Oulanka National Park Trails

 

You can explore the gorgeous national landscape of the Oulanka National Park on foot, by canoe, by bike, on skis or by snowshoes. The national park offers excellent hiking opportunities, ranging from short day-trip trails to the 82-km-long Karhunkierros Trail, which is one of the most popular hiking trails in Finland.  

Choose the trail that suits you best and hike to the gushing rapids, the beautiful flood meadows, the winter forests and the rugged landscape. Discover your own Oulanka!

Biking Trails

Canoeing Routes

Hiking Trails

Winter Trails

Easy Trails

 

Könkään kuohu Trail, 100 m / each way, accessible to all

Available when the ground is unfrozen (June-September). No winter maintenance.

Travel time: 15 minutes

Category:  easy Accessible nature trail. accessible nature trail / wheelchair trail

Starting point: The parking area for the Könkään kuohu Trail. No winter maintenance.

Description of the Könkään kuohu Trail

 

Napapiirin nopia Trail, 500 m each way

Available when the ground is unfrozen (June‒September). No winter maintenance.

Travel time: 30 minutes‒1 hour.

Category:  easy Accessible nature trail. accessible nature trail / wheelchair trail

Starting point: The starting point for the Karhunkierros Trail at Hautajärvi. The trail is part of Karhunkierros.

Description of the Napapiirin nopia Trail

Kiutaköngäs Trail, 1 km each way

Available all year round. No winter maintenance.

Travel time: 1 hour

Category:  easy

Starting point: Oulanka Visitor Centre

Description of the Kiutaköngäs Trail 

 

Other Hiking Trails, under 10 km 

 

Hiiden hurmos Trail, 5 km, Circle Trail

Available all year round. In winter snowshoes might be needed. No winter maintenance.

Travel time: 2‒3 hours

Category:  intermediate

Starting point: Oulanka Visitor Centre

Description of the Hiiden hurmos Trail

 

Rytikönkään reissu trail, 5‒7 km, Circle Trail

Available when the ground is unfrozen (June‒October). No winter maintenance.

Travel time: 2-3 hours

Category:  easy

Starting point: The parking area of the Oulanka Camping Ground (no winter maintenance). You can also leave your car to the parking area of Oulanka Visitor Centre. 

Description of the Rytikönkään reissu Trail

 

Kanjonin kurkkaus Trail, 6 km, Circle Trail

Available when the ground is unfrozen (June‒October). No winter maintenance.

Travel time: 2‒3 hours

Category:  intermediate

Starting point: The Savilampi parking area at the end of a forest road that branches off from Teeriahontie Road (no winter maintenance). 

Description of the Kanjonin kurkkaus Trail

 

Könkään keino Trail, 8 km, Circle Trail

Available when the ground is unfrozen. No winter maintenance.

Travel time: 3‒4 hours

Category:  easy  intermediate

Starting point: Oulanka Visitor Centre

Description of the Könkään keino Trail

 

Other Hiking Trails, over 10 km 

 

Pieni Karhunkierros Trail, 12 km, Circle Trail

Available all year round. In winter snowshoes might be needed. No winter maintenance.

Travel time: 4‒6 hours

Category:  intermediate

Starting point: Village of Juuma (Juumantie 133, Kuusamo)

Description of The Pieni Karhunkierros

 

Keroharjun kuiskaus Trail, 17 km each way

Available when the ground is unfrozen (June‒September). No winter maintenance.

Travel time: 1 day

Category:  intermediate

Starting and ending points: Harjulammentie Road at Liikasenvaara (no winter maintenance) and Niitselyksentie Road at Hautajärvi. The River Niitselysjoki is crossed by using a cable boat.

Description of the Keroharjun kuiskaus Trail

 

Karhunkierros Trail, 82 km each way

Available when the ground is unfrozen (June‒October). No winter maintenance.

Travel time: 4 days

Category:  intermediate

Starting point: Several starting points (Hautajärvi, Ristikallio/Sallantie Road, Juuma, Ruka)

Website of the Karhunkierros Trail

 

Canoeing Routes

 

Mataraniemi – Jäkälämutka, 25 km

Available during the period of unfrozen waters (June‒October). Suitable for beginners and families with children.

Travel time: 5‒7 hours

Category:  easy

Starting point: The parking area for the Könkään kuohu Trail, Mataraniemi

Trail description: Canoeing Route Mataraniemi – Jäkälämutka

 

Savilampi – Oulanka Visitor Centre, 13 km

Available during the period of unfrozen waters (June‒October). Suitable for experienced canoeists.

Travel time: 2‒4 hours

Category:  intermediate  demanding

Rapids scale:  I‒IV

Starting point: The Savilampi parking area, on the border of Salla and Kuusamo, at the end of a forest road.

Trail description: Canoeing Route Savilampi ‒ Oulanka Visitor Centre

 

Biking Trails

 

Oulanka Visitor Centre - Taivalköngäs, 9 km each way

Available when the ground is unfrozen (June‒October). No winter maintenance.

Travel time: 3‒4 hours

Category:  demanding

Starting point: Oulanka Visitor Centre

Description of the Biking Trail

 

Oulanka Wilderness Trail: Oulanka Visitor Centre ‒ Juuma, 26 km each way

Available from mid-February to April

Travel time: 4 hours ‒ 1 day

Category: Demanding trail demanding

Starting point: Oulanka Visitor Centre or Juuma

Description of the Oulanka Wilderness Trail

 

Skiing Trails

 

Oulanka Wilderness Trail, 26 km each way

Available from mid-February to April

Travel time: 1‒2 days

Category:  demanding

Starting point: Oulanka Visitor Centre or Juuma

Description of the Oulanka Wilderness Trail

 

Snowshoe Trails

 

Hiiden hurmos Trail, 5 km / Circle Trail

This trail is a hiking trail in summer and a snowshoe trail in winter

Travel time: 2‒3 hours

Category:  intermediate

Starting point: Oulanka Visitor Centre

Trail description: Hiiden hurmos Trail

 

Pieni Karhunkierros Trail, 12 km / Circle Trail

This trail is a hiking trail in summer and a snowshoe trail in winter

Travel time: 4‒6 hours

Category:  intermediate

Starting point: Juuma (Juumantie 133, Kuusamo)

Description of the Pieni Karhunkierros Trail 

 

Oulanka Wilderness Trail, 26 km each way

Available from mid-February to April

Travel time: 1‒2 days

Category:  demanding

Starting point: Oulanka Visitor Centre or Juuma

Description of the Oulanka Wilderness Trail

 

Other Hiking Trails close to Oulanka and Ruka

Konttaisen kuhaus Trail, 2 km

Valtavaaran huiputus Trail, 6 km

Pyhän jyssäys Trail, 7 km

Trails in the Riisitunturi National Park

Excursionmap.fi is a free map service provided by Metsähallitus. It can be used to search destinations, choose map layers and print maps.

Check for Warnings

When wildfire warnings (en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi) are in effect, fire is only allowed at covered campfire sites that have a flue. A fire can be also lit in fireplaces at wilderness and other huts. Always use extreme caution when handling fire. The one who lights a fire is always responsible for its safe use. Please note, that making fire at these campfire sites can be banned locally. 

Oulanka Brochure 

Pdf-file 9.5 Mb (julkaisut.metsa.fi)