How to Visit Kuusamo’s Myllykoski Rapids (Without a Long Hike)

For as often as I visit Ruka, it took me far too long to visit the iconic Myllykoski rapids nearby.

While Myllykoski (translates to ‘mill rapids’) is the name of several places in Finland, there is only one that tends to be famous on social media. That one is in Oulanka National Park in Kuusamo (close to Ruka).

In this guide, I will share a little bit about how to visit Myllykoski in Oulanka National Park, including exact GPS coordinates (and a map link) of how to get there.

But… this guide is for those who do not want to hike the Pieni Karhunkierros (Small Bear Trail) to get there. It will share the easiest way to reach the famous view at Myllykoski.

If you have any questions about how to get to Myllykoski rapids in Kuusamo, please let me know in the comments. Thanks!

About the Myllykoski Rapids

Located on the Kitkajoki River in Kuusamo are the Myllykoski Rapids (66.263365, 29.410498).

• Mylly = mill 
• Koski = rapids

It is located at Oulanka National Park are is known for its powerful flow with a hanging bridge and a mill right on the edge of the river. The mill once provided grain to locals but is now one of the most iconic viewpoints in Finland.

You can visit year-round, and while you’ll find people there in every season, it is extremely popular during the winter months when tour groups go there by snowshoe and everyone wants that token photo of the mill sitting below Finland’s snow-covered trees.

Myllykoski is also home to the white-throated dipper (bird), which is a rarer bird in Northern Finland and one that still dives for its food in winter along rapids that are not frozen.

Reaching the Myllykoski Rapids is easily done by a short 500m trail (starting at Basecamp Oulanka) or by hiking the Pieni Karhunkierros (Small Bear Trail). For the sake of this guide, I am only covering how to reach it via the short trail, which is the easiest way to get there.

How to Get to Myllykoski Rapids from Ruka

There are two easy ways to get to Myllykoski from Ruka: by rental car or by tour. I will break down both below.

Driving to Myllykoski

Since I live in Rovaniemi, it is easiest for me to reach Myllykoski by car… which is what I did. You are going to want to drive to Basecamp Oulanka (you can see a live map here). That is where the parking lot is and where you can start the easy trail to the rapids.

To get there, drive north from Ruka on the E63. Keep an eye out for Juumantie Road (the sign just says ‘Juuma’) and take a right there. You will drive on this for around 15 kilometers (approximately 20 minutes).

The first road is about 11 kilometers and it is an easy drive. You will then need to turn left onto Puurosuontie for around 3.3 kilometers. This road has a lot of twists and turns, ups and downs, and blind spots. It can be a bit challenging in the winter after a fresh snowfall or for those who have no skill in driving in the snow. Please do not drive out there if this is you.

At the end of this road is Basecamp Oulanka and a medium-sized parking lot. You can park here for free while you do the hike.

Once you park, you can follow the crowd to the trail or just go toward the road again and you will see some large signs at the edge of the forest indicating that you’re there and on the Small Bear Trail.

To start the trail, you will go down some wooden stairs. In the summer, these will be easy; in the winter, this may be difficult! I give more tips on this below when I discuss the trail.

You will follow the signs and tree markers all the way down to the mill. The trail is pretty easy but in winter it will be covered in (trampled) snow, so it can be slick in parts. There is a rope that you can hang onto when you go down toward the end.

After you arrive at the mill, you will see a cabin, a fireplace, and a sign to a dry toilet (it is up some stairs). The mill will be in front of you and there will be a wooden staircase (difficult in winter) to the right that you can climb up to head to the hanging bridge.

The iconic photos are from that hanging bridge. You can also move about in the area a little to grab photos of the floating ice (behind the bridge), etc.

Taking a Tour to Myllykoski

Another option for reaching Myllykoski is to take a tour. Most tours that head down to this area are snowshoeing tours, and they will drive you to Basecamp Oulanka, give you snowshoes (and teach you how to use them, of course!), and then finish with some delicious hot chocolate and pastries down by the mill.

This tour is around 3.5 hours long and will depart from the office in Ruka. It will involve around 2-4km of hiking with snowshoes, so just be prepared for a little bit of exercise! You will also need to wear comfortable shoes, warm clothing, and be dressed in your winter sports gear.

Myllykoski Trail Tips & Tricks

Here are a few tips and tricks for visiting Myllykoski and the shorter trail to it from Basecamp Oulanka’s parking lot:

➡️ Go early. Tour groups arrive around 11am (give or take), so try to get there a bit earlier so you can have fewer people at the rapids. The parking lot also fills up, so it will ensure you have a space there.

➡️ Wear microspikes. While I didn’t bring mine, I definitely should have! The group is a little slick (will be slicker during the spring), but the stairs end up packed with snow and essentially become a slide. I discovered I can walk down them backwards and tuck my feet under the stairs for traction… but most people I saw just slid. I highly recommend bringing microspikes!

➡️ Be prepared for crowds. Even if you get there before the tour companies, you will likely NOT be the only person down there, especially if you’re visiting Myllykoski in winter. Share the spaces and the bridge. Trust me, you’re not the first person to grab a long-exposure photograph at Myllykoski… no point in keeping others from getting the view and a photo or two.

➡️ The road to Myllykoski isn’t for first-time winter drivers. It has a lot of blind spots and can be awful after a snow. Do not drive this without winter driving experience. Also, do NOT park in any of the road pockets along the way. These are for those driving as parts of the road are too narrow for two cars.

➡️ You can visit year-round. Winter is the most popular, but trails are always used around Finland in other seasons by locals. Beware of mosquitoes in the forest during the summer months (it will be better around the rapids and moving water, however).

➡️ You don’t need more than 1-1.5 hours there. But if you’re going for some serious photography, you will need more time to explore all the areas and angles of the mill.

Basecamp Oulanka

When you are done at Myllykoski, you can pop into Basecamp Oulanka for a cup of coffee (€3) and a pastry. This is a hotel that you can stay at if you want to be based at Oulanka National Park, as well! You can check rates and availability for Basecamp Oulanka here.

Do you have any questions about visiting Myllykoski Rapids in Finland? Let me know in the comments!

More Ruka & Kuusamo Travel Guides

• Ruka Peak review
• Ruka in winter
• Iisakki Village review

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