Nature Attractions

Koli National Park

Welcome to the most famous national landscape in Finland! Breathtaking scenery, which has inspired many Finnish artists, white quartzite bedrock, majestic Lake Pielinen, landscape marked by traditional slash and burn agriculture practises combined with an extensive network of trails and services make Koli an ideal destination for a one day outings or longer exploration. Koli National Park hs about 80km of marked trails, including a 1.5km tour of the highest koli peaks and other nature trails and circuits ranging from 3 to 8 km in length. The Herajärvi Trail through the park consists of three circuits between 30 to 60 km in length, makingit possible to hike for several days.
Useful advice and information about hiking in the national park is available from the Koli Nature Centre Ukko, which offers tourist and hiking information, as well as information about other protected areas and nature attractions in the region. There are also exhibitions, a cafe, a souvenir shop, conference facilities. National Park’s rental hut reservations, and fishing licences.

Hiking Trails

There is a network of marked trails in the Koli National Park and around it with a length of about 80 kilometers, which range from 1.5 to 61 kilometers. There are places for campfire, lean-tos and cabins along the routes. The Herajärvi Hiking Trail is the longest of the trails, the beauty among Finnish long hiking trails. It traverses the forest covered hills and rewards the hiker with a variety of landscapes. The scenery overlooks the great Lake Pielinen or the smaller Herajärvi.

Lake Pielinen

Finland's fourth largest lake, Pielinen, is as integral part of Koli as the famous Koli hills. Explore the wilderness lake Pielinen by fishing, kayaking, boating and SUP boarding, and during the winter on the Koli–Vuonislahti Ice road, husky safaris or skiing.

The islands Pieni-Hölö and Iso-Hölö that rise from Pielinen in Koli are known as the most visited islands in Finland, and there is a long and narrow chain of esker islands in Koli. On the islands of Koli National Park, you can hike and camp in marked locations.

Meadows and Cultural Environments

Real treasures in Koli are the meadows that are inheritances from the old farming era. The wild flowers blooming in the meadows of Mäkränaho, Purolanaho, Ikolanaho, Havukanaho and Mustaniityt fascinate the visitor with their beauty. Forests on the hills also contain valuable meadows, including Vaaralanaho, Turusenautio, Soikkeli and Upper and Lower Murhi. In many places you can still see stone foundations and other remains of old settled areas. You will find the most lively cultural environment in Ollila, Turula, Vaarala, Mattila and Lakkala, which are still managed by pasture farming, slash-and-burn agriculture  and mowing.

Patvinsuo National Park

A peaceful hiking destination and a wilderness area. Patvinsuo National Park is an internationally important mire conservation and research area, with old-growth forests and lakes with sandy shores. The area is best suited for one to two-day hikes or day trips. The emblem animal of Patvinsuo National Park, the Bear, tends to avoid people and is rarely seen, whereas beavers and their dams can be seen along almost all the park’s streams. Swans, cranes, geese, black grouse and other fowl, and birds of prey live in the park. Patvinsuo National Park has around 80 kilometres of marked, easy trails. More ambitious hikers can extend their hike on the Karelian Circuit trails. Patvinsuo a perfect place to observe the Finnish natural wilderness. Bird-watching towers and platforms can be found at Teretinniemi and Surkansuo.

The main information point is Suomu Nature Information Hut, which is open from May to September. See opening hours: www.nationalparks.fi. Suomuntie 54, 81650 Hattuvaara, tel. +358 20 639 5654.