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INDEPENDENT HIKING

HERAJÄRVI HIKING TRAIL

The Herajärvi hiking trail starts from the national landscape of Koli, takes you across chains of hills southwards around Lake Herajärvi. The trail consists of two circular trails: southern trail (about 30 km) and northern trail (about 38 km). The Kiviniemi farm provi­ding accom­mo­da­tion and programme services is located at the place where the southern and northern trails share the same route. Musta­lah­dentie 27 | nationalparks.fi/herajarvenkierrostrail/trailroutedescription

JOUHTENINEN

Jouhte­ninen is probably the most popular day-trip desti­na­tion among the islands of Lake Höytiäinen. This is because of its interes­ting history, the tornado that changed the island landscape in 2004 and the protected ridges and shores on the island. The island has two short circular trails with campfire sites. You can visit Jouhte­ninen on your own or take part on a trip arranged by a local fishing tourism entrepre­neur. luontoon.fi/jouhteninen (in Finnish and Swedish)

KIEHINEN HIKING TRAIL

This trail runs in the lesser-known southern part of the Koli National Park and features some of the rarer treasures of the area. On your hike, you can learn more about the values of the national park and opera­ting in the wilder­ness. The trail is partially a circular trail and has sections of diffe­rent lengths (between 3 and 19 kilometres). You can choose the alter­na­tives suited for your hiking skills and physical strength. The trail has more than one starting point. nationalparks.fi/kolinp/trails/summerhiking#kiehinen

KOLVANANUURO

The Kolva­na­nuuro gorge located on the border between Kontio­lahti and Joensuu is well-suited for a day trip. A circular trail of 5 kilometres featu­ring lean-to shelters runs through the area. The trail is deman­ding, steep and rocky at places and thus you should reserve enough time and sturdy shoes for the hike. The campfire site is easily acces­sible from the parking place in Kontio­lahti. Kolva­na­nuu­rontie 171 | luontoon.fi/kolvananuuro (in Finnish and Swedish)

OLD FISH SAUNAS ON LAKE HÖYTIÄINEN ISLANDS

Lake Höytiäinen is a place to enjoy beautiful lake scenery and to have a good catch. The old fish saunas on the islands of the lake provide boaters with overnight shelter and a place for a hiking lunch. You can collect the keys for the Laita­saari and Jussin­luoto fish saunas at PR-Aitta in Kontio­lahti. A fee of 5 euros is charged for borrowing the keys. Pyyti­vaa­rantie 62 | tel. +358 10 321 3430. Open: Mon–Fri 7–17, Sat 9–14

KOLINPOLKU TRAIL

The hiking trail starts at the Kontio­lahden Uuro service station and takes you all the way to Koli. The trail runs through the Kolva­na­nuuro nature reserve and at its end it merges with the Herajärvi hiking trail. There are several well-kept lean-to shelters and campfire sites along the trail. The trail has a total length of 63 km. kontiolahti.fi/luonto-ja-ulkoilureitit(in Finnish)

KONTIONPOLKU TRAILS

Kontion­polku trails form the most popular network of mountain biking, trail running and walking trails in Kontio­lahti. Kontion­polku trails consist of four circular trails: Kontio­niemi trail (9 km), Stadium trail (8,5 km), Salpa­linja trail (5 km) and Välilampi trail (13,5 km). They are connected with the Jaama trail (about 60 km) and, via Lykyn­lampi, with the Kinttu­polku trails in Liperi. There is also trail connec­ting Kontion­polku trails with Kolin­polku trails (63 km), which takes you all the way to the national landscape of Koli. Kontio­lahti harbour (Satamatie 4) and the biathlon stadium (Napakym­pintie 24) are good starting points for your hike. kontiolahti.fi/kontionpolut (in Finnish)

UILO-JAKOKOSKI EXPERIENCE TRAIL

UILO-JAKOKOSKI EXPERIENCE TRAILThe trail starts at Uilo and ends at Tähti­kallio in Jakokoski. The trail is easy to walk and has a length of 4.1 km. There is a lean-to shelter, a wood shed and a toilet along the trail close to Pyyti­lampi stream. No waste manage­ment is available at the lean-to shelter. The nine-hole Uilo disc golf course also starts at the trail starting point. Leppäs­tentie 6 | jakokoski.net (in Finnish)