When hiking on Karhunkierros trail or paddling in the Oulankajoki River, you may see managed meadows shining bright with golden yellow globeflowers (*Trollius europaeus*) on the riverbanks around Midsummer. The flood meadows naturally fertilised by the spring floods of the Oulankajoki River are rich in heritage and biodiversity.

The alluvial meadows by the River Oulankajoki are a heritage left behind by Finnish settlers who arrived in the Kuusamo area in the late 17th century.
In the old days, the livestock’s winter forage had to be collected from natural meadows. The alluvial meadows were the most sought-after as the river took care of their fertilisation. Both spring and autumn floods filled the meadows with silt, ensuring that the growth would be strong in the following year.
Over a hundred hectares of alluvial meadows were cleared over a few centuries. As the need for forage increased, people started growing hay in the fen meadows as well. The growth was improved by raising water to the fens by damming brooks. The Rytipuro Brook meadow is Finland’s last remaining meadow managed traditionally by damming. The Rytipuro Brook can be found along the Rytikönkään reissu -trail.
The meadows offer a thriving habitat for species that require abundant light and open space, such as small ferns and moonworts (*Botrychium spp.*). In Oulanka’s alluvial meadows, you can also find local rarities, such as blue-berried honeysuckle (*Lonicera caerulea*) and blue fleabane’s subspecies *Erigeron acris ssp. decoloratus.*
Traditional cultivation methods were slowly abandoned as agriculture developed. Gradually since the 1950’s, the meadows that were once bursting with the diversity of species started to become forested. Nowadays meadows are one of Finland’s most endangered nature types.

Since the late 1990’s, Oulanka’s meadows have been managed by mowing and clearing. Today, one dammed meadow, a few dry meadows and 29 alluvial meadows are managed by the River Oulankajoki’s 40-kilometre stretch between its crossings with the rivers Savinajoki and Kitkajoki. In the early summer, the alluvial meadows are covered by seas of globe flowers, and visitors can feel the meadows’ historical heritage when admiring the old barns. The meadows’ traditions are upheld in Oulanka’s annual voluntary management events.

The Oulanka Wilderness Trail has been opened for winter 2025

Oulanka Wilderness Trail