Pyhävaara is located right next to Ruka Finland, south of Rukankylä village in Kuusamo. The Pyhävaara route, Pyhän Jyssäys Trail, is a 6 km (3.73 miles) ring route. From the top of Pikku Pyhävaara, beautiful winter landscapes open up to the surroundings of Ruka, to the hill and lake landscape.
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Snowshoeing
Pieni Karhunkierros - The Small Bear’s Trail is probably the most popular short hiking trail in Kuusamo, Finland. Thousands of backpackers visit the 12-kilometer (7.5 miles) hiking trail all year round. Most of the famous sights of the legendary Karhunkierros Bear’s Trail in Oulanka National Park are located on the Pieni Karhunkierros Trail.
Pieni Karhunkierros Trail is the longest and most challenging of Oulanka National Park's winter trails, along with Oulanka wilderness track. Other winter routes in Oulanka are Kiutaköngäs and Hiiden Hurmos Trail next to the Oulanka Visitor Centre. On a winter trip to Kuusamo, it is also worth visiting at least Ruka's Valtavaara and Konttainen.
Pieni Karhunkierros Trail runs in the southernmost part of Oulanka National Park. During the daytrip, you can admire incredibly beautiful falls and rapids, listen to silence in dense forests, and enjoy snacks by the campfire. Pieni Karhunkierros Trail in winter is the gem of Kuusamo!
Read also: Pieni Karhunkierros Small Bear's Trail in summer and autumn
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Soutaja fell is perhaps the most beautiful fell in the Pyhä-Luosto area in Lapland, Finland. Soutaja fell is a great year-round outdoors destination, suitable for snowshoeing, fatbiking and skiing in winter. Due to its magnificent powder snow Soutaja (373 m) is especially popular among snow surfers and off-piste skiers.
Pyhä-Luosto winter trails offer wonderful opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Soutaja fell is considerably smaller than Pyhä's highest and most famous Kultakero fell, but on a sunny frosty day the fell’s beautiful crown-snow scenery is absolutely breathtaking. Soutaja is uncrowded even in the middle of the busiest skiing season.
Pyhä-Luosto National Park is Finland's southernmost great fell area. Pyhä has been a sacred place for the Forest Sámi people, which can still be seen in the place names of the area. Peaceful Soutaja on the shore of Lake Pyhäjärvi is perfect for a quiet mindful day trip in the midst of everyday hustle and bustle.
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Sipoonkorpi National Park in Finland is a green oasis in Eastern Uusimaa. It lies within easy reach of Helsinki. Sipoonkorpi may be the most forested forest in Finland, and the area consists of wilderness and traditional rural landscapes. Sipoonkorpi National Park is the last wilderness area of the capital region of Helsinki.
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Koli National Park is a nature gem in North Karelia, Finland, which charms all year round. The view from the peaks of Koli to Lake Pielinen is one of our most beloved national landscapes. Koli has about 80 km of marked trails, with a few kilometres of winter trails for snowshoeing. To reach the best viewpoints and photo spots, you have to climb steep cliffs and traverse through dense forests.
In winter, the peaks and moorlands are best reached on snowshoes, there are fifty kilometres of trails for skiing adventures, and Ukko-Koli offers downhill skiing. A tour of the Koli peaks is the most spectacular day trip in the national park. Right next to the Koli National Park is Ryläys, with its slopes overlooking stunning forested hillsides.
I did a winter hike in Koli snowshoeing in the darkest time of the year in December. I also tested the Ikolanaho rental cabin.
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Snowshoes, crown snow scenery, and my first winter hike solo. Everything in the sentence screams: exciting!
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