Valtavaara-Pyhävaara Trails
Starting Points for Valtavaara-Pyhävaara Trails
- Ruka Central Square, Ruka Village (walk between Restaurant Piste and Restaurant Rukahovi)
- Konttainen Parking Area, Virkkulantie Road
- Saarua Parking Area, Eastern Ruka
- Vuosseli Parking Area, Eastern Ruka
- The crossroads in Plantingintie road and Petäjäkuja 1
- Juhannuskalliontie Road, Eastern Ruka
Recommended Trails
Valtavaaran huiputus Trail, about 6 km, Circle Trail
Available when the ground is unfrozen.
Travel time 1.5 hours.
Category: 
intermediate
Trail follows Karhunkierros Trail from Ruka to the fire guard's cabin at the top of Valtavaara Hill.
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 (www.ruka.fi).
Read more on Valtavaaran huiputus Trail on Outdoor Active.
Valtavaara MTB Trail, 5,7 km / Direction
Available when the ground is unfrozen.
Travel time 1-1.5 hours.
Category: intermediate 
Demanding
Enjoy the forest views of Valtavaara nature reserve on a mountainbike.
Valtavaara Mountain Biking Trail up to Valtavaara Lappish hut and back from Saarua. Can also be joined with Rukankierros trail. This trail doesn't allow mountainbiking all the way up to Valtavaara hill top, but it's about 300 metres hike from Valtavaara Lappish hut. We recommend leaving the bike to the Lappish hut and walking up to enjoy the panoramic views from the top.
Trail is uphill to the hut and downhill back, so it requires good physical condition and basic mountainbiking skills. Trail is a part of Valtavaaran huiputus hiking trail, so please be cautious of other trail users.
- Mountainbiking is forbidden in other trails on Valtavaara Restricted Area (e.g. Karhunkierros trail section).
- Trail has sections with duckboards
Read also Valtavaara MTB Trail description on Outdooractive.com.
Pyhän jyssäys Trail, 6 km, Circle Trail
Available when the ground is unfrozen. Also on winter time on snowshoes.
Travel time 2‒3 h.
Category: intermediate
From Pikku-Pyhävaara Hill you will have a bird's eye view of the ski resort.
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.
Hiking Structures
Two lookout points with benches; a Lapp ‘kota' hut and a campfire site on top of Pikku-Pyhävaara Hill
Read more on Pyhän jyssäys Trail on Outdoor Active.
Juhannuskallio Trail, 300 m / Direction
Available when the ground is unfrozen. In winter on snowshoes.
Travel time in summer 20 min and in winter 45 min.
Category: 
easy
Trail offers an excellent view far over Ruka and northern Kuusamo.
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.
Read more on Juhannuskallio Trail on Outdoor Active.
Ruka Accessible Trail, 400 m / Direction
Available when the ground is unfrozen.
Travel time 0.5 h.
Category: easy
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.
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.
Read more on Ruka Accessible Trail on Outdoor Active.
Sinipyrstön pyrähys Trail, 1.5 km, Circle Trail
Available when the ground is unfrozen.
Travel time 45 min.
Category: intermediate
The trail runs by Lake Konttaisjärvi, right at the foot of Konttainen Hill. The spruce forest with its mysterious old trees provides an excellent setting for bird-watching – it is one of the favourite spots in Kuusamo for red-flanked bluetails!
Trail Description
If you prefer a slightly longer hike, you can follow the Karhunkierros Trail for about one kilometre and climb up to the Suolampi lean-to shelter, nestling by Valtavaara Hill, or you can climb the steps up to the top of Konttainen Hill and admire the magnificent view.
Trail is marked with blue paint.
Hiking Structures
Rest spot (picnic table, no campfire site or toilet)
Read more on Sinipyrstön pyrähys Trail on Outdoor Active.
Konttaisen polku Trail, 400 m / Direction
Available when the ground is unfrozen.
Travel time 1 hour.
Category: intermediate
Trail is a demanding 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.
Trail Description
The trail is marked with orange paint markings (Karhunkierros Trail). The trail is suited for day trips.
Hiking Structures
There are no services along the trail.
Read more on Konttaisen polku Trail on Outdoor Active.
Hiking Trails
Karhunkierros Trail, 82 km / Direction
Trail is in total 82-km-long and travels through Valtavaara Nature Reserve. The starting and end point for this circle trail is at Ruka. 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.
Cross-country Skiing Trails
Saarua - Valtavaara - Saarua Skiing Trail (10 km)
This skiing trail is classified as demanding and is suited for classical and free style cross-country skiing. There is no specified direction in which the trail should be skied and there is no lighting. The skiing trail is maintained by the town of Kuusamo. There are connecting trails from this trail to other cross-country skiing trails in the Ruka area, such as the Virkkula and Vuosseli trails.
Hiking Structures
Valtavaara campfire shelter, Ruka Ski Stadium changing rooms, hotels, restaurants and cafés in the Ruka area. Ruka area ski trail map (www.kuusamo.fi).
Sights
Valtavaara Hil.
Read more on Saarua Winter Trail and Valtavaara Winter Trail (long) on Outdoor Active.
