Useful information
When can I hike the Karhunkierros Trail?
The Karhunkierros Trail is a summer trail that can be hiked from the end of May until October. Despite its name, Karhunkierros is not a circular route. The route can be hiked in both directions.
Can the Karhunkierros Trail be hiked in winter?
The route has no winter maintenance. In winter, from February to April, you can hike the 26 km (16 miles) long Oulanka Wilderness Trail from the Oulanka Visitor Centre to Basecamp Oulanka. This is a multifunctional trail which can be travelled on skis, snowshoes or a fatbike. The trail connects to the Karhunkierros Wilderness Trail, running from Basecamp Oulanka all the way to Ruka. In winter, you can also hike the Little Karhunkierros Trail as a day hike from Basecamp.
How long does it take to complete the Karhunkierros Trail hike?
The fastest hikers can complete the entire 82 km (50 miles) long Karhunkierros Trail hike in as little as three days. The section from Hautajärvi at the Arctic Circle to Basecamp can be completed in two days, spending one night along the route. Most people, however, prefer to proceed at a slower pace and spend several days in the national park, enjoying nature. On average, you should reserve 5–6 days for the entire route.
What should I know before hiking?
The Karhunkierros Trail requires a hiker to have a good level of general fitness and some experience of hiking, but requires no specific wilderness or orienteering skills. Reviewing general hiking tips and outdoor etiquette is a good idea, especially if this is your first longer hike, but also serves as a reminder for more experienced hikers.
The instructions and rules of the Karhunkierros Trail should also be read in advance. Public access rights, also referred to as Everyman’s rights, may not all be valid in the national park area.
A hikers most important equipment is a proper map. You can search for destinations and print out maps via the Metsähallitus free map service on excursionmap.fi. Printed Karhunkierros maps can be found at Calazo and Karttakeskus, among others. Maps are also available at the Arctic Circle Café and Basecamp Oulanka.
The Karhunkierros Trail is marked with orange paint marks, metal signposts and distance markers.
I don’t have a backpack, tent or sleeping bag, can I still go hiking?
You can hike the Karhunkierros Trail even if you don’t have your own camping gear, nor do you need to buy it as you can rent a backpack, a tent, a sleeping bag, a sleeping mat, cutlery, a camping stove… – almost everything needed on a hike. You can, for instance, rent ready-made hiking gear packages for the Karhunkierros Trail from Oulangan Taika.
Where can I get food and drink along the route?
You will not manage the hike only by picking lingonberries. Comprehensive restaurant and café services can be found both at the Arctic Circle Café in Hautajärvi and Basecamp Oulanka in Myllykoski. When staying with us, you can enjoy a good breakfast before your hike. You can buy fresh packed lunches and a hot meal in a food thermos. We also sell dried meals, canned foods and liquid gas cartridges for camping stoves. The Arctic Circle Café also has a food kiosk selling everyday staple foods.
The Oulanka Visitor Centre along the Karhunkierros Trail houses café-restaurant Talonpöytä, where you can also buy food to take away.
It is advisable to fill your water bottle whenever possible. The Arctic Circle Café, Oulanka Visitor Centre and Basecamp Oulanka all have water points where you can get fresh water for your hike.
Lighting fires along the Karhunkierros Trail are only allowed at the official campfire sites. We recommend using gas-powered camping stoves to prepare or heat your camping meals.
What awaits me after the hike?
After a few days and nights on the trail, you can reward yourself by enjoying some steam in our Hikers’ sauna, restaurant-quality food and a refreshing beverage, recount your hiking experiences with other hikers around the campfire and curl up in crisp bedding at the Basecamp Oulanka wilderness hotel.
If you hike the Karhunkierros Trail in a south-north direction, you will end up at the yard of the Arctic Circle Café in Hautajärvi. The accommodation alternatives offered here are a wilderness log cabin or Kota hut, and you have the possibility of relaxing in a sauna hut. You will find plenty of post-hike meals and drinks in our café and pub.
From the Arctic Circle you can also hike in the other direction: The 45 km (28 miles) long Topsakantaival Trail leading to Sallatunturi in Salla National Park and continuing all the way to Tulppio in Savukoski, as part of the UKK Trail, a national hiking trail named after President Urho Kaleva Kekkonen.
The Karhunkierros Trail should be experienced at least once in your lifetime!
You can find more detailed information about Karhunkierros and Oulanka National Park here:
The official website of Oulanka National Park (nationalparks.fi)
The official website of the Karhunkierros Trail (nationalparks.fi)
