Karhunkierros, Long-distance hiking trail in Kuusamo and Salla, Finland.
Karhunkierros is an 82-kilometer long-distance path in northeastern Finland that winds through stands of pine and spruce, past rocky outcrops, and along river valleys. The route crosses open terrain above the tree line in some sections and descends into shaded gorges where the air feels cooler and the sound of rushing water fills the space.
Authorities opened the route in the 1950s to link remote villages through the protected forest areas of Oulanka. Over the following decades, the network grew with the addition of bridges and marked paths that made the wilderness more accessible to visitors from outside the region.
Locals know this route as a place where the forest opens up in unexpected ways, revealing rocky gorges and quiet pools along the waterways. Many Finnish families visit during autumn when the leaves turn bright red and orange, creating a tradition of walking together through the changing seasons.
Several trailheads along the way let walkers choose shorter or longer sections depending on fitness and available time. Simple shelters and marked camping spots provide overnight options at no charge, though bringing a sleeping bag and food supplies is necessary.
Several suspension bridges made of wood and steel span the rivers and sway gently under the steps of walkers. In winter, some sections turn into snowshoe routes where tracks of elk and other animals appear fresh in the snow.
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