Karhunkierros Trail (the Bear's Trail) runs through Oulanka National Park, river valleys, roaring rapids and the fell landscapes around Ruka. The trail can be experienced as a multi-day hike or in shorter day-trip sections – the key is to choose the way that best fits the plan.
Karhunkierros – a hiking trail with landscapes to remember
Ruka.fi helps visitors understand the atmosphere, options and practical planning of Karhunkierros. Up-to-date trail information, restrictions and official guidelines are always available on Luontoon.fi.
What is Karhunkierros Trail?
There are many ways to experience Karhunkierros
Why does Karhunkierros stay with you?
Roaring rapids
On Karhunkierros, water is not just part of the background. It travels with you. The sound of the rapids reaches the duckboards, bridges and rest spots.
Hanging bridges
The hanging bridges are part of the classic Karhunkierros atmosphere. The view feels a little closer, the step a little more careful.
River valleys and cliffs
In the landscapes of Oulanka, the trail moves between high viewpoints and deep river valleys. The route shows many sides of northern nature.
Fell views towards Ruka
On the southern part of the trail, the landscape opens wide from the fells. Konttainen, Valtavaara and Ruka bring a sense of open space to the hike.
The feeling of a real hike
Karhunkierros is not just a walk in the forest. It is a journey that takes time, proper gear and patience – and rewards you with views that stay in mind.
Who is Karhunkierros suitable for?
For those planning their first long hike
Karhunkierros can be a good first long hike when gear, fitness and daily distances are planned realistically.
For experienced hikers
The trail offers a classic destination where the scenery changes and the daily distances can be planned according to personal pace.
For day hikers
You do not need to hike the full Karhunkierros trail to get a sense of it. Shorter sections and Pieni Karhunkierros offer beautiful scenery in a more compact form.
For photographers
The combination of rapids, hanging bridges, gorges and fell landscapes makes Karhunkierros a strong photography destination.
For families with children
The full Karhunkierros trail is not necessarily the best first choice, but shorter sections and Pieni Karhunkierros Trail may suit active outdoor families with good advance planning.
When is Karhunkierros at its best?
Summer
Summer works well for longer hikes, with long days and time to pause at rest spots. During the most popular periods in July and September (autumn colors), the trail can be busy.
Autumn colors
The autumn colours bring a special glow to river valleys and fell landscapes. For many, this is one of the finest times to experience Karhunkierros.
Winter
Karhunkierros Trail has no winter maintenance, so be prepared to break the trail the whole way through. Check snow conditions and safety instructions from Luontoon.fi.
Spring and Early Summer
In spring and early summer, water is often strongly present. The trails may be wet, so gear should be chosen with care.
Plan your Karhunkierros Trail hike, Ruka as a hub
Before the hike
Arrival in Ruka
Ruka is a natural base before setting off on the Karhunkierros Trail. You can start your hike directly from Ruka, as the official starting/end point of Karhunkierros is located east of Ruka, in the Saarua area. Alternatively, you can travel from Ruka to the northern starting point of Karhunkierros and finish your hike in Ruka.
Tips for travelling to Ruka can be found on the Getting here page. Please note that bus connections are somewhat more limited in summer than in winter, so it is worth checking your full travel chain in advance.
Accommodation before the hike
A good night’s sleep makes the start of the hike more comfortable. It is convenient to stay overnight in Ruka before setting off on the trail, so the morning can begin well-rested, with gear in order and snacks packed. Accommodation should be booked in advance to make sure everything is ready upon arrival.
Final gear checks & supplies
Before setting off, it is worth checking your hiking boots, rain gear, warm layers and other basic hiking equipment. Any missing items should be sorted out in good time, so you can focus on the trail and the landscapes along the way.
When preparing for Karhunkierros Trail, food, drinks and other necessary supplies should be planned carefully. The final purchases can be made in Ruka before heading to the start of the trail.
Luggage storage for travelers
Scandic Rukahovi in Ruka village rents storage cages in the hotel's ski storage during the summer for tourists, also other than those staying at the hotel. Price 15 €/storage, payment to the hotel reception and the key to the storage cage can be left in storage at the hotel reception for e.g. during the hike. Ski storage is located behind the reception on the same floor, guidance from the hotel reception.
After the hike
Accommodation and sauna
After the hike, a warm shower, a soft bed and a sauna will do the trick. Returning to Ruka gives the trip a peaceful ending – your legs will thank you, and your mind can linger a little longer in the landscapes.
If you arrive in Ruka early in the morning after a short day section and are planning to start your journey home, a good wash and sauna may still be just what is needed.
Dining at Ruka village
After days of hiking, food tastes even better than usual. In the restaurants of Ruka village, hikers can sit down to a ready meal and take a moment to revisit the best moments of the trail.
A good night's sleep & gear care
Wet clothes, muddy boots and well-used hiking gear need some care after the hike. Once the gear is dry and back in order, the next adventure is already halfway planned.
After a long hike, there is no need to rush straight home. One restorative night in Ruka gives the body time to rest and makes the journey back more comfortable.
Getting between the starting and ending points
Karhunkierros Bus
The Karhunkierros bus makes it easier to travel between the starting and ending points of the trail. Timetables and operating days should be checked in advance to make sure both the start of the hike and the return journey go according to plan.
Shared taxi
A shared taxi is a convenient option especially when some flexibility is needed, but paying a fortune for a taxi ride is not on the plan. It works well for small hiking groups or in situations where public transport does not quite fit the itinerary.
Own car & car transfers
Your own car gives you more freedom with timetables, but it also requires some advance planning. Karhunkierros is not a circular route, so the location of the car, parking and the return transfer should be considered before setting off. At the moment, we are not aware of any dedicated car transfer services, but it is worth asking local taxi companies for more information.
Parking along Karhunkierros Trail
Please note that at the Karhunkierros Visitor Centre in Hautajärvi (as well as at Basecamp Oulanka along the Pieni Karhunkierros), day visitors and hotel guests can park for free (including hikers on the Pieni Karhunkierros trail). Overnight parking is charged at 10 €/day due to the limited number of parking spaces.
There are also parking spaces for camper vans at the Karhunkierros Visitor Centre and Basecamp Oulanka. These can be reserved on the matkaparkki.com website or via the mobile app (search for Napapiiri Cafe or Karhunkierroksen Luontokeskus). The price is 11-16 €/day depending on whether the space includes electricity or not.
Litter-free and responsible hiking
Respecting nature, getting around sustainably, camping appropriately, lighting campfires safely and litter-free hiking and camping are part of Outdoor Etiquette. Campfire sites are clearly marked in the terrain. Boiling drinking water is always recommended (using water from swamp ponds is not recommended). You can also take water in bottles with you from customer service points.
Everyone who visits Karhunkierros Trail and the entire Oulanka National Park is responsible for keeping the area clean and litter-free: there is no central waste management. There are no rubbish bins at campfire sites, which means that hikers must take all their waste with them and dispose of it appropriately.
When preparing for a hike, you should also consider how recyclable your food packaging is. In the national park area along Karhunkierros Trail, there are three waste collection points where you can sort recyclable waste, such as metal and glass as well as batteries, which are hazardous waste. Paper and carton can be burnt at campfire sites (taking into account forest fire warnings) and biowaste can be disposed of in toilets.