Karhunkierros

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The route was first marked in 1955, and has since become the most popular hiking trail in Finland, attracting some 15,000 hikers every year, mainly over the high season lasting from mid-July to late September. [ [http://www.luontoon.fi/page.asp?Section=7495 Outdoors.fi - Instructions and rules along Karhunkierros Trail] ] The trail is approximately 80 kilometres long, and runs for the most of its length within the Oulanka National Park.

Route

The trail has two main starting points. The paths starting at Hautajärvi and at Ristikallio converge at Taivalköngäs, from where the trail continues along the Oulanka and Kitka rivers towards Rukatunturi fell. Starting from Hautajärvi makes the total length of the trail 80 kilometres, while the Ristikallio variant is some 9 km shorter. [ [http://www.luontoon.fi/page.asp?Section=7498 Outdoors.fi - Karhunkierros Trail Route Description] ] The route is marked with orange paint markings in trees and rocks.

It is also perfectly possible to hike the route in the opposite direction, starting from Rukatunturi, but most people prefer the aforementioned ways.

Also of note is the Pieni Karhunkierros, or Little Bear's Ring, a circular day trip trail of 12 kilometres that partly shares the route of Karhunkierros proper.

Accommodation

Along the trail there are eight wilderness huts that are open and free to use for every visitor to spend a night in, plus two day trip huts for shorter breaks. In addition there are several campfire sites and lean-to shelters, and a more fully equipped camping ground. [ [http://www.luontoon.fi/page.asp?Section=7504 Outdoors.fi - Services along the Karhunkierros trail] ] Camping outside the designated areas is not permitted along the trail.

External links

* [http://www.luontoon.fi/page.asp?Section=7494 Karhunkierros at Outdoors.fi]
* [http://www.ylitalot.com/photos/public/BearsRing/ Photographs from Karhunkierros]

References