Ruka

Timo Newton-Syms

• Ruka Info

  phone: +358 8 860-0250
  address: Rukatunturintie 9
  The official tourist information of Ruka.

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• Fell Konttainen407 meters, about half a kilometre from Karhunkierros Trail

• Fell Pyhävaara461 meters, you need a special license to get there.

• Fell Rukatunturi500 meters, Karhunkierros Trail starts from here.

• Fell Valtavaara491 meters, Surmankuru gorge (40 meters) is located here, on the north side.

Timo Newton-Syms

• Observe and photograph Aurora borealis during long winter nights.
• Downhill snowsports and cross country skiing

• Ski pass sales

  phone: +358 8 860-0235
  address: Rukakyläntie 8
  The place to buy ski passes for the Ruka slopes.

• Piste Rental Shop

  phone: +358 400-101-605
  address: Rukakylätie 17
  Children´s equipment, alpine skiing, carving, snowboarding, telemarking, cross country skiing, helmets, goggles; Halti outdoor wear.

• VuosselinPortti Rental Shop

  phone: +358 400-101-610
  address: Jussinkuja 5
  The Rental Shop of Eastern Ruka.

• Ski School Ruka

  phone: +358 400-101-635
  address: Rukakyläntie 17
  Private lessons and lessons for groups. Alpine, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, telemark and adaptive skiing.

• Saarua–Valtavaara–Saarua skiing trail10 km demanding classic and freestyle cross country skiing trail. No lights. Campfire shelter at Valtavaara. Connects to other cross-country skiing trails in the area.

Hiking:

/kallu

• Karhunkierros

  phone: +358 40-834-6814
  Legendary 80 km hiking trail to and through Oulanka National Park. The other end of the trail is at Karhunkierros visitor centre in Hautajärvi or e.g. at Kuntakkivaara. Being popular and well maintained the trail is suited also for less experienced hikers, but map and basic survival skills are needed and the terrain is hilly. The suspension bridges are not suited for dogs. There are eight open wilderness huts along the trail, free but often crowded in season (and due to the popularity of the trail, latecomers' rights are not always respected). In summer basic food can be bought each other day with normal speed. It is recommended that water be had at service points or treated (boiled) before drinking. There is an ultra running competition along the trail (83 km) yearly in May (winner times: men 8:20, women 10:30). There are also shorter versions of Karhunkierros, 18–31 km. From Hautajärvi the UKK trail continues 260 km via the Sallatunturi area, Tuntsa Wilderness Area and Tulppio all the way to Urho Kekkonen National Park.

• Valtavaara-Pyhävaara Nature ReserveVersatile area with barren cliff, spruce forests and marshy depressions, mostly higher than the surroundings, with Valtavaara reaching 492 m. The local mix of northern and southern species is unique in Finland and the area is popular among birdwatchers. Staying on the trails is recommended, both for safety and to protect threatened plant species. Picking berries and edible mushrooms is allowed. Camping and campfires allowed only at designated sites, the latter not during wildfire warning periods and always only with due care. Taking samples or damaging flora, fauna or rocks is forbidden as usual in nature reserves. Fishing is restricted. Horseback and bike riding is allowed at certain routes.

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  Juhannuskallio Trail300 m trail to the top of Juhannuskallio.

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  Valtavaaran huiputusCircle trail to the top of Valtavaara (along the Karhunkieros trail) and back to Ruka.

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  Trail of the red-flanked bluetail1.5 km trail around the lake Konttaisjärvi through old spruce forest, at the foot of Konttainen. This is one of the places west of Ural where you can get to see the bird that gave name to the trail, popular among British birdwatchers. It sings in June, which makes it easier to spot. The trail can be combined with a stretch of Karhunkierros to the Suolampi shelter or with a climb of Konttainen.

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  Pyhän jyssäys6 km trail to the top of Pikku-Pyhävaara, where there is a hut and a campfire site.

Programme services

Timo Newton-Syms

• Kuusamo Safaris

  phone: +358 400-326-690
  address: Kotatie 1
  Tailor made activities for families and small groups. For example: snowmobile-, husky-, ice-fishing-, reideer sleigh-, snowshoe trekking and cross-country skiing safaris, canoeing, cycling, white water rafting and rowing trips.

• Rukapalvelu Ltd

  phone: +358 10-271-0500
  address: Rukakyläntie 13
  Tailor made events and adventures. Also weekly programs available.

• Ruka Safaris

  phone: +358 8 852-1610
  address: Rukarinteentie 1
  Tours and other programme; accommodation, including a winter village built of snow.

• Ruka Adventures

  phone: +358 8 852-2007
  address: Rukanriutta 7
  All kinds of adventures for groups. For example ice carting, snowmobile safaris, river rafting, quadbike safaris etc.

• Stella Polaris Adventures

  phone: +358 40-843-3425
  address: Mestantie 1
  Wilderness safaris with high quality services. Private safari company, DMC.

• Northernlight Safaries

  phone: +358 40-523-1532
  address: Rukatunturintie 2
  Speed safaris and overnight safaris. You can experience the real winter in the wilderness with professional safari guides.

• Wilderness Wolf Nature Safaris

  phone: +358 40-570-0279
  address: Rukajärventie 30
  Husky farm with over 200 sledge dogs.

• Rukahuolto Oy

  phone: +358 40 5880121
  address: Riutanpää 1
  Snowmobile short term rental and day trips. All snowmobiles are Polaris IQ LXT 550 (2 seater) 1h -60€, 2h -70€, 3h -85€, 4h -100€. Prices include equipment (overalls, shoes, gloves, balaclava, helmet), insurance (own risk 650€), and a route map. Price doesn't include gasoline.

• K-Market Ruka

  phone: +358 8 868-1910
  address: Rukanriutta 3
  Groceries store in Ruka.

• S-Market Ruka

  phone: +358 10-763-3222
  address: Rukanriutta 7
  Another groceries store in Ruka.

• K-Market Rukankylä

  address: Rukankyläntie 8
  A small groceries store on in the Ruka Pedestrian Village.

• Shopping Center Kumpare

  phone: +358 8 860-0250
  address: Rukakyläntie 8
  Here you can find the Ruka info, Internet terminals, WLAN, groceries store, Alko (liquor store), souvenir shops, gym, child park etc.

• RukaStore

  phone: +358 400-101-615
  address: Rukatunturintie 13
  Here you can find high-quality equipment and clothing for winter sports.

• Riipisen Wild Game and Souvenir Shop

  phone: +358 40-166-2340
  address: Rukakyläntie 8
  This is the place to buy your game souvenirs.

Timo Newton-Syms

• Alphut Swiss Restaurant

  phone: +358 40-966-0051
  address: Rukatunturintie 11
  Alpine food and drinks. At lunch time the soup of the day.

• Colorado Mts. Bar & Grill

  phone: +358 20-775-9405
  address: Rukakyläntie 6
  Live music, delicious food, sports, drinks etc. From the menu you can choose also quite spicy foods.

• Restaurant Peak

  phone: +358 8 868-4100, +358 40-197-0777
  address: Rukakyläntie 11
  Finnish cuisine and quality wines.

• Restaurant Piste

  phone: +358 8 860-0300
  address: Rukakyläntie 17
  Lunch at noon, party at nights.

• Riipinen Wild Game Restaurant

  phone: +358 8-868-1219
  address: Rukatunturintie 6
  Restaurant offers specialities like bear, rabbit and of course reindeer. There's also a separate kids' menu.

• Restaurant Royal Ruka

  phone: +358 400-819-840
  address: Mestantie 1
  Gourmet restaurant with Lapland's Dinner and À la Carte list.

• Restaurant Rukahovi

  phone: +358 8-859-10
  address: Rukakyläntie 15
  Traditional restaurant in the middle of Ruka. Live music and great views.

• Restaurant Kaltiokivi & KarhuBar

  phone: +358 8-859-10
  address: Rukakyläntie 15
  Relaxing and cosy restaurant. Beautiful fireplace in KarhuBar.

Pizzerias

• Classic Pizza Ruka

  phone: +358 440-337-607
  address: Rukatunturintie 11
  Peaceful dining and good service. There are pizzas, salads, wines and other drinks on the menu.

• Pizzeria Ruka

  phone: +358 8-868-1445
  address: Kelorinne
  Pizzeria offers speacial pizzas like salmon and reindeer.

• Tellu Night & Ski Pub Karaoke

  phone: +358 8-859-10
  address: Rukakyläntie 15
  Over 2500 songs to choose from! Also DJ and music from 80s, 90s, today's hits and Finnhits.

• Restaurant Zone

  phone: +358 10-271-0555
  address: Safaritalo
  After safari parties until the morning, karaoke and a big glassed terrace. Lots of different kinds of events.

Timo Newton-Syms

• Rukakeskus Oy

  phone: +358 8 860-0300
  address: Rukatunturintie 9

• Ski-Inn RukaSuites

  phone: +358 8 860-0300
  address: Rukakyläntie 8
  RukaSuites apartments are located in the village of Ruka. They are in walking distance from the slopes. Apartments are made specially for skiers.

• Ski-Inn Aurinkorinne

  phone: +358 8 860-0290
  address: Hiihtokouluntie 16–18
  Apartments are located 400 meters from RukaVillage. The nearest slope Talvijärvi is right next to the apartments.

• Ski-Inn Hotel RukaVillage

  phone: +358 8 860-0300
  address: Rukakyläntie 6
  Especially for skiing travellers. Each room has cooking facilities.

• MastonAitio Cabins

  phone: +358 8 860-0300
  address: Rinnekyläntie 3
  Cabins are great for active families. Kids ski area and a rope tow lift is located near the cabins.

• 20–25 km from Ruka you can find two national parks: Oulanka and Riisitunturi.