The Teno River (Deatnu) has long been known for its salmon, but it is also an ancient travel route that was used as an administrative and trade road as early as the 16th century. In northern Lapland, rivers were important transportation routes, but the fierce rapids of Alaköngäs (Vuollegeavŋŋis) were impassable by boat. As a result, travelers had to go around the rapids along the riverbank. Over time, this boat-dragging path developed into a kind of road, which in 1928 was officially classified as a public road and included in Finland’s road network, even though it was completely isolated—starting and ending at the banks of the Teno River. Today, this detour route around the rapids is a museum road.
The museum road is not plowed in winter and is therefore only accessible in summer. On the Utsjoki side, there are good parking areas and tourist services, including facilities for caravans. A parking spot is available near Nivajoki Camping (coordinates: N70°04’12.4″, E27°36’06.3″). The riverbank of the Teno is extremely steep and dangerous at all times of the year. Please exercise special caution when moving near the edge. In addition to the risk of falling, there is also a danger of the bank collapsing.