Hikes in Lieksa

Hike in Finland's most famous national landscape.

Hike along the shores of Lake Pielinen on this unique trail with the lake on both sides - on a narrow ridge called Kaiskunniemi.

The route circling Kolin’s three most famous and perhaps most beautiful viewpoints is a classic! The quite easy-to-walk route is also accessible without stairs.

Lieksa is a charming town with interesting sights in the province of North Karelia. Come and discover the unique historical atmosphere of the city. Exploring the sculptures and historical monuments will add an extra dimension to your excursions on foot or by bike!

Nice hike in the Forest with beatiful views of the lake - combination of Red and Black circuits: Kolinuuron kierros trail 3.1k and Makran kierto trail 7.5k

2-day hike in the Koli MountainsThe Herajärven kierros circular route runs over the mountain ridge of the Koli Mountains and circles the Herajärvi lake in the southern section. The tour starts at the National Park Center Ukko and follows circular trails at the beginning and end that lead to the peaks of the Koli Mountains. Along the way, we encounter the diverse nature of North Karelia away from the heavily traveled paths of Koli National Park with gnarled forests, yellow-brown bogs, bubbling forest streams, numerous viewpoints on granite rock ledges, as well as historic alpine meadows. There are also several rest and tent sites, especially halfway at the turn on the southern shore of Herajärvi. Here, the Kiviniemi camping area is available, where cabins can also be rented and in summer you can get provisions in the small café.

High Trail Around the Koli PeaksEstablished in 1971, the Koli National Park in East Karelia protects part of the ancient Karelian mountain range, which today stands as a granite-built hill chain with a maximum height of 250 m above Lake Pielinen. Two billion years ago, during the shifting of the continental plates, these mountains reached the height of the Himalayas. Since then, erosion and countless ice ages have worn the mountains down to their current size. Especially due to the unique view to the east over Lake Pielinen, which is one of the most beautiful, if not the most beautiful, in Finland, the park is also among the 27 Finnish national landscapes. Many Finnish artists such as the painter Eero Järnefelt, the writer Juhani Aho, and of course Jan Sibelius have visited the mountains and captured their inspirations in paintings, poems, and compositions. A dense network of paths and long-distance hiking trails allow for exciting and scenic hikes at heights rarely found in southern Finland. The most frequented and shortest route of 600 m first leads to the three main peaks and then continues as a high trail over the hill chain. In addition to many viewpoints, culturally and botanically valuable meadow pastures also count among the park’s attractions, which we encounter along the routes. The tour described here follows the high trail and returns to the starting point on the west side of the hill chain.

Through the lonely moor in East KareliaThe Patvinsuo National Park in East Karelia protects over 100 km² of uninhabited swamps and ancient Karelian primeval forests. Above all, the vast, continuous and intact moorland and the birdlife that lives there give the park its great significance. But a variety of large mammals, such as wolves and bears, are also native to the surrounding primeval forest areas. In addition, there is the cultural and military historical background that dates back to the 14th century. The timelessness of this wilderness becomes the defining feature of this hike and evokes a hint of the Siberian taiga, especially on an autumn morning when the mist lifts and reveals the seemingly endless moorland. The tour runs through the central section of the national park and reaches both the moorland and the Terentinniemi observation tower. The former Suomo farm at the starting point was built in the 19th century and farmed until 1963; it now houses a small information kiosk of the national park. The surrounding fields are considered cultural assets and are regularly mowed. Keeping a flock of sheep would not be possible because of wolves and bears.

From Koli Village around Ukko-Koli and to the HarborThe extensive network of trails within the Koli Mountains offers, besides the classic high trail over the highest peaks, also delightful tours that run along the slopes of the hill range. The Finns like to call this area the "Land of the Blue Shimmering Mountains," as it is rare in Finland to have the opportunity to view the characteristic landscape of the Finnish Lakeland from a natural elevation. On a sunny summer day, the tours become a true spectacle with their high contrasts of blue, green, and white, deeply embedding the originality of these ancient hill ranges with the vast natural landscape mosaic in memory. But it is not only the "peaks" that fascinate, but also the surrounding landscape that extends to the rugged shoreline of Pielinen. The Koli Mountains were once not as popular as today, as court trials were said to have taken place here, where the condemned were thrown into the depths. According to old folk beliefs, powerful spirits lived in the mountains, to whom offerings such as gold and silver coins were made. The hiking loop presented here connects various routes of nature trails and sections of the hiking trail network and leads both to the small harbor of Koli and to a resting place on Pielinen. Several dining options, open in summer, offer opportunities to rest; furthermore, the small waterfall Tarhapuoron putous is on the itinerary. Along the Kasken kierros nature trail, we learn about old forms of agriculture as well as the old farmhouse Turula.

Circular hike around the Suomunjärvi in Patvinsuo National ParkAnother popular circular hike in Patvinsuo leads around Suomunjärvi, which is located in the northern part of the protected area. The circular route, given as 15 km, together with detours to two rest areas and a section of the Mäntypolku nature trail, totals just under 18 km. The starting point is, as with the moor round, the former Suomo farm. The route has only a few junctions and mostly runs on well-trodden forest paths and trails, except for short sections. These lead through beautiful pine forests, take us to rest areas wonderfully located on sandy bays, and introduce us to the nature of an untouched forest lake, home to numerous water birds. For almost 1 km, we walk over white, glacial sand, later over a narrow land tongue only a few meters wide. Towards the end, a detour takes us to a headland where a historic fisherman's hut has been preserved.