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Photo: Jarkko Iso-Heiko, CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
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.
Karhunkierros is a hiking trail that stretches from Salla to Kuusamo in north-eastern Finland.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
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 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.
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.