Treks:Finland:Sep2002:Oulanka:Karhunkierros1			Back
Karhunkierros ("The Bear's Ring") is the most famous trek in Oulanka. It is a 70 or 80 km track, depending on the chosen starting point (Ristikallio or Hautajärvi). I walked the Hautajärvi to Luontokeskus part in May, and as this trail is actually not a ring as the name would imply, I had to go back then to my car. This time I took a taxi to Luontokeskus ("Nature Centre") and walked the remaining 50 km to Ruka. This portion of the trail contained some of the most difficult parts of it, but also the most spectacular sights, so it is well worth it. Especially the last section approaching Ruka is hard, the track runs over the top of every hill that it can find. This makes for great views but it requires you to climb and descend some quite steep slopes. The ultimate point along the way is Valtavaara hill, where you have a spectacular full 360 degree view. I spent the night there in the small 3 by 3 meters day hut, together with a very nice Finnish couple. Valtavaara is also easily reached from Ruka as a day trip. It is not for people that dislike climbing endless wooden stairs with slippery steps... :-) September turned out to be a very popular time for Fins to walk this trail too, due to the 'Ruska', the autumn colours. However, due to the dry summer the colours were not very bright this year, almost only some light green and yellow. But anyway, because of this every night the huts were packed with people, far beyond the number of people indicated on the maps for these huts. It was very nice to see how everybody improvised and worked together to allow extra space for new arrivals. No one was ever turned down, in the Siilastupa hut near Juuma we stayed with 22 people where there was supposed to be only space for 12... It was cosy, I'll tell you that! Meeting all sorts of very nice people on my way and in those huts is one of the things that makes these treks so great!
5659 Kiutaköngäs	5662	5663	5664
5666	5667	5669	5670 Not as much water now...
5672	5673	5674	5675
5678 At Merioja campsite	5682	5685	5686 Ansakämppä?
5688	5689	5691 Wet and slippery	5692
5693	5696 At Jussinkämppä	5697	5698
5699	5700	5702 Inside the hut	5709 And outside
5710 The hut	5711 The kota	5712	5714
5715 15 km to go today...	5719	5720	5721
5722	5723	5724	5725
5729	5730	5731 A classical 'Laavu', a lean-to shelter.	5732
5733 And another one	5735 This is where one of the roughest parts of the trail begins...	5738	5740 Yes, this is the trail...
5741 Just completed one of the hardest sections, enjoying some much deserved rest	5742 Luckily, there is also a bridge now	5743 Looks familiar, back at Jyrävä and Siilastupa hut again	5744
5745 Crazy Fin: it is -5 outside...	5746	5748	5749 Smoke on the water...
5751 Getting ready for the road again	5752	5753	5754 Siilastupa, sleeps 22 persons...
5755	5756 Jyrävä close-up	5760 A remarkable guy, Juhanni. He was already more than 6 weeks on the road, started walking near Helsinki, hopes to go on to the most northern point of Finland. And a very nice person too. I really hope he made it.	5761
5762 Now the hard part starts...	5763 Kuukkeli	5767 Getting water, there is none to be found on top of Valtavaara where I plan to stay the night.	5769
5772 There it is!	5773 A very nice Finnish couple, Ritua and Pasi, from Tampere	5774 I was there too!	5775 Beautiful views up there
5776	5777	5778	5779 Right out of a Monty Python movie
5781 300m down the hill is a kota and the woodshed. And a toilet!	5782	5783 Small, but cosy	5785 It seems not only humans appreciate the view...
5787	5788 Ruka!	5790 Pasi and Ritua making pancakes. You gotta love these people!	5791 There goes a very fine couple...
5792	5793 Rukatunturi	5796 Inside Valtavaara hut	5798 The hut
5799 The toilet at the kota, almost same size :-)	5800 Inside the kota. I prefer the hut...	5801 The kota	5802
5803	5804 On my way again	5806 Almost there! Three...	5807 One last look back to Valtavaara
5808 Approaching Ruka	5809 Two...	5810 Stairway from heaven	5811 Eehh... One?
5812 There we are!	5813 Leave your stick for the next person	5816 Done! Now what shall I do next...?