Pieni Karhunkierros / Small Bear Loop – Oulanka National Park

The Bear Circuit - Finnish: Karhunkierros - is a popular trekking route in the beautiful Oulanka National Park. But we don't want to send you that far, because it's quite long at around 80 kilometers. Instead, we'll just take you on the Little Bear Tour, which is about twelve kilometers long and can be easily done as a leisurely day or half-day tour. Along the way you will always find rustic, open wooden huts with fireplaces. So pack some food to grill.

The circular hike starts at the car park or the Juuma Retkietappi bus stop. After a few hundred meters you pass the Kitkajoki over a swinging suspension bridge, which is really fun. It is precisely this flow that accompanies you again and again today. The path meanders sometimes closer, sometimes further away along the rippling water. After a good three kilometers you can make out the rushing Jyrävä, a beautiful waterfall where the Kitkajoki falls over a small cascade. There is also a hut here to take a break.

You follow the course of the river via the elevated path, which spoils you with first-class views. Soon you are again in front of a suspension bridge that stretches picturesquely over the river. On the other side you will see several wooden crates in the forest. If you have something to grill with you, this is just the right opportunity for a crackling fire.

A short climb will get you going again. You hike through a fragrant forest area, past small lakes and soon come across a crossroads that you already know from the way there. From here it is only about two kilometers back to the starting point.