Hiking & outdoor recreationLength2.4 km
Duration(1 h)
Degree of difficultyEasy
Kiutaköngäs Rapids is one of the main attractions in Oulanka National Park. The cascading rapids against the backdrop of a large dolomite rock wall are an impressive sight. Kiutaköngäs Trail is open all year round, and it is a good hiking destination for the whole family. There are stairs built into the ground on the trail. A shelter and campfire sites are located 200 metres past Kiutaköngäs Rapids. There is a firewood shed and dry toilet at the shelter.
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.
Dry toiletRemember to bring toilet paper.
Remember to bring a trash bagThere are no waste bins on the trail. Bring along your own trash bag and take your waste out with you when leaving.
Water pointThe water tap of the Oulanka Visitor Centre is located outside on the exterior wall.
No winter maintenanceHikers using this trail tamp the snow down, which mean that it can also be used during winter without snowshoes. The trail may be slippery in places.
Contact information
Starting pointLiikasenvaarantie 132, 93900 Kuusamo
Starting pointOulanka Visitor Centre parking area
This trail has no specific emblem of its own. Along the trail, you can see paint markings for longer trails (Hiiiden hurmos 5 km yellow, Könkään keino 8 km green and Karhunkierros 82 km orange).
The trail starts under a wooden gate at one end of the Visitor Centre. The wide trail is easy to identify in the terrain. The entire trail runs alongside Oulankajoki River. There are a few gentle hills and stairs built into the ground along the trail.
When arriving at Kiutaköngäs Rapids, you cross a wooden trail bridge over a log floating chute that was blasted into the rock more than 100 years ago. After crossing the trail bridge, you can see the Reino Rinne memorial attached to a rock on the right side.
You can walk through the rocky area of Kiutaköngäs, which provides a view of the entire 300-metre rapids. Care is required when moving around on the rocky surfaces. Downstream from the rapids, you can climb some wooden stairs back to the trail.
Continue along the trail for another 200 metres if you want to go to the campsite. Turning right will take you back to the Visitor Centre.
Follow the same route back to the starting point. The total distance is 2 km.
End pointLiikasenvaarantie 132, 93900 Kuusamo
End pointOulanka Visitor Centre parking area