Valtavaara-Pyhävaara Trails
Summer Trails
Juhannuskallio Trail, 300 m / Direction
Available when the ground is unfrozen.
Travel time in summer 20 min and in winter 45 min.
Category: easy - intermediate
Starting Point: the end of the Roard Juhannuskalliontie near Ruka Peak Chalets
Juhannuskallio Trail route description
Konttaisen kuhaus Trail, 2 km, Circle Trail
Available all year around.
Travel time 1 hour.
See also winter trail.
Category: Demanding
Starting Point: Virkkulantie road parking area
Konttaisen kuhaus Trail route description
Valtavaaran huiputus Trail, 5.7 km, Circle Trail
Available when the ground is unfrozen.
Travel time 1.5 hours.
See also winter trail.
Category: Demanding
Starting Point: Saarua parking area, Eastern Ruka.
Valtavaaran huiputus Trail route description
Pyhän jyssäys Trail, 6 km, Circle Trail
Available when the ground is unfrozen.
Travel time 2‒3 h.
See also winter trail.
Category: Demanding
Starting Point: Petäjäkuja parking area
Pyhän jyssäys Trail route description
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.
Winter Trails
Konttaisen kuhaus Trail, 2 km, Circle Trail
Available in winter on snowshoes.
Travel time 1 h.
See also summer trail.
Category: Demanding
Starting point: Virkkulantie road parking area
Konttaisen kuhaus Trail route description
Valtavaara Winter Trail, 5.5 km, Circle Trail
Available in winter on snowshoes.
Travel time 3 h.
See also summer trail.
Category: Demanding
Starting point: Saarua parking area, East Ruka.
Valtavaara Winter Trail route description
Pyhän jyssäys Trail, 6 km, Circle Trail
Available in winter on snowshoes or fatbike.
Travel time 3-4 h.
See also summer trail.
Category: Demanding
Starting point: Petäjäkuja parking area.
Pyhän jyssäys Trail route description
Hirsilampi Winter Trail, 4 km, Circle Trail
Available in winter on snowshoes or fatbike.
Travel time 2-4 h.
Category: Intermediate
Starting point: Pyhän Jyssäys Trails parking area
Hirsilampi Winter Trail route description
Antinperä Winter Trail (Onkersuo), 4.4 km, Circle Trail
Available in winter on snowshoes or fatbike.
Travel time 1 h.
Category: Easy.
Starting point: Onkerniementie Road 19, 93820 Kuusamo. No parking in the area.
Antinperä Winter Trail route description
Cross-country Skiing Tracks
Valtavaaran latu Skiing Track, 10,4 km, Circle Trail
Valtavaaran latu Skiing Track description
Pyhävaaran latu Skiing Track, 11.4 km, Circle Trail
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.
Valtavaara Winter Trails Brochure
Pdf 4.3 Mb (julkaisut.metsa.fi)
A bilingual, Finnish-English version (Pdf 2.3 MB, publications.metsa.fi) of the Valtavaara Winter Trails brochure has also been made.
Konttaisen kuhaus Day Trail Brochure
Check for Warnings
When forest and grass fire warnings (en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi) are in effect, fire is only allowed at covered campfire sites that have a flue. A fire can be also lit in fireplaces at wilderness and other huts. Always use extreme caution when handling fire. The one who lights a fire is always responsible for its safe use. Please note, that making fire at these campfire sites can be banned locally.
Gathering at the campfire sites increases the risk of coronavirus infection. Guidelines concerning coronavirus COVID-19.