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National park in Finland
Photo: Lysy, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Oulanka National Park is a large national park in Northern Finland, near the border with Russia. It is one of the most popular national parks in Finland, despite its relatively remote location. The 80 km Karhunkierros trail through the park (and to Ruka) is legendary and very popular.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Huge red rocks rising above rapids of Oulanka river. Near to the Oulanka visitor centre and a road, so no need to sleep in a wilderness hut if you want to see this place. Accessible by wheelchair.
A place where the Oulanka river canyon ends. You can see the whole canyon from a tall cable stayed bridge.
A place with beautiful view above Taivalköngäs autiotupa.
A nice waterfall on Pieni Karhunkierros trail.
Probably the most beautiful of the huts, located at the shore of Oulanka river, near some waterfall and rope bridges.
A useful wildress hut outside the mail trail, on the way to Ristikalio parking lot – useful when starting the trail from this hut.
A former water-mill turned into a wilderness hut, close to Juuma (and road), where the Small Karhunkierros trail ends. There is no fireplace inside the hut, which might make staying here a rather cold experience.
A beautiful wilderness hut with nice view on the Jyrävä waterfalls. Quite small, do not count on sleeping here even off season.
A large wilderness hut on a sandy bank of Oulanka river. There is a lot of space to raise a tent if you find the hut is full, and it is also a good place to swim in the river – but heat up the hut first, as the river is cold all year long.
A small wilderness hut (10 people) at the end of Oulanka canyon, below a tall cable stayed bride.
This is the only real camp site in Oulanka national park. Located near the Oulanka visitor centre. There should be a kiosk selling groceries and fishing permits. Canoes and rowing boats for rent.
By train and bus
The national park is far from transportation hubs.50, €20 if you manage to find online discount fares). From Kuusamo there is (sparse) transport to Ruka, the visitor centre and some trailheads.
By taxi
If you get stuck at Kuusamo bus station, you can always get a taxi. The best way to do this, is to ask at the bus station and they will get you one.
By airplane
Kuusamo has an airport with some flights from the rest of Finland, mostly Helsinki.
By foot
Hiking is the main option to get anywhere in the park except the starting points of the hiking trails.
By car
There are good road to the Oulanka visitor centre and the main trailheads, and smaller roads to some lesser ones. Some roads do pass through the park, but they are not built to serve visitors.
By snowmobile
In winter, the frozen Oulanka river which runs through the park can be used as a road for snowmobiles. Note ice safety.
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Kuusamo · Regional · KAO
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