Karhunkiirros (Bear Ring) is 80 kilometers of forest trails, suspension bridges, rocky cliffs, and turbulent rivers. This dizzying route, established in 1954, is now considered the most popular hiking trail in Finland. And although (contrary to its name) you are unlikely to see bears here, you are almost certain to encounter capercaillies, bright butterflies, and real reindeer — the very ones that, according to legend, are ridden by the Finnish Santa Claus, Joulupukki. There are two ways to complete the Bear Ring: on foot (in summer, spring, and fall) or on skis (in winter).
Most of the Karhunkierros route runs through Oulanka National Park, a huge 270 square kilometer reserve located in two Finnish provinces, Lapland and Northern Ostrobothnia.
The famous Rovaniemi, located above the Arctic Circle, is not far from here—192 km—so the nature along the entire length of Karhunkiirros is breathtakingly harsh and laconic. Here, pine trees cling to almost sheer cliffs, turbulent rivers frequently turn into small angry waterfalls, and suspension bridges span wide marshy plains and deep canyons.
It is best to start the route in the north, near the Hautojärvi tourist center, where you can pick up detailed maps of the area. From there, travelers usually follow the banks of the fast-flowing Oulanka River, passing the tourist center of the same name and the village of Yuma (where you can stock up on food supplies). The trail ends near the Ruka resort, where there are several hotels where weary travelers can rest.
Tourists usually complete the entire 80-kilometer trail in 4-7 days (depending on their level of fitness).
In the most picturesque places of the Bear Ring, there are shelters for travelers — cozy wooden houses with a small stove inside. They always have a supply of firewood, matches, fire lighter fluid, and even two-story wooden beds with carefully laid out tourist sleeping pads.
Near each cabin, there is a picnic area with a barbecue, a fire pit, and benches made from tree trunks. So don’t forget to bring a camping kettle and a supply of food. What could be better than a snack after a long walk in the fresh air? There are quite a few such cabins in Oulanka Park. But if you are traveling in the summer, it is still better to bring a tent with you — there may not be enough space for everyone during the peak season.
Is it possible to get lost on the route? Although this road is called Bear Road, it is practically impossible to get lost here. Throughout the entire route, there are wooden signs (unfortunately, only in Finnish) and maps (in Swedish, English, and Finnish) indicating your current location. In addition, there are special stands at the most picturesque spots on Karhunkierros, marking the best places to take photos. Some of them even have special holes where you can insert your lens and get a stunning shot.
Start small If the 80-kilometer route through the protected areas seems too challenging, you can start with the Small Bear Ring (Pieni Karhukienross). It is only 12 kilometers long. This section of the route can easily be covered on foot in a day. The starting point of the Small Bear Ring can be reached by car or bus from the village of Yuma. Those who find even this route too long can simply drive to one of the trailheads and walk 4-5 kilometers to the next exit from the route.
In addition to the final and starting points (Ruka and the Hautajärvi tourist center), you can access the trail from the Savilampi and Ristikallio parking lots, from the village of Yuma, the Oulanka tourist center, and several other locations.
But in reality, there is no such thing as bad weather in the Bear Ring (as in nature as a whole). In summer, you can swim in the cool, invigorating river and sunbathe on the rocky beaches. In spring, you can see the first flowers blooming in the green velvet moss. In autumn, you can marvel at the sight of the orange-flaming forests. And in winter, you can go skiing and admire the fantastic contrast of white snow and dark, unfrozen water. The only “but” is that during the cold season, only one “piece” of the Bear Ring is accessible for passage—26 kilometers between the Oulanka tourist center and the village of Yuma.