Hiking & outdoor recreationLength5.5 km
Duration(2 h)
Degree of difficultyHard
Set out to conquer the highest hill in Kuusamo! From the day-use hut at the top of Valtavaara, a fire watchman once monitored forest fires in the area. The ascent to the top of Valtavaara is steep and demanding in places. Campfire sites can be found at the Valtavaara campfire hut and at the cooking shelter by Valtavaaralampi. The vegetation on the fell tops is delicate and cannot withstand trampling, so please stay on marked trails.
Circle trailThe recommended direction of travel is clockwise.
The trail can only be used during the snow-free seasonValtavaaran huiputus trail is a summer trail, with a route that slightly differs from the Valtavaara winter trail.
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.
HutValtavaara day-use hut.
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.
No water point
No winter maintenance
Contact information
Starting pointAhon Jussintie 7, 93830 Kuusamo
The trail is marked with green paint on trees and poles.
The Valtavaaran huiputus -trail partially follows the same route as the Karhunkierros hiking trail and the Valtavaara winter trail, so there are also orange and red trail markers along the way.
The trail’s starting point is by a wooden signboard at the edge of the parking area.
The loop section of the trail begins after 400 meters at a junction where you turn left.
After 160 meters, there is another junction where you also turn left. The Valtavaara winter trail would continue straight from here.
After this, you climb up wooden stairs to a small hill, from where you descend to the cooking shelter.
The Valtavaara cooking shelter is located 1.3 km from the starting point.
From the cooking shelter, the trail continues uphill towards the top, partially along a slightly rocky path
The total distance from the parking area to the top of Valtavaara is just over 2 km, and most of the trail is uphill.
At the top of Valtavaara, there is a day-use hut and a junction where the ascent trail continues to the right. The Karhunkierros hiking trail goes straight towards Konttainen
After the top of Valtavaara, the trail descends 100 meters to reach the Valtavaara campfire hut. Around the hut, there is a firewood shelter and a dry toilet.
From the hut, the trail continues downhill for 400 meters, after which it turns right.
The last 2.5 km back to the parking area is a gentle downhill slope. Near Ahmakallio, there is a short section of duckborads.
End pointAhon Jussintie 7, 93830 Kuusamo