Finland - The Bear Trail
9 days, Guided Groups, Fixed Departures
The Bear Trail may be the most well known long-distance hiking trail in the whole of Scandinavia. It is situated in Finnish Lapland in the beautifully tranquil Oulanka National Park, which merges with the Russian Paanajarvi National Park to the east. The nature of this park is exceptional due to its abundance of habitats and microclimates, home to a wide variety of flora. Unique rock formations and canyons have been eroded by the powerful Oulankajoki River, which you often follow during the walk. The park attracts many photographers, birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts keen to spot brown bear, elk and numerous migrating birds.The trail is well maintained and runs on boardwalks over extensive aapa mires, across surprisingly high hills (for Finland!), past surging rapids, along rugged riverbanks and through silent pine forests. Burgeoning bushes replete with juicy berries and delicate cloudberry flowers line the riverbanks and there will be plenty of opportunities to take refreshing dips in the lakes after your nightly sauna.
Charmingly simple log cabins hidden amongst the trees are your home each night and with daily luggage transfers you can walk with a spring in your step through this very unassuming and bewitching area. You will hike along the 60 most beautiful kilometres of this trail...
- Days 1 and 2. Outbound to Lapland
- Fly to Helsinki and send time exploring the delights this very friendly and elegant city has to offer. The following morning fly on to Kuusamo in the south-eastern corner of Finnish Lapland, where you will meet your guide.
- Days 3 and 4. Kiutakongas Canyon
- The trail begins through forest past the swirling rapids of Taivalkongas and across a hanging bridge to your overnight cabin. Enjoy the first of many traditional saunas before visiting the Oulanka nature centre. Hike to the famous 14km long canyon of Kiutakongas, a very special place created by the ice age where water thunders down between its dolomite walls. Reminders of the first settlers can still be found here and you follow the river through remote wilderness to a boat crossing which brings you to your next lodge - and sauna of course.
- Day 5. White Water Viewing
- The next section is very peaceful and beautiful with sandy beaches and riverside trails. Leaving the Oulankajoki behind, you stride out over rolling hills and marshlands, home to many interesting lichen, wild flowers and birds until reaching the shores of the Kitkajoki. This ferocious river offers the best white water rafting in Finland and you will undoubtedly walk alongside boats full of squealing paddlers as they are faced by the famous Myllykoski rapids. Enjoy a picnic lunch near the old mill here, safely on dry land!
- Days 6 and 7. Little Bear Trail and a Tent Sauna!
- You now follow the 'Little Bear Trail' across hanging bridges and up and down wooden staircases winding their way through the undergrowth. Arrive at the most photographed waterfall in Finland, the rugged Jyrava Falls, with sweeping views out over the river, its islands and far shores. Continue through typical rural farmland with a quick side trip to the scenic Joenniskan Rocks. Tonight you will enjoy a very unique experience - dinner in a kota restaurant followed by a Finnish tent sauna!
- Day 8. Mountains and Pistes
- Climbing up through the Valtavaara Nature Reserve you are rewarded with spectacular views of the trail - both past and future. You finally emerge at the pistes at Ruka, a popular winter ski resort and with a last 'downhill run' you finish back in 'civilisation'.
- Day 9. Homeward
- Transfer to Kuusamo and fly back to the UK.
- Tour grade: B.
- Cost per person: £1,450.
- Single supplement: N/A.
- CO2 offset cost: £3.43.
- What is included: Flights, accommodation, meals, baggage transfers, saunas, English speaking guide.
- Accommodation: Forest cabins, lakeside cottages, hotels, camping.
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Departure dates:
Saturday, 21 June 2008.
Saturday, 5 July 2008.
Saturday 13 September 2008.