A tranquil forest with lush greenery and towering trees in Budureasa, Romania.

3 Days on the Karhunpolku Trail:

Karelia's Wilderness Up Close

Discover the famous Karhunpolku, Karelia’s “Bear Trail,” on a three-day hike! This section of the long-distance hiking trail takes you through the most beautiful areas of North Karelia. You’ll spend the night in a wilderness cabin, in a tent, or under the open sky, and experience unspoiled nature up close.

This tour is an exciting addition to your personalized road trip through Finland, or it can be perfectly combined with a few relaxing days at the Eräkeskus Lodge.

What to expect:

  • The famous Karhunpolku: Hike along a section of one of Finland’s most famous long-distance hiking trails.
  • Unspoiled Nature: Experience the vast forests of eastern Finland near the Russian border.
  • Various lodging options: Choose between a wilderness cabin, a tent, or a laavu for an authentic wilderness experience.
  • Diverse Landscapes: Discover pine forests, rivers, rapids, lakes, and moraine hills.
  • An Authentic Wilderness Experience: Enjoy the tranquility and beauty of nature far from civilization.
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A tranquil forest with lush greenery and towering trees in Budureasa, Romania.
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Day 1: Along the Jongunjoki River to the Valama Wilderness Cabin (approx. 18 km)

You should arrive at Eräkeskus by 10:00 a.m. at the latest. You’re also welcome to spend the night before the tour begins at our guesthouse. Here, you’ll get to know your guide and any other fellow hikers. Luggage for the 3-day hike will be distributed fairly among all participants. Afterward, we’ll be transported—along with the dogs accompanying us—to Teljo, where your three-day hike along the famous Karhunpolku trail begins. Today’s hike takes us 18 km through the open, fragrant pine forests of North Karelia, accompanied time and again by the gentle murmur of the Jongunjoki River . . We pass the The Otroskoski and Aittokoski Rapids, whose beauty will captivate you.

Our destination for the day is the rustic Valama wilderness cabin in the protected primeval forest area of the same name. After we arrive, we’ll prepare our well-deserved dinner together over an open fire—an authentic wilderness experience that leaves you full and happy. If the weather is warm, you can take a refreshing dip in the clear river before enjoying the silence of nature under the Finnish starry sky (or the midnight sun, depending on the season). You’ll spend the night either in the cozy cabin or—if it’s already occupied—in a tent.

Day 2: From the Wilderness to the Änäkäinen Lakes (approx. 17 km)

After a hearty wilderness breakfast, with the scent of a campfire and fresh coffee lingering in the morning air, we shoulder our backpacks once more. Today we continue hiking south along the Karhunpolku, deeper and deeper into the seemingly endless wilderness. We pass a few, almost forgotten isolated farmsteadsthat tell of times gone by in this remote region.

Our trail takes us to the idyllic Laklaniemi estuary, where we’ll take a well-deserved break at a traditional laavu. Here, you can unwind and soak up the absolute tranquility. We’ll continue on to the popular Änäkäinen Lakes. Here, right on the lake, we’ll set up camp for the night in a cozy kota or another laavu. Today’s 17-kilometer hike will let you experience the vastness and beauty of Karelian nature even more intensely.

Day 3: Across moraines to Lake Suuri Piilonen (approx. 16 km)

Your final morning in the wilderness begins with a hearty breakfast. Then we’ll continue our hike, which today takes us across long, gently rolling moraine hills —impressive remnants of the last Ice Age that shaped this landscape so uniquely. At the small, idyllic Lake Jynkkälampi, we’ll take our final lunch break together and reflect on the experiences of the past few days.

From there, the trail takes us further through the dense, untouched forests of Karelia to the beautiful Lake Suuri Piilonen. Here, on its completely undeveloped shore, our shuttle is already waiting for us. Today’s 16-km hike is timed so that you’ll arrive back at Eräkeskus by mid-afternoon. Now you have a choice: Either extend your stay with us for a few more nights in our guest room and enjoy the comforts of the lodge, or plan your onward journey right away, rich with profound memories of Finland’s unspoiled wilderness.

  • Duration: 3 days / 2 nights.
  • Distance: approx. 51 km (1 x approx. 18 km, 1 x approx. 17 km, and 1 x 16 km per day).
  • Difficulty: Moderate hike for adventurous nature lovers.
  • Highlights: Karhunpolku, the forests of North Karelia, rivers and lakes, the Valama wilderness cabin, the Änäkäinen lakes, moraine hills, and Lake Suuri Piilonen.
  • Meeting point: Eräkeskus, at the lodge.
  • Guide: German, English, Finnish speaking guides.
  • Group Size: Enjoy the tour as an exclusive private tour or in small, intimate groups for a more immersive experience.
  • Dates: from May 1 – September 30 Depending on the weather, later dates in autumn can also be booked.
  • Booking: Exclusively on request. Contact us for your individual tour planning!

Our prices are per person and include all services mentioned.

  • Price per person: 490 €  
  • Children up to age 14: €390
  • Minimum number of participants: 2
  • Solo travellers can join for an additional 50% exclusive-use supplement.
  • Groups of 5 or more: on request

Included:

  • 2 nights: in a wilderness cabin, tent, or laavu.
  • Full board: All meals included, from lunch on the first day through lunch on the third day.
  • 3-day German/English-speaking guide: Your experienced guide will accompany you through the wilderness, share his knowledge, and ensure your safety.
  • Equipment: Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat and cooking utensils.
  • All Transfers: Comfortable transfer to the start and end point of the hike.
  • Begleitende Hunde: Unsere freundlichen Hunde sind deine treuen Begleiter auf dieser Tour.

What to Bring: For the best hiking experience, we recommend bringing the following:

  • Good, broken-in hiking boots: Absolutely essential for secure footing and comfort on the natural trails.
  • Weather-appropriate clothing (layering): Layers are ideal for adapting to changing temperatures.
  • Trekking or hiking backpack (approx. 40–60 liters): This should be large enough to hold all your personal belongings, your sleeping pad, and your sleeping bag. The necessary shared gear (e.g., cooking utensils, food supplies) will be divided fairly among all participants.
  • Water bottle.
  • At will: Camera, binoculars, mosquito repellent.

Physical Requirements:

This 3-day hike is suitable for adventurous nature lovers in good physical condition who enjoy being active and aren’t afraid to spend a night in the wilderness. You should be able to hike approximately 14–18 km each day for three consecutive days while carrying your gear (your personal belongings, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad) and tackle moderate inclines. Prior experience with camping or spending the night in a laavu is not required, as your guide will assist you.

  • Cancellations must be made in writing (by e-mail to office@eraekeskus.com). In the case of declarations received on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, the next working day shall be decisive.
  • Cancellation up to 7 days before the start of the tour is free of charge.
  • If you cancel 7 days or less before the date of the event, we will charge a cancellation fee of 100% of the booking price.

Tips:

  • We recommend that you take out cancellation insurance.

General Terms and Conditions:

Eräkeskus stands for authentic experiences in the untouched wilderness of Finland – far away from mass tourism and in a family-like atmosphere. You can expect real adventures, a deep connection to nature, and a truly relaxing slowdown.

  • Family atmosphere: With us, you are not just guests, but part of a small, family-like community. You can look forward to personal service, a warm atmosphere and very small groups of guests for an intensive experience.
  • Untouched Wilderness Instead of Mass Tourism: North Karelia is one of the quietest regions in Europe. Here, you can truly feel the untouched nature, the silence of the old-growth forest and the deep peace of the wilderness.
  • Authentic Experiences: We offer unique tours that bring you closer to the Finnish wilderness in a very special way – whether through lunch by the open fire or spotting bear tracks in the untouched forest.
  • Gentle tourism & respect for nature: We focus on sustainable experiences with minimal impact on the environment. With us, you can experience adventures in harmony with nature in order to preserve its beauty for future generations.
  • Quite simply, because we want to give you unforgettable moments in one of the most breathtaking landscapes in Europe. With us, you will experience pure nature – in a way that you are guaranteed to remember.

As we plan each tour individually and adapt it to the current conditions, we ask you to send us a request. This way we can guarantee you the best possible experience! We will check your request immediately and get back to you as soon as possible (usually within 24 hours) with all the details!Advance reservations for day activities – ideally a few days in advance – are essential. Unfortunately, we cannot always fulfill spontaneous requests directly on site.

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