Summer Hiking Trails in Valtavaara-Pyhävaara area
Starting Points for Summer Trails
- Juhannuskalliontie Road, Eastern Ruka
- Konttainen Parking Area, Virkkulantie Road
- Ruka Central Square, Ruka Village (walk between Restaurant Piste and Restaurant Rukahovi)
- Saarua Parking Area, Eastern Ruka
- The crossroads in Plantingintie road and Petäjäkuja 1
Please note: Cycling is prohibited in Valtavaara, Konttainen and Juhannuskallio. Cycling is allowed in the Pyhän jyssäys Trail in both summer and winter.
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
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.
Ruka Accessible Trail, 400 m / Direction
Accessible trail near the Ruka fell top offers panoramic views to the surrounding nature and can be travelled with wheelchair, prams or with a wheelchair accessible van.
Available when the ground is unfrozen.
Travel time 0.5 hour.
Category: easy
Starting point
Juhannuskalliontie Road, Eastern Ruka
Trail Description
This wide gravel trail takes you to the beautiful fell sceneries of Ruka and offers a good look to the red-and-white tower located on top of Ruka. Along the trail, you can also see the neighbouring Valtavaara nature reserve and fell top – can you spot the tiny hut that is located right on the top of Valtavaara?
A great trail choice for people travelling with a wheelchair or for families with small children.
Hiking Structures
The trail leads 400 metres to a resting stop equipped with a picnic table and accessible dry toilet.
No winter maintenance.
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
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.
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
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 trip 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Customer Service
Oulanka Visitor Centre
Tel. int. +358 206 39 6850
Email: oulanka(at)metsa.fi
Kuusamo Customer Service Karhuntassu
Tel. int. +358 206 39 6804
Email: karhuntassu(at)metsa.fi