recommended route
Atsinki-Pahkakuru-Taivalkoski hiking trail, 17 km, Taivalkoski Finland
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Hiking Taivalkoski FinlandPhoto: Visit Taivalkoski, CC BY-ND, Naturpolis Oy / Gateway to Land of National Parks
On this trail you are in the Finnish wilderness! The trail runs from Atsinki via the Pahkakuru Gorge to Taivalkoski.
At the start, you have to cross the slowly flowing Iijoki river by boat and then continue through a magical boreal forest up Kivivaara hill, where the terrain changes to a bit rockier and more demanding ground.
You will pass Porraslampi pond, where you can find a lean-to shelter inviting you to make a campfire and enjoy the stunning view on the pond. From there, it is not far until you reach the amazing Pahkakuru Gorge, where there is another lean-to shelter.
Leaving the 60 m drop of the gorge behind, the trail continues through different terrains, such as forest and swamp area with bilberry bushes and lingonberry plants growing along the way. Hikers also pass by a couple of reindeer separation pens; with some luck you might meet with reindeers.
The trail takes you by beautiful pond views, and at the end of the route, observe the vibrant colours of the natural spring of Kylmäperä.
Author’s recommendation
- The trail is suitable for mountain bikes too.
- At Pahkakuru, descend to the bottom of the gorge and take a closer look at the quiet stream running below.
Track types
Safety information
- The trail is clearly marked with orange rectangular paint marks on the trees.
- Because the park does not have a café or shop, food and drinks are always good to take with you. Also pack some snacks which you can easily eat en-route and for which you don’t need a fire, as the lean-to-shelters are only at the first half of the trail.
- The rocks at Kivivaara, at the top of Pahkakuru Gorge and the duckboards can be slippery, especially when wet. Be sure to watch your step.
- The way down into Pahkakuru Gorge is quite steep and can be slippery. Be careful when descending.
Tips and hints
- There are two lean-to shelters on the route less than 1 km apart: At Porraslampi pond 6,3 km from the start and then at Pahkakuru. Note that there are no campfire sites between Pahkakuru and Taivalkoski.
- The hike can be shortened by ending or starting a hike from Pahkakuru. It is about 1.5 km from Pahkakuru lean-to-shelter to the main road. The address is Ouluntie 92, 93400 Taivalkoski, where you can order a ride.
- If you have not hiked longer trips in nature, you should check out the VISITOR GUIDELINES
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
The trail starts in Atsinki, across the Iijoki river and is clearly marked with orange rectangles (approx. every 10-20m). Be careful, later on you will also be able to see yellow/orange triangles, which are meant for mountain bikers. Follow the rectangles.
To cross the river, you need to call Mr Auvo Lukkari (number displayed at starting point), who will take you over the river by boat. The whole trail can then roughly be divided into 14 legs.
The first leg starting at the other side of the river, leading long the river through the forest for around 500m. In this leg, there is the first lean-to-shelter Atsinki, with a fireplace and a dry toilet. From there, the trail forks, the left way leading to Ohtaoja and Taivalkoski and the right way leading to Taivalkoski, Pahkakuru and Porraslampi. Follow the right trail towards Pahkakuru and Porraslampi.
After a few more hundred metres, you come to a more open scenery. Here, the trail leads up to a small forest road. The trail continues on the other side of the road, around 50 metres to the left. After around 500m, as you come to Kivivaara, the trail becomes a bit rockier and more demanding. Continue to cross the hill.
After the hill, the trail leads over duckboards through the forest. After a while, you will come to a bit more open forest and then to a forest road, where you have to take a left (orange arrows on trees). Continue on this road until you get back into an open forest. In the open forest, you have to cross another forest road, where you go straight. Then there comes a slightly steeper hill, which you have to go down.
You will then come into a denser forest again. There, the trail leads you to a pond, Pikku Porraslampi. On the opposite site you can already see the lean-to-shelter. Follow the trail around the left site of the pond until you get to the shelter.
At the shelter, there are signs pointing you in the right direction, towards Taivalkoski and Pahkakuru. From there, only one kilometre is left until you reach the Pahkakuru lean-to-shelter and gorge.
Once the Pahkakuru lean-to-shelter is reached you can take a break before turning left to follow signs towards Taivalkoski. The path starts off again with a rather steep descend into the gorge, followed by an immediate small climb up to reach the track at the top. Leading along the abyss after a few hundred metres you will reach the sign for the 60 m deep Pahkakuru Gorge.
Continue on the path for approximately one kilometre before taking a left turn into the forest. Follow the trail until you reach an open area of cut down trees with trail markings visible on every other free-standing tree. At the end of this leg you reach a road with orange coloured stones serving as trail marks indicating to cross.
The 12th leg consists of wetter terrain, leading along swamps and streams. By following trail marks hikers will continue the trail further through the forest until the scenery opens up and a reindeer seperation fence comes into sight after a total of 12 km. From here on continue straight ahead for 500 m and at the sign take a right turn towards 'Ampumarata'.
After another 1,3 km the path reaches an open road where the path crosses and continues to the right. The track runs relatively close to the main road until it reaches an open gravel pit. Walk along the right side of the gravel pit in order to continue on the orange marked path. Only a few hundred meters after the pit you come to a road, which you cross and continue straight through the woods.
After approximately 16 km you will be able to see the Tervalampi pond to your left, as you also take a left turn at the road following signs towards Taivalkoski. After 500 m the sandy trail takes a right turn and crosses the road into a denser part of the forest. Follow the outlined path and continue on the sandy dirt road.
At roughly 18.2 km hikers have the option to go down a small staircase leading to the Taivalkoski natural water spring ('Kylmänperä' spring) before ending their walk on the parking lot of Taivalvaara Winter Sports Centre.
Public transport
No public transport available.By road
The starting point is located at the Iijoki River. To get there, you need to cross the river from Jurmuntie 87, Taivalkoski. At that point, you will find a sign with the number of Mr. Auvo Lukkari, whom you can call. He will take you across the river in his boat free of charge.
In order to get to Jurmuntie 87, Taivalkoski, which is around 20 km outside of Taivalkoski centre, you need to follow road 20 towards Oulu for about 16 km, you will then cross the Iijoki river, shortly after which you will need to take the first bigger road to the right onto road 8610. Follow the road for around 9 km, the destination will be on the right.
Coordinates
Equipment
- See WHAT TO PACK for a day trip
- Good hiking boots are recommended as the trail leads at points through demanding terrain.
- Dress appropriately taking the weather forecast into consideration. Prepare with a change of shirt and socks.
- First aid kit
Weather at the route's trailhead
Statistics
- 7 Waypoints
- 7 Waypoints
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