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 Trail is also the venue of the largest trail running event in Finland, NUTS Karhunkierros Trail Ultra, at the end of May each year.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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, 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.
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.
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.
The Karhunkierros bus, operating between Ruka Valley, Ruka village, the Ristikallio starting point, and Hautajärvi, facilitates transportation between the start and end points of the route. The bus operates as on-demand transport, meaning tickets must be booked in advance. Schedules and operating days should be checked in advance to ensure the start of the hike and the return proceed as planned. More information is available on the Buses page.
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.
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.
When starting the Karhunkierros trail from Ruka at the Saarua parking area, the car can be left there free of charge. After the hike, a return to Saarua is possible using the pre-bookable Karhunkierros bus or a taxi.
At the Karhunkierros Nature Centre in Hautajärvi (as well as at Basecamp Oulanka along the Pieni Karhunkierros trail), day visitors and hotel guests park free of charge (including hikers on the Pieni Karhunkierros trail). Overnight parking is subject to a fee of 10 €/day due to the limited number of parking spaces.
Therefore, when starting from Hautajärvi or Ristikallio, it is recommended to travel to the starting point from Ruka Valley using the pre-bookable Karhunkierros bus, allowing any car to be left at the Saarua parking area.
Alternatively, travel to Hautajärvi or Ristikallio is possible via the Karhunkierros bus or a shared taxi from the Ruka village, leaving the car in Ruka's underground parking garage (for a fee). At the end of the hike, return from Saarua to the Ruka village on foot or by taking the Village-2-Valley gondola.
There are wilderness huts, day-use huts, lean-to shelters and other rest spots along Karhunkierros. During the most popular periods, preparation is especially important, and overnight plans should not rely on just one option.
Gear list
Karhunkierros is approximately 80 km long when starting from Hautajärvi, and approximately 70 km when starting from the Ristikallio parking area along Sallantie road. The other end of Karhunkierros is located in Ruka, at the Saarua car park. The official trail length of Karhunkierros and any possible changes should be checked on Luontoon.fi.
Karhunkierros is not a circular route. It starts at one point and ends at another. The trail can be hiked in either direction.
Northern starting/ending points:
Southern starting/ending point:
Please note: Previously, the southern starting/ending point of the route was located in Ruka village, but it has been moved to Saarua.
The route has several starting and ending points. The choice depends on which direction the trail will be hiked. When choosing the direction, it is worth taking into account the elevation changes in the Ruka area, including Kumpuvaara, Konttainen, Valtavaara and Ruka. Some hikers prefer to tackle this more demanding section with fresh legs, while others prefer to start from the easier end, from the direction of Hautajärvi.
The choice of starting point also depends on whether the plan is to hike the full trail or only part of it. Up-to-date starting points and route instructions are available on Luontoon.fi.
The full trail is a multi-day hike (unless you do it with trail running style and speed). The number of days and the pace depend on fitness, gear, weather and how much time is left for breaks and scenery.
Luontoon.fi: Karhunkierros trail description
(Click on the Trail description tab at the top of the page).
Yes. Karhunkierros can also be experienced in shorter sections, and Pieni Karhunkierros is a popular day-hike option.You will find the trail description and the stages in Luontoon.fi.
Karhunkierros is not maintained in winter, so hiking along Karhunkierros is not recommended during the winter.
There are huts and rest spots along the trail, but their up-to-date status should be checked on Luontoon.fi. During the most popular periods, hikers should be prepared to use their own shelter.
