Halti is the highest fell in Finland with the peak, Háldičohkka, at 1324 m above the sea level. It can be summitted from Finland or from Norway as the fell is located at the border between two countries. The trail to Halti from Kilpisjärvi, the Arctic Trail (Nordkalott Trail), is the most popular route to Halti from Finland.
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Finland
Autumn is my favorite time of the year, and the nicest time for outdoors. In the end of October, most of the colorful autumn leaves have usually fallen to the ground in the Southern Finland, the air is crisp but not cold, and there’s still a lot of daylight for hiking. I decided to visit the southern green oasis, Nuuksio National Park, as I didn’t have much time to spend for the journey. Luckily, you don’t have to travel far to enjoy the benefits of nature and get those happy outdoor experiences! My wishes and goals for the weekend were just testing my new winter sleeping bag before my first winter hike snowshoeing in Syöte National Park, trying autumn camping for the first time in my life, and getting fresh air and charging my batteries for the coming grey and dark November days.
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Nature has always been an important part of life for Finns. We have walked, wandered, jogged, camped, and picked berries in the woods from the beginning of our history. Even though running is probably more popular than ever, and people are increasingly heading into nature in their free time, spending time on trails is sort of a natural way of Finnish living. Trail running may sound even trendy, but the core thing is to enjoy the great outdoors and move. Getting your share of health and happiness doesn’t require any fancy equipment, although a pair of running shoes with a good grip will make it more fun!
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Nuuksio National Park in southern Finland is less than an hour's drive from Helsinki. Its easy accessibility makes it ideal for beginner hikers. Although Nuuksio is a relatively urban nature area, the park is full of beautiful untouched forests and swamps, rugged cliffs, and sparkling lakes and ponds. The lucky and discerning outdoor enthusiast might also spot a tiny flying squirrel at dusk!
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The most popular hiking trail in Finland is Karhunkierros, also known as the Bear’s Trail. It takes you through the Oulanka National Park to beautiful forests and scenic views by the swirling River Oulankajoki. The difficulty level varies from easy to more challenging, but I don’t think there are any difficult parts really, even if you are an unexperienced hiker.
The 82 km trail starts from Hautajärvi village in Lapland’s Salla and ends in Rukatunturi fell in Kuusamo. The legendary Bear’s Trail was my first solo hike in the summer 2020.
This part covers the last 41km. Read also: Getting ready for the Bear's Trail and hiking the first 41 km.
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Karhunkierros, the Bear’s Trail, is the most popular hiking trail in Finland. It takes you through the Oulanka National Park to beautiful forests and scenic views by the swirling River Oulankajoki. The difficulty level varies from easy to more challenging, but I don’t think there are any difficult parts really, even if you are an unexperienced hiker.
The 82 km trail starts from Hautajärvi village in Lapland’s Salla and ends at the Rukatunturi fell in Kuusamo (of course you can hike it the other direction too!)
The legendary Bear’s Trail is kind of a must on every hiker’s bucket list. I hiked alone the Bear’s Trail in the end of June in 2020. It was my first solo hiking adventure, amazing and intensive, a life-changing experience I will remember the rest of my life. This is my hiking story from Salla' Hautajärvi to the mid-point of Karhunkierros Trail (41 km).
You might be interested: Karhunkierros - complete guide (2026)
Read also: Hiking in Finland - What to pack for a week's summer hike?
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