The Kaihuanvaara Hiking Trail is 52.5 km from Rovaniemi toward Posio. The hiking trail belongs to the area: Kaihuanvaara–Kivalot. It is a diverse trail for fans of nature. It passes through the Kaihuanvaara herb-rich forest protection area and by Hopianulkki, the highest point of Kaihuanvaara, or Kaihua Hill. The nature trail passes through varying hillside forests and crosses small streams on duckboards. It takes you, for example, through protected forests and beautiful hillside birch groves.
Hopianulkki is the highest point of the area, 358 m. The Hopianulkki Observation Tower offers great views over the forest and is an ideal location for bird watching. The Kaihuanvaara hill-top forests are also worth a visit with their unique wilderness atmosphere. The hiking trail passes mainly on solid hill terrain. The total length of the circular trail is 10.1 km and its difficulty level is medium.
Siren’s Cabin, equipped with a woodshed, outhouse and campfire site, is located along the hiking trail. There is a lean-to and outhouse by the pond Porkkalampi.
Directions: drive 2.6 km out of the city centre of Rovaniemi along Sodankyläntie; turn right on Kuusamontie; drive 49.3 km to Vanttauskoski, where the road turns into Pirttikoskentie; continue for 6.3 km; turn left on Kaarnijärventie for 2.1 km; turn right on Kaihuanvaaran rengastie; drive 1.3 km; turn right, continuing on Kaihuanvaaran rengastie; drive 1.2 km to the parking area on your left. The Kaihuanvaara Wilderness Trail is marked with 60-cm-high posts and paint markings on tree trunks, which may be poorly visible in winter due to snow and frost. No public transport. No winter maintenance.