Lumikenkäilijät tykkylumipuiden keskellä, Ruka-Kuusamo

Winter hiking & snowshoeing

With the right gear, hiking is fun all year round!

Winter is a great time to go on a hike – just make sure you have the right gear and attitude. In Ruka-Kuusamo, you can head to a winter wonderland on snowshoes or skinbased skis with a guide or by renting equipment for a self-organised trip.

On snowshoes or skinbased skis, you can reach the river valleys of Oulanka National Park, the peaks of Riisitunturi fell, the ridge scenery of Hossa National Park and the peaks of Rukatunturi, Valtavaara, Konttainen and Pyhävaara along marked trails.

Walking is strictly forbidden on ski trails, with a few exceptions

Walking is allowed in Kuusamo centre on the edge of the Ympäryslatu circular ski trail along the route Kolvankijoki bridge – Sports centre – Kirkkosaari bridge – Tolpanniementie.

Walking is allowed in Ruka on Vuosseli outdoor trail and also on the Talvijärvi dog trail if the dog trail runs as a separate ski trail next to the actual ski trail tracks.  

These ski trail sections have clear signs regarding walking on the trail. 

New: Multi-purpose Vuosseli Outdoor Trail

Ruka's Vuosseli trail, known as a skiing trail for decades, has transformed into an outdoor trail with various forms of mobility in a project spanning several years. In its winter form, the outdoor trail offers space for Nordic and skate skiing, fatbike riding and walking. During the summer, the trail can be used for walking, running, cycling (regardless of tire width), and optionally, dog walking (dog walking is prohibited in the winter).

More information on page Cross-country ski trails.

What on earth are skinbased skis? 

Skinbased skis are fairly short and wide skis with strips of synthetic hair underfoot to add grip. Skinbased skis glide when you are going forward and provide grip when the ski would otherwise glide back, such as when climbing up a hill. Skinbased skis have bindings that are like snowshoes, which means you can use regular, sturdy winter shoes with skinbased skis. As getting around with skinbased skis is gliding, similar to skiing, you will also need ski poles with wide baskets when heading out. 

Many who enjoy the great outdoors on skinbased skis prefers high-ankled neoprene boots that provide support when moving about in hilly places, because the support from the shoe helps when heading downhill. Skinbased skis are excellent when you are heading out at a time when there is already some snow and it’s fairly dry. In places with little snow and damp snow (e.g. when water rises above a lake’s icy surface), skinbased skis are not at their best, because the hair freezes and gets scratched eaily. 

If you are hiking with dogs, skinbased skis are a great choice because the trail they provide is consistent, when compared to individual, deep steps formed by snowshoes. It’s easy for your dog to follow you when you are on your skinbased skis. 

Winter hiking trails

Snowshoes and skinbased skis open up the access to the trails of Oulanka, Riisitunturi and Hossa National Parks as well as the trails of Rukatunturi, Valtavaara, Konttainen and Pyhävaara.

Snowshoe trails in Ruka area as well as to Konttainen, Kiutaköngäs and Myllykoski can usually be accessed by foot during winter except of heavy snowfall and during melting snow cover in springtime. These trails are not maintained by groomers.

Vuosseli Trail is a multi-purpose trail, available for skier, fatbikers and walkers alike. This trail is maintained by groomer.

Book your guided winter trip or rent the gear:

Guided snowshoeing tours are available starting from 45 €/person, pre-bookings needed. Snowshoes can be rented starting from 35 €/day. Winter clothing is also available for rent, starting from 20 €/winter overall/day.

 

Winter hiking services:

Adventure Apes

Activity
ulkokuva_kesa_basecamp_oulanka

Basecamp Oulanka

Activity
HILL Ski Rent

HILL Ski Rent

Rental

Isokenkäisten Klubi

Special accommodation
Kainuun Luontoretket vie melomaan Hossan upeisiin maisemiin

Kainuun Luontoretket

Activity
Kuusamon Lintumatkailu

Kuusamo Nature Photography

Activity
Kuusamo Safaris

Kuusamo Safaris

Activity
MunPolku_MyTrail

MyTrail MunPolku

Activity
Oulangan kansallispuisto

Oulangan Taika

Activity

Outdoor Passion Finland

Activity
Ruka Pistevuokraamo kesä

Piste Rental & Ski Pass Sales

Rental
Ruka Adventures

Ruka Adventures

Activity
Ruka Safaris

Ruka Safaris

Activity
Rukapalvelu vie sinut moottorikelkkailemaan Kuusamon maisemiin

Rukapalvelu | Tailored Adventures

Activity
Sport House Ruka

Sport House Ruka

Rental
RukaValley hotelli

Valley Rentals & Ski Pass Sales

Rental
Ruka Valley - upea kyläkeskus Valtavaaran kupeessa

Village-2-Valley Scenic Gondola

Traffic
VuosselinPortin vuokraamo

Vuosselinportti Rentals & Ski Pass Sales

Rental
Wild Awake Outdoors talvivaellus

Wild Awake Outdoors

Activity
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Lentokone punainen ikoni Ruka-Kuusamo
Getting here
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Ruka-Kuusamo pyöreä ikoni - vaellus ja retkeily
Restaurants
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Ruka-Kuusamo pyöreä ikoni - vaellus ja retkeily
National parks

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