Small Bear’s Trail Is the Most Popular Day Hike in Finland
The “Pieni Karhunkierros” or Small Bear’s Trail in Oulanka National Park near Ruka Finland in Kuusamo is the most popular short hiking trail in Finland. It is visited by over 100,000 hikers annually. Known as a scenic route, the Small Bear’s Trail showcases most of the finest viewpoints of the legendary Karhunkierros (Bear's Trail).
The Small Bear’s Trail takes hikers on a 12-kilometer adventure to rugged cliffs, forested paths, and flowing rapids. On a calm day, suspension bridges reflect off the water's surface, which gleams with the blue of the sky. The park's steepest waterfall, Jyrävä, roars between rugged walls, and the rapids of River Kitkajoki foam tirelessly.
- Table of contents
- Oulanka National Park
- The Pieni Karhunkierros Trail - Trailhead and Parking
- The Pieni Karhunkierros Trail Hiking Route and Rest Areas
- Pieni Karhunkierros Trail - Attractions
- Small Bear’s Trail - Route Description
- Kuusamo's Myllykoski
- Putaansaari and Pyöreälampi
- Kallioportti - The amazingly long stairs
- Harrisuvanto Suspension Bridge
- Kalliosaari (Rock Island)
- Siilastupa hut and Jyrävä rapids
- Return to Myllykoski
- Tips for the Pieni Karhunkierros Trail
Oulanka National Park
The popular Oulanka National Park is located in the municipalities of Kuusamo and Salla, partly in Northern Ostrobothnia and partly in Lapland. Oulanka National Park was established in 1956 and expanded in 1982 and 1989. Oulanka's steep cliffs and roaring rapids are part of Finland's national landscapes.
Oulanka National Park is suitable for hiking year-round. The park area has numerous hiking trails. By far the most famous is the Karhunkierros trail. The Small Bear’s Trail, located in the southern part of the park, is part of the Bear's Trail. Other great routes and attractions include Kiutaköngäs rapids, Pähkänäkallio rock, and the Canyon trail.
Oulanka National Park is about 50 kilometers from Kuusamo and Ruka and about 40 kilometers from Salla.
The Pieni Karhunkierros Trail - Trailhead and Parking
The Small Bear’s Trail starts from Juuma (address: Juumantie road 134, Kuusamo). A large parking area has been built in Juuma, where parking is free of charge. During the summer, there is also a small kiosk open at the gate. From the gate, it's a little over 1.5 kilometers to the Small Bear’s Trail and Myllykoski.
You can also start the hiking trail from the Oulanka Basecamp parking lot (address: Myllykoskentie 33, Kuusamo). It's a 600-meter walk from the parking area to Myllykoski.
The Pieni Karhunkierros Trail Hiking Route and Rest Areas
The Small Bear’s Trail is a loop trail with a length of 12 kilometers. The hiking route can be hiked in either direction. During the summer, the recommended direction is clockwise, and most hikers follow the trail in this direction.
In winter, it's recommended to hike the Small Bear’s Trail counterclockwise, as the snowy and icy Kallioportti stairs can be very difficult to descend.
The rest areas along the Small Bear’s Trail (in clockwise order) are: Myllykoski campfire site, Pyöreälampi, Harrisuvanto lean-to shelters and cooking shelter, and Siilastupa cooking shelter and open wilderness hut. All rest areas (except Pyöreälampi) have dry toilets.
The Pyöreälampi rest area is closed from use during the year 2024. The rest area can still be used but there's no firewood or toilets.
Camping is allowed at the maintained rest areas along the Small Bear’s Trail, except at Myllykoski. The cozy Siilastupa hut is the only wilderness hut along the hiking route.
In summer and autumn, it takes about 3-6 hours to hike the Small Bear’s Trail. Cycling is prohibited on the trail year-round.
Pieni Karhunkierros Trail - Attractions
The Small Bear’s Trail passes through beautiful scenery throughout. The most photographed destinations and viewpoints include:
- Myllykoski and the Myllykoski suspension bridge and cottage
- Kallioportti, viewpoint platform
- Harrisuvanto suspension bridge
- Kalliosaari, a small island in the middle of the river
- Jyrävä, waterfall
- Aallokkokoski, rapids
Small Bear’s Trail - Route Description
From the starting gate of the Small Bear’s Trail, you first walk a short distance through the forest. Niskakoski rapids is crossed via a swaying suspension bridge. The view opens up from behind the branches of the trees to Lake Ala-Juumajärvi.
The first kilometer to Oulanka Basecamp passes quickly. Along the trail, there is an information board about Oulanka National Park and a map of the Small Bear’s Trail, from which you can take a picture with your phone. Likely the most photographed spot in Finland, Myllykoski, can be found at the southern end of Pessanvaara hill.
Kuusamo's Myllykoski
Myllykoski cottage is an old grain mill that operated from its construction in 1926 until 1948. The terrace offers views of the suspension bridge and the rapids. The renovated mill now serves as a day shelter along the Small Bear’s Trail. In the yard area, there is a covered fireplace, benches, a woodshed, and a dry toilet.
Steep stairs lead up to the rock. From there, you start the Small Bear’s Trail clockwise via the suspension bridge. There might be a line for taking photos on the bridge, as "Instagram-Myllykoski" is often photographed from it. If you continue straight ahead and up the stairs, you will reach Jyrävä and Siilastupa hut.
Putaansaari and Pyöreälampi
After the suspension bridge, you walk for some distance on Putaansaari island. A bridge leads over the rocky rapids, after which you turn left onto a rocky forest path towards Pyöreälampi pond and rest area.
Although the structures at Pyöreälampi will be removed, there may still be benches left on the rock to rest on. The tree-framed pond sparkles beautifully in the morning sun. The first hikers stop at Pyöreälampi with their snacks.
The journey continues down from the rock and sharply turns right past the smaller and elongated pond. The path winds across the bog, with most of it being gravelled. Stairs assist in the ascent towards Kallioportti rock.
Kallioportti - The amazingly long stairs
A viewpoint platform with high rails and a couple of benches has been built on top of the rock. Majestic views open up to the endlessly undulating forests and above the River Kitkajoki. It's worth stopping at Kallioportti to admire the scenery.
The longest stairs of the entire route await descent from Kallioportti. Almost immediately after descending, you reach a signposted intersection - hikers on the Karhunkierros Bear’s Trail arrive from the left and choose which way to go around the Small Bear’s Trail.
Harrisuvanto Suspension Bridge
The gravel path continues in the forest. At the Harrisuvanto rest area, large logs welcome the visitor first. The cooking shelter hides in the dense forest. In the middle, there is a large fireplace, and there are tables and benches for several groups.
From the Harrisuvanto lean-to shelter, there are magnificent views of the calm River Kitkajoki. The suspension bridge reflects in the water like a piece of art. You walk along the edge of the cliff to reach the suspension bridge and climb steep stairs up. Many take out their phones on the bridge for photography.
A narrow isthmus leads to the other side of the River Kitkajoki, where the Small Bear’s Trail continues towards Vattumutka meander. At Vattumutka, the river makes a U-turn and can be seen from behind the trees from the top of the cliffs.
Kalliosaari (Rock Island)
Kalliosaari is one of the most beautiful sights on the Small Bear’s Trail. The tiny island in the middle of the river is initially difficult to spot if you don't know what to look for. The mini-island covered in trees has endured waves and ice for tens of thousands of years. From the viewpoint, the landscape would continue along the river all the way to Lake Paanajärvi - so we are standing near the Russian border.
On the Kalliosaari viewpoint platform, there is a small bench and an information board. The landscape is beautiful year-round, in all weather conditions.
Hiking continues along a wooded path on top of the cliffs along the River Kitkajoki. At this point, hikers begin to form a line, especially during peak season.
Siilastupa hut and Jyrävä rapids
There is a bustle in the Siilastupa cooking shelter. In the courtyard, there is a fireplace with long benches. A June hike on the Karhunkierros Bear’s Trail is probably quieter than during the peak autumn colors.
A stone's throw away is the dimly lit Siilastupa hut, the only wilderness hut along the Small Bear’s Trail. While enjoying snacks on the terrace, you can gaze directly at the majestic rapids of Jyrävä. A few meters away is the shore, where you can take a dip in the cold water.
From Siilastupa hut, it's a short walk to Jyrävä, which is a natural rapid and the largest waterfall on the Small Bear’s Trail. From the cliff-top, you can take pictures of the waterfall from a bird's-eye perspective.
The last attraction on the scenic route is the 900-meter-long Aallokkokoski rapids. Those daring enough can also raft down Aallokkokoski.
Return to Myllykoski
The final leg of the Small Bear’s Trail runs through ridges and sandy paths. Along the path, you can choose to take a shortcut straight to Oulanka Base Camp or loop back to Myllykoski. Stairs lead down to the stream pool. From the shore, you can admire the bend in the river, the cabin nestled in the bend, and the patterns made by the foam on the water's surface.
From there, stairs ascend once again to the top of the cliff and the suspension bridge. If you set out early in the morning and enjoyed Myllykoski relatively peacefully, by now, the popularity of the Small Bear’s Trail becomes apparent.
Tips for the Pieni Karhunkierros Trail
- Parking: Although the parking lot is very large, it fills up quickly on beautiful summer and autumn days. Cars start to park along Juumantie road for miles, which complicates traffic. It's advisable to arrive as early as possible in the morning.
- How many people walk the Small Bear’s Trail annually? Over 100,000 hikers walk the Small Bear’s Trail each year, and visitor numbers have steadily increased. The reason for its popularity is undoubtedly the sights along the Small Bear’s Trail – as well as its fame.
- In summer and autumn, the hiking trail is often very crowded, although magnificent. The Pieni Karhunkierros Small Bear’s Trail in winter is better suited for those seeking peace.
- Which way should you hike the Small Bear’s Trail? You can hike the Small Bear’s Trail in either direction. I recommend clockwise in summer: Kallioportti will be a great experience, you’ll be just in time for lunch at the Harrisuvanto lean-to shelter, and you can enjoy afternoon coffee at Jyrävä. In winter, it's best to hike counterclockwise due to the icy and steep stairs at Kallioportti.
- How long does it take to hike the Small Bear’s Trail? In summer and autumn, the hike takes 3-6 hours with breaks for snacks. During peak times, “you walk in a queue on the Small Bear’s Trail," and passing on the narrow paths is not always easy. I don't recommend the hiking trail for trail running.
- What equipment is needed for the Small Bear’s Trail? Stairs, duckboards, gravel paths, and paths worn by thousands of hikers make walking quite easy. You don't need any special hiking equipment for the Small Bear’s Trail. Outside the peak hiking season, it's advisable to bring your own matches and basic hiking gear.
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