NUTS Karhunkierros, live.

The Bear's Trail from Oulanka to Ruka

NUTS Karhunkierros is a trail running event in Kuusamo where every distance follows the Karhunkierros trails and finishes in Ruka.

NUTS Karhunkierros takes its name from Karhunkierros, the trail network through Oulanka National Park and the hills around Ruka in Kuusamo. The 2027 edition is on 28 and 29 May, and the organiser keeps an archive of editions going back to 2013. Registration opened on 13 October 2026.

There are five distances, and all of them finish in the Ruka pedestrian village. The 166 km runs from Ruka to Napapiiri and back, with drop bags at Oulanka and Hautajärvi and a finish cut-off of 36 hours. The 83 km starts at Napapiiri in Hautajärvi and passes the Oulanka and Konttainen aid stations, with 18 hours to finish. The 55 km starts at the Oulanka Visitor Centre with a 14 hour limit, and the 34 km starts in Juuma and runs through river canyon scenery with suspension bridges, roots, rocks and climbs, with 10 hours to finish. The 13 km is a hilly loop around Ruka.

The start works differently from most races. Participants choose a start period when they register, and timing begins when each person actually sets off. The cut-offs are measured from that personal start.

The organiser notes that the trails, climbs and overnight running on the 166 km call for planning, and asks runners on the long distances to plan the stretches between aid stations. The 13 km is shorter but hilly, and lets you find your own rhythm on the climbs and descents. A supporter guide on the organiser's site covers how to follow the event.

On Livebib you can follow a participant who chooses to share their own live position from the phone they carry. You see where that person is on the course right now, which helps friends and family know when to be at the roadside or the finish. This is not the organiser's timing, and the official results come from NUTS Karhunkierros.