What's Currently Happening along Karhunkierros Trail

The opening hours of the Oulanka Visitor Centre in 2023

(Updated 10/31/2023)

For the rest of the year 2023 the Oulanka Visitor Centre is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. The Centre is closed on Mondays and Sundays. Please note these exceptions to the opening hours:

• From 23rd to 26th of December the Visitor Centre is closed for Christmas holidays.

The restaurant Ravintola Talonpöytä Oulanka (talonpoyta.fi) is closed in the winter. Please be prepared when visiting the National Park and bring your own packed lunch. If needed there is a microwave oven provided in the Visitor Centre during the opening hours. There is a limited selection of small snacks, cold drinks, instant coffee, tea, and hot chocolate for sale at the Visitor Centre. The closest grocery stores are situated in the Käylä village and in the Ruka village.

The cable boat will be removed for the winter on 13th of October

(Updated 10/11/2023)
The cable boat across the River Niitselysjoki at the northern end of the Keroharjun kuiskaus -trail will be removed for the winter time on Friday 13th of October. Before snow the trail can still be reached from the southern end of the trail from the parking at Harjulammentie Road. The Harjulammentie Road has no winter maintenance. More information about Keroharjun kuiskaus trail can be found from the hiking trail description.
The removal of the boat happens earlier (before removal was scheduled for 16th of October) due to changed weather conditions.

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.

Repair work has been completed at the Pieni Karhunkierros Trail

(Updated 6/21/2023)
The stairs and bridge repair work at the Kallioportti area along the Pieni Karhunkierros trail has been completed. Note that the trail at Kallioportti is situated in a restricted area where going off the trail is prohibited.

Siilastupa Wilderness Hut is in use again

(Updated 5/30/2023)
Siilastupa wilderness hut was out of use due to roof renovation (from 8th of May 2023). The renovation is now finished and the hut is again open for hikers.

Maintenance of the Oulanka Wilderness Trail (26 km) has ended for spring 2023

(Updated 04/11/2023)
The maintenance of the Oulanka Wilderness Trail has ended for this spring season because of the warm days. Any people using the trail after this day must pay attention to the weather forecast. The trail can still be done with suitable equipment (skis, fur-based skis, snowshoes) but note that the snow conditions change during the day. After cold night the snow is in better condition and during the day snow will start to soften. The Wilderness Trail is not meant for hiking or walking without equipment. The trail cannot be traversed anymore when snow stays soft overnight.

More information about the Oulanka Wilderness Trail.

The Taivalköngäs wilderness hut is in use again

(Updated 09/13/2022)
The Taivalköngäs wilderness hut suffered from fire damage this summer. The damage has been repaired and the historical hut is now back in use. Remember to use extreme caution when handling a fire. Check the fire warnings before making a fire (en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi). Only make a fire at the official campfire sites or in the hut stoves. Never leave a fire unattended. Make sure fire has been properly extinguished before leaving the hut or the campfire site.

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