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Oulanka National Park

Experience

Oulanka is a superb hiking destination. The popular Karhunkierros Hiking Trail leads through the National Park. Hikers can get a general picture of the park’s nature and see the national landscape even on day-trips lasting a few hours.

Go Canoeing: Visitors can brave the rapids or leisurely float along calmer waters. Canoe rental services available. The River Oulankajoki is a versatile waterway. It’s lower course from Kiutaköngäs to Jäkälämutka is slow and calm. It is therefore suited for family canoeing trips and for beginners. Alternatively the upper course of the river has wild rapids, which will challenge those with canoeing experience. The water in the upper course is very shallow and during dry summer months canoes and kayaks must be carried past the rapids.

Go on a bird watching expedition along the river or in the area’s wooded hills. Bird watching offers an added bonus on short or long hikes or when canoeing along the river.

In the wintertime, you can explore Oulanka by skiing along Oulanka’s wilderness skiing trail (23 km), utilising the markings of the Karhunkierros trail and the park’s maintenance tracks. Skiing is allowed in all parts of the park except for the Juuma gorges. For more information, visit the Instructions and Rules page. You can spend the night in a tent in designated places along the trail or stay in a cabin or lean-to shelter.

Local partners can give you the opportunity to go Dog sledging, snow shoeing or ice fishing.

Stay in a wilderness lodge right on the edge of the park, relax after a day in a the wilderness in a traditional smoke sauna then soak under the stars in a steaming hot tub!