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Where it's at
If you want to escape city living and experience the beauty
of Finland's natural landscapes first hand, hiking has to
be the best way to do it. One of the most well-known treks
is the Bear's Ring Trail, or Karhunkierros Trail
in Finnish. The route winds through the length of the Oulanka
National Park, north of Kuusamo, and close to the
Russian border on the edge of Lapland, just south of the Arctic
Circle. It will take you through some of Finland's most spectacular
scenery, including rapids, gorges, waterfalls, canyons and
some breathtaking lookout points as well.
Activities
During the freshwater fishing season (June to September)
you can also combine fishing and hiking. Fishing licenses
are sold in most tourist service points in the nearby town
of Kuusamo. Depending on your stamina, it should take between
four and seven days to complete the trail. You can either
hike from north to south, starting at Ristikallio,
or south to north, starting from Ruka or Juuma.
The trail is around fifty miles long and runs through and
beyond the Oulanka National Park, following the Savina,
Oulanka and Kitka rivers for much of its length.
As a whole, it's not difficult, but there are some rougher
parts where you'll need to navigate rocky areas or climb some
steepish slopes. The section near Ruka is the hardest stretch,
as you need get over several peaks, which are quite tough
work!
Where to stay
Accommodation along the trail is on the basic side. Try to
get hold of a trail map, available in most shops and visitor
centres around the Oulanka Park. You can use it to plan each
day's walk and to work out where the cabins and campsites
are located on your route. Cabins only have space for a small
number of people at a time, although more can usually be squeezed
in if the weather is bad! Be warned - you can't reserve cabins,
so whoever arrives first gets a place. It's therefore a good
plan to take a tent along with you, preferably a small one
needing only a few pegs, as the Bear Ring campsites are sometimes
rocky and are not always clear of trees. Most campsites and
cabins have a large supply of chopped firewood so you can
always light a fire. They're usually near a source of fresh
water as well. Some have toilets (outside though), and others
have wooden picnic seats where you can sit to eat and relax
at night. A few cabins even have their own gas stove, but
many people take their own equipment along so they don't have
to wait for a shared stove at the end of a long day's hike.
If the cabins and campsites don't appeal, you can also look
out for kotas and laavus. These are simple shelters
where you can spend a night. A kota looks a bit like a teepee
in shape, but it is made of wooden slats. They are usually
quite small and there are only a few of them in the park.
Laavu's are more common and are also marked on the trail map.
They are much more basic than a cabin, often having three
wooden walls and a roof, with one side open to the weather.
Best sights
Breathtaking sights along the way include the Rupakivi
Rock in the River Savinajoki, the amazing Oulanka
Canyon, the Taivalköngäs and Kiutaköngäs
rapids and birds-eye views of the Jyrävä Falls.
Best season
The most popular time to hike the trail is in autumn, when
the trees come out in rich oranges and reds. May and early
June are also good times to do the Bear's Ring, as the winter
ice has melted away by then.
Trekkers tips
- Good hiking shoes are essential, preferably with ankle support,
as you'll need to navigate some rough terrain and rocky bits.
- As the shops in the park are often open only in the peak
season, expect to take most of your own supplies, except water
as it is safe to drink from the streams. You can't rely on
finding food at regular points on the trail route.
- Remember that the Ring isn't circular! You'll need to plan
some transport to your starting point.
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