Getting there
- Flights to Kuusamo (KAO) 100 km from the start
- Flights to Rovaniemi (RVN) 130 km from the start
Treks / Finland
Karhunkierros (Bear's Ring)
Finland · Nearest city: Helsinki (also Kuusamo)
TypeMulti-day trek
Days3–4
Distance≈ 82 km
Climbingvaries
Highest pointlow-level
Finland's most famous trail runs through Oulanka National Park, with rapids, suspension bridges and forest huts.
Fitness
Moderate
Best seasonJune to September
Watch out: Mosquitoes can be intense in early summer. Wilderness huts are first come, first served.
Why people choose it
It's Finland's most famous trail, through forests, rapids and suspension bridges, with free wilderness huts.
What makes it different
- Rapids and suspension bridges
- Free open wilderness huts
- Close to the Arctic Circle
Before you go
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list services that fit this trek.
Phone and data
Phone plans from the EU and EEA roam here at home prices. Coming from the US, UK or elsewhere? A Europe data eSIM is usually far cheaper than roaming.
Expect long stretches with no signal on the trail. Download offline maps and our GPX before you start.
Insurance that covers this trek
Most travel insurance includes hiking at this height. Check that hiking is listed and that medical evacuation is covered.
Rescue is not the same as evacuation. Travel insurance usually pays to fly you to hospital, but not always for the search and rescue itself. Read the policy's "search and rescue" section.
True Traveller sells only to UK and EEA residents. Always check the altitude limit and your country of residence in the policy wording. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.
Camping and where to sleep
Everyman's rights allow short-term camping in the countryside. In national parks, use the marked campsites and huts.
Rules change and differ between parks. Check with the local park or tourist office before you pitch a tent.
Route map
Map layers load on the live site. Use the overview below meanwhile.
Trail from OpenStreetMap (81.9 km) Route variant Start / finish Stop on the way Nearest city
Switch between Topo, Satellite and Street layers with the layer button, and turn on the marked hiking trails overlay. The trail line is the OpenStreetMap hiking route and may differ from the variant you choose. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.
Stops: Salla → Oulanka National Park → Ruka
Simple overview map
Step by step
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Months before
Plan and book
- Book your first and last nights, and check whether accommodation along the way needs reserving.
- Best time to go: June to September.
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6–12 weeks before
Train and test your gear
- Take the readiness quiz to see how many weeks of training you need.
- Break in your boots and train with the pack you'll carry.
- Tick off the packing list to see what you still need.
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Getting there
Travel to the start
- Most people start from Helsinki.
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On the trail
Walk it
- Start early each day, so you arrive before the afternoon weather and the rush for beds.
- You can carry a tent and camp where it's allowed, which saves money and gives more flexibility.
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The finish
Get home
- It's a one-way route, so plan your transport back from the finish in advance.
How the season changes things
Best time: June to September
Late June to mid-July
Early summer
Midnight sun or very long days, snow patches on high ground and fast-flowing snowmelt rivers. Mosquitoes peak.
Bring
- Mosquito head net and repellent
- Eye mask for the light nights
- Gaiters for snow
Late July to August
High summer
Warmest and most stable weather, fewer mosquitoes later in August, but busiest huts.
Bring
- Rain jacket
- Warm layer
- Book popular huts and boats
September
Autumn
Stunning autumn colours and the first northern lights, but cold nights, first snow on the tops and some huts closing.
Bring
- Down jacket and hat
- Headlamp
- Check hut opening dates
Be ready for
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes can be intense in early summer. Bring a head net, repellent and long sleeves.
What you'll see
6 photos taken on and around the route by Wikimedia Commons photographers. Tap one to see it bigger.
Gear for the Karhunkierros (Bear's Ring)
Photo credits: FI-Oulanka NP1 by Lysy, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Myllykoski, Kuusamo, Finland by Ninara, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Kuusamo, Finland - Sunset by Ninara, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Ruuhijoen rautatiesilta by MKFI, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Kuusamo, Finland by Ninara, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Salla, Finland - panoramio by HenrikJ, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos resized for the web. Figures are approximate and vary with the variant you choose.
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