Aren’t you an experienced wanderer yet, but you want to challenge yourself a little bit? Do you want to enjoy nature without having to gain years of experience? If you said yes, there would be an alternative to you: The Pieni Karhunkierros in Kuusamo!
My name is Henna, and I come from Kuusamo, so I am very familiar with this topic, perhaps even too much. I have toured this route many times during my primary school days, whether it was summer or winter. Hopefully, my post will also reach people who are not familiar with the topic but want to experience this excursion at least once in their lives on finland’s most popular hiking trail.
What’s Pieni karhunkierros?
A 12km scenic route set in the southern part of Oulanka National Park. The route is classified as medium-clothing, but in some places the route can be difficult due to differences in altitude, so there must be some kind of basic hiking skills. The route is approximately 4-6 hours away and there are several resting places along it. However, it should be noted that the tour is a hiking trail, so execution is not allowed on the routes. You can leave two different starting points: Juuma parking and Basecamp Oulanka. There’s a lot to see on the route all year round. Examples:
- Sparkling rapids
- Three suspension bridges
- Myllykoski
Winter camping
There is no separate winter maintenance on the Pieni Karhunkierros, but there are still a lot of people on the route. The terrain and path are therefore well trampled to be transported. However, it is advisable to be prepared for the fact that you may need snowshoes. It is easy to stay on the route thanks to the buttons with reflectors. So you can’t get lost right away! It makes sense, of course, to get moving in the light of day, if that is possible. Basecamp organizes winter guided snowshoe tours for tours.
Summer camping
The most popular time when other people have decided to go camping is, of course, summer. In summer, the route is easier to take than in winter. The walks of the nightless night and the breathtaking scenery will have different rights this time of year. With almost every step, a new breathtaking landscape opens up in front of you. Summer makes it possible to paddle part of the trip! If you’re interested in canoeing, something you definitely need to experience. Although the route is classified as medium clothing, in summer the whole family can go to the national park to admire Finland’s nature and its diversity.
- Special tip! Children and people in poor health should take the route counterclockwise, even though the recommendation is clockwise. One of the most “disgusted” sections of the route, the great hill starting at Harrisuvanto, will thus remain the last challenge of the excursion.
Hopefully, my little blog post gave me the enthusiasm to go hiking in the wonderful nature of Finland. From Rovaniemi, when there is not much travel to the Pieni karhunkierros, about 200 km. I could have written about how much on the subject, but if you want more information, take a look at Oulanka’s activities!
Sources
Basecamp Oulanka. 2022. Viitattu 4.2.2022 http://www.basecampoulanka.fi/fi
Metsähallitus. 2022. Oulanka aktiviteetit 2022 Viitattu 3.2.2022 https://www.luontoon.fi/oulanka/aktiviteetit
Metsähallitus. 2022. Oulanka patikointireitit Viitattu 3.2.2022 https://www.luontoon.fi/oulanka/patikointireitit#pienikarhunkierros