Oulanka National Park and the Karhunkierros Trail

National Park Of River Canyons And Rapids On The Russian Border, Crossed By The Karhunkierros, The Bear'S Ring, Finland'S Best Known Long Distance Trail · Kuusamo, North Ostrobothnia

Oulanka is a national park of pine forest, river canyons, rapids and sandy riverbanks in the far north-east of Finland, pressed against the Russian border in Kuusamo and Salla. It was founded in 1956 to protect the Oulankajoki and Kitkajoki river valleys, where an unusual mix of northern, eastern and southern plants grows on limestone-rich ground, including rare orchids such as the calypso. Most people come for the Karhunkierros, the Bear's Ring, a waymarked trail of roughly 80 km from Hautajarvi in the north to Ruka in the south, often called the most popular long-distance hike in Finland. It is walked in three to five days, sleeping in free open wilderness huts or tents, and crosses swaying suspension bridges over whitewater. Those short on time walk the Pieni Karhunkierros, a loop of about 12 km from Juuma past the Myllykoski mill and the Jyravan waterfall. The honest caveat: the scenery is gentle forest rather than mountains, the popular huts and bridges are busy in July and on autumn weekends, and summer mosquitoes can be severe.

Oulanka National Park, Kuusamo and Salla, trail from Hautajarvi to Ruka, Kuusamo, North Ostrobothnia, Finland

The park is open all year, day and night, with free entry and no gate. The Oulanka visitor centre by the Oulankajoki and the smaller Hautajarvi visitor centre usually open only in the snow-free season, roughly June to September, with limited or no winter service - check the current schedule. Reach the area by flying or taking a long-distance bus to Kuusamo, then local bus or taxi to Ruka, Juuma or Hautajarvi; summer trailhead transfers run some years but are not guaranteed, so confirm before you go. Wilderness huts cannot be booked; campfire sites are first come, first served; the rental huts and campsites nearby should be reserved ahead in July and during the autumn colours.

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