Lounaja winter round 16 km, Hossa National Park

Lounaja's winter route 16 km

• The direction of the route is counterclockwise.
• The route is not marked on the terrain, signs are placed at key intersections.
• The route is prepared with a snowmobile throughout the snowiest winter. 
• Maintenance of the route begins as soon as snow and ice conditions allow and continues until April. 
• The route is aimed to be maintained once a week. Check the condition of the route from local businesses.
• Note that there may be dog sleds on the route, stop when encountering a dog sled and release the track for the dogs.

The Lounatvaara winter round starts from the south shore of Joukojärvi, first crossing across the lake basin and continues northeast along the southern edge of Virtajärvi through Hakolampi ponds to the summit of Lounatvaara. From the top of Lounatvaara, views open over Lounaja towards Hossa National Park. When leaving the top of Lounatvaara there is a steep downhill.

The route continues on Lounaja and circles via Lipposensalmi lean-to. The lean-to is a good resting place. From the Lipposen salmi lean-to, the route continues via Lipponen pond north of Hoilua. By turning right the route leads to Jatko's Jotos and Ala-Valkeinen's cabin is easily accessible from there. 

The return is done on the same route back to Hoilua. Hoilua continues to the tip of Kokalmus peninsula. At the tip of the peninsula there is a junction and by turning left you reach Leipätie back to Joukojärvi. On the ridges it is worth watching out for capercaillies or their tracks and droppings.