Rivers and rapids
The Oulankajoki and its tributary Kitkajoki are the park's main waterways. The most famous stretch is the Jyrävä rapids, a three-tiered cascade of waterfalls.
National Park · Lapland · Established 1956
Oulanka on the edge of silence
270 square kilometres of northern wilderness between Kuusamo and Salla — rivers carved by rapids, sandy bluffs, ancient pine forests and one of Europe's most celebrated hiking trails.
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Where the north
meets the river
Oulanka is a national park in Finland's Northern Ostrobothnia, just 50 kilometres south of the Arctic Circle. It is a place where the northern taiga meets the arctic tundra, and the swift Oulankajoki river carves its way through granite gorges.
The park protects a rare combination of landscapes: sandy terraces along the river, pine forests on the slopes, mires rich in cloudberry, and narrow canyons hiding waterfalls. Snow lies here for five months of the year, and in summer the sun barely sets.
Since 2005, Oulanka has formed a transboundary protected area together with Russia's Paanajärvi National Park.
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Nature
and wildlife
Forests and mires
Old-growth pine forests with trees 300 to 400 years old, dense spruce on the wetter slopes, and vast raised bogs covered in cloudberry and Labrador tea.
Wildlife
The park is home to brown bears, wolverines, lynx and forest reindeer. Among its birds are the golden eagle, osprey, and the great grey owl — rare elsewhere in Europe.
Northern orchids
Oulanka is famous for its flora — more than twenty species of northern orchids grow here, including the rare Lady's Slipper which blooms in June.
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Trails
and routes
Oulanka offers routes for every level — from a short stroll along the river to a multi-day expedition with overnight stays in wilderness huts.
82 km
Karhunkierros · The Bear's Trail
The park's flagship trail and one of Finland's oldest, opened in 1954. It crosses every signature landscape of Oulanka: the Kiutaköngäs rapids, suspension bridges, and the sandy bluffs of Taivalköngäs. Four to six days of walking.
multi-day
12 km
Pieni Karhunkierros · Little Bear's Trail
A shorter version of the main route — a full day of walking with three suspension bridges across the Oulankajoki and views over the Kiutaköngäs rapids. The park's most popular trail.
day hike
6.5 km
Hiidenlampi
A loop trail around the forest pond of Hiidenlampi. Wooden duckboards cross the bogs, and a bird-watching tower overlooks the water. Family-friendly.
easy
3.9 km
Könkäänsaari
A short trail from the visitor centre along the river to the island of Könkäänsaari, with views of the rapids. Perfect for a first encounter with the park.
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How
to get there
Location
Northern Finland, in the Kuusamo municipality. The nearest town is Kuusamo, 50 kilometres from the park entrance. From Helsinki it is roughly 800 kilometres north.
Getting there
Kuusamo Airport receives daily flights from Helsinki. From there, a rental car or local bus to the Ruka resort and the visitor centre at Kiutaköngäs.
When to visit
June to September for hiking and the white nights. February to March for snowshoeing, ski tracks and the northern lights. May and October are off-season — many trails are closed.
Visitor Centre
The Oulanka Visitor Centre stands beside the Kiutaköngäs rapids. Maps, a nature exhibition, café and parking. Open year-round.
« In Oulanka, silence is never empty — it rings with running water, whispers in the pine needles, and carries the scent of Labrador tea. »— from a guidebook by Metsähallitus, the Finnish Forest Service