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Thematic Trail
· Paljakka-Puolanka
Hepoköngäs nature trail 1.2 km, demanding accessible, Paljakka
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Hepoköngäs accessible nature route, PuolankaPhoto: Arto Heikkinen, Outdoors Kainuu
Located in the magnificent fell landscapes of Kainuu, the Hepoköngäs waterfall is a popular destination. Thanks to the wide and even path, everyone can admire the natural attraction.
The Hepoköngäs nature reserve was established around one of Finland's highest natural waterfalls, the 24-meter-high Hepoköngäs. A 600-meter one-way nature route leads to the waterfall. The route is accessible up to the first viewing platform on top of the waterfall and the resting spot; the route circling to the second viewing platform below the waterfall is classified as a demanding accessible route due to elevation differences.
Hepoköngäs is at its most magnificent in spring and early summer when meltwaters swell the river almost to the brim. The roar of the waterfall can be heard from a couple of hundred meters away. The river valley below the waterfall in the nature reserve is lush, and a group of endangered and rare species thrive in the spruce-dominated old forest. In winter, the road to Hepoköngäs is kept open up to the parking area, but the route is not maintained.
See the route accessibility description on the accessibility tab. Along the nature trail, three audio guides with descriptions have been implemented, telling about Hepoköngäs' history, waterfall, and nature reserve.
The site is maintained by Metsähallitus.
Author’s recommendation
Another waterfall, Komulanköngäs, which is a rare two-branched waterfall in Finnish conditions, is also located a short drive away.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Safety information
The stones around the waterfall can be especially slippery when wet.
In winter, the path is often packed with snowshoes, but the route is not maintained.
Tips and suggestions
There is an information board at the Hepoköngäs parking area. In summer, guidance and local brochures are available from the café located along the road to the Hepoköngäs waterfall, which is open at that time.
Roadbook
Route to Hepoköngäs waterfall, 600 m
The crushed stone surface route is signposted along the entire way. The path continuing from the resting place to the viewing platform below the waterfall is more demanding due to elevation differences. Along the route, there is a shelter hut, an outhouse, viewing platforms above and below the waterfall, and information boards about the area's nature.
Geological nature trail, 1.5 km - not accessible
The nature trail branches off from the route leading to the waterfall at the resting place. The path, marked with red paint marks, descends to the shore of the Heini River and eventually circles back to the parking area. Along the path, there are ten information boards in Finnish and a viewpoint near the end of the trail. The geopark follows the UKK trail "Tonkohuikko" along the Heini River.
Hepokönkään historia
Hepoköngäs lean-to
Hepoköngäs waterfall, Accessible, Paljakka
Hepökönkään luonnonsuojelualue
Public transport
No public transport.
Get Timetable to destination
Directions
From Puolanka direction, drive five kilometers southeast from Puolanka on the main road (no. 78, Paltamontie), turn left (road no. 891, Hyrynsalmentie) and drive seven kilometers. Turn right according to the signs (road no. 8912, Hepokönkääntie) and drive to the end of the road. From the junction, it is two kilometers to the area, and at the end of the road, there is a parking area.
From road 5 (E63) turn towards Hyrynsalmi, drive through the center and continue on road (no. 891, Hyrynsalmentie) northwest for 39 kilometers. Turn left according to the signs (road no. 8912, Hepökönkääntie) and drive to the end of the road, where there is a parking area.
From Suomussalmi (Ämmänsaari) turn onto road no. 892, Kyröntie, and drive about 35 kilometers. From Kytömäki, turn right (road no. 891, Hyrynsalmentie) and drive northwest about 19 kilometers. Turn left according to the signs onto road no. 8912 (Hepokönkääntie) and drive to the end of the road, where there is a parking area.
Parking
Hepoköngäs parking area, Hepokönkääntie 22.
Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Author’s map recommendations
Reasonably usable, but not completely accessible.
Arrival and parking
The route starts from the Hepoköngäs parking lot at Hepokönkääntie 22. There are no designated accessible parking spaces in the parking area. The same car park is also used for escorted transport. The parking area is flat and asphalted. The route starts at the edge of the car park. At the starting point you find an information board about the nature trail. There is also an accessible dry toilet at the starting point.
Accessibility description of the route
The route is classified as a demanding accessible nature trail. As this is an out and back route, on the return journey, the ascents of the route description become descents and vice versa. The route is signposted but not waymarked. The flat route is graveled with black pebble ash and therefore clearly distinguishable from the rest of the environment. The width of the route is more than 1.5 m over the entire length. Wheelchair users are recommended to use a nose wheel or to be accompanied by an assistant.
The initial 300 m of the route from the car park to the rest area, can be classified as accessible. It runs through an old, protected spruce forest with a maximum gradient of 5 % longitudinal and 5 % lateral on a level track. The part of the track leading down to the viewing platform below the waterfall, classifies the route as a demanding accessible route. This part departs a short distance before the rest area. Right at the beginning of this part, there is a bridge over 1.5 metres wide with cross-board spacing of about 0.5 centimetres. The bridge has a guardrail on both sides. After a short, flat section, the track descends to the bottom of the waterfall. The length of the demanding serpentine hill is about 150 m, and the maximum longitudinal gradient is 14 %. The maximum lateral gradient is 5 %. A guardrail is provided along the course of the hill section. There is a rest area at the top of the hill and four wider areas building passing places. The surface of the route may be eroded by run-off water. The viewing platform at the bottom of the falls is flat and the depth and width of the open space is over 1,5 m. The viewing platform has guard rails and a protective edge.
Rest area and other structures
The Hepoköngäs rest area features a lean-to with fireplace, a woodshed, a dry toilet, and a viewing platform - all of them accessible. The rest area and its surroundings are pebble-ashed and flat. The fireplace is located inside the open shelter, which is easily accessible. The seating frame is fixed but does not impede mobility with an assistive device. The fireplace is elevated. The wood store of the rest area is located behind the lean-to. A 1,5 m wide ramp with a slope of 8 % leads to the wood store. The ramp has handrails, but there is no platform at the top of the ramp, which makes it difficult to open the doors. The double doors open in the middle and have a width of more than one metre.
A ramp similar to the one to the wood storage leads to the accessible dry toilet which is located right next to the woodshed. The door width to the accessible toilet as well in the rest area as at the parking area is 95 cm. The absence of handles makes it difficult to close the door. The toilet seat is positioned in the middle of the space, about 35 cm from the rear wall, with handles on either side of the seat. There is about one metre of free space on each side of the toilet seat. The depth and width of the free space in front of the seat is approximately two metres. The lighting in the toilet comes through a window. Therefore, the amount of light is affected by the weather and the time of day.
The viewing platform is flat, and the depth and width of the free space is more than 1.5 metres. The viewing platform has guard rails and a protective edge.
Completely accessible and fully usable.
Things to note in addition to the general accessibility description of the route
There is no advance material in sign language produced for the route.
Reasonably usable, but not completely accessible.
Things to note in addition to the general accessibility description of the route
No prior information has been produced for the route in Braille or audio file.
The route may occasionally have branches bending over the path.
The route signposts are clear and have good colour contrast.
Access to the lean-to is limited due to the sloping roof.
The lack of colour contrast makes it difficult to use the constructions of the route.
Completely accessible and fully usable.
Things to note in addition to the general accessibility description of the route
No advance material in plain language has been produced for the route.
In terms of length and clarity, the route is safe and there is no risk of getting lost.
There are guard rails on the viewing platforms and on the demanding part of the route.
A rest area allows independent activity.
Equipment
Normal outdoor clothing and footwear.
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
User Questions