When did huts.fi research the data for Oulujoki Valley Tar Trail Network?

Huts.fi

Oulujoki Valley Tar Trail Network

—•Hiking Trails

32.9 km

Route

Description

Muhos – Tervareitistö (VisitMuhos)+

Description

This route is a roughly 32,9 km point-to-point hiking corridor along the Oulujoki Valley’s Tervareitistö, a themed long-distance network that remembers tar rafts that once moved barrelled tar from Kainuu forests toward Oulu. For how the municipality introduces the network’s story, markings and rest stops, start from VisitMuhos. Oulun matka packs practical detail on landscape character, access choices and the difference between summer hiking geometry and the groomed winter ski line on the wider system. From the Sankivaaran kuntoilupuisto area the path threads forest, esker edges and swamp crossings; about 3 km in you reach Pilpakankaan laavu, and Pilpajärven laavu sits near the shore of Pilpajärvi a little past the midpoint of the opening third. Mid-route, Kallioselän kämppä is the main shelter: a traditional forest cabin with sleeping space, sauna and kota in the yard, managed as a free-use wilderness stop (check current rules and etiquette on the municipality’s Kallioselä page ). Matkajärven laavu offers a long-stage rest closer to Muhos, and the line finishes near Korkalanvaaran laavu by the Korkalanvaara sports and ski hub. The summer hiking line is marked with orange-tipped posts about half a kilometre apart, with grey-tipped posts used for unsigned alternates that branch to local sights. Nearby, Pilpasuon luontopolku 1.4 km / 7 km shares the Pilpakankaan laavu end for a shorter nature loop if you want to sample Pilpasuo without committing to the full crossing. Beyond Korkalanvaara, Oulujokilaakson Tervareitistö Muhos-Rokua continues toward Utajärvi and Rokua for a longer hut-to-hut style project on the same themed network. In winter the maintained network is a wide, machine-groomed ski track on the broader Tervareitistö; confirm track status before you go. Firewood is delivered for the cabin system at Kallioselä; at many laavut you should still carry your own wood if you plan a fire. Muhos lies in North Ostrobothnia. The trail is remote enough for real quiet in mid-winter, but facilities along the section mean you can plan long day trips or an overnight at Kallioselän kämppä.

Length & route

About 32,9 km point-to-point on the map from the Sankivaara-side start toward Korkalanvaara in Muhos, as one continuous hiking line along the Tervareitistö corridor. The wider Tervareitistö network continues toward Utajärvi and Rokua beyond this segment. Muhos lists representative winter ski sections on the network, for example Korkalanvaara–Matkajärvi (7,5 km), Matkajärvi–Kallioselkä (12 km) and Montta–Pälli (12 km), all described as parts of the same themed system.

Getting there

The prepared geometry starts beside Sankivaaran kuntoilupuisto on Mikonmäentie in the Oulu side of the valley; Nikulantie and Mikonmäentie parking areas are commonly used near Sankivaara. From that direction the summer path crosses Pilpasuo near Pilpasuon luontopolku 1.4 km / 7 km; winter routing may bypass the bog along a slightly different line. In Muhos, Korkalanvaara’s trail hub is at Hiihtomajantie 30 with parking at the ski stadium. Ylikiimingintie and Utajärvi’s Penkkatie are other join points on the full network. Check live grooming when you plan a ski trip. Drivers should compare Retkikartta’s summer and winter layers when matching trailhead to season.

Good to know

Kallioselän kämppä: overnight use is intended for people travelling under their own power for one to two nights; large groups are asked to use tents or reservable cabins for sleeping. Leave firewood split for the next visitor and follow the cabin waste instructions. For municipal contacts, the Kallioselä page lists maankäyttö engineer Ulla-Maija Karjalainen. Dog ski hours on lit loops at Korkalanvaara follow separate posted rules and do not define dog rules on this remote trail section.

History

The trail system’s interpretive theme is the tar trade: signs explain how tar moved from Kainuu forests to Oulu’s tar warehouses and export markets. Boards also cover local Earth history, log driving, hydropower development and Oulujoki salmon. Kallioselän kämppä is a historic forest cabin maintained for hikers and skiers on the corridor.

Managed by

Oulu

Official Maintenance

+358 8 558 41330

Trail info

Recreation Area

River

https://oulu.fluentprogress.fi/outdoors/

Winter Maintenance

Marked Route

Route Signs

Activities allowed

Hike / Walk

Activity

Ski

Activity

Terrain & conditions

32.9 km

Distance

A demanding full day on foot for most people at this distance and terrain; winter skiers should add time for conditions and grooming breaks.

Est. Time

Dirt / Duckboards

Surface

Point-to-Point, Wide Track

Route Type

Light Traffic

Traffic

Location

64.98317°N, 25.71181°E

Approximate location

FinlandCountry

North OstrobothniaRegion

MuhosCity

SanginsuuVillage

Hiking TrailsCategory

Rate & Review

Be the first to write a review for "Oulujoki Valley Tar Trail Network"

Share a photo from a recent trip

Answers to your questions

Our data was researched from Oulu, and other trusted sources, in March 2026. Our route / place GPX data comes from Metsähallitus / Lipas, last updated March 2026. Always check their official website for safety-critical updates.

Finland North Ostrobothnia Muhos Hiking TrailsOulujoki Valley Tar Trail Network