Location: Lapland/ Northern Ostrobothnia Map
Area: 270 km²
Official site
Oulanka National Park is situated in Lapland and Northern Ostrobothnia regions of Finland on the border with Russia. The area of the nature reserve covers 270 km². Oulanka National Park is one of the most visited nature parks in the country. Many tourists take Karhunkierros Hiking Trail (Bear's Ring) that take hikers on a 80 km trek that usually takes three to four days through untouched pine forests, picturesque gorges, lakes, streams and swamps of the North Europe. You can start at the Hautajärvi Visitor Centre or the Ristikallio parking area. The path will take you to the village of Ruka that is situated 25 km North of Kuusamo. The best time to visit Oulanka National Park is in winter and warm summer months when numerous birds come here to nest. Their main food source, many species of butterflies also begin to appear around the middle of the summer. Herds of reindeer roam this untouched land as they did for centuries.
History
Oulanka National Park was established
in 1956, after which it was expanded twice in 1982 and 1989.
However, the area has been known for its beauty since the late 19th
century, when it was a popular destination for artists and
naturalists. The official designation of the national park could be
expected first because of World War II and then because of the large
division. The appointment was also slowed down by the Kuusamo rapids
war in the mid-20th century.
In 2002, Oulanka received the
WWF's PAN Parks certificate, which was a recognition of the
excellent combination of nature conservation and growing nature
tourism.
Geography and nature
The landscape of Oulanka is
formed by old pine forests, meandering river valleys with sand dunes
and rapids, as well as steep-walled rock gorges and large bogs in
the northern part of the park. The highest hazards in the area are
located at an altitude of 380 meters, while at their lowest Oulanka
descends at the level of 151 meters in river valleys. Oulanka is
crossed by two large rivers flowing to the east, the Oulanka and
Kitkajoki rivers. The meandering Oulankajoki forms the basis of the
national park.
The fauna is rich in endangered plant and
animal species. For example, the maiden shoe that appears as a
symbol of the park is an endangered species, but common in the
national park. Other nationally endangered species in Oulanka
include bottom hat and dart container.
Routes
Oulanka is
one of the most popular national parks in Finland: you can do
several days of hiking there as well as a few hours of sightseeing.
Kiutaköngäs, for example, is a 100-meter-long rapids located less
than a kilometer from the Oulanka Nature Center. Oulanka has several
day hiking trails: the charm of Hiide 5 km, the Könkää resort 8 km,
the Rytisuo nature trail 5 km, the canyon peek 6 km and the Little
Bear Tour 12 km. The barrier-free trail is a 150-meter-long trail
covered with stone ash below Kiutakönkä, north of the Oulanka River,
which is suitable for all hikers. Its starting point is an
unobstructed toilet.
Finland's most famous hiking trail,
Karhunkierros, is located in the Oulanka National Park.