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Mountain in Kuusamo, Finland
Photo: Timo Newton-Syms from Helsinki, Finland and Chalfont St Giles, Bucks, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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Peak 407 metres a.sl., about half a kilometre from the popular hiking trail Karhunkierros. The northernmost peak in the Ruka massif belongs to Valtavaara-Pyhävaara Nature Protection Area.
The peak at 492 metres is famous for its views. A lush Surmanoro gorge (up to 40 m deep) is located here, on the north-west side of the hill. There is a "lapp pole hut" and a day hut on the peak. Belongs to Valtavaara-Pyhävaara Nature Protection Area.
Climbing up to 500 meters a.sl, Ruka is the highest hill around. Even though it isn't a true fell, human action has once turned the top into a treeless heath, and there are great views to surrounding landscape. The hiking trail Karhunkierros starts from here and heads to the north.
Peak 461 m a.sl. The southernmost peak in the Ruka massif belongs to Valtavaara-Pyhävaara Nature Protection Area, and is assumed to have been a sacred place – a sieidi – to the Sami people. Avoid leaving the marked trail as the rocky terrain might be dangerous and there are some very rare plants growing around. There is a "lapp pole hut" on top of the secondary peak Pikku Pyhävaara.
The place to buy ski passes for the Ruka slopes.
PisteVuokraamo
Children's equipment, alpine skiing, carving, snowboarding, snow surf, telemarking, cross country skiing, helmets, goggles, outdoor wear.
Vuosseli Vuokraamo
The rental shop of Eastern Ruka.
Private lessons and lessons for groups. Alpine, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, telemark and adaptive skiing.
10-km demanding classic and freestyle cross country skiing trail. No lights. Campfire shelter at Valtavaara. Connects to other cross-country skiing trails in the area.
Legendary 80-km hiking trail to and through Oulanka National Park. The other end of the trail is at Karhunkierros visitor centre in Hautajärvi or e.g. at Kuntakkivaara. Being popular and well maintained the trail is suited also for less experienced hikers, but map and basic survival skills are needed and the terrain is hilly. The suspension bridges are not suited for dogs. There are eight open wilderness huts along the trail, free but often crowded in season (and due to the popularity of the trail, first come first served prevails, rather than latecomers' rights). In summer basic food can be bought each other day with normal speed. It is recommended that water be had at service points or treated (boiled) before drinking. There is an ultra running competition along the trail (83 km) yearly in May (winner times: men 08 hr 20 min, women 10:30). There are also shorter versions of Karhunkierros, 18–31 km. From Hautajärvi the UKK trail continues 75 km via the Sallatunturi area. The trail continues for 268 km in total through Tuntsa Wilderness Area and Tulppio all the way to Urho Kekkonen National Park, but a section in Salla, from Kelloselkä to Karhutunturi, is missing and needs to be skipped or navigated on your own.
Versatile area with barren cliff, spruce forests and marshy depressions, mostly higher than the surroundings, with Valtavaara reaching 492 m. The local mix of northern and southern species is unique in Finland and the area is popular among birdwatchers. Staying on the trails is recommended, both for safety and to protect threatened plant species. Picking berries and edible mushrooms is allowed. Camping and campfires allowed only at designated sites, the latter not during wildfire warning periods and always only with due care. Taking samples or damaging flora, fauna or rocks is forbidden as usual in nature reserves. Fishing is restricted. Horseback and bike riding is allowed at certain routes.
300-m trail to the top of Juhannuskallio.
Circle trail to the top of Valtavaara (along the Karhunkieros trail) and back to Ruka.
Sinipyrstön pyrähys
1.5-km trail around the lake Konttaisjärvi through old spruce forest, at the foot of Konttainen. This is one of the places west of Ural where you can get to see the bird that gave name to the trail, popular among British birdwatchers. It sings in June, which makes it easier to spot. The trail can be combined with a stretch of Karhunkierros to the Suolampi shelter or with a climb of Konttainen.
6-km trail to the top of Pikku-Pyhävaara, where there is a hut and a campfire site.
Tailor made activities for families and small groups. For example: snowmobile-, husky-, ice-fishing-, reideer sleigh-, snowshoe trekking and cross-country skiing safaris, canoeing, cycling, white water rafting and rowing trips.
Customised events and adventures. Also weekly programs available.
Tours and other programme; accommodation, including a winter village built of snow.
All kinds of adventures for groups. For example ice carting, snowmobile safaris, river rafting, quadbike safaris etc.
Wilderness safaris with high quality services. Private safari company, DMC.
Speed safaris and overnight safaris. You can experience the real winter in the wilderness with professional safari guides.
Husky farm with over 200 sledge dogs.
Rukabuses
Snowmobile short term rental and day trips. All snowmobiles are Polaris IQ LXT 550 (2 seater) 1 hr €60, 2 hr €70, 3 hr €85, 4 hr €100. Prices include equipment (overalls, shoes, gloves, balaclava, helmet), insurance (own risk €650), and a route map. Price doesn't include gasoline.
Steak restaurant.
American style food. Live music, delicious food, sports, drinks etc. From the menu you can choose also quite spicy foods.
Lunch and warm drinks.
Lunch at noon, otherwise à la carte. Also children's menu. Party at night in the Bar Piste.
A wild game restaurant offers specialties like bear, arctic char, moose, and of course reindeer. There's also a separate kids' menu. Table reservation strongly recommended.
Gourmet restaurant with Lapland's Dinner and À la Carte list.
Traditional restaurant in the middle of Ruka. Live music and great views.
Relaxing and cosy restaurant. Beautiful fireplace in lobby bar.
Cozy restaurant with views to the lake Talvijärvi.
International food, burgers, stakes and fish dishes. Also kids' menu. Breakfast.
Alpine-ish ski-in restaurant at the bottom of Pessari ski slopes. Soups, fingerfood, and drinks. Location is a bit remote as there is no road here. You may arrive by skiing, walking, or riding a snowmobile.
Peaceful dining and good service. There are pizzas, salads, wines and other drinks on the menu.
Pizzeria offers special pizzas like salmon and reindeer. Established already in 1988.
Finnish pizza franchise.
The only restaurant specialized on kebab and falafel dishes in the resort opened in February 2021.
Ravintola Zone
After ski or safari parties until the morning, karaoke and a big glassed terrace. Lots of different kinds of events.
Another after ski classics right next to the slopes. Capacity for almost 1200 customers and often famous live artists playing. The sunniest terrace in town.
New bar and nightclub. Karaoke daily after 6pm.
An open-air bar made of snow and ice (and some concrete) up on the fell, right next to the Village-2-Valley gondola lift upper station.
A 150 spot caravan area. Both day places and seasonal places.
Holiday village with tent area and caravan site with electricity. Breakfast, restaurant and a lobby bar. Saunas by the lake. Lots of organized activities available.
Some cabins and a caravan site. Own tents welcome. Shared showers and toilets. Kiosk and sauna.
The largest hotel in the village is located in the middle of Ruka ski resort. Hotel has twin rooms, superior panorama rooms, suites, one room for disabled and apartments for 3–6 persons.
RukaPyhä Ski-Inn
RukaSuites apartments are in the village of Ruka. They are in walking distance from the slopes. Apartments are made specially for skiers.
Apartments are 400 m from RukaVillage. The nearest slope Talvijärvi is right next to the apartments.
Especially for skiing travellers. Each room has cooking facilities.
New hotel in Ruka Valley area i.e. east side of the fell. Rooms and apartments for 1-6 persons. Grocery store and restaurant. Trip from the valley to pedestrian village takes 6 minutes by Village-2-Valley gondola lift.
Cabins are great for active families. Kids ski area and a rope tow lift is located near the cabins.
Large apartment hotel in the pedestrian village.
Small hotel in the pedestrian village.
A boutique hotel on the top of Ruka Fell. Every room has large windows and the views are beautiful. Some rooms have a private jacuzzi.
Modern villa with outdoor Jacuzzi, 110m², 3 bedrooms, 8+2 people
Hotel is next to hiking trails, ski-tracks and slopes. There is direct access to Talvijärvi lake for those who like swimming. Also restaurant, sauna, equipment rental and programme services. Apartments available also in the village and at lake Vuosseli 5 km from the slopes but close to skiing and snowmobiling tracks.
This is the luxury five-star hotel in Ruka area. You can also arrange conferences in the hotel (max. 65 persons).
High quality chalets by lake Salonkijärvi, 2 km from Ruka.
14 cottages and 7 rooms next to the lake Talvijärvi. Kids can walk straight to the slopes of Ruka.
A motel with catering and safaris.
Different sizes cottages and three villas by the Lake Vuosseljärvi about 4 kilometres from Ruka.
S-group groceries store in Ruka. Gasoline.
A small groceries store on in the Ruka Pedestrian Village.
A truly tiny grocery store next to the reception of SKI-INN hotel Ruka Valley.
Kauppakeskus Kumpare
Here you can find the Ruka info, Internet terminals, WLAN, groceries store, souvenir shops, gym, child park etc.
Here you can find high-quality equipment and clothing for winter sports.
Largest selection of souvenirs around. Also a café and restaurant.
This is the place to buy your game souvenirs.
Alcoholic beverages.
The simplest way to get to Ruka is to fly to Kuusamo and take the pre-booked airport bus to Ruka.
Read in the guideBy bus
There are two coach connections a day on weekdays between Kuusamo and Ruka. There is also a dial-a-ride service available from Kuusamo to Ruka.
By taxi
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Kuusamo · Regional · KAO
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