Oulanka National Park is a dream destination for walkers, nature lovers and watersports enthusiasts. Follow one of the numerous hiking trails that cross the vast park to see water meadows, dramatic rapids and forest-covered hills.
Start your expedition in the Oulanka National Park Visitor Center, which contains vital information on the park, as well as displays about its history. The area was established as a national park in 1956 in a region that was once used by reindeer herders. Pick up maps of the trails at the visitor center, then head out into the wilderness.
Join the famous Karhunkierros Trail, or “Bear’s Trail,” a long-distance walking route that runs through the heart of the park. It stretches for about 50 miles (80 kilometers) and passes some of Oulanka’s best scenery. Cross hanging bridges over rivers and walk to sights such as Oulanka Canyon, the Jyrävä Waterfall and the Kiutaköngäs Rapids.
Paddle out in a canoe onto the River Oulankajoki on a mapped route. One section involves a stretch of thrilling rapids, but a gentler route offers fishing and the chance to quietly drift through the landscape.
The village of Juuma sits on the edge of the national park and is a starting point for several trails. Find accommodations in traditional wooden huts surrounded by forests or bordering lakes.
In winter, Oulanka gets covered in a thick blanket of snow. Explore the landscape on a snowshoeing or cross-country skiing expedition. The Hiiden Hurmos Trail is a popular, waymarked route for snowshoeing, following a circular trail along the edges of rapids and beneath the Kiutaköngäs cliffs.
Drive to Oulanka from Kuusamo, which is about 30 miles (50 kilometers) to the south, or Salla, which is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) to the north. Buses run to and from those towns into the national park.
Some of the hiking trails in Oulanka National Park are maintained with levelers during winter, making the area a stunning and accessible destination throughout the year. Visit between June and October, however, to trek along the Karhunkierros.
