Lieksa
Attractions in Lieksa
Highlights
Koli is one of Finland’s main tourist attractions. Come experience the unique feeling of Koli, its ...
Unavoidable hiking and nature protection area of new experiences. The Ruunaa Hiking Area offers ...
The vast, colorful swamps, clear waters and silence of the wilderness of Patvinsuo National Park ...
Experience a unique adventure in Finland’s longest boulder cave group!
Welcome to a unique shopping experience in a home-like environment. It can be said that we have ...
Lake Musta Mäntyjärvi is an independent fishing destination in the vicinity of Lieksa’s Patvinsuo ...
Pielinen Museum is a diverse outdoor museum, which is situated in the vicinity of Lieksa city centre. ...
There aren’t many loud moments at Eräkeskus, but when we harness the dogs it sounds like furies unleashed! After a short briefing in mushing’s ...
Forget about grey, wet winter in your area, leave for a refreshing trip to the land of Kalevala and try out your dogsledding-skills in North Karelia! ...
There aren’t many loud moments at Eräkeskus, but when we harness the dogs it sounds like furies unleashed! After a short briefing in mushing’s ...
- Highlights
Koli is one of Finland’s main tourist attractions. Come experience the unique feeling of Koli, its ...
Unavoidable hiking and nature protection area of new experiences. The Ruunaa Hiking Area offers ...
The vast, colorful swamps, clear waters and silence of the wilderness of Patvinsuo National Park ...
Experience a unique adventure in Finland’s longest boulder cave group!
Welcome to a unique shopping experience in a home-like environment. It can be said that we have ...
Lake Musta Mäntyjärvi is an independent fishing destination in the vicinity of Lieksa’s Patvinsuo ...
Pielinen Museum is a diverse outdoor museum, which is situated in the vicinity of Lieksa city centre. ...
There aren’t many loud moments at Eräkeskus, but when we harness the dogs it sounds like furies unleashed! After a short briefing in mushing’s ...
Forget about grey, wet winter in your area, leave for a refreshing trip to the land of Kalevala and try out your dogsledding-skills in North Karelia! ...
There aren’t many loud moments at Eräkeskus, but when we harness the dogs it sounds like furies unleashed! After a short briefing in mushing’s ...
- Highlights
Discover the region
Koli National Park – a charming classic
Koli National Park is one of Finland’s top tourist destinations and a beloved place to which visitors return year after year. The magnificent hills of the national park and the breathtakingly beautiful national landscape over Lake Pielinen are must-see. The national park offers a diverse selection of natural beauty: old forests, cliffs, swamps, streams, sandy beaches, and glades that bloom at the beginning of summer. The views have enchanted many well-known Finnish artists, such as the composer Jean Sibelius.
The wide and enchanting national park is suitable for hikers of all ages and levels all year round. There are about 80 km of marked trails in the area. You can stay in a lean-to shelter, rental hut, tent, or luxurious hotel. In winter, the snow-covered hills and forests can be reached with snowshoes. Various rental services in the Koli area are happy to help with the best equipment. Wintertime is also perfect for admiring the national landscape while skiing, as Koli provides the longest and highest ski slopes in southern Finland.
In addition to natural sites, there are several cultural offerings: the events such as Lieksa Brass Week, Monola Festival, Kolin Retkiviikko and Pielinen Soi Festival offer things to see and to do even after the holiday season.
Unforgettable Ruunaa Hiking Area
The Ruunaa Hiking Area is located right on the banks of the Lieksanjoki River, close to the Russian border. The peace of nature is combined with a variety of activities; in addition to hiking and trekking, the area’s most popular activities include rafting, fishing, hunting, and berry and mushroom picking. After a day full of activities, it is nice to take a moment by a campfire while enjoying the provisions caught or collected during the day. Ruunaa’s winter is filled with snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. Ice fishing is also one of the most popular activities of the winter season. Accommodations vary from huts and tents to holiday homes and motorhomes.
The rapids of Ruunaa consist of seven rapids that stretch for over 16 km. Memorable excursions in the white-water streams can be made either independently or safely in a group with a guide. The beauty and versatility of Ruunaa’s wilderness opens up in a wonderful way from the water.
Video: Lieksan kaupunki
Mountain biking in the stunning scenery of Lieksa
Hiking independently or with a guide
The hiking trails of Lieksa region are surrounded by majestic landscapes, old forests, cliffs, marshlands, streams, sandy beaches, and islands. Along the routes, there are maintained campfire sites and lean-to shelters. In addition to independent hiking trips, there is a selection of guided tours provided by, among others, Feel Koli, Koli Active, Pielisen Retki and Kiviniemi in Herajärvi Hiking Center.
The action-packed waterways in Lieksa
The waterways in the Lieksa region are a real paradise for different water activities, such as paddling. Surrounding Koli, Lake Pielinen is suitable for various rowing, canoeing, kayaking and SUP trips. Suitable day-trip destinations include the Hiekkasaaret islands rising from Lake Pielinen and the chain of islands south of Koli, where there are several campsites and wonderful white sand beaches.
The rushing rapids of Ruunaa and the river trails on Jongunjoki river or in Patvinsuo National Park are top destinations for paddlers. It is possible to take part in guided canoeing trips in the port of Koli, in the Herajärvi Hiking Center, and in the vicinity of Patvinsuo National Park.
Into the wild of Patvinsuo National Park
Patvinsuo National Park is the largest national park in southern Finland. Here, in the wilderness by the eastern border, nature is untamed and beautiful, and the network of hiking trails is extensive. Marked hiking trails, meandering through the marshlands, run occasionally on boardwalks. In addition to bogs, the northern part of the national park is a fascinating ensemble of white sandy beaches, pine forests and islands. The most popular hiking route in Patvinsuo is the 15-km-long Suomunkierto trail.
When looking over the string bogs, you might catch a glimpse of the king of the forests, the bear, or even the wolverine. Climb on one of the three bird towers in the area and watch the ever-changing rhythm of life in nature, and the bogs, hills, rivers, streams, and small ponds that change colour according to the seasons. In summer, the sandy beaches of Patvinsuo are a perfect place for cooling off. Guided wildlife photography tours are also organised in the area.
