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:
- Thursday 9th of November the Visitor Centre is open from 10 am to 12.30 pm (noon).
- From 27th to 29th of November the Visitor Centre is closed for maintenance.
- 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.
Oulanka Visitor Centre is closed on 9th of October
(Updated 10/02/2023)
Oulanka Visitor Centre is exceptionally closed on Monday 9th October. Customer service is available by phone (tel. +358 206 396 850). In October the restaurant Talonpöytä in the Oulanka Visitor Centre is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
From the beginning of November the will be closed and the Oulanka Visitor Centre will be open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. We would recommend taking food and drink with you to prevent hunger from surprising you while being in nature. The customer service also sells little snacks and drinks as well as instant coffee, tea, and hot chocolate.
Opening hours of the visitor centre throughout the year.
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.
Catching and marking of the protected brown trout ongoing at Kiutaköngäs rapids through July
(Updated 7/8/2023)
The Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) and Metsähallitus are co-operating in catching and marking of the protected brown trout at the Kiutaköngäs rapids in July. The caught and marked fish are also moved upstream from the waterfall to help them continue their journey towards their spawning areas. The nets, cages, ladder, and other equipment at Kiutaköngäs are used by the researchers and visitors should not touch the equipment. Visitors are allowed to follow the catching and marking in a calm manner from a safe distance.
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.
