Adventures in Ruka all year round
Cross-country skiing
Head out on a cross-country ski trip through the majestic spruces and snow-covered pine forests. The nearest cross-country ski trails start right next to Scandic Rukahovi. Routes include the 9 km Ruka Surrounding Trail, the 11 km Saarua Light Trail, and the 11 km Vuosseli Trail.
Skiing
At Ruka, you can ski in breathtaking fell landscapes until the beginning of May! There are 39 slopes, and Piste rental offers versatile equipment for winter sports. Some slopes are located right next to Scandic Rukahovi.
Snowmobiling
At Ruka, you can admire the vastness of the wilderness from the seat of a snowmobile. The Kuusamo area has 500 kilometers of well-maintained snowmobile routes and its own area for freeride snowmobiling enthusiasts. Participating in a guided snowmobile safari is an easy and safe way to go snowmobiling, even with the whole family.
Sledding and Snowshoeing
Sledding is available at East Ruka in the lower part of Vuosseli Children's Land and Mast slopes, as well as on the edge of Ruka village next to Kaltiolampi. When staying at Scandic Rukahovi, you can rent a sled at the hotel's reception.
Snowshoeing can be done on the Vuosseli Lake ice.
Mountain biking
In total, the Ruka-Kuusamo area has 180 km of marked mountain biking routes. Ruka's Valtavaara route (excluding the Bear's Round segment) and the Salmilampi/Valkeisenvaara route, as well as the service roads and paths in the slope areas, are suitable for mountain biking, even though they are not officially marked as mountain biking routes.
The cycling season at Ruka continues until the end of October, but fat biking with wide tires also allows winter cycling in snowy conditions. Ruka has several marked winter cycling routes, such as Antinperä, Hirsilampi, Lammintupa, and Riisitunturi routes, which are maintained as needed after snowfalls.
The cycling routes on Ruka's slopes are marked in turquoise blue on maps and with cycling signs on the terrain. Guided mountain biking tours are also available. Ruka Bike Park offers top-notch conditions and scenery for mountain and downhill biking.
Hiking
The Ruka area in Kuusamo is a popular hiking destination and offers, in addition to the legendary Bear's Round, many other hiking trails and attractions accessible on foot.
Read more about hiking trails at Ruka
River rafting, canoeing, and river floating
Kuusamo's free-flowing waters offer an inviting network for river rafting, canoeing, and leisurely rowing. In the Oulanka National Park on the clean waters of the Kitka River, you can enjoy river rafting from May to October. Choices range from calm family routes to wild adventure routes.
Relaxing river floating offers a unique experience in the embrace of a slow-flowing river. At Kiveskoski in the clear waters of Lake Kitka, river floating is available year-round.
Frisbee golf
Ruka DiscGolfPark is a 20-lane competition-level course. The steep elevation changes in the ski resort make the playing experience demanding but enjoyable. Additionally, there is a 21-lane course on Ruka's slopes in the summer and a 9-lane family course at Lake Talvi.
Golf
Kuusamo Golf's 18-hole course is an amazing experience! Kuusamo Golf is about a 20-minute drive from Scandic Rukahovi, near the center of Kuusamo. You can conveniently obtain Green Fees directly from the hotel reception.
Summer toboggan run
Ruka's summer toboggan run is an exciting way to explore Ruka in the summer. Take the Village Express chairlift up the mountain and descend on a toboggan! The summer toboggan run is a kilometer-long steel track on which special toboggans are driven.
ATV safari
Explore Kuusamo's stunning landscapes from the seat of an all-terrain vehicle. Several program service providers organize guided safaris.
Bear watching
An unforgettable and unique experience to admire the king of the forest. Safely explore bears and other large predators on guided bear-watching tours at Lammintupa and Bear-Kuusamo. In addition to bears, you may see other wild animals of the wilderness, such as wolves, wolverines, and sea or golden eagles.