Snowshoeing and ice fishing in Ruka

6 min read Updated October 2026 Compare all tours

On snowshoes you can reach much of the landscape around Ruka on marked trails. The Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association lists the river valleys of Oulanka National Park, the peaks of Riisitunturi, the ridges of Hossa and the tops of Rukatunturi, Valtavaara, Konttainen and Pyhävaara as destinations. Metsähallitus, which runs the national parks, considers snowshoeing the winter activity that suits the varied ground of Oulanka best.

Ice fishing is the other slow pastime of the season. In October and November, the tourist association notes, the ice is not yet strong enough, so the fishing tours belong to the deep winter. The guided trips start with a short snowshoe walk to the lake.

Snowshoeing in Oulanka

Juuma, the village at the start of the Pieni Karhunkierros trail, lies about 23 km from Ruka, roughly half an hour by car. Ruka Adventures drives guests there for a guided walk of about 2 to 4 km over varied terrain, with hot chocolate and sweet pastries along the way. The tour lasts 3.5 hours including the transfer, lends the snowshoes and welcomes families with children, as long as everyone has basic fitness. Your warm clothing is your own.

For a full day, MyTrail Finland runs a private tour on the Karhunkierros, the Bear's Trail. The group walks about 10 km on snowshoes or ice grips, depending on the snow, with one slightly steeper section. A trail meal by the campfire and warm wild berry juice are part of the day. Outdoor clothing, boots and the park maintenance fee are included, and the tour takes six hours with the transfers. It is for guests from 12 years. A shorter private walk from the same company passes the Kitkajoki river, the Jyrävä waterfall and the rapids of Aallokkokoski, with nettle pancakes and cloudberry jam by the fire.

Some facts help if you go on your own. The 12 km Pieni Karhunkierros usually stays open all winter because snowshoers keep the path trodden, but its long wooden stairs get slippery, and Metsähallitus recommends ice grips for your shoes. On the full Karhunkierros it reckons with a winter pace of about 1.5 km an hour, and only 1 km an hour in deep snow. The river valley can be more than 10 degrees colder than the Ruka-Kuusamo area.

Fells and summits near Ruka

Pyhävaara is a short drive from Ruka. Ruka Adventures takes guests uphill there for 2.5 hours, with winter clothing, a hot drink and a small snack included. The tour page describes the light by month: dusk in December and January, sunset in February and long daylight in March. It is not suitable for people with low fitness.

The ski resort's own guides go further on a 4.5-hour hike to the summit of Valtavaara, for guests from 12 years, with a winter overall, boots, wool socks and gloves lent and a snack by the fire. Ruka Safaris keeps it easier with a three-hour daytime walk from its Safarihouse at Onkerniementie 12, open from 5 years and with snowshoes included.

Without a guide, families can start with short trails that the tourist association rates as suitable for everyone: the 1 km Könkään keino to the Kiutaköngäs rapids, the 1.5 km Konttaisen kuhaus up Konttainen, and the 6 km snowshoe and fatbike trail to Lammintupa. There is no fireplace at the Konttainen viewing spot. Snowshoes can be rented in Ruka. The tourist association notes that the snowshoe routes around Ruka, Konttainen, Kiutaköngäs and Myllykoski can usually be walked except after heavy snowfall and in the spring melt. Walking on the groomed ski trails is not allowed.

From 15 January to 7 February 2027 the Polar Night Light Festival adds guided evening snowshoe walks from Monday to Saturday, 18:30 to 20:00.

Fishing through the ice

In Finland, angling with a hook and line and ice fishing are free for everyone under everyman's rights, according to the Finnish Environment Institute. The exceptions are rapids and streams in waters important for migratory fish, and other areas with fishing restrictions. Fishing with a lure or spinning rod requires the state fishing management fee for anyone aged 18 to 69. In Oulanka National Park ice fishing is allowed on the lakes and ponds all year, while running waters need a separate permit. Permits are sold at the Karhuntassu visitor centre in Kuusamo.

Stay off river ice. Metsähallitus warns that the ice on flowing rivers, the Oulankajoki above all, can be fragile throughout the winter because of the strong current.

Guided ice fishing from Ruka

Ruka Safaris collects guests in the Ruka area for a three-hour trip. A short walk on snowshoes leads to the lake, and whatever you catch is cooked by the fire with coffee, tea and a snack. The page lists perch, whitefish, roach, pike and even grayling as possible catches, without promising any. Guests have mentioned groups that felt a bit large and, in February 2026, few fish. One guest in January 2026 spent half an hour looking for a poorly marked meeting point, so use the included pickup.

Ruka Adventures runs a similar 2.5-hour outing with pickup from the main hotels and all fishing gear provided, plus a warm drink. You bring your own warm clothes. A guest in February 2026 summed it up: very cold on the lake, and fishing takes patience.

The ski resort's guides start from their activity centre in the SKI-INN Ruka Valley building and walk an easy route from the slopes and village area to a frozen lake. They lend a winter overall, wool socks, boots and gloves, so you only bring a hat. The tour is open from 8 years. The resort reports whitefish and perch as the most common catch and lists departures from Monday to Saturday at 10:15, with a second slot at 13:00 from 18 January to 14 March. It needs at least four participants.

Light and cold

In December Kuusamo gets only about three hours of daylight, according to Metsähallitus, so a snowshoe walk to Oulanka is best timed around midday. By March the days are long, and a fishing trip in the afternoon still ends in daylight. Sitting on the ice is colder than walking, so pack an extra layer for the fishing part. Our page on what to wear in Ruka lists the layers, and Oulanka National Park describes the park in more detail.