Oulanka National Park
Hiking map and visitor guide
Oulanka National Park lies in north-eastern Finland, in Kuusamo and Salla. It covers about 270 square kilometres of river valleys, canyons and pine forest. Polkuopas maps 19 lean-tos, 8 open wilderness huts and 147 outdoor sites in the park, many of them along the Karhunkierros Trail. Metsähallitus manages the park, which was established in 1956.
The map and its controls are in Finnish. The glossary below explains the words you will see.
Key facts
- Area
- about 270 km²
- Established
- 1956
- Region
- North Ostrobothnia and Lapland
- Managed by
- Metsähallitus
- Lean-tos
- 19
- Open wilderness huts
- 8
- Outdoor sites in total
- 147
- Data
- LIPAS (CC BY 4.0), © Metsähallitus, 2026
- Updated
- 10 October 2026
Finnish words you’ll see on the map
The map and the signs in the park use Finnish. These are the words you will meet most often.
- kansallispuisto · national park
- A protected area managed by Metsähallitus. Entry is free, and extra rules apply to camping, fires and dogs.
- laavu · lean-to
- An open-fronted log shelter, usually with a fire ring in front. Free for anyone to use, and it cannot be booked.
- autiotupa · open wilderness hut
- An unlocked hut for short stays, shared on a first-come basis. Carry a tent in case it is full.
- varaustupa · reservable hut
- A hut you book and pay for in advance. It is not open to walk-in visitors.
- kota / keittokatos · cooking shelter
- A shelter with a fireplace for cooking and warming up. Not meant for sleeping.
- tulipaikka · campfire site
- A marked place where you may light a fire, unless a forest fire warning is in force.
- telttailupaikka / telttailualue · camping site
- A marked place for tents. In national parks you may camp only at these sites.
- kuivakäymälä · dry toilet
- A compost toilet without water. Bring your own toilet paper.
- näköalapaikka / näkötorni · viewpoint / viewing tower
- A lookout spot or tower with a view over the landscape.
- luontopolku · nature trail
- A short marked trail, often with information boards along the way.
- pysäköinti / P · parking
- A car park, usually at a trailhead.
Places in the park
A selection of the places on the map. Names are shown in Finnish, as they appear on signs.
What to expect
Oulanka is known for the Karhunkierros Trail, a hike of about 80 kilometres through river valleys, canyons and pine forest, and for rapids such as Kiutaköngäs. Hikers from many countries walk it, especially in summer. The lean-tos and open wilderness huts along the route are spaced as overnight stops. They cannot be booked, and the popular ones fill up at weekends, so carry a tent.
Planning your visit
Getting there
The main entrance is the Oulanka Visitor Centre of Metsähallitus at Käylä in Kuusamo. Kuusamo has an airport and long-distance bus connections, but public transport onwards to the park is limited, so most visitors arrive by car through Kuusamo. Check current connections before you travel.
Parking and trailheads
There is a car park at the Oulanka Visitor Centre. You can start the Karhunkierros Trail from several points, including the Ruka area.
Seasons
The main hiking season runs from June to September. July and August are the busiest months on the Karhunkierros Trail. In September the autumn colours are at their peak and the trails are quieter. In winter people move on skis and snowshoes, and some lean-tos can be used then too.
Dogs
Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times in the park. Lean-tos are usually the easier choice with a dog, because an open wilderness hut is a shared indoor space.
Campfires
Light fires only at the marked campfire sites by the lean-tos and huts. When a forest fire warning is in force, fires are not allowed. The Finnish Meteorological Institute publishes the warnings.
Water
Rivers and streams run along much of the route, but treat or boil water from natural sources before you drink it. There is no water supply at the open wilderness huts, so carry a filter or enough water between refills.
Accessibility
There is a short, partly accessible nature trail near the Oulanka Visitor Centre. The Karhunkierros Trail is not suitable for mobility aids.
Everyman’s right and park rules
In Finland, everyman’s right lets you walk, ski and pick berries and mushrooms on most land without asking. National parks add their own rules. Camp and light fires only at the marked sites, keep dogs on a leash, take your rubbish home with you, and follow any seasonal restrictions that Metsähallitus announces at the park.
Emergencies
The emergency number in Finland is 112. Before a longer hike, tell someone your route and when you expect to be back, and carry a charged phone.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Karhunkierros Trail?
Karhunkierros, often called the Bear’s Trail in English, is a marked hiking route of about 80 kilometres through Oulanka National Park and the Ruka area. It follows river valleys and canyons past rapids and suspension bridges. Most people walk it in 3–6 days.
Do you need to book the huts on the Karhunkierros Trail?
The lean-tos and open wilderness huts cannot be booked. Polkuopas maps 19 lean-tos and 8 open wilderness huts in Oulanka National Park. They are shared on a first-come basis, so carry a tent in case a hut is full, especially in July and August.
Is there a shorter route than the full Karhunkierros?
Yes. The Little Bear’s Ring (Pieni Karhunkierros) is a loop of about 12 kilometres that many people walk in a day. It shows the same kind of river landscape on a smaller scale.
When are the autumn colours in Oulanka?
Usually in early to mid-September. The Kuusamo area is cooler than southern Finland, so the colours peak a week or two earlier than in the south. The timing varies from year to year.
Can you reach Oulanka without a car?
It takes planning. Kuusamo has an airport and long-distance buses, but connections from Kuusamo to the park are limited. Check current options before you travel, or plan a transfer to your trailhead.