Starting Points for Summer Trails

Please note: Cycling is prohibited in Valtavaara, Konttainen and Juhannuskallio. Cycling is allowed in the Pyhän jyssäys Trail in both summer and winter.

A forest landscape seen from the Juhannuskallio cliff.Juhannuskallio Trail, 300 m / Direction

Trail offers an excellent view far over Ruka and northern Kuusamo.

Available when the ground is unfrozen.
Travel time in summer 20 min and in winter 45 min.
Category: Easy trail. easy

Starting point

Juhannuskalliontie Road, Eastern Ruka

Trail Description

The trail is suited for day trips. In the summer, it can be combined with the accessible trail (lookout point) and ski-lift / slope trail at Ruka.

Starting at the Juhannuskalliontie road, the trail meanders to the top of the Juhannuskallio Cliffs; it has some steep sections but is otherwise easy to walk.

The trail's signposts are poles marked with green paint.

Hiking Structures

There are no services along the trail, but there is a restaurant at the trail's starting point.

Please note

At the tip of Juhannuskallio Cliffs and on the western slope, there is a movement ban from 1 April to 15 August.

A hiker taking pictures of the Juhannuskallio cliff.

 

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Sceneries from Konttainen fell.Konttaisen kuhaus Trail, 2 km, Circle Trail

Trail is a sightseeing trail that runs up the steps to the top of Konttainen Hill. From there, you will have a majestic view over Lake Konttaisenjärvi, Valtavaara Hill, Ruka and northern Kuusamo.

Available all year around.
Travel time 1 hour.
Category: Intermediate trail. intermediate

Starting Point

Virkkulantie road parking area

Trail Description

Easy trail from the Virkkulantie parking area up to the Konttainen hill. Great sceneries over Lake Konttaisenjärvi, Rukatunturi fell and Northern Kuusamo. 

Trails is also suitable for winter time hikes on snow shoes. 

Route is recommended to hike on counterclockwise.

The trail is marked with signs and orange paint markings (Karhunkierros Trail). The trail is suited for day trips.

Hiking Structures

There are no services along the trail. Not allowed to make open fire.

Please note 

Cycling is not allowed on Konttaisen kuhaus Trail in summer or winter.

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Two hikers on the Valtavaara trail in summer.Valtavaaran huiputus Trail, 5.7 km, Circle Trail

Trail follows Karhunkierros Trail from Ruka to the fire guard's cabin at the top of Valtavaara Hill.

Available all year around.
Travel time 1.5 hours.
Category: Intermediate trail. intermediate

Starting Point

Saarua parking area, East Ruka

Trail Description

From the top of the hill the trail descends to Valtavaara campfire shelter and returns to Ruka along the eastern side of Valtavaara Hill.

Hiking Structures

Valtavaara day-use hut, Valtavaara campfire shelter and Valtavaaranlampi lean-to shelter and services in the Ruka Holiday Resort area.

Sights

Valtavaara Hill and Ruka Fell (ruka.fi).

Please note 

Cycling is not allowed on Valtavaara huiputus Trail in summer or winter.

A hiker on a gravel trail between coniferous trees.

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A hiker on a sightseeing platform on the Pyhän Jyssäys trail.Pyhän jyssäys Trail, 6 km, Circle Trail

From Pikku-Pyhävaara Hill you will have a bird's eye view of the ski resort.

Available all year around. On hiking or cyckling.
Travel time 2‒3 hours.
Category: Intermediate trail. intermediate

Starting point

The crossroads in Plantingintie road and Petäjäkuja 1

Hiking Structures

Two lookout points with benches; a campfire hut and a campfire site on top of Pikku-Pyhävaara Hill

Trail Description

A day-trip trail. The trail takes visitors from the crossroads in Plantingintie road and Petäjäkuja 1., to the top of Pikku-Pyhävaara Hill. The trail's signposts are poles with green reflective tape and a red reflective plate.

Read the winter trail description of Pyhän jyssäys Trail.

Please note

It is allowed to ride a bike on Pyhän jyssäys Trail in summer and in winter. Plase stay on the trail.

Lappish kota hut on the top of Pyhävaara hill.

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Hiking Trails

Karhunkierros Trail, 82 km / Direction

Trail is in total 82-km-long and travels through Valtavaara Nature Reserve. Hikers remember Valtavaara Hill as the last major hurdle before reaching the end point, which is at Rukatunturi Fell. The north slope of Valtavaara Hill is quite rocky and worn and therefore demanding. Read more on Karhunkierros pages.

Customer Service

Oulanka Visitor Centre
Tel. int. +358 206 39 6850
Email: oulanka(at)metsa.fi

Oulanka Visitor Centre in Kuusamo is closed from 29 February 2024 for the spring. Hikers can still get advice on matters related to Oulanka National Park on the Nationalparks.fi website and Mon-Fri 12pm - 3pm by phone and email.

Konttaisen kuhaus Day Trail Brochure


Pdf 3.3 Mb (julkaisut.metsa.fi)

 

A hand holding a mobile phone showing Excursionmap.fi. Open the map of Valtavaara-Pyhävaara in Excursionmap.fi.

Excursionmap.fi is a free map service provided by Metsähallitus. It can be used to search destinations, choose map layers and print maps.