The Rapeikko Nature Trail is an easy, family-friendly walk of about 1.6 km just south of Pihtipudas along highway E75, in Central Finland. The loop returns to the trailhead through forest, meadow, and wetland, with red paint markings on trees and many interpretive boards on geology, forest types, and local wildlife.
F...
City of Pihtipudas – Rapeikko+
Description
The Rapeikko Nature Trail is an easy, family-friendly walk of about 1.6 km just south of Pihtipudas along highway E75, in Central Finland. The loop returns to the trailhead through forest, meadow, and wetland, with red paint markings on trees and many interpretive boards on geology, forest types, and local wildlife.
For winter grooming, the short overlap with the snowmobile track, and leash rules for dogs, start with the City of Pihtipudas Rapeikko page. Visit Pihtipudas walks through the interpretive sequence in more detail—Leijonien tervahauta, boardwalks to Sarvilampi, springs and mire, the lean-to and fire pit halfway, and the finish across Rapeikko farm meadow. Mika Markkanen’s Retkipaikka report adds practical notes on parking off Viitasaarentie 178, the unnamed gravel access road, and how the red or orange marks read on the ground.
About halfway along the route, roughly 0.5 km from the start of the mapped trail, you reach Rapeikon luontopolun laavu with a fire pit, picnic table, woodshed, and dry toilets—natural pause points for a short outing. The same Ritovuori outdoor area links this walk to other routes: winter skiers use Louhurannan latu past Ritovuoren kuntoportaat and Ritovuoren ulkokuntoilupaikka, walkers follow Rapeikon yhteysreitti toward Sopukan senioripuisto and Pihtiputaan frisbeegolfrata, and a segment of Kolima-Alvajärvi moottorikelkkareitti shares the forest—choose the activity that matches the season and check official notices before you go.
Underfoot you mostly follow old paths and forest roads; duckboards and small bridges carry the trail over wet ground. Rubber boots are a good idea when the mire is soft; in a dry summer the going is easy in ordinary walking shoes.
Length & route
The trail is about 1.6 km as one walk on our map. Red or orange paint marks and interpretive boards structure the loop through meadow, Sarvilampi, springs, lean-to, and the old Rapeikko homestead area.
Getting there
By car from Pihtipudas centre, drive about two kilometres south on E75, turn west toward Rapeikko (signposted), and follow the dirt road about one kilometre; the nature trail starts on the right side of the road. You can also walk in from Ritovuoren ulkoilualueen paikoitusalue along red-marked forest paths to the trail. A gravel parking area at the end of the side road off Viitasaarentie 178 fits roughly ten cars. The Pihtipudas bus stop is on the order of three kilometres from the start on foot.
Good to know
In winter the municipality tracks the route with a snowmobile to ease walking; one short section doubles as a marked snowmobile route, so stay alert and follow signing. Everyman’s rights apply on the trail; keep dogs leashed when the law requires. Open-fire rules follow general wildfire warnings—confirm status on the city’s pages before lighting a fire at the lean-to.
History
Pihtipudas Lions built the demonstration tar-burning pit (tervahauta) beside the trail in 1992 to showcase the tar tradition that once mattered to the local economy.
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Answers to your questions
Our data was researched from Pihtipudas, and other trusted sources, in March 2026. Our route / place GPX data comes from Metsähallitus / Lipas, last updated March 2026. Always check their official website for safety-critical updates.
The Rapeikko Nature Trail is an easy, family-friendly walk of about 1.6 km just south of Pihtipudas along highway E75, in Central Finland. The loop returns to the trailhead through forest, meadow, and wetland, with red paint markings on trees and many interpretive boards on geology, forest types, and local wildlife.
F...
City of Pihtipudas – Rapeikko+
Description
The Rapeikko Nature Trail is an easy, family-friendly walk of about 1.6 km just south of Pihtipudas along highway E75, in Central Finland. The loop returns to the trailhead through forest, meadow, and wetland, with red paint markings on trees and many interpretive boards on geology, forest types, and local wildlife.
For winter grooming, the short overlap with the snowmobile track, and leash rules for dogs, start with the City of Pihtipudas Rapeikko page. Visit Pihtipudas walks through the interpretive sequence in more detail—Leijonien tervahauta, boardwalks to Sarvilampi, springs and mire, the lean-to and fire pit halfway, and the finish across Rapeikko farm meadow. Mika Markkanen’s Retkipaikka report adds practical notes on parking off Viitasaarentie 178, the unnamed gravel access road, and how the red or orange marks read on the ground.
About halfway along the route, roughly 0.5 km from the start of the mapped trail, you reach Rapeikon luontopolun laavu with a fire pit, picnic table, woodshed, and dry toilets—natural pause points for a short outing. The same Ritovuori outdoor area links this walk to other routes: winter skiers use Louhurannan latu past Ritovuoren kuntoportaat and Ritovuoren ulkokuntoilupaikka, walkers follow Rapeikon yhteysreitti toward Sopukan senioripuisto and Pihtiputaan frisbeegolfrata, and a segment of Kolima-Alvajärvi moottorikelkkareitti shares the forest—choose the activity that matches the season and check official notices before you go.
Underfoot you mostly follow old paths and forest roads; duckboards and small bridges carry the trail over wet ground. Rubber boots are a good idea when the mire is soft; in a dry summer the going is easy in ordinary walking shoes.
Length & route
The trail is about 1.6 km as one walk on our map. Red or orange paint marks and interpretive boards structure the loop through meadow, Sarvilampi, springs, lean-to, and the old Rapeikko homestead area.
Getting there
By car from Pihtipudas centre, drive about two kilometres south on E75, turn west toward Rapeikko (signposted), and follow the dirt road about one kilometre; the nature trail starts on the right side of the road. You can also walk in from Ritovuoren ulkoilualueen paikoitusalue along red-marked forest paths to the trail. A gravel parking area at the end of the side road off Viitasaarentie 178 fits roughly ten cars. The Pihtipudas bus stop is on the order of three kilometres from the start on foot.
Good to know
In winter the municipality tracks the route with a snowmobile to ease walking; one short section doubles as a marked snowmobile route, so stay alert and follow signing. Everyman’s rights apply on the trail; keep dogs leashed when the law requires. Open-fire rules follow general wildfire warnings—confirm status on the city’s pages before lighting a fire at the lean-to.
History
Pihtipudas Lions built the demonstration tar-burning pit (tervahauta) beside the trail in 1992 to showcase the tar tradition that once mattered to the local economy.
About 45–60 minutes at an easy pace with stops at the boards and lean-to.
Est. Time
Old forest paths and tracks, duckboards on wet sections, small bridges over ditches; mostly even with gentle gradients.
Surface
Single Track, Wide Track
Route Type
Light Traffic
Traffic
Partial Shade
Shade
City of Pihtipudas – Rapeikko+
Rate & Review
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Share a photo from a recent trip
Answers to your questions
Our data was researched from Pihtipudas, and other trusted sources, in March 2026. Our route / place GPX data comes from Metsähallitus / Lipas, last updated March 2026. Always check their official website for safety-critical updates.