National park · Finland
Oulanka National ParkOulangan kansallispuisto
Entry is free: hike the 12 km (7.5 mi) Pieni Karhunkierros loop from Juuma in one day, or walk the full 80 km (50 mi) Karhunkierros over 4–5 days with a tent; come June–August for passable trails, late May or September for quiet.Entry is free: hike the 7.5 mi (12 km) Pieni Karhunkierros loop from Juuma in one day, or walk the full 50 mi (80 km) Karhunkierros over 4–5 days with a tent; come June–August for passable trails, late May or September for quiet.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
270 km² (104 sq mi)104 sq mi (270 km²)
approximate
Established
1956
Best months
Jun–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Nordic countries ↗Decide light or dark before anything else: summer trips (June–August) and aurora trips (September–March in the Arctic) need different countries, clothes and bases.
- Nordic countries ↗Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Faroes sell stronger alcohol only in state shops with short hours; buy before evening and before Sundays and holidays.
- Finland ↗Finland is in the EU and the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border.
- Finland ↗The land border with Russia is closed to travellers; do not plan a route across it.
- Finland ↗Everyman's rights let you walk, camp for a night and pick berries on most land, but not near homes, and not to make fires without permission.
At a glance
- Country
- Finland
- Area
- 270 km² (104 sq mi)104 sq mi (270 km²)
- About 270 km²; the park adjoins Paanajärvi National Park across the Russian border (check).
- Established
- 1956
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Oulanka sits just south of the Arctic Circle on the Russian border, where the Oulanka river cuts rapids and a canyon through pine forest. It is one of Finland's most visited parks, and almost all of that traffic is walkers on the Karhunkierros trail. There are no gates, no entry fee and no fences: you park free at a trailhead and start walking. The trade-off is distance — the park is 700 km north of Helsinki and the last stretch is by coach, taxi or your own car.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1956.
Size and age
270 km² (104 sq mi)104 sq mi (270 km²) · national park since 1956
About 270 km²; the park adjoins Paanajärvi National Park across the Russian border (check).
Why go
- Free entry and free open wilderness huts along the whole Karhunkierros trail.
- The 12 km (7.5 mi) Pieni Karhunkierros loop packs rapids, a canyon and the Jyrävä waterfall into one day.The 7.5 mi (12 km) Pieni Karhunkierros loop packs rapids, a canyon and the Jyrävä waterfall into one day.
- Kiutaköngäs rapids and red rock are a 500 m walk from the visitor centre car park, wheelchair accessible.
- Midnight sun from late May to July: you can walk at 23:00 in daylight.Midnight sun from late May to July: you can walk at 11:00 PM in daylight.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctCaution
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanDeep snow, very short days, -20°C (−4°F) and belowDeep snow, very short days, −4°F (-20°C) and below
- FebColdest stretch; snowshoeing only with experience
- MarSnowshoe and ski season; daylight returns
- AprSnow up to 85 cm; trails still under snow
- MayLate May: melting snow, high water, no buses yet
- JunTrails open, buses run, midnight sun
- JulWarmest; mosquitoes at their worst
- AugBuses run; berries and mushrooms
- SepNo mosquitoes, autumn colours, quiet
- OctFirst snow possible; huts still open
- NovDark, wet, no services
- DecDays of a few hours; -46°C (−51°F) has been recorded hereDays of a few hours; −51°F (-46°C) has been recorded here
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MosquitoesJun–Jul · Heavy in midsummer; repellent and a head net help. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
| ReindeerAll year · Common in the open areas; keep distance and never feed them. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Brown bear and wolfApr–Oct · Present but rarely seen; store food in a sealed bag away from your tent. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Berries and mushroomsAug–Sep · Free to pick and eat in the park; fishing and hunting are not. | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Helsinki
Night train to Oulu or Kemijärvi, then coach to Kuusamo, then local transport to the trailhead.
12–16 h
Open the page →
From Kuusamo
Karhunkierros bus to Hautajärvi, Ruka and Juuma in June–August; outside summer the bus reaches only the Ristikallio car park.
30–60 min
From Ruka
Dial-a-ride to Oulanka visitor centre and Kiutaköngäs, booked in the Matkahuolto app up to five days ahead.
30 min
From Kuusamo airport
Airport bus towards Salla drops at several trailheads; check the timetable before flying.
45–75 min
From Northern Finland
Where the park sits in a wider northern trip.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor centre and Kiutaköngäs | Café, maps, permits, the Hiiden Hurmos loop and the rapids viewpoint. | Open; car park, wheelchair-accessible path to Kiutaköngäs. |
| Juuma | Southern trailhead for Pieni Karhunkierros, Jyrävä waterfall and the canyon country. | Open; free parking, summer kiosk. |
| Hautajärvi and Ristikallio | Northern end of the Karhunkierros trail on road 950 towards Salla. | Open; free parking. |
| Border zone | The strip along the Russian border, including the far side of the Oulanka river. | Closed; permits required and normally not granted to walkers. |
Sketch map
- 1Oulanka visitor centre · Headquarters≈66.368, 29.328Café, maps, permits, start of Hiiden Hurmos.Map ↗
- 2Kiutaköngäs · Viewpoint≈66.368, 29.328Map ↗
- 3Juuma trailhead · Gate≈66.261, 29.417Start of Pieni Karhunkierros; free parking.Map ↗
- 4Jyrävä waterfall · Viewpoint≈66.255, 29.434Map ↗
- 5Oulanka canyon bridge · Viewpoint≈66.431, 29.153Map ↗
- 6Hautajärvi trailhead · Gate≈66.506, 29.285Northern start of the 80 km (50 mi) Karhunkierros.Northern start of the 50 mi (80 km) Karhunkierros.Map ↗
- 7Ristikallio parking · Gate≈66.386, 29.044Winter and shoulder-season bus terminus.Map ↗
- 8Ruka · Town≈66.165, 29.140Southern end of the trail; hotels and buses.Map ↗
- 9Oulanka National Park Camping Ground · Sleep≈66.360, 29.320Approximate; 1.5 km (0.9 mi) from the visitor centre.Approximate; 0.9 mi (1.5 km) from the visitor centre.Map ↗
Take the points offline
9 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Park centre from Wikidata; trailhead and hut positions are approximate, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | Finnish national parks have no entrance fee. |
| Oulanka National Park Camping Ground (tent or caravan) | EUR 15 (≈ US$18) | unit per night | 2026 estimate; plus a per-person fee, electricity €4, sauna €15 per 5 people (check). |
| Camping ground cabin (4 people) | EUR 50 (≈ US$60) | cabin per day | 2026 estimate; linen €3 per person (check). |
| Fishing permit for running water | Free | permit | Sold at eraluvat.fi or the visitor centre; price varies by area (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Fishing in running water permit or guide
Border zone permit or guide
Reservable wilderness huts permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- €15≈ US$18
- €50≈ US$60
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Eräluvat — fishing permits before you go.
Park rules
- Wild camping
- Not permitted. Camp at the designated camping ground, beside wilderness huts, or sleep in the huts.
- Open wilderness huts
- Free and first-come. A late arrival has the right to shelter, but in practice you may need a tent in July and August.
- Fires
- Only at marked fireplaces and in hut stoves; check for wildfire warnings before lighting anything.
- Border zone
- Off limits without a permit. Do not walk or paddle towards the Russian border.
- Bikes
- Most trails are closed to bikes. Two exceptions: the visitor centre to Taivalköngäs when the ground is unfrozen, and the winter Wilderness Track on fat bikes.
- Water
- Do not drink straight from the rivers; boil or filter first.
Where to stay
In the park
Open wilderness huts on the Karhunkierros
Free, unbooked, with firewood and a stove; bring your own sleeping bag and mattress. Taivalköngäs and Ansakämppä are the roomiest.
In the park
Oulanka National Park Camping Ground
The only proper campsite, 1.5 km (0.9 mi) from the visitor centre; June–August, September by arrangement.The only proper campsite, 0.9 mi (1.5 km) from the visitor centre; June–August, September by arrangement.
Near the park
Juuma and Liikasenvaara cabins
Cabins and rooms at the southern trailhead, close to Pieni Karhunkierros.
Near the park
Ruka
Hotels and apartments at the southern end of the trail, with buses to Kuusamo.
Safety
Cold and winter conditions high
Spring flooding medium
No phone signal medium
Rapids and cold water high
Distance from help medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Kiutaköngäs rapids are reached on an accessible path from the visitor centre car park.
- The first 500 m of the Karhunkierros trail from Hautajärvi to Rytiniva are wheelchair accessible in summer, ending at a lean-to by the Koutajoki river.
- The visitor centre, café and camping ground have step-free access and parking.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked trails; the ground and lichen recover slowly.
- Use the hut stoves and fireplaces rather than making new fire rings, and burn only the provided wood.
- Carry out everything you bring in — there are few bins in the park.
- Pick berries and mushrooms freely, but leave plants, rocks and antlers where they are.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Oulanka National Park?
Nothing. Like all Finnish national parks, Oulanka has no entrance fee and no gate. You pay only for parking (free at the main trailheads), the campsite, a fishing permit if you fish running water, and any taxi or bus you use to reach a trailhead.
What are the best hikes in Oulanka National Park?
For one day, the 12 km Pieni Karhunkierros loop from Juuma: rapids, the Jyrävä waterfall and a canyon bridge in 4–6 hours. For a short walk, the 5 km Hiiden Hurmos loop from the visitor centre. For a full trek, the 80 km Karhunkierros from Hautajärvi to Ruka over 4–5 days.
When is the best time to visit Oulanka National Park?
June to August for open trails, running buses and midnight sun, or September for autumn colours and no mosquitoes. Late May is quiet but snowmelt can make sections hard to pass. Winter is for snowshoeing and skiing only, with very short days.
Do I need a permit or a guide?
No permit and no guide for walking. You need a fishing permit for running water, a reservation for the locked reservable huts, and you must stay out of the border zone along the Russian border.
Can I camp anywhere in the park?
No. Wild camping is not allowed. Camp at the Oulanka National Park Camping Ground, beside the open wilderness huts, or sleep inside the huts themselves — they are free and first-come.
How do I get to Oulanka without a car?
Night train to Oulu or Kemijärvi, coach to Kuusamo, then the Karhunkierros bus to Hautajärvi, Ruka and Juuma in June–August. Outside summer the bus only reaches the Ristikallio car park. From Ruka, a dial-a-ride service runs to the visitor centre and Kiutaköngäs.
Is there phone signal in the park?
Not reliably. Coverage drops out in the valleys, so tell someone your route, carry a paper map, and book any return taxi before you start walking.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- officialMetsähallitus — Oulanka National Park (official park manager)
- officialMetsähallitus — Oulanka visitor centre
- officialMetsähallitus — excursionmap.fi trail map
- officialEräluvat — fishing permits
- secondaryWikipedia — Oulanka National Park
- secondaryWikivoyage: Oulanka National Park, revision 5333630 (CC BY-SA 4.0)