The perhaps best known long-distance-hiking trail in Scandinavia is situated in the south-eastern corner of Finnish Lapland, in the Oulanka national park. The special beauty of this area was remarked by the Finns already in 1897, but it was not before 1956 until the actual borders of the Oulanka national park were fixed by law. Together with the Russian Paanajärvi nationalpark which starts right after the border, Oulanka forms a huge wilderness area which is a refuge for many rare animal and plant species. Remarkable for this national park is the wild river Oulankajoki, which we often follow during our tour. We see unique rock formations, canyons, roaring rapids, water falls but also parts where the river flows silent and peacefully. We walk through deep, silent forests, pass bogs, live in basic but romantic wilderness huts or in tents. Silence, cracking camp fires, magnificent nature – a great experience!
Requirements
- good physical condition
- teamspirit/cooperation
Departures
23.-29.8.2010 (beginning of autumn, first autumn colours)
19.-25.6.2011 (midsummer trip – experience
the white nights of Lapland!)
21.-27.8.2011
Included services
- collective transfer from/to Kuusamo airport plus transfers to the starting
point and from the endpoint of the trip
- 4 nights in wildernesscabins or 2 - 3 person-tents
- 2 nights in the Hotel Kuusanka (double rooms)
- fullboard during the tour
- experienced english speaking wildernessguide
- tents, cooking-equipment
Not included services
- alcoholic drinks
Group size
minimum 5, maximum 10 persons
Price
2010: € 850 from/to airport Kuusamo
2011: € 990 from/to airport Kuusamo
Catering/overnights
The common material (incl. food) will be split within the participants and
has to be carried by the guests. The food must be carried for 3 days maximum.
Shopping-possibilities during the trek. The overnights are partly in huts,
partly in tents.
Program - beartrail trekking
1st day: Transfer from the airport
Kuusamo to the cosy Hotel Kuusanka. Meeting the guide. During the get together
dinner information on the coming week. Overnight in double rooms.
2nd day: Start to the trek. Road Kuusamo-Salla
- Taivalköngäs; The trail leads through dry forests and a very good
hiking trail to Ristikallio, a very impressive rock on top of a lake. Further
on to the beautiful falls of Taivalköngäs, where we stay overnight
in the cabin or tents. Distance about 9 km, duration about 3 hours.
3rd day: Taivalköngäs - Kiutaköngas;
Possibility for a worthwhile sidehike to the Oulanka-Canyon (8 km return)
without luggage.
After picking up our luggage again we hike further along the Oulanka river
to the impressive wildwater of Kiutaköngäs, where we stay overnight
in tents (possiblity for food-shopping); Distance about 9 km, duration about
3 hours.
4th day: Kiutaköngäs - Jussinkämppä;
Further along the beautyful Oulanka river we enjoy the botanical variety and
reach in the evening Jussingkämppä. A cabin on a great lake, which
invites for a evening bath. Overnight in the cabin or in tents. Distance about
15 km, duration about 5 hours.
5th day: Jussinkämppä - Jyrävä;
The trail leads now further to the shore of the Kitkajoki-river. As well a
very large beautiful river. Until we hit the track of the "pieni karhunkierros"
(small beartrail) we stay on the side of the Kitkajoki. This "pieni karhunkierros"
leads us further along the same river until we reach the massiv falls of Jyrävä.
In the cabin nearby we stay overnight (or in tents). Distance about 16 km,
duration about 5 hours
6th day: Jyrävä - Juuma;
On a very short hike we pass the Myllykoski-falls, which are not big but very
idyllic. After a short visit of the old mill we head out to Juuma, our trailend.
Distance about 5 km, duration 2 - 3 hours. Transfer back to Kuusamo Hotel
Kuusanka. Sauna. Last dinner together with the guide.
7th day: After breakfast transfer to the
airport.
