute to your likelihood of viewing the aurora in Luosto. Geomagnetic activity, cloud cover and the amount of ambient light all play a big part. Check the forecasts for how good the viewing conditions are today.

Aurora Probability and Atmospheric Conditions

0%

There is a 0% chance of seeing the aurora overhead in the Luosto area (forecast for 25 August 2026 at 8:58am UTC)

Kp 1.67

The Kp-index is a scale used to measure geomagnetic activity. It ranges from 0 to 9, with higher values indicating greater geomagnetic activity.

  • 0-2 (Very low) Far north, quite dim, and not very active.
  • 3-5 (Moderate) Can be seen further south, with increased brightness and activity. Chance of good viewing conditions nearer the pole.
  • 6-7 (High) Visible in many northern regions, with vibrant displays.
  • 8-9 (Extreme) Widespread visibility, often seen in areas much further south than usual, with intense and colorful displays.
HPI 14 GW

The Hemispheric Power Index (HPI) is a vital measure used to assess the strength of auroral activity at the poles. It estimates the total auroral energy input, with values above 20 GW indicating an aurora-active state. When the HPI reaches levels of 100 GW or more, it signifies a very significant geomagnetic storm, which can lead to spectacular auroral displays.

Bz 0 nT

Bz refers to the north-south orientation of the magnetic field embedded in the solar wind. It is measured in nanoteslas (nT).

When Bz is negative (southward), it allows solar wind particles to penetrate the Earth’s magnetic field more easily. A strong negative Bz is often associated with increased chances of seeing the Northern Lights.

Conversely, when Bz is positive (northward), the Earth’s magnetic field tends to block the solar wind, resulting in reduced aurora activity.

Bt 6 nT

Bt measures the overall power of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) from the Sun; higher numbers (e.g., above 20 nT) mean more energy available for aurora.

Density 2.3 p/cm3

Solar wind density refers to the number of charged particles in a given volume of the solar wind, typically measured in particles per cubic centimetre (p/cm3).

A typical solar wind density is around 2.76 p/cm3.

The density of the solar wind affects how many particles reach the Earth’s magnetosphere. A higher density means more particles are available to interact with the Earth’s magnetic field. When these charged particles collide with the gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, energy is released in the form of light that we see as the aurora.

Speed 334.0 km/s

Solar wind speed refers to the velocity at which charged particles are ejected from the Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona.

A typical solar wind speed is about 375 km/s. When both speed and density are high, the energy transferred to the Earth’s magnetosphere increases, enhancing the chances of seeing vibrant auroras.

Light Levels

Moon

Waxing gibbous 82%

Sunrise 5:17am

Sunset 9:12pm

Moonrise 9:58pm

Moonset 2:00am

Weather Forecast for Luosto

Clouds

12°C Feels like 11°C

High
15°C
Low
7°C

  • Chance of precipitation 0%

  • Cloud cover 100%

  • North-Westerly winds 3 km/h gusts of 5 km/h

Aurora season in Luosto

The aurora season in Luosto runs from September to March, with the best viewing conditions in October, February and March.

Peak viewing In season Off season

Book an amazing adventure in Luosto

Explore this selection of tours and activities to make the most of your visit to Luosto.

  • Free cancellation Private tour

    Private Hiking Tour in the Pristine Nature in Pyha Luosto

    5.0 (1)

    3 hours 30 minutes From £68.87

    Discover the pristine nature of Lapland on a private guided hiking tour in Pyhä-luosto national park. Enjoy the stunning landscapes, experience the midnight sun, and enjoy the silence of untouched nature with a local artic guide. With this tour you can also learn, how to make a fire for fireplace, how to move in different landscapes. See the beauty on Lapland in Summer and autumn time. - Finland oldest national park, from 1937. - Best routes for every skill level - suit for everybody, we will choose the routes, by your skill level. - local artic guides knows the best places for photos and landscapes. - mosquito hat´s include the price, so you don´t need to worry about bites. - Totally private tour for your group ( 2-8 people)

  • Free cancellation

    1,5 hour Husky experience in Pyhatunturi

    4.6 (37)

    1 hour 30 minutes From £122.05

    In all our activities, the well-being of our animals is always the most important thing. Our farm is located next to the traditional frontman's house, where the dog handlers live and take care of them. In connection with the farm, there are a hut, where you can hear about our dogs with hot juice. We do not limit the number of photos and have invested in ensuring that our customers have time to scratch and take pictures of the dogs.

  • Free cancellation

    Snowshoeing in Pyha-Luosto Lapland

    4.9 (14)

    2 hours From £61.03

    Explore the Enchanting Pyhä-Luosto National Park – Snowshoeing Adventure Pyhä-Luosto National Park, one of the most charming nature destinations in Finland, offers the perfect setting to uncover the secrets of the northern wilderness. Before we set off, our experienced guide will teach you the proper snowshoeing technique — no previous experience needed! This adventure is ideal for beginners and nature lovers alike. Your guide will lead you to some of the most scenic and peaceful spots in the national park, while sharing fascinating stories about the local landscape, wildlife, and culture.

  • Amethyst Mine Tour by Electric Fatbike

    5.0 (19)

    3 hours From £169.13

    Exciting and unique activity in Luosto, Lapland. Ride to the top of the Lampivaara fell and dig for your very own lucky Lappish gem! No active cycling background required.

  • Free cancellation

    Arctic sky, Nature & Northern lights Photographing Pyhä-Luosto

    4.5 (11)

    2 hours From £69.58

    On this tour you will hear lot of stories and facts about arctic nature, sky, northern lights and way of life in Lapland. We will teach what camera settings to use and how to photograph northern lights. Includes friendly guiding and transportation.

  • Free cancellation

    Ice fishing by car with hot beverages at Pyhä-Luosto

    4.7 (6)

    2 hours From £86.31

    Here is your chance to enjoy quality time in peaceful and beautiful nature. Make a hole through the ice and learn the secrets of ice-fishing. This tours is suitable for everyone and we will go little further from fell area to best place to catch a fish. We will pick you up by a car from your hotel or cabin and go to easy accessible ice-fishing destination. Our experienced guide will teach you the secrets of ice-fishing. We serve you hot beverages on this tour and if you need, you can get cold gears from us. Catching fish is so great :) If activity does not fit in your schedule or you want to a longer tour tailor made for fisherman, contact us via email. We will organize tour with your wishes and timetable.

Places to check out around Luosto

Discover Restaurants, Hiking Trails, Mountains and more…

Explore more nearby Luosto

Get off the beaten track, these nearby destinations also offer opportunities to see the Northern Lights and are within easy reach of Luosto.

  • View down a snowy valley while skiing near Pyhä, Finland

    Credit: Hendrik Morkel

    Pyhätunturi

    67°0'50"N, 27°8'57"E

    Aurora probability in Pyhätunturi: 0%

    Pyhätunturi, located in Finnish Lapland, is a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts, offering a range of activities such as skiing, snowboarding and reindeer sleigh rides amidst stunning natural scenery.

  • A wooden cabin in a snowy landscape near Kierinki, Finland

    Credit: Roman Protsyshyn

    Kierinki

    67°16'9"N, 25°31'51"E

    Aurora probability in Kierinki: 0%

    Kierinki, a small village in Finnish Lapland, is known for its picturesque landscapes and tranquil atmosphere, offering visitors a chance to experience local activities such as reindeer farms and ice fishing.

  • Aurora in the sky over snowy trees, Sodankylä, Finland

    Credit: Stas Haas

    Sodankylä

    67°24'57"N, 26°35'20"E

    Aurora probability in Sodankylä: 0%

    Sodankylä, a village in Finnish Lapland, is situated between the Kitinen and Jeesiöjoki rivers, offering visitors a serene environment surrounded by unspoiled nature and opportunities to experience local culture and activities.

Other places in Finland

Inari•Levi•Rovaniemi