Valtavaara-Pyhävaara Trails

11.12.2024
The information on this page is no longer updated. See up-to-date information: Luontoon.fi.
28.11.2024
It's slippery out there! The trails currently have more ice than snow, and the unstable weather has made them extremely slippery and hazardous. Obtain or rent sharp ice grippers with spikes and use them while hiking. Trekking poles are also a great aid for your winter adventure.

Summer Trails
 

Juhannuskallio Trail, 300 m / Direction

Two hikers on the Juhannuskallio top.

Available when the ground is unfrozen. 
Travel time in summer 20 min and in winter 45 min.
Category: Easy trail. easy - Symbol for Intermediate trail intermediate
Starting Point: the end of the Roard Juhannuskalliontie near Ruka Peak Chalets 
Juhannuskallio Trail route description
 

 

Konttaisen kuhaus Trail, 2 km, Circle Trail

A child admiring the forest view from Konttainen hill.

Available all year around. 
Travel time 1 hour. 
See also winter trail.
Category: Demanding trail. Demanding
Starting Point: Virkkulantie road parking area
Konttaisen kuhaus Trail route description

 

Valtavaaran huiputus Trail, 5.7 km, Circle Trail

Two hikers on the Valtavaara trail in summer.

Available when the ground is unfrozen. 
Travel time 1.5 hours. 
See also winter trail.
Category: Demanding trail. Demanding
Starting Point: Saarua parking area, Eastern Ruka.
Valtavaaran huiputus Trail route description

 

Pyhän jyssäys Trail, 6 km, Circle Trail

A hiker on a sightseeing platform on the Pyhän Jyssäys trail.

Available when the ground is unfrozen. 
Travel time 2‒3 h. 
See also winter trail.
Category: Demanding trail. Demanding
Starting Point: Petäjäkuja parking area
Pyhän jyssäys Trail route description

 

Hiking Trails

 

Karhunkierros Trail, 82 km / Direction

Trail is in total 82-km-long and travels through Valtavaara Nature Reserve. Hikers remember Valtavaara Hill as the last major hurdle before reaching the end point, which is at Rukatunturi Fell. The north slope of Valtavaara Hill is quite rocky and worn and therefore demanding. Read more on Karhunkierros pages.
 

Winter Trails

 

Konttaisen kuhaus Trail, 2 km, Circle Trail

Three hikers on the Konttaisen kuhaus trail on a sunny winter day.

Available in winter on snowshoes.
Travel time 1 h. 
See also summer trail.
Category: Demanding trail. Demanding
Starting point: Virkkulantie road parking area
Konttaisen kuhaus Trail route description

 

Valtavaara Winter Trail, 5.5 km, Circle Trail

A hiker dressed in winter clothes are wiping  frost of the trailsign with a mitten. Snow-covered trees in the background.

Available in winter on snowshoes.
Travel time 3 h. 
See also summer trail.
Category: Demanding trail. Demanding
Starting point: Saarua parking area, East Ruka.
Valtavaara Winter Trail route description

 

Pyhän jyssäys Trail, 6 km, Circle Trail

Available in winter on snowshoes or fatbike.
Travel time 3-4 h. 
See also summer trail.
Category: Demanding trail. Demanding
Starting point: Petäjäkuja parking area. 
Pyhän jyssäys Trail route description

 

Hirsilampi Winter Trail, 4 km, Circle Trail

Available in winter on snowshoes or fatbike. 
Travel time 2-4 h.
Category: Medium trail. Intermediate 
Starting point: Pyhän Jyssäys Trails parking area
Hirsilampi Winter Trail route description

 

Antinperä Winter Trail (Onkersuo), 4.4 km, Circle Trail

Available in winter on snowshoes or fatbike. 
Travel time 1 h.
Category: Easy trail. Easy.
Starting point: Onkerniementie Road 19, 93820 Kuusamo. No parking in the area.
Antinperä Winter Trail route description

 

Cross-country Skiing Tracks

 

Valtavaaran latu Skiing Track, 10,4 km, Circle Trail

Valtavaaran latu Skiing Track description
 

Pyhävaaran latu Skiing Track, 11.4 km, Circle Trail

Pyhävaaran latu Skiing Track description

Customer Service

Oulanka Visitor Centre
Tel. int. +358 206 39 6850
Email: oulanka(at)metsa.fi

Oulanka Visitor Centre in Kuusamo is closed from 29 February 2024 for the spring. Hikers can still get advice on matters related to Oulanka National Park on the Nationalparks.fi website and Mon-Fri 12pm - 3pm by phone and email.

Valtavaara Winter Trails Brochure


Pdf 4.3 Mb (julkaisut.metsa.fi)

A bilingual, Finnish-English version (Pdf 2.3 MB, publications.metsa.fi) of the Valtavaara Winter Trails brochure has also been made.

Konttaisen kuhaus Day Trail Brochure


Pdf 3.3 Mb (julkaisut.metsa.fi)

 

A hand holding a mobile phone showing Excursionmap.fi. Open the map of Valtavaara-Pyhävaara in Excursionmap.fi.

Excursionmap.fi is a free map service provided by Metsähallitus. It can be used to search destinations, choose map layers and print maps.