Oulanka National Park – Juuma – Finland

Last day of hiking in Oulanka National Park, Finland, in the area close to Juuma village.
I will discover and hike on the Pieni Karhunkierros Trail, a trail that merges at some point with the Karhunkierros.

I make my first stop at Myllykoski’s mill with a bridge that crosses the rapids of River Kitkajoki. The scenery and the impressive sound of the river, make me, kind of, forget the early morning rain.
Passing across the Pyröreälampi swampy area, I reach Kallioportti lookout point and admire the view over Oulanka Park and the Finnish nature.
I go down the 252 steps from the view point to be back on the trail, and continue the hike.
Walking along a little creek, I arrive at the Harrisuvanto lean-to shelter on the bank of River Kitkajoki.

Pieni Karhunkierros Trail, near Juuma village, Finland
F8, 1/40 sec, 20 mm, ISO800, Canon EOS 7D

Myllykoski's bridge, rapids on River Kitkajoki, Oulanka
F22, 1/0 sec, 10 mm, ISO100, Canon EOS 7D

Myllykoski mill near Juuma, Oulanka National Park
F8, 1/100 sec, 10 mm, ISO800, Canon EOS 7D

Pyröreälampi swampy area, peatlands in Finland, Oulanka
F8, 1/160 sec, 10 mm, ISO800, Canon EOS 7D

Kallioportti lookout point, Oulanka Park, Kuusamo Finland
F8, 1/80 sec, 10 mm, ISO800, Canon EOS 7D

River Kitkajoki, Oulanka National Park, Finland
F11, 1/60 sec, 17 mm, ISO800, Canon EOS 7D

Hiking on Pieni Karhunkierros trail, River Kitkajoki, near Harrisuvanto, Oulanka
F2.8, 1/1000 sec, 17 mm, ISO800, Canon EOS 7D Mark II

River Kitkajoki at Vattumutka, Oulanka National Park, Kuusamo, Finland
F11, 1/50 sec, 11 mm, ISO800, Canon EOS 7D

Jyrävä fall in Oulanka National Park, near Siilastupa
F11, 1/200 sec, 11 mm, ISO800, Canon EOS 7D

Common merganser / goosander (Mergus merganser), bird of Finland
F6.3, 1/500 sec, 600 mm, ISO6400, Canon EOS 7D Mark II

The Fall Season in Finland is really impressive, and hiking in Oulanka along River Kitkajoki, offers a great scenery.
In Autumn, the bright colors contrast with the dark and grey sky during overcast days.

The Pieni Karhunkierros Trail is a 12km loop that circles around the Rajoitusosa protected area (and crosses it a bit), and goes along the River Kitkajoki.
Funnily, Karhunkierros Trail means The Bear’s Ring Trail, and due to my interest in bears, that’s maybe why I spent three days in Oulanka National Park!
Just kidding, the park is awesome.

The trail makes me discover the Aallokkokoski rapids and the Jyrävä waterfall, before to reach again Myllykoski.
Despite the rains is getting more intense, I spend quite some time playing with my camera to catch a White-throated dipper right before he dives in the river.
I wasn’t really luck with Wildlife that day, so I took this opportunity!

Harrisuvanto bridge, Oulanka, Kuusamo, Finland
F2.8, 1/120 sec, 3 mm, ISO158, HERO4 Silver

River Kitkajoki during Fall Season in Finland, Oulanka Park
F5, 1/640 sec, 150 mm, ISO2500, Canon EOS 7D Mark II

River Kitkajoki near Heinäniemi, Oulanka National Park
F11, 1/80 sec, 45 mm, ISO800, Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Hiking on Karhunkierros trail along River Kitkajoki, Oulanka
F11, 1/130 sec, 53 mm, ISO800, Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Aallokkokoski rapids on River Kitkajoki, Oulanka, Finland
F11, 1/80 sec, 45 mm, ISO400, Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Jyrävä waterfall on River Kitkajoki, Oulanka National Park
F11, 1/200 sec, 145 mm, ISO800, Canon EOS 7D Mark II

The gorge of River Kitkajoki at Heinäniemi, Oulanka, Kuusamo
F4, 1/500 sec, 63 mm, ISO800, Canon EOS 7D Mark II

White-throated dipper in flight, bird of Finland, Cinclus cinclus
F6.3, 1/2500 sec, 470 mm, ISO6400, Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Bridge at Myllykoski, Oulanka Park, Juuma, Finland
F11, 1/500 sec, 18 mm, ISO400, Canon EOS 7D

Myllykoski area near Juuma village starting point, Oulanka Park
F11, 1/320 sec, 23 mm, ISO800, Canon EOS 7D Mark II

I hope you liked my last set of photos from Oulanka National Park in Finland.
These pictures were taken during my hike on the Karhunkierros, starting at Juuma village and walking along the River Kitkajoki.
Despite the overcast weather, exploring Oulanka and the finnish Nature during the Fall season is still a rewarding experience!
Next stop of my road trip in Finland, will be Hossa National Park, so stay tuned!

Urho Kekkonen National Park – Finland
Oulanka National Park – North – Finland
Oulanka National Park – Centre – Finland