Destinations // 21 January 2026
Karhunkierros (The Bear's Trail) is the most famous long hiking trail in Finland. The 82-kilometre "legendary trail" runs through the Oulanka National Park in the Salla and Kuusamo areas, combining the most spectacular natural sites in the Northeastern part of Finland in one single experience. I have hiked Karhunkierros and visited its trails and attractions 16 times in different seasons - and this guidebook contains detailed instructions and tips based on my own experiences.
For many Finns, Karhunkierros is their first long hike. For the first-timer (either first hike ever or first hike in Finland), there are many qualities that make it a great trek: the route is well marked, there are no water crossings, and there are numerous huts and shelters along the way. There are also some restaurants along the way and several places to get off the hike if necessary.
Every guide praises Karhunkierros hike and says it should be on every hiker's bucket list. In reality, some people don't like it, some don't care, and for some the Karhunkierros hike is a wonderful, even life-changing experience.
In this guide you will find "everything about Karhunkierros" to help you plan and do your own hike - whether you are on your first long hike or are setting off for the first time on Finland's most legendary hiking trail!
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Karhunkierros - Bears Trail
- Destination: Oulanka National Park, Lapland and Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland
- Distance: 82 km (several shorter distances available)
- Difficulty: physically demanding but quite easy
- When to go: from June to October for a summer and autumn hike
- Duration: 3-5 days
- Where to stay: camping in tent or wilderness huts for free, various camping sites and rental cottages and hotels in Ruka and Juuma
Adventures // 8 September 2025
Parastinden in Norway is a favourite mountain especially among Finnish hikers. The mountain, which resembles a shark's fin, can be climbed on a short day trip from Rognli in Norway, or on a longer hike from Kilpisjärvi in Finland.
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Parastinden - daytrip or long-distance hike
- Destination: Storfjord / Signaldalen, Norway
- Distance: From Rognli 5 km / 3.1 miles, from Kilpisjärvi 32 km / 19.9 miles (one direction)
- Difficulty: moderate / demanding
- When to go: June to September
Adventures // 14 August 2025
The Arctic Trail is a demanding 800-kilometre hiking trail along the borders of northern Finland, Norway and Sweden. You don't have to hike the entire Arctic Trail in one go, but can do it in many different sections.
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Arctic Trail, Kopmajoki - Reisadalen
- Destination: Käsivarsi, Lapland, Finland & Saraelv, Reisa, Norway
- Distance: 46 km (one direction, Kopmajoki-Sieimma)
- Difficulty: advanced, trail may be poorly marked, river crossings
- When to go: from end of June to end of September for a summer and autumn hike
- Duration: 2-3 days
- Where to stay: camping in tent, wilderness huts, rental huts
Destinations // 8 July 2025
The Alta Canyon (Sautso) in Finnmark, northern Norway, is the most spectacular hike in Alta region. It is one of the largest canyons in northern Europe, and it can be reached by hiking, cycling and by boat along the river. The canyon hike, south of Alta, is a day trip and not as inaccessible as you might think.
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Alta Canyon
Location: Alta, Finnmark County, Norway
Route length: 12.6 km / 7.8 miles (from Gargia upper parking / trailhead and back)
Difficulty: easy (viewpoint moderate)
Duration: 3-4 h
When to go: from June to September (accessible in winter)
Special: The largest canyon in Northern Europe
Destinations // 30 June 2025
Sipoonkorpi National Park is a place to admire the majestic mossy cliffs and walk through dense, wilderness-like coniferous forests. Fiskträsk is a beautiful wilderness lake, that you can reach with a quick hike to its shores and a new campfire site.
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Fiskträsk Trail from Bakunkärr parking
- Destination: Sipoo, Eastern Uusimaa, Finland
- Distance: 5,7 km (3.5 miles)
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Duration: 2 h
- Special: Wilderness lake & campfire site
Destinations // 23 June 2025
Kukastunturi (477 m) is one of the easiest routes in Ylläs Lapland to the top of fells. Located in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park in Finland, the Kukastunturi summit offers great views in all directions. The most convenient way to hike Kukastunturi is from Karila.
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Kukastunturi, Ylläs Trails
- Destination: Muonio, Lapland, Finland
- Distance: 9 km (5.5 miles) / 20 km (12.5 miles)
- Difficulty level: Easy / Medium
- Duration: 2-3 h / 6h (hiking)
- Special: biking route + hiking trail
Destinations // 16 June 2025
Särkitunturi (492 m) is a fell in Muonio Lapland, on the shore of Lake Särkijärvi, overlooking one of the most photographed landscapes in Finland. The Särkitunturi trail is 3 km long in one direction. The highlights of Särkitunturi are the Lappish hut next to a pond and beautiful views of the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, rolling fells and lakes.
I have been to Särkitunturi fell four times in the last four years: trail running in summer, hiking in autumn and hiking and snowshoeing in winter. I have wanted to understand the secret of Särkitunturi's popularity - why is Särkitunturi the most visited fell in Muonio?
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Särkitunturi Hike in Muonio
- Destination: Muonio, Lapland, Finland
- Distance: 3 km (one direction)
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Duration: 2 h (whole trip)
Destinations // 13 June 2025
Gorsabrua, or Gorsa Bridge, is a spectacular bridge in the picturesque Kåfjorddalen valley in Birtavarre, Norway, under which the deepest canyon in northern Europe drops. A massive waterfall rushes along the wall of the gorge.
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Gorsabrua, Birtavarre, Norway
- Location: Birtavarre, Kåfjorddalen, Northern Norway
- Parking: paid parking at Ankerlia (large car park) or small car park closer to the route.
- Route length: 1,8 km in one direction (approx. 4 km round trip) from the upper car park
- Difficulty: easy, walking on the bridge can be challenging :D
- Duration: 1-2 hours for the whole trip
- When to go: from June to September
- Suitable: for hikers of basic fitness, also for families (not accessible)
- Special: 153 m high bridge over the gorge, spectacular waterfall, bungee jumps
Adventures // 5 June 2025
Abisko National Park is the most famous hiking and outdoors destination in Swedish Lapland. Abisko trails are accessible for both short day hikes and multi-day long-distance hikes of hundreds of kilometres. The most popular of Abisko's trails is Kungsleden, which runs along the River Abiskojåkka and the banks of the Lake Ábeskojávri in the national park.
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Adventures // 26 May 2025
Abisko in Swedish Lapland is a popular year-round outdoor destination. Abisko offers various trails for day hikes and long hiking trails of hundreds of kilometres. The most famous hiking trail is Kungsleden, but the most spectacular scenery awaits around it in the mountains.
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