Finland – Oulanka National Park

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In an earlier article we mentioned the National Parks in Finland, how many there are, what are the general rules in their areas, and now we would like to describe the first of them – Oulanka National Park.

Oulanka National Park is a real gem among Finnish parks. It is located on the eastern border, north of Kuusamo. Natural wonders like valleys carved by the Oulankajoki River, canyons or numerous cliffs attract thousands of tourists every year. In the park, if we are lucky, we can see wolves, brown bears or rosomycetes. In the old days the area was inhabited by the Sami family, the Finns only reached it in the 17th century. The settlers were primarily engaged in fishing and hunting. Then came the era of cutting down trees, and from the early post-war years, tourism reigns here.

Park Guidelines

The whole park can be used to light campfires and pitch tents, but only in the places intended for this purpose. You can enter the park with dogs. You will find several cottages here, it is advisable to stay there only for one night. In the information center, which is located at the entrance to the park, you can download maps, see the exhibition and buy a permit to fish.

Hiking Trails

Karhunkierros (Bear Trail)

The most famous trail in the park is the Karhunkierros, or Bear trail. It is 80 km of hiking through ancient forests. Along the way, we can admire deep gorges, rushing rivers or wooden bridges. There are 10 huts waiting for us on the route, each one a day away from the previous one, and several huts. You have to spend between 4 and 7 days on the trail. The most difficult section is the 24 km section from Juuma to Ruka. It is a trail with an orange marking.

Pieni Karhunkierros (Little Bear Trail)

For those who do not have much time for trekking there are several one-day trails, among them the Little Bear – Pieni Karhunkierros. It is a very charming 12-kilometer trail, which is not very demanding, although you can get tired along the way. It leads through the Niskakoski cataracts, which are seen from a hanging bridge, next to a mill over the Myllykoski waterfall (there are 4 beds here). Then we go through the Aalokokokoski cataracts, Jyrävä waterfall, then through the suspension bridge on the river Kitka, and then to Kallioportti and Myllykoski.

But this is one of many proposals, descriptions of other trails can be found on the park’s website in the link provided: nationalparks.fi.