Instructions and rules along Karhunkierros Trail

Instructions on Exploring Karhunkierros Trail

• The rules hikers should follow while on Karhunkierros Trail are for the most part the same as the
Instructions and Rules for Oulanka National Park.
• Hiking, skiing, rowing and paddling are permitted in Oulanka National Park with the exception of restricted areas.
• Frequently asked questions about Oulanka National Park.

Preparations

Mobile Phone Coverage

• Although Finland has a broad network for mobile phones, there are some areas in the park without signal. There may also be some smaller spots where there is interference. If this happens try to climb to a higher place or go into an open area. It may be worth removing the SIM card from your phone and then trying again to make emergency call. Different phones also differ in their coverage.

Safety

• Hikers travelling on Karhunkierros Trail are not required to sign in at customer service points.
• In the event that something happens during your hike it is good to know that there are signposts at 1 km intervals, which show the distance to the trail ending points in Hautajärvi and Ruka. The closest services and rest spots are also marked on the signposts.
• There is an up-to-date fire and rescue plan for Oulanka National Park, which enables Metsähallitus customer service points to react swiftly in the event of an emergency such as an accident or forest fire. Read the
Instructions and Rules for Oulanka National Park.
• Autumn is moose hunting time at Kitkaniemi in the southern part of Oulanka National Park. During this time visitors should wear bright coloured clothing, especially a bright head-dress, so that hunters do not mistake them for moose from a distance.
• Information about the safety and equipments of canoeing: Turvallista melontaa (www.kanoottiliitto.fi, in Finnish) and Melontaopas (melonta.wasalab.com, in Finnish).

Peak Season

Peak season for Karhunkierros Trail and Oulanka National Park is 15.6. - 30.9. During this time 10,000 - 15,000 hikers travel Karhunkierros Trail.

Around 180,000 people visit Oulanka National Park each year 80,000 of whom visit the Juuma area.

Seasons

• The winter’s first snow usually falls in Oulanka National Park at the end of October. The winter is harsh in the Koillismaa Region as the temperature falls to extreme lows and there is a lot of snow. We recommend that only experienced hikers attempt winter trekking.
• Melting snows cause the River Oulankajoki to flood around the middle of May and waters stay high until the beginning of June.
• Ruska season when leaves change colour in autumn usually begins at the end of August, but this varies slightly each year.
• Mosquitos appear in the area around the end of June. Their amount depends on the previous summer’s and autumn’s rains and the harshness of the winter. Sand fly season is from the end of July to the beginning of September. At the end of summer it is the midges’ turn and they remain in the area till the temperature drops below zero.