What's Currently Happening along Karhunkierros Trail

Oulanka Visitor Centre is closed until 31st of December

The Oulanka Visitor Centre is closed until December 31, 2024. Customer service is available by phone from Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at +358 206 396 850, by email at oulanka@metsa.fi, and online at nationalparks.fi.
Spring 2025 opening hours will be announced later.

The cable boat of Keroharjun kuiskaus -trail is out of use

(Updated 10/8/2024)
The cable boat across the River Niitselysjoki at the northern end of the Keroharjun kuiskaus -trail out of use for the winter time.

Read more about the 17 km long Keroharjun kuiskaus trail from here.
See the location of the cable boat in this map (retkikartta.fi).

Bus timetables of the Karhunkierros trail and Oulanka National Park

(Updated 6/15/2024)
Karhunkierros trail bus operates from 24th of May to 31st of October. The bus goes to the starting points of Karhunkierros trail (Hautajärvi, Ristikallio and Ruka) and also to Juuma (starting point of the Pieni Karhunkierros trail) and to Oulanka Visitor Centre. Timetables can be found on Ruka.fi-website or Matkahuolto.fi-website.

Please, note that some of the bus connections operates only by pre-bookings. The bus tickets must be booked via Matkahuolto.fi-website one day before. 

Hiking season on Karhunkierros trail has started

(Updated 5/28/2024)
All the snow has melted and the flood in the Oulankajoki river is over so the Karhunkierros trail is now fine to hike. Also all the day hiking trails in Oulanka National Park are in use now.

The cable boat of Keroharjun kuiskaus -trail is now in use

(Updated 5/28/2024)
The cable boat across the River Niitselysjoki at the northern end of the Keroharjun kuiskaus -trail is now in use for the summer season.

Read more about the 17 km long Keroharjun kuiskaus trail from here.
See the location of the cable boat in this map (retkikartta.fi).

New map: Fishing permit areas of Oulanka National Park and the surrounding area

(Updated 2/3/2024)
To fish in the rivers of Oulanka National Park, you need a fishing permit. If you are 18-69 years of age the fisheries management fee (eraluvat.fi) is required also. The lines of different river fishing areas in Oulanka National Park and links to the online stores are marked on the new map.

The new map: Fishing permit areas of Oulanka National Park and the surrounding area (julkaisu.metsa.fi)

Please note:

• In the fishing permit areas there are also places where fishing is forbidden. Some of these fishing prohibition zones are marked with signposts on the terrain.
• When you buy a fishing permit, you will also get information about the prohibition zones and other restrictions.
• You can also check the fishing restrictions online on kalastusrajoitus.fi (in Finnish).
• All fishing is forbidden in these fishing permit areas outside the fishing period.

Ice fishing and angling are allowed at the lakes and ponds of the Oulanka National Park throughout the year. Read more about the Everyman's Rights. If you are 18–69 years of age and will be fishing with lures or traps or crayfishing, the fisheries management fee (eraluvat.fi) is required.

Trail markings renovated on the Kanjonin kurkkaus Trail

(Updated 8/25/2023)
The worn, green paint marks of the day trail Kanjonin kurkkaus have now been repainted. Fresh paint signs make it easier to stay on the trail. The Kanjonin kurkkaus Trail is located in the northern part of Oulanka National Park, by the Oulanka Canyon. The trail is walkable approximately to the end of October, because the road leading to the starting point (the Savilampi parking area) has no winter maintenance.

Entering the Pähkänänkallio Cliff is prohibited 1.4.-15.8.

(Updated 04/19/2022)
Entering in the Pähkänänkallio Restricted Area is prohibited from 1st of April to 15th of August. You can see the map of the restricted area below.

News in Karhunkierros