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Erkin Trail

—•Hiking Trails

3.5 km

Route

P 1

Description

Luontoon.fi – Erkin poloku+

Description

Erkin Trail is about 3.5 km in Heinimäki, Kajaani, winding through mixed forest, small streams, bogs, and meadow patches typical of the Kainuu lake-and-bog landscape. Kajaani lies in Kainuu in eastern Finland; the route starts from the Kuurna outdoor area and stays on easy-to-moderate forest paths with roots, stones, and short bridges along the way. For the national outdoor route listing and map entry for this trail, see Luontoon.fi. The City of Kajaani’s hiking routes overview describes Heinimäki’s varied terrain, the shelter and fire place, the trail’s intermediate difficulty, and the start beside Kuurnan valaistu pururata. The Reitit tutuiksi route description PDF from Kainuun Liikunta adds detail on markings, optional Ketopolku and shortcut choices, and distances to Erkin polun laavu. About 2.4 km into the walk you reach Erkin polun laavu, where the Reitit tutuiksi materials note a well-kept lean-to and fire ring; a wide gravel path from behind the lean-to connects to the lit track base, giving barrier-free access to the rest area. Erkin poloku parkkipaikka sits farther along near the Kuurna lit running track, ski trail, and Erkinpolun lumikenkäilyreitti winter snowshoe route, so you can combine a short nature walk with a run or ski session on the same visit. Kuurnan valaistu kuntorata shares the same Kuurna trailhead area for a longer workout on maintained tracks.

Length & route

The trail is about 3.5 km in total length. The main route is marked with blue paint on trees; Ketopolku and crossing shortcuts in the area are marked in yellow. After roughly 500 m, an 800 m Ketopolku side branch turns left through meadows and young forest before rejoining the main route after about 1.3 km. Around 2 km you can stay on the main Erkin poloku or take a roughly 0.5 km shorter shortcut through Tonttumetsä. The lean-to and fire place sit about 2.5 km from the start in the PDF route description; on our map Erkin polun laavu falls at about 2.4 km from the trail start. Allow about one hour at an easy pace, or a little longer if you use Ketopolku.

Getting there

The Reitit tutuiksi route description places the start on Heinisuontie with a large parking area at the trailhead; the route begins on the north side of Heinisuontie next to Kuurnan valaistu pururata. Kainuun Liikunta lists the address Heinisuontie 38 B, Kajaani for the route. Use Erkin poloku parkkipaikka when you need the parking point tied to the trail line on our map.

Good to know

In summer the route suits walking and mountain biking; in winter it is used for snowshoeing. Metsäpalovaroituksen aikana open fire may be restricted even at built fireplaces; check current warnings from Finnish authorities and the City of Kajaani’s outdoor pages.

History

The trail is named after Erkki Kemppainen, a local volunteer widely seen as the route’s originator, developer, and long-term caretaker. Upkeep is handled by Kuurna-Komiahon asukasyhdistys. The route description was also published as part of Kainuun Liikunta’s Reitit tutuiksi project funded by Oulujärvi Leader.

Managed by

Kajaani

Official Maintenance

08 6155 2555

Trail info

You can follow the marked main route and choose whether to take Ketopolku and the shorter Tonttumetsä shortcut as described in the route materials.

Route direction

Blue paint on trees for the main Erkin poloku; yellow paint for Ketopolku and crossing shortcuts.

Route Signs

Open / Good Condition

Kainuun Liikunta – Erkin poloku (Reitit tutuiksi PDF)

Activities allowed

Bike

Activity

Hike / Walk

Activity

Terrain & conditions

3.5 km

Distance

About 1 hour at an easy pace, longer if you include Ketopolku.

Est. Time

Forest path with roots, stones, and small bridges; a wide gravel path links the lean-to to the lit track base.

Surface

Loop, Single Track

Route Type

Light Traffic

Traffic

Kainuun Liikunta – Erkin poloku (Reitit tutuiksi PDF)

Location

64.23558°N, 27.78473°E

Parking coordinates

FinlandCountry

KainuuRegion

KajaaniCity

HeinimäkiVillage

Hiking TrailsCategory

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Answers to your questions

Our data was researched from Kajaani, 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.

Finland Kainuu Kajaani Hiking TrailsErkin Trail