With this year's dramatic spring floods, nature showed us her might
in the Oulanka National Park. The flood raised the water level of the River
Oulankajoki by 2.8 metres. The flood peak is now over, and it is once again safe
to hike on the Karhunkierros Trail.
Because of the flood, the Karhunkierros Trail was cut off in Northern Oulanka
and at Merenoja. The bridges have now been repaired, and hiking on the trail is
back to normal.
If you notice structures that have been swept away by the flood while hiking
at Oulanka, please notify the visitor centres. For example, misplaced duckboards
from Karhunkierros and other trails may still be found.
Canoeing on the lower stretches of the river is still very challenging due to
the branches of sunken logs in the water. The water is also cold, roughly 10
degrees centigrade. It is advisable to take only guided canoeing trips, and
safety measures should be a top priority.
The water of River Oulankajoki is flood water and should not, under any
circumstances, be used as drinking water without boiling it; it can cause an
upset stomach. You can take drinking water with you from the visitor centres and
other service points in the area. For more instructions, please visit the Hiking
in Finland section at Outdoors.fi.
The staff at Oulanka National Park wish you an enjoyable summer of
hiking!
Further Information:
