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Latvakangas primeval forest area, VaalaPhoto: Anni Heikkinen, Kainuun Liikunta
Latvakangas wilderness area is a small nature reserve, featuring an unmarked forest trail that leads to the heart of the wilderness area, the wilderness hut, and back.
The Latvakangas wilderness area is a 44-hectare protected area included in the Natura 2000 program. The pine-dominated old-growth forest has an average age of about 150 years, providing a habitat for many woodpeckers among other species. Latvakangas is one of the few structurally natural forests in Vaala. A 1.5-kilometer-long (3 km round trip) unmarked forest trail runs through the area.
The trail is narrow and partly nearly overgrown along its entire length but is clearly visible during snow-free seasons. The route has little elevation change but includes some fallen trees and stones, so you need to lift your feet.
At the end of the trail, there is a wilderness hut equipped with a stove, a campfire site, an outhouse, and a woodshed. Additionally, the yard has an old sauna with a sleeping bench, but the stove has been removed, so heating is not possible.
Author’s recommendation
The wilderness hut and other rest stop structures were renovated in summer 2022.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
The unmarked trail has some fallen trees and stones.
Roadbook
There is no parking at the route's starting point, but after the Latvakangas road junction, there is a small spot for a couple of cars on the left at the edge of the forest. The route is a 1.5-kilometer straight path to the wilderness hut and back.
Public transport
No public transport.
Get Timetable to destination
Directions
The starting point of the route is located on Otermantie (the road between Vaala and Puolanka), eight kilometers from the intersection of highway 22 towards Puolanka.
Parking
There is no parking area at the starting point, but after the Latvakangas road junction, there is a small spot for a couple of cars on the left at the edge of the forest.
Coordinates
Equipment
Normal clothing and footwear suitable for hiking.
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
User Questions