Rovaniemi’s famed giant’s kettles falling into disrepair

A popular natural attraction in Rovaniemi, the Sukulanraka giant’s kettles, has become a dangerous destination due to lack of maintenance, according to a report by Yle.

The site, located on private land in Rautiosaari, has no official upkeep after the local village association abandoned maintenance last autumn, citing costs that could run into hundreds of thousands of euros. The landowner is now considering removing the structures, though the area continues to attract hikers.

Signs posted by the owner warn visitors that they enter at their own risk. Despite this, the site—listed in guidebooks and on platforms like Tripadvisor—still draws domestic and international tourists unaware it is effectively closed and hazardous.

The area features 14 giant’s kettles, including three of Finland’s largest. The deepest, known as the Devil’s Cauldron, is 15.4 metres deep and eight metres wide. Formed 10,000–11,000 years ago, the kettles were once filled with debris before being drained to reveal their natural formations.

Rovaniemi’s city officials state they cannot allocate public funds for maintenance on private land. The landowner, whose family has owned the property for four generations, says past negotiations with the city over its purchase stalled over compensation.

Visit Rovaniemi’s managing director, Sanna Kärkkäinen, expressed hope the site could be utilised for tourism if made safe, noting the region’s shortage of unique summer attractions.