Ilomantsi Map

Petkeljärvi metsänvartijan maja sauna is the wood-fired sauna for guests who rent Petkeljärvi metsänvartijan maja on the shore of Pieni Kuikkalampi in Petkeljärvi National Park, North Karelia. Ilomantsi(1) is the host municipality; Petkeljärvi Center(2) takes hut and sauna bookings together. Metsähallitus cares for the park, so check Luontoon.fi(3) for rules and maps before you set out. Steam, washing, and a fireplace share one rustic room; you carry washing water a short way from Kuikkalampi, and dishwater is also drawn from the lake and heated on the hut stoves or in the sauna boiler(2). Firewood for heating arrives on a daily allowance with more sold as an extra(2). The yard sits a short walk from Petkeljärventie pysäköintialue 1, with Metsänvartijan maja laituri right at the water(2). Kuikan Kierros Nature Trail and Rajanpolku Petkeljärvi–Möhkö run through the surrounding national park(2)(3). Retkipaikka(4) rounds out trip ideas in plainer language. Minimum nights, season dates, autumn heating charges, and pet fees appear when you book through Petkeljärvi Center's reservation page(5).

Pohjoisen Pitkäjärven autiotupa is a free open wilderness hut on the shore of Pohjoinen Pitkäjärvi in Ilomantsi, North Karelia, maintained by the City of Ilomantsi(1). The building is meant as a rest and overnight stop for hikers rather than extended base camping; the municipality looks after rest points and route-related services along its hiking network from late spring through autumn, with Susitaipale cable ferries on Susitaival brought into service for the hiking season(1). Inside there is a wood-heated stove in the main room and sleeping space for six people; the yard has a campfire site, a small water container for fetching water, a toilet, and recycling bins. Open fires are not allowed during forest or grass fire warnings or in strong wind; check the Finnish Meteorological Institute(2) for current warnings, never leave a fire unattended, and make sure the fire is out before you leave. Pack out what you bring in and use the recycling point for sorted waste. The hut sits on Susitaival(3), a long-distance hiking trail maintained by the municipality between Möhkö and Patvinsuo, with lean-tos, other wilderness huts, campfire places, and seasonal river ferries along the way(3). The Siitarinjoki - Hattuvaara - Harkkojärvi Moottorikelkkaura snowmobile route also passes this location for winter travel. For questions about the rest area you can reach Ilomantsi technical services at the phone number below.

Särkkäjärven autiotupa is a free, first-come wilderness hut on the shore of Lake Särkkäjärvi in Ilomantsi, North Karelia. The City of Ilomantsi(1) maintains the hut and the rest area through its sports department; the same contact number is published for outdoor facility maintenance. Inside, a wood stove in the living room provides heat for cooking, and there is sleeping space for six people. The courtyard has a barbecue shelter with a grill, a small drinking-water container, a dry toilet, and a recycling point. Beside the lake, a village association maintains a swimming area with changing booths; we list that beach separately as Särkkäjärven uimapaikka Ilomantsi. The hut is meant as a rest stop for hikers, not for extended camping. Susitaival and Kulkijanpolku pass this point; Visit Karelia(2) describes Susitaival as a long-distance trail from Möhkö toward Patvinsuo National Park, with orange markers and tow ferries on several water crossings, and notes that the southern section from Möhkö to this hut overlaps the Pogostan kierros loop. The City of Ilomantsi(1) maintains its hiking routes and rest places during the main hiking season from late May to the end of October, when the Susitaipale tow ferries are also in service. Before lighting an open fire, check forest and grass fire warnings on the Finnish Meteorological Institute(3) website and avoid open fire in strong wind.

Jorhon autiotupa is a free open wilderness hut on Susitaival, the long-distance hiking route from Möhkö in Ilomantsi toward Patvinsuo National Park in North Karelia. Ilomantsin kunta(1) maintains the trail and this stopover through its technical services. Visit Karelia(2) describes Susitaival at roughly 95 km, marked with orange paint in the terrain, with hand-pulled ferries at river crossings and several laavut, autiotupia, and campfire sites along the way; one overview lists three autiotupia on the route: Pohjoinen Pitkäjärvi, Särkkäjärvi, and Jorho. The indoor wood stove heats the hut; up to six people can sleep there. The yard has a lean-to (laavu), a campfire site, a woodshed, a dry toilet, and a recycling point. Carry all rubbish out. Open fires are forbidden during forest or grass fire warnings and in strong wind; check Ilmatieteen laitoksen varoitussivu(5) before you light a fire. The stop is meant as a rest break for hikers, not for extended camping. A Retkipaikka.fi(3) trip account notes about 14.5 km of walking from Kaunisjärvi to this hut and drawing water from the well at Jorho. Right next to the point in our data sits Jorhon laavu, a separate lean-to at the same yard. For the latest route conditions, ferry availability, and service details, rely on Ilomantsin kunta(1), Visit Karelia(2), and Luontoon.fi(4).

Tetrijärven laavu is a free lean-to rest stop on Suuri Tetrijärvi along Taitajan taival in Ilomantsi. Ilomantsi municipality(1) maintains municipal hiking trails and rest points along the route network during the hiking season, together with Metsähallitus-managed routes and Petkeljärvi National Park in the wider area. Visit Karelia's Taitajan taival article(2) describes the hiking route: four laavu stops along the way, and at Tetrijärvi a dock faces Saarilahti. The route is marked with orange paint in the terrain; mobile coverage can be patchy in places(2). In winter, part of the same corridor is used as the Tetrijärven lenkki cross-country ski loop; Visit Karelia's Tetrijärven lenkki article(3) notes two maintained laavut on that loop and free parking options including along Möhköntie. A Finnish hiking blog(4) reports a woodshed, axe, dry toilets, a cooking fire, and a terrace with tables and a dock. The place was built in 2002. Tetrijärvi tulentekopaikka and Tetrijärvi kuivakäymälä sit a few metres away. Trail links in the area include Taitajan Taival kesäretkeilyreitti, Tetrijärven lenkki, Keloranta - Lauttalampi Moottorikelkkaura, and Ravajärvi–Petkeljärvi trail.

Koidanvaaran laavu is a free lean-to shelter in the Koitajoki nature reserve near Hattu in Ilomantsi, North Karelia. The Municipality of Ilomantsi(1) maintains the municipality's hiking routes and rest points on a seasonal schedule. The site has a lean-to, a campfire place, and a dry toilet, and the structure dates from 2003. Visit Karelia(2) lists the shelter as a navigation point for the 27 km Koitajoki paddling route and notes plenty of parking at paddling start points and no public transport to those points. Via Karelia(3) records that the wider Koitajoki area forms part of the North Karelia Biosphere Reserve, established by UNESCO in 1992. Pirhun Circle Trail(4) crosses the Koitajoki River with hand-operated crossings when seasonal service is open; Luontoon.fi(5) publishes current trail and crossing information. The paddling route can be combined with hiking on Tapion taival or with Pirhun Circle Trail. Nearby in our data are Koidanvaara tulentekopaikka, Koidanvaara kuivakäymälä, and the Koitajoki ylityslautta Koidanvaara crossing.

Niemijoen laavu is a free lean-to and campfire site along Niemijoki in Ilomantsi, North Karelia, managed by the City of Ilomantsi(1). The site includes a dry toilet, a parking area, and an information board with poetry and border road information; nearby are World War II–era trenches and machine gun emplacements. The lean-to was built in 2001. Visit Ilomantsi(2) outlines the municipality's major hiking routes and visitor contacts. For maintenance windows, route maps, and trail facility phone numbers, use the City of Ilomantsi hiking routes page(3).

• Coordinates P 62 ° 39.651 I 30 ° 56.313 • Leaf for general recreational use.No Wood Service. • Open fire during forest or grass fire warning and strong winds are prohibited. Check the warnings os. www.ilmatieteentaitoitos.fi/sarms • Follow caution - do not leave the fire alone. • Last departure, make sure the fire has gone out. • garbage in the trash, not in nature - what does it bring. • The lean -to service is provided by Ilomantsi Municipal Sports Sports Tel +35840 104 3353

• Coordinates P 62 ° 38.541 I 30 ° 56,306 • Law on a campfire site, no wood maintenance • Open fire during forest or grass fire warning and strong winds are prohibited. Check the warnings os. www.ilmatieteentaitoitos.fi/sarms • Follow caution - do not leave the fire alone. • Last departure, make sure the fire has gone out. • garbage in the trash, not in nature - what does it bring. • The lean -to service is provided by Ilomantsi Municipal Sports Sports Tel +35840 104 3353

Kuikan Kierros Nature Trail is about a 6.5 km circular hike in Petkeljärvi National Park in Ilomantsi, North Karelia. The park is Finland’s easternmost and smallest national park; Visit Ilomantsi describes its steep-sided esker forests and the wider Petkeljärvi–Putkelanharju ridge as part of a nationally important esker landscape(4). For maps, visitor rules, and trail-specific guidance, Metsähallitus publishes the Kuikan Kierros page on Luontoon.fi(1). Visit North Karelia’s route article adds practical pacing: the yellow-marked loop is easiest to follow clockwise, with no winter maintenance and use in snow-free conditions(2). Retkipaikka’s long-form trail piece by Jukka Parkkinen helps picture the setting—clear tarns and lake shores, bogs with duckboards, pine heaths, and the park’s symbolic bird, the great crested grebe (Finnish kuikka)(3). The loop is a strong day hike in rolling esker terrain. Visit North Karelia rates the difficulty as demanding, warns of steep climbs and descents that need extra care with a heavy pack, and notes patchy mobile coverage with advice to carry basic first-aid supplies(2). Within the first kilometre you can extend the outing onto Korkeasärkän polku, a roughly two-kilometre return spur to a narrow ridge top(2)(4). Around two kilometres along the main loop, Taitajan Taival kesäretkeilyreitti crosses the circuit; following that long-distance ridge trail for a little over a kilometre brings you to Keltasilmä laavu, a lean-to between two small waters that Visit North Karelia highlights as a worthwhile extra even though the Kuikan loop itself has no official lean-to stops(2). From the northern arc the trail drops toward Petraniemi on Lake Petkeljärvi. There you pass Petkeljärvi metsänvartijan maja, the former ranger cabin, with Metsänvartijan maja laituri beside the water and Petkeljärvi metsänvartijan maja sauna nearby—useful context markers in the forest–lake fringe. Closer to the camping and service shore are Petraniemi telttailualue, Petraniemi tulistelutupa, Petraniemi grillikatos, Petkeljärvi Center - veneenlaskupaikka at Petkeljärventie 61, Petraniemi vierasvenelaituri, Petraniemi rantasaunan kotakeittiö, Petkeljärvi rantasauna, Petkeljärvi rantasaunan talousrakennus, Petranniemi rantasaunan kaivo, and Petraniemi rantasauna laituri. Petraniemi pysäköintialue sits here if you prefer to start from the resort side. Retkipaikka reminds readers that the national park still carries restored trenches and wartime earthworks—interesting in the landscape but respect cordons and interpretation(3). Together with Harjupolku Ilomantsi and the longer Ravajärvi-Petkeljärvi reitti and Rajanpolku Petkeljärvi–Möhkö connections in the same park, Kuikan Kierros works as a concise but strenuous look at Petkeljärvi’s esker scenery. Visit Ilomantsi notes summer services at Petkeljärvi Center—accommodation, caravan pitch, café, rentals—and Visit North Karelia mentions sauna rental after a hike(2)(4). There is no public transport to the trailhead; plan to arrive by car or taxi(2).

Susitaival is about 91.7 km as a multi-day hiking route in North Karelia, linking the Patvinsuo national park area near Ilomantsi with the Möhkö ironworks village and lake-and-ridge country in between. Ilomantsin kunta maintains the trail, its rest spots during the hiking season from late May through October, and the cable ferries on the same seasonal schedule(1). Current ferry status and winter notices are published on the municipality’s outdoor pages(1). The Susitaival route page on Luontoon.fi(2) lists the trail in Finland’s national outdoor database. Visit North Karelia gives a full stage-by-stage description, transport hints, and safety notes for the whole route(3). You can walk the route in either direction. From the Patvinsuo end, the Teretti peninsula cluster comes first: Teretti tulentekopaikka, Teretti laavu, Teretinniemen laavu, Teretti luontotorni, and Teretin lintutorni sit within a few kilometres of each other—good for a first break, a view over the mire, and birdwatching. A little farther along, Kurkilahden keittokatos and Kurkilahti pysäköintialue support day visitors driving to the shore. Here Susitaival meets Patvinkierto retkeilyreitti, Kurkilahti - Teretti reitti, and Suomunkierto retkeilyreitti, so you can stitch shorter loops or link to Suomu rental sauna and other Suomunkierto stops if you are combining networks. Farther south, Suomunjoen laavu and the Jokivaarankangas parking and toilet sit along the forest link toward Majaniemi tulentekopaikka, Majaniemi telttailualue, and Majaniemi kuivakäymälä. The ironworks harbour Möhkön satama and Möhkön laavu mark the Möhkö end of the cultural landscape—services, museum, and food in season are described from Möhkö toward the trail(3). The long middle crosses Pohjoisen Pitkäjärven autiotupa, Kontiovaaran laavu, then Särkkäjärven uimapaikka Ilomantsi and Särkkäjärven autiotupa with swimming and well water noted by hikers(4). Teponsärkän kota, Kaunisjärven laavu, Jorhon autiotupa, Jorhon laavu, and Petrokankaan laavu are the main overnight and lunch anchors on the northern two-thirds; Retkipaikka’s group singled out Kaunisjärvi for clear water and sand(4), and Latu&Polku describes the cable ferries after Jorho and the Naarva ridge views(5). Where Susitaival reaches Patvinsuo, it connects to Karhunpolku (retkeilyreitti), which continues far to the north as part of a roughly three-hundred-kilometre network together with Pogostan kierros on the shared Möhkö–Särkkäjärvi section(3). Ilomantsi lies at the eastern edge of North Karelia; Lieksa and Patvinsuo anchor the north, while Möhkö sits in Ilomantsi’s forests toward the Russian border. Expect quiet forest, ridges, mires, and some forest-road and gravel transitions; mobile coverage is patchy and some climbs are steep with a full pack(3). Retkipaikka and Latu&Polku both note occasional unclear markings near clear-cuts—carry a map or GPX(4)(5).

Patvinkierto is about a 25.2 km hiking circuit through Patvinsuo National Park in Ilomantsi, North Karelia. The terrain is mostly easy walking on duckboards and forest paths across open bogs and mixed pine, spruce, and deciduous woodland, with views toward Lake Koitere in places. Metsähallitus publishes up-to-date route information, including the hand-operated cable ferry at Nälmänjoki and when it is out of service, on the Patvinkierto trail page on Luontoon.fi(1). Visit Karelia’s Patvinsuo guide describes the atmosphere, safety, and kit list for the park and rates this circuit as easy overall with about eight hours of walking for the full loop(2). Along the route you pass clustered rest places rather than a single trailhead story. Near the start of the traced route, Teretti luontotorni and Teretin lintutorni sit above the bogs for birdwatching and wide views, with Teretinniemen laavu, Teretti laavu, Teretti telttailualue, Teretti tulentekopaikka, and a dry toilet grouped in the same cape area. About 4 km along, Majaniemi telttailualue, Majaniemi tulentekopaikka, and Majaniemi kuivakäymälä form a tentsite and campfire stop on the Koitere shore fringe. Pirskanlampi telttailuarea, Pirskanlampi tulentekopaikka, and Pirskanlampi kuivakäymälä offer another overnight and lunch cluster on open mire roughly mid-circuit. The Nälmänjoki lautta is a lightweight cable ferry for walkers; check Luontoon.fi before a trip because it is usually not used from late autumn to early spring when ice forms(1). Later, Lahnalampi pysäköintialue is the main car park many day visitors use, with Lahnalampi pysäköintialue kuivakäymälä beside it, and Lahnasuon lintulava sits on a side path for more birdwatching. Near the northern arc, Nälmänjoki tulentekopaikka, Nälmänjoki telttailualue, and Nälmänjoki kuivakäymälä wrap up the Koitere-side camping options before the trace closes back toward Teretti. The same hub links into longer hiking: Susitaival shares the Teretti shelters and continues as a long east–west trekking axis through the park. Where you meet the Suomu end of Nälmänpuro - Suomu reitti, you can branch toward Suomu talo and Suomu pysäköintialue if you are combining days around Patvinsuo. For a shorter approach to Teretti, Kurkilahti - Teretti reitti runs from Kurkilahti pysäköintialue; Jokivaarankangas - Majaniemi reitti reaches Majaniemi from Jokivaarankangas pysäköintialue. Retkipaikka’s overnight report from Patvinsuo stresses how long the open bog boardwalks feel on the second day, why counter-clockwise from Lahnalampi suits some groups, and how the Red border-guard range edge markers are soon left behind on that direction(3).

Pirhun Circle is about 18 km through Metsähallitus-managed Koitajoki country in Ilomantsi, North Karelia, hard against Finland’s eastern border. The circuit crosses Koivusuo Strict Nature Reserve (stay on the marked trail only), climbs through mixed forest to Pirhunvaara with its historic forest-ranger yard now used for research, and returns along Koitajoki with two seasonal hand-drawn cable ferries documented by Metsähallitus(1). For ferry calendars, flood advisories, and equipment changes, start with the Pirhun kierto page on Luontoon.fi(1); Metsähallitus also publishes live Koitajoki updates at luontoon.fi/koitajoki/ajankohtaista(1). VisitKarelia summarizes terrain, shelters, weak mobile coverage, and warnings about narrow tread and worn duckboards(2). Visit Ilomantsi adds local headlines—for example autumn 2025 notes about the Asumajoki ferry on Pirhun kierto(3). Luontopolkumies’s detailed Retkipaikka article names orange paint marks, 22 nature-trail boards along the first eight kilometres, a clockwise circuit encouraged by signage, generous duckboard mileage, and a long but relaxed day on foot(4). Ilomantsi lies in North Karelia’s border forests; pairing place names with a paper map or offline GPX is wise because the wider Koitajoki reserve is largely out of mobile coverage(2). From the Polvikoski end, the opening kilometre is easy forest road and riverside track. About 2.4 km in you reach Koitajoki ylityslautta Asumajokisuu, then Asumajoki tulentekopaikka, Asumajoki laavu, and the Asumajoki dry-toilet cluster—good first break spots before Koivusuo. After the bog crossing the route gains Pirhunvaara; Pirhunvaara talon kaivo marks the farm yard area. Further north, Verkkopudas tulentekopaikka, Verkkopudas kuivakäymälä, and Verkkopudas autiotupa sit together as a shelter and campfire hub, then Koidanvaara kuivakäymälä, Koidanvaara tulentekopaikka, and Koidanvaaran laavu cluster near Koitajoki ylityslautta Koidanvaara. Pirtupolku pysäköintialue is the northern parking pocket on the loop. Heading south again, Pirhunvaara kuivakäymälä sits with Pirhunvaara talon kaivo above the Palokangas stretch. Palokangas kuivakäymälä and Palokangas tulentekopaikka offer a late campfire stop before Polvikoski pysäköintialue 2 and Polvikoski pysäköintalue beside POLVIKOSKI eräkämppä at the river. Dry toilets are spaced at the main clusters. The route shares trail threads with Koitajoki reitti and Tapion Taival Trail, so you can extend onto longer Koitajoki circuits or combine with their hut networks if you plan spare time and ferries carefully.

The Ravajärvi–Petkeljärvi trail is about 7.5 km as a point-to-point day hike in Ilomantsi, North Karelia, on the Petkeljärvi–Putkelanharju esker system east of Petkeljärvi National Park. It forms a shortcut link on the long Taitajan Taival hiking corridor between the Tetrijärvi shore area and the Keltasilmä lean-to cluster. Metsähallitus describes services and the full Taitajan Taival corridor on Luontoon.fi(1). Visit Ilomantsi introduces Finland’s smallest national park, its esker scenery, and how Taitajan taival fits the wider trail offer(2). Visit Karelia summarises Taitajan taival as a whole: orange paint markings in the terrain, mostly dry pine heath, and four main lean-to rest points along the full route—including views from Tetrijärvi toward Saarilahti and clear water on both sides at Keltasilmä(3). Retkipaikka’s walk-through of Taitajan Taival adds colour on how the ridge character shifts between Keltasilmä and Tetrijärvi(4). At the Tetrijärvi end you pass Tetrijärven laavu with Tetrijärvi tulentekopaikka and Tetrijärvi kuivakäymälä a few steps from the shore—good for a meal stop and a swim when the weather allows. After roughly 6 km from the Tetrijärvi cluster you reach the Keltasilmä shore band, where Keltasilmä laavu, Keltasilmä tulentekopaikka, and Keltasilmä kuivakäymälä sit close together between small lakes. That spacing matches an easy half-day or day hike at relaxed pace with a long break at either end. The same trail junctions tie into the wider network: Taitajan Taival kesäretkeilyreitti continues as the 32 km summer hiking spine toward Mekrijärvi; Tetrijärven lenkki overlaps the Tetrijärvi shore as a groomed ski loop in winter; Kuikan Kierros luontopolku meets the Petkeljärvi visitor area at the national-park end; and Petkeljärvi–Särkkäjärvi reitti branches near Keltasilmä if you want a shorter add-on. Sydän rinnassa, reppu selässä walked Tetrijärvi–Keltasilmä using this return link and notes that, compared with the main Taitajan ridge, this connecting stretch uses more forest road and feels visually quieter, while still following clear markings(5). The same account mentions a stop at the Taivallammi battle memorial and forest burned near Ahvenlampi as described in park nature texts(5). For current rules on camping inside the national park boundary versus lean-tos just outside it, lean on the national-park pages(1)(2) rather than informal summaries.

Rajanpolku Petkeljärvi–Möhkö is about 14 km as one point-to-point hiking leg between Petkeljärvi and Möhkö in Ilomantsi, North Karelia. It forms the Petkeljärvi–Möhkö section of the 90 km Pogostan kierros ring, which stitches together Taitajan taival, Rajan polku, Susitaival, and Kulkijan polku around the church village (1). The City of Ilomantsi maintains municipal hiking trails and rest spots during the hiking season from late May through the end of October, with natural conditions in mind (2). For step-by-step terrain notes on this segment—where the route briefly follows Kuikan kierros, where a rocky ridge section can feel more demanding, and how the route approaches roads and the Koitajoki bridge toward Möhkö—Visit Karelia’s Pogostan kierros guide is the most detailed published walk-through (1). From Petraniemi at Petkeljärvi, the start sits in the national park service cluster: Petkeljärvi Center, the Petkeljärvi rantasauna and kota kitchen, a grill shelter, guest boat docks, and Petraniemi telttailualue for tenting. Petraniemi pysäköintialue and Petkeljärventie pysäköintialue 1 give practical parking a short distance from the start. About 2 km in you reach Petkeljärvi metsänvartijan maja with its sauna and the Metsänvartijan maja laituri—good landmarks if you are pacing a half-day. Around 5 km, Oinassalmi veneenlaskupaikka offers lake access off Möhköntie. The route finishes at Möhkön satama on Koulurannantie and passes near Möhkön laavu; Möhkö has cafés, the ironworks museum area, and other village services (3). The trail is marked with orange paint marks and guide posts as part of the wider Pogostan kierros system (1). It connects on the Petkeljärvi end to Harjupolku Ilomantsi, Korkeasärkän polku, Taitajan Taival kesäretkeilyreitti, and Kuikan Kierros luontopolku, and toward Möhkö it meets the Susitaival long trail—useful if you are planning a longer east-border itinerary (1). Möhkön Matkailuyhdistys lists practical Möhkö-side parking at the ironworks museum or Savottakahvila Möhkön Manta, asks visitors to note start and return times when leaving a car, and gives phone contacts for boat transport if you want to walk one way and return by water (3). Petkeljärvi Center reminds visitors that Petkeljärvi National Park rules apply along the park stretch: move respectfully, follow the posted rules, and keep dogs on leash only (4).

Tapion Taival Trail is about 19.5 km point-to-point through Metsähallitus-managed Koitajoki country in Ilomantsi, North Karelia, near Finland’s eastern border. The southern half mostly follows meandering Koitajoki with sandy bays and quiet river forest; roughly the northern third crosses old-growth forest in Koivusuo Strict Nature Reserve, where you must stay on the marked trail(3). For official route information and updates from Metsähallitus, start with the Tapion Taival Trail page on Luontoon.fi(1). Visit Ilomantsi summarizes local access and warns that spring floods can cover riverside sections(2). VisitKarelia rates the hike as demanding, quotes about six hours of walking for fit hikers, and notes orange paint marking on trees, a narrow and rooty tread, modest height gain, no winter maintenance, and weak mobile signal—carry a paper map or offline GPX(3). Via Karelia places the wider Koitajoki protected area in the North Karelia Biosphere Reserve and gives driving hints toward northern, central, and southern parking areas(4). On the ground the one-way layout is easiest to think of from Hoikantie pysäköintialue at the north end toward Lakonkangas pysäköintialue in the south (you can also walk it the other way). About 2.7 km from the Hoikantie start you reach Pirhunvaara talon kaivo and Pirhunvaara kuivakäymälä in the Pirhunvaara farm area. Around 6.5–7.2 km Palokangas tulentekopaikka and Palokangas kuivakäymälä sit near POLVIKOSKI eräkämppä, with Polvikoski pysäköintialue 2 and Polvikoski pysäköintalue beside the river—handy if you want a shorter out-and-back or a mid-route start. This cluster is where Tapion Taival meets Koitajoki reitti and Pirhun kierto, so you can plan longer loops or add days in the same river landscape. About 13 km along, Niemipuro autiotupa, Niemipuro tulentekopaikka, and Niemipuro kuivakäymälä form a compact rest and overnight cluster. Near 17 km Hanhikoski autiotupa, Hanhikoski tulentekopaikka, and Hanhikoski kuivakäymälä offer another sheltered stop before the finish. In the last couple of kilometres Lakonkankaan laavu, Lakonkangas tulentekopaikka, and Lakonkangas kuivakäymälä sit close together, then Lakonkangas pysäköintialue marks the southern trailhead. Dry toilets are available at these overnight and day-use clusters.

Kulkijanpolku is a 24 km point-to-point hiking trail in Ilomantsi, North Karelia. It forms the link in the 90–91 km Pogostan kierros circuit between the southern Susitaipale section of Susitaival and Taitajan Taival kesäretkeilyreitti toward Petkeljärvi. Visit North Karelia’s Pogostan kierros guide describes this segment as mostly forest roads and easier paths, with orange paint blazes and signposts along the whole Pogostan kierros network(1). The City of Ilomantsi maintains municipal hiking trails and trail-side rest spots during the main hiking season from late May through late October, when ferry assists on Susitaipale sections are also operated where applicable(2). Visit Ilomantsi notes that Kulkijan polku was completed in 2015 and was designed with mountain bikers in mind, unlike the older Susitaival, Taitajan taival, and Rajan polku sections that were planned primarily for hiking(3). The trail is about 24 km end to end. Along the line you pass Kallioniemi, Koitajoki veneenlaskupaikka a little over a kilometre from one end—handy if you combine hiking with paddling on Koitajoki. About nine kilometres along, Kiieskankaan laavu sits beside the forest road section described in regional turn-by-turn notes. Roughly seventeen kilometres in, Ölkönlampi laavu offers another sheltered stop before the route reaches Särkkäjärven uimapaikka Ilomantsi and Särkkäjärven autiotupa at the Susitaival junction. From there you can continue on Susitaival toward longer stages, or join Taitajan Taival kesäretkeilyreitti from the Hatuntie / Kallioniemi end toward Petkeljärvi National Park services. The Putkela–Harkkojärvi snowmobile route shares short links with the same landscape in places; Susitaival is the main summer hiking connection at Särkkäjärvi. Terrain on this segment is mostly moderate, mixing wide forest tracks and narrower forest paths; occasional short boardwalks cross wet lines, and some stretches follow gravel roads. The wider Pogostan kierros is rated demanding overall because of steep esker climbs and rocky steps elsewhere on the loop, but this connecting section is written up as comparatively straightforward riding and walking(1). Mobile phone coverage can be patchy in the forests—carry a map or GPX and plan for self-sufficiency(1).

The Luontoon.fi trail sheet for Karhunpolku mountain biking lists this route in Finland’s national outdoor database and is the clearest place to confirm how the line is classified for cycling(1). Visit North Karelia’s mountain-bike route guide, produced with Lieksan Kehitys Oy, is the most practical regional companion for day stages, difficulty notes, and safety reminders(2). The same corridor is maintained and described for outdoor use by the City of Lieksa alongside its other long trails(3). On our map the ride is about 144.4 km as one continuous point-to-point line (not a loop); public materials often quote roughly 133–141 km depending on how connectors are measured, so treat published GPX as the working length(2)(6). Geographically you move through North Karelia’s border country between Ilomantsi, Lieksa, and Kuhmo: esker ridges, pine forests, mires, and lake chains with a remote, wilderness feel(2). The trail is marked in the terrain with orange paint blazes and signs; riders are asked to follow the mapped cycling line so sensitive wet soils and erosion-prone shortcuts are not widened(2). Much of the riding is moderate forest path and forest road, but there are rocky steps, steep esker climbs and descents, long duckboard stretches, and occasional detours onto gravel or short road links—Visit North Karelia warns that wet weather makes roots and boards slippery and that you should be ready to walk the hardest pitches(2). MTBreitti’s long-form route notes from on-bike testing stress carrying a paper map because some blazes fade after logging and storms, and because unofficial easier detours beside the toughest blocks are not marked in the field(6). An independent two-day tour report at Pokswater praises the ribbon of esker riding between lakes but documents frequent minor crashes, one pinch flat, and careful pacing on duckboards(7). Early on, the trace reaches Jongunjoen laavu and threads the same river scenery as Karhunpolku yhdyspolku and the Jongunjoen melontareitti. Otrosjoen autiotupa, Otrosjoen sauna, and Viharinkosken laavu cluster as shelters and services before the trace swings into the Ruunaa–Neitikoski hub. There, Neitikoski pysäköintialue, Miikkulanvaara pysäköintialue, and Hongikkoranta pysäköintialue ring numerous shelters and campfire sites such as Neitikoski tulentekopaikka 1, Ämmäkoski tulentekopaikka 2, and Teljon nuotiopaikka; dry toilets sit near the busiest shelters rather than as destinations in themselves. Further south the line crosses Särkkäjoen laavu and Kaatiinlammen nuotiopaikka before Pitkäjärven tupa and Kirkisensalmen laavu signal you are entering Patvinsuo country. Huuhkajanvaara luontotorni offers a raised view over the lakeland if you detour briefly. Sumukka pysäköintialue and Kurkilahti pysäköintialue bracket the final approach toward Ahokosken laavu near Patvinsuo services. Shorter loops such as Maastopyöräreitti Rukajärventien kierros branch from shared shelters at Jongunjoen laavu for riders who only want a taste of the esker forest. Karhunpolku (retkeilyreitti) follows almost the same corridor for hikers; regional text explains how Susitaipaleen and Pogostan kierros connectors extend the Karjalan Kierros network toward a multi-hundred-kilometre system when you combine trails(2). Ruunaan retkeilykeskus mid-route sells meals, rents cottages, and offers sauna and charging for tired groups, though you should still carry full camp food because dry staples are not guaranteed in the shop(6).

• Koordinaatit P 62°51,432 I 30°34,973 • Tulentekopaikka, nuotiokehikko, halkoliiteri, WC ja roska-astia. • Avotulenteko metsä- tai ruohikkopalovaroituksen aikana sekä kovalla tuulella on kielletty. Tarkista varoitukset os. www.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/varoitukset • Noudata varovaisuutta – älä jätä tulta yksin. • Viimeinen lähtijä, huolehdi että tuli on sammunut. • Roskat roskiin, ei luontoon – minkä tuot sen viet. • Taukopaikan huollosta vastaa Ilomantsin kunnan liikuntatoimi puh +35840 104 3353

• Koordinaatit P 62°50,561 I 30°29,502 • Tulentekopaikka, halkoliiteri ja nuotiokehikko • Avotulenteko metsä- tai ruohikkopalovaroituksen aikana sekä kovalla tuulella on kielletty. Tarkista varoitukset os. www.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/varoitukset • Noudata varovaisuutta – älä jätä tulta yksin. • Viimeinen lähtijä, huolehdi että tuli on sammunut. • Roskat roskiin, ei luontoon – minkä tuot sen viet. • Taukopaikan huollosta vastaa Ilomantsin kunnan liikuntatoimi puh +35840 104 3353

Ulkokuntoilupuistosta löytyvät 3 kpl ulkokuntoilulaitteita, tasapaino- ja aistirata, katettu levähdyspaikka sekä aidattu lasten leikkipaikka liukumäkineen ja keinuineen

Aloitus ja lopetus liikuntahallin takana tenniskentän vieressä. Rata kulkee osin pururataa pitkin ja nousee välillä Parppeinvaaralle.

Kuntoportaissa 123 porrasta, korkeusero 12 m. Ei talvikunnossapitoa.

2 skeet-rataa, trap-rata, 2 hirvirataa (juokseva & seisova), luodikkorata, villikarjurata.

Toiminnanharjoittaja Naarvan Riistamiehet ry.