Hiking in Kuusamo – Exploring the Finnish wilderness

Hiking in Kuusamo was a wonderful opportunity for me to discover the Finnish wilderness. In July, I explored three diverse hiking trails and enjoyed the breathtaking landscapes of forests, lakes, and hills. In this blog post, I share my experiences and impressions of Konttainen, Valtavaaran Huiputus, and the Little Bear Trail (Pieni Karhunkierros).

Hiking in Kuusamo: Three selected hiking trails

Konttainen

Bullfinches, bramblings, or willow tits – with a bit of luck, you can spot an amazing variety of birds along the hiking trails of Konttainen, a small hill north of Ruka. This was exactly what I had hoped for during my hike. After all, hiking in Kuusamo goes wonderfully well with birdwatching. However, since I was travelling in Finland in July, I soon realised that spotting birds at this time of year is not quite as easy as I had imagined. By then, the birds are generally much quieter than they are in spring, so unfortunately, I didn’t get to see quite as much of Finland’s birdlife as I had hoped.

I would have especially loved to encounter a Siberian jay. These birds are said to be quite tame on Konttainen and sometimes observe hikers from surprisingly close by. I had secretly already imagined one of these fascinating birds crossing my path. But unfortunately, luck wasn’t on my side that July day. And that’s exactly what I love about wildlife watching: no matter how much you hope and search, you never know who or what you might actually encounter along the way.

And yet, the hike up Konttainen was more than worth it.

The scenery was simply magical. It was my first hike in the Ruka and Kuusamo area, and right from the start, I got a glimpse of what makes hiking in Kuusamo so special: the unspoiled nature, the sweeping views, and that unique sense of tranquillity you find in the north of Finland.

There is a car park at the foot of Konttainen, where you can start the hike straight away. The trail initially climbs quite steeply, but the ascent is manageable. Most of the hiking path winds its way through the forest, making it a lovely route even on warm and sunny days – although particularly hot weather is probably the exception rather than the rule in northern Finland. I also found the trail very enjoyable in cooler conditions.

However, the trail doesn’t stay in the forest the entire time. Every now and then, the landscape opens up, revealing beautiful views of the surrounding area. For me, these sweeping views were one of the highlights of the hike.

I find it hard to put the beauty of Finland into words. The deep blue lakes, the lush green forests, and the incredible sense of tranquillity. Everything feels vast and untouched, yet somehow wonderfully close. You can’t help but stop again and again, take in the scenery, and simply wonder: How can a place be this beautiful?

Speaking of tranquillity: although I did come across other hikers along the trail, it was by no means crowded. I saw both older and younger people enjoying the hike. Even a child of around two years old managed the trail with their parents. There were also a few dogs along the way. Everyone seemed to make it all the way to the highest point of Konttainen.

The hike is officially said to be around two kilometres long, although it felt a little longer to me. Perhaps that was simply because I kept stopping for breaks along the way. Not because the trail was particularly challenging, but because there was just so much to take in. Time and again, I found myself pausing to soak up the scenery and enjoy the stunning views.

And perhaps that’s exactly what makes a hike like this so special: it’s not necessarily about reaching your destination as quickly as possible. Sometimes, it’s worth simply stopping, taking a deep breath, and enjoying the moment.

Although I didn’t get to see a Siberian jay that day, what I took away from my hike up Konttainen was something just as special: beautiful memories of the Finnish landscape. That’s what makes hiking in Kuusamo so special to me. Even when not everything goes as hoped, you’re often rewarded with completely different, unforgettable experiences.

Valtavaaran huiputus

From Konttainen, you can access the Valtavaaran Huiputus hiking trail. However, I decided to drive to Ruka and start the hike from there instead. Looking back, that turned out to be a good decision. I actually did both the hike up Konttainen and the Valtavaaran Huiputus trail on the same day. And in the evening, I even headed out for a bear-watching experience.

The Valtavaaran Huiputus trail also initially leads through a forested area.

However, I quickly noticed that there were considerably more people on this trail. This is probably because the hike starts in Ruka, one of the main starting points for hiking and other outdoor activities in the region. I found the village lively, but by no means overcrowded. Interestingly, the main season in Ruka is actually winter, as I was also told by locals.

During my hike along the Valtavaaran Huiputus trail, I was rewarded with some lovely views of Ruka, among other things.

This view was lovely, too. But my favourite views are, of course, those overlooking lakes, hills, and forests. And there are plenty of those to enjoy along the Valtavaaran Huiputus trail.

After all, Finland is known as the Land of a Thousand Lakes. So naturally, I came across countless lakes during my hikes. Sometimes I admired them from above, while at other times, the trail led right along their shores. What I didn’t see, though, was anyone going for a swim. Most people seemed to be out hiking. In general, I got the impression that people in northern Finland really love spending time on the trails.

I didn’t find this trail particularly steep either. However, the path climbed steadily throughout. Just like on Konttainen, I came across hikers of all ages along the Valtavaaran Huiputus trail.

Once at the top, most people stopped to take a break. And no wonder – it’s a beautiful spot to sit back and enjoy the surroundings. There’s a small hut and a few benches where you can rest and take in the scenery.

Incredibly beautiful nature, plenty of tranquillity, and fantastic scenery – what more could you ask for?

The hiking trail to the hut is apparently around six kilometres long. And yes, it certainly felt that way! It was considerably longer than the hike up Konttainen. Speaking of Konttainen, I spotted a sign indicating that you can continue hiking from the Valtavaaran Huiputus trail all the way to Konttainen. That would add another 3.7 kilometres to the hike.

That would make a total of 9.7 kilometres, which is certainly manageable. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that you also have to hike all the way back along the same trail. After all, this isn’t a circular route.

I spent a little more time at the top near the hut. By then, quite a few people had arrived. It was noticeably busier than on Konttainen, but still pleasant and by no means overcrowded.

Eventually, I decided to hike a little further in the direction of Konttainen. To do so, I first had to tackle a somewhat steeper downhill section.

However, knowing that I was heading out for a bear-watching experience that evening, I eventually decided it was time to turn back.

Speaking of bears, I generally felt most comfortable in places where there were other people around. That way, I knew I was unlikely to unexpectedly come across a bear. Although, to be fair, the chances of accidentally encountering one were extremely slim anyway. Bears generally avoid humans. In fact, anyone hoping to spot them needs to be very quiet to avoid scaring them away.

Nevertheless, the walk back from the hut gave me another chance to soak up Finland’s unique scenery. And that’s exactly what makes hiking in Kuusamo so special to me: even when it’s time to turn back, there’s still plenty of opportunity to enjoy the tranquillity, the wilderness, and the breathtaking landscapes of the north.

The Valtavaaran Huiputus is not a circular route either, so I had to make my way back along the same trail. But that was no problem at all. After all, the return hike gave me another opportunity to admire Finland’s beautiful landscapes all over again.

Pieni Karhunkierros

The Pieni Karhunkierros, also known as the Little Bear Trail, is a hiking route of approximately 12 kilometres. This time, it was actually a circular trail, so I didn’t have to retrace my steps along the same path.

The Pieni Karhunkierros is located in Oulanka National Park. I decided to start my hike at Basecamp Oulanka, as this starting point had been recommended to me. And yes, it turned out to be an excellent choice! Basecamp Oulanka is situated near the small village of Juuma and can be reached via an unpaved road winding through the forest.

From there, I initially headed towards Myllykoski. Once I arrived, I took some time to stop and look around.

From Myllykoski, the trail initially crossed a suspension bridge to the opposite bank. The route is generally well signposted, but I was still a little unsure at first whether I was heading in the right direction. And that was despite having a hiking app with me as well!

The trail wasn’t particularly steep at the beginning. There were some uphill sections, followed by stretches leading gently downhill. Overall, it was a very pleasant hike.

I even spotted a woman with three small dogs who was just setting off on her hike. However, she was heading in the opposite direction. I would actually bump into her again later.

Along the way, I regularly came across signposts showing how many kilometres remained on the various sections of the trail. Even so, I wasn’t entirely sure at first whether I was actually on the Pieni Karhunkierros. Luckily, this is a very popular and well-frequented hiking route. So if you’re ever unsure about the way, you can easily ask hikers coming from the opposite direction.

And alongside all the other hikers, you might also encounter the occasional reindeer on the Pieni Karhunkierros!

At first, though, I didn’t quite dare to cross the bridge because a reindeer and its calf were standing right on it. I wondered how the adult might react if I simply walked past its young. Since I wasn’t familiar with reindeer behaviour, I decided it was best to wait a moment and watch the two animals.

Then a hiker coming from the opposite direction approached and clapped his hands loudly. The reindeer was startled, and both animals ran off the bridge towards the forest. For a brief moment, it looked quite dramatic. I was relieved that they quickly moved away and that I could continue on my way.

Of course, the trail also took me past some beautiful Finnish lakes. Although the weather that day didn’t exactly feel like summer, I could still sense the Finnish summer all around me. The lush green forests had an incredibly calming effect. The further I hiked, the more I felt myself leaving everyday life behind and simply becoming immersed in this beautiful landscape.

These quiet moments are exactly what made hiking in Kuusamo so unique for me. You don’t always have to climb spectacular peaks or spot rare wildlife to fully enjoy the beauty of Finland’s nature.

What I found particularly impressive was the way the trees were reflected in the still surface of the water. At times, it almost looked as though the forest continued beneath the water. These reflections gave the lakes an extra sense of tranquillity and made the scenery even more beautiful in my eyes.

There was one thing I found rather annoying, though: the mosquitoes! Some of them even managed to bite me through my trousers. While water and forests make for a beautiful combination, they also come with a few minor drawbacks in Finland. Mosquitoes are simply part of the summer experience here. And although I didn’t exactly grow fond of them during my hike, they are, of course, an important part of the ecosystem and have every right to be there.

And then, quite suddenly, I reached a spot with a fantastic view.

Wow! Simply breathtaking!

What amazed me was that I didn’t feel as though I had climbed particularly far to get there. Somehow, that seemed a little strange. But the hikers coming towards me after this viewpoint still had quite a bit of uphill walking ahead of them. Even from where I was standing, I could already make out the steep climb that awaited them.

After this beautiful viewpoint, I had to make my way down a long – really, really long – flight of stairs.

Oh dear, I thought to myself. What kind of climb would I have to tackle later on?

I decided not to think about it too much and simply kept walking.

The trail once again took me past trees reflected in the water and across several bridges. The scenery kept changing along the way, making the hike wonderfully varied and interesting.

At some point along the trail, I came across the woman with the three little dogs again. I had spotted her right at the beginning of my hike, and this time she was coming towards me.

I immediately thought of the long flight of stairs. Wow, I thought, she and her three little dogs still had quite a challenge ahead of them! Would she have to carry the dogs up the stairs? Or might she even decide to turn back at this point?

Meanwhile, I kept waiting for that big uphill climb. But it never came. Of course, there were a few gentle uphill sections along the way, but nothing compared to the long, steep flight of stairs I had descended earlier.

The trail also offered me several beautiful views of the river along the way.

I was slowly approaching the end of the Pieni Karhunkierros. Once again, I passed some small waterfalls, and the river gradually became wilder and more turbulent.

Then a light drizzle began. I was lucky, as the rain didn’t start until towards the end of my hike, allowing me to make it back to the car more or less dry.

For me, choosing to hike the Pieni Karhunkierros in this direction was definitely the right decision. There was just one final steep flight of stairs waiting for me – luckily, it was much shorter and less challenging than the one after the viewpoint.

All in all, it was a wonderful 12-kilometre hike. The combination of forests, lakes, rivers, bridges, waterfalls, and stunning viewpoints makes the Little Bear Trail such a varied and enjoyable experience. It’s no wonder it’s so popular!

If you’re looking to combine hiking in Kuusamo with diverse natural scenery and breathtaking landscapes, the Pieni Karhunkierros should definitely be on your list.

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Have you ever been hiking in Kuusamo or anywhere else in Finland? Feel free to leave a comment and share your experiences with us!