Karigasniemi is one of the three villages in Utsjoki municipality. It is located on the upper reaches of River Teno. Trade with Norwegians is busy in Karigasniemi. In the village you can hear everyday life discussions in Sámi, Finnish and Norwegian. From Karigasniemi there is a brigde over to Norway. The brigde takes you over the River Teno.
In Norway the closest village to Karigasniemi is Karasjok from where you can continue to Lakselv and Nordkapp or to Kautokeino and Alta. Sources of livelihood in Karigasniemi are trading with Norwegians, travelling, agriculture and reindeer herding and fishing. Also there is custom and border guard detachment, which give livelihood for people. The road between Karigasniemi and Utsjoki follows Riwer Teno. There are very nice landskapes to River Teno and to Norwegian side.
River Inarijoki changes into River Teno in Karigasniemi. On River Teno there are good possibilities to fish salmon. On River Inarijoki you can fish in more wilderness style and for fly fishing in smaller river.
In Karigasniemi there is sacred Ailigas fjeld and also Sulaoja fountain, which both have still big meaning for local Sámi people. In Sulaoja there is nature trail. When we hike in the area, we will remember act respectfully. Marked hiking route in Kevo Canyon (Kevo Nature Reserve) has it’s southern starting point near Karigasniemi. On the southern side of Karigasniemi there is large wilderness area called Muotkatunturi wilderness area and on the northern side there is also large wilderness area called Paistunturi wilderness area.