Hiking & outdoor recreationLength90.4 km
Duration(3-5 days)
Degree of difficultyHard
Legendary Karhunkierros Trail (also know as The Bear's Trail ), takes you to Oulanka's best locations by the roaring waters. The Karhunkierros Trail offers hikers many sights and many sweat-breaking kilometres. Thanks to route alternatives, the trail is also suitable for day trips. Part of the trail is also suitable for canoeing. This trail must be done at least once in lifetime! The Karhunkierros Trail is rocky and has protruding roots in many places, but it also includes sections of flat trail covered with conifer needles or gravel. There are seven open wilderness huts and three day-use huts along the trail as well as several lean-to shelters and Lapp huts.
- One of Finland’s most popular hiking routes
- Hiking season lasts from the end of May to October
- Many other campsites in addition to seven open wilderness huts
- There are movement restrictions in the area
The trail can only be used during the snow-free season
Campfire siteAlways check for any wildfire warnings in effect before making a fire.
Camping permittedCamping is only permitted in the immediate vicinity of marked rest areas and campfire sites and huts.
HutSeven open wilderness huts and three day-use huts.
Dry toiletRemember to bring toilet paper.
Water pointThere is a water supply point on the exterior wall at Oulanka Visitor Centre
No winter maintenance
The area/trail is not safe to use during the winter
Contact information
Starting point82-km trail: Hautajärvi parking area (Napapiiri Café) Hautajärventie 414, 98995 Hautajärvi
Starting point72-km trail: Ristikallio parking area Sallantie 174, 93900 Kuusamo
If you are starting the 72 km Karhunkierros trail from the Ristikallio parking area, scroll down the trail description to the section Ristikallio-Taivalköngäs 9 km.
Hautajärvi starting point - Taivalköngäs Rapids 19 km
The trail section starting at Hautajärvi mostly runs through dry heath terrain, but you can also see rocks, ravines and plenty of herb-rich forest in some places.
The first 500 metres is an accessible trail to the Rytiniva campfire shelter. The first lean-to shelter on the hiking trail is at Perttumakoski Rapids, 7 km from Hautajärvi. The distance from here to the next lean-to shelter at Vasajängänoja is 6 km. Before that, you will see Rupakivi Rock, which is one of Oulanka National Park’s sights. Savilampi open wilderness hut and Oulanka Canyon are located along Oulankajoen River, 15 km from Hautajärvi village. 4 km after Savilampi Pond, the trail arrives at Taivalköngäs open wilderness hut. From Taivalköngäs, the trail crosses three suspension bridges over Oulankajoki River.
Ristikallio starting point - Taivalköngäs Rapids 9 km
The Ristikallio starting point located on Sallantie road is the original section of Karhunkierros Trail that was first marked to the Ristikallio Cliffs.
The trail starts with steep stairs down and up. After the stairs, the trail is flat and crosses the mire area along duckboards. The distance from the starting point to Ristikallio is 4.5 km and the trail passes through pine heaths and herb-rich forests, with a stop on the banks of Aventojoki River. From Ristikallio, you descend 200 metres down a slope to the open wilderness hut. The slope is steep in places. After the open wilderness hut, the trail continues as a flat path via Puikkokämppä day-use trip hut to Taivalköngäs Rapids. Before coming to Puikkokämppä, you cross a small suspension bridge over Maaninkajoki River. From Taivalköngäs, the trail crosses three suspension bridges over Oulankajoki River.
Taivalköngäs - Oulanka Visitor Centre 9 km
The trail is rocky for a while after the Taivalköngäs suspension bridges, but then becomes a smooth and wide trail that continues all the way to the Oulanka Visitor Centre. Runsulampi lean-to shelter and Oulanka National Park Camping Ground are located along the trail. There is a waste recycling point shortly before you arrive at the camping ground.
Oulanka Visitor Centre - Ansakämppä 8 km
Walking 1 km from Oulanka Visitor Centre will bring you to Kiutaköngäs Rapids, one of the sights along the trail. From Kiutaköngäs, the trail continues through dry pine heaths and descends to a stream in herb-rich forest. This is where the Merenoja campfire site is located. The trail continues from Merenoja along Oulankajoki River to Ansakämppä open wilderness hut.
Ansakämppä - Jussinkämppä 7 km
From Ansakämppä open wilderness hut, the trail continues as an easy, forested section towards the Kitkanniemi area and the next open wilderness hut called Jussinkämppä. The Kulmakkopuro campfire site is located along the way.
Jussinkämppä - Siilastupa 14 km
From Jussinkämppä open wilderness hut, the trail descends a steep slope towards Kitkajoki River. The trail along the banks of Kitkajoki River is rocky and challenging. Ylikota Lapp hut, Venäänmutka lean-to shelter and Pähkänä lean-to shelter are located along Kitkajoki River. Just before Harrisuvanto, the trail connects to the Pieni Karhunkierros Trail. There is a shelter and lean-to shelter at Harrisuvanto. The distance from Harrisuvanto to Siilastupa open wilderness hut and Jyräva Waterfall is 3.9 km.
Siilastupa - Porontimajoki 8 km
Walk 1 km from Siilastupa open wilderness hut to the crossing, where you turn left and leave the Pieni Karhunkierros Trail and Oulanka National Park area. There is a waste recycling point at the crossing. After this, the trail continues smooth and easy until Porontimajoki River. There are several duckboard sections and the Puurosuo lean-to shelters along the way. Porontimajoki River has a lean-to shelter and two open wilderness huts, each of which can accommodate 5 overnight guests.
Porontimajoki - Ruka 15 km
The journey from Porontimajoki River to Ruka is the most demanding section of Karhunkierros Trail. The trail goes over Vattuvaara, Kumpuvaara Konttainen and Valtavaara hills and Rukatunturi Fell, so there are plenty of climbs and descents along the way. The trail has duckboards, stairs and rope railings in some places to facilitate the journey.
The campsites along the trail are Kumpuvaara lean-to shelter, Suolampi lean-to shelter, Valtavaara day-use hut and Valtavaara shelter. The last flowing water site is at Porontimajoki River. The other campfire sites are located by ponds.
The trail descends from the Valtavaara area to Saarua parking area. From there, the Karhunkierros Trail continues along a sawdust path to the right for 400 metres then turning left towards the last climb. The trail crosses one of the Rukatunturi Fell summits on stairs between the ski slopes. The hiking trail ends at the foot of Rukatunturi Fell in Ruka village.
End pointCoordinates: 66° 10.075', 29° 08.646', Ruka village, 93830 RUKATUNTURI