4 Days on the Karhunpolku Trail and in Ruunaa:

In the Heart of the Wilderness

Experience the freedom of hiking without set stages. On this 4-day tour, we’ll leave it open as to how far we’ll hike each day—depending on our energy levels, the weather, and the group’s mood. We’ll start at the Änäkäinen Lakes, just 7 km from Eräkeskus, and hike south along the Karhunpolku trail into the Ruunaa rapids area. We’ll spend the nights in tents or in a laavu—we’ll set up camp wherever we like, cook together over the fire, and enjoy the silence of the wilderness.

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 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.

  • Customizable daily stages: Hike at your own pace, depending on your mood, the weather, and the group dynamic.

  • Our friendly dogs are always with us: Enjoy their special company and this unique experience with our dogs by your side.

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Day 1: Start of the tour

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. The gear for the 4-day hike will be distributed fairly among all participants. Afterward, we’ll take you by shuttle—accompanied by our huskies—to the Änäkäinen Lakes, just 7 km away, where our hike along the Karhunpolku trail begins.

The trail first takes us southward through dense forests and gently rolling terrain. We pass the picturesque Piilonen Lakes.

Afterward, we’ll set up camp at a beautiful spot—either in a tent or a laavu, depending on the weather and how we feel. Together, we’ll prepare a delicious dinner over the campfire and enjoy the peace and quiet of the Finnish wilderness .

Day 2: On to Ruunaa

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 , the trail takes us through varied landscapes of pine forests, bogs, and rolling hills. We cross the Hovivaara ridge and can already hear the Naarakoski rapids in the distance. Along the way, we take breaks to explore the surroundings, take photos, or simply enjoy the silence of nature. Our huskies accompany us faithfully, bringing joy and special moments to the tour.

In the evening, we set up camp again—either in a cozy laavu or under the open sky in a tent. We cook together over the fire once more and share stories about the day’s adventures.

Day 3: Exploration Tour in the Rapids Area

Today’s itinerary includes the famous “Koskikierros,” a loop trail that takes us past the thrilling rapids of Ruunaa. We’ll cross suspension bridges and hike along boardwalks through vast bogs and marshes, which give the region its unique character.

This impressive natural spectacle accompanies us throughout the day. We’ll stay flexible and decide as a group how far we want to hike, depending on the weather and our fitness levels.

We’ll spend the night outdoors again, either in a tent or in a laavu. The evening winds down in a relaxed atmosphere around the campfire as we enjoy the peaceful ambiance of the wilderness.

Day 4 – Conclusion and Return to Eräkeskus

After breakfast, we pack up our things and get ready for our last day of hiking. Depending on the group’s preferences and energy levels, we’ll choose either a shorter or longer route to the pickup point.

At the end of the tour, our transfer driver will be waiting for us and will take us and our dogs safely back to Eräkeskus.

This is where our hike together ends. You can say goodbye or feel free to spend a little more time with us—relax in the cozy sauna, enjoy the peace and quiet in the guesthouse, or wind down the day on the terrace.

  • Duration: 4 days / 3 nights.
  • Distance: approx. 40–80 km.
  • Difficulty: Moderate trekking tour for adventurous nature lovers.
  • Highlights: Karhunpolku, the forests of North Karelia, rivers and lakes, the Änäkäinen Lakes, moraine hills, Lake Suuri Piilonen, rapids.
  • Meeting point: Eräkeskus, at the lodge.
  • Guide: German, English, Finnish speaking guides.
  • Group size: Experience the tour as an exclusive private tour or in small, personal groups for an intensive 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: 640 €
  • Children up to age 14: 530 €
  • Minimum number of participants: 2
  • Individual participants are welcome to join the tour with a 50% exclusivity surcharge.
  • Groups of 5 or more: on request

Included:

  • 3 nights: in a tent or laavu.
  • Full board: All meals included, from lunch on the first day through lunch on the fourth day.
  • 4-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. 50–65 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 4-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 10–25 km each day for four 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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