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In the footsteps of giants – a family trip to Akkovaara

—•Hiking Trails

2.3 km

Route

P 1

Description

Visit Kajaani – Jättiläisten jalanjäljissä – perheretki Akkovaaralle+

Description

In the footsteps of giants – a family trip to Akkovaara is about a 2.3 km loop on Akkovaara hill above Vuoreslahti on the east shore of Lake Oulujärvi, a short drive from Kajaani in Kainuu. For practical directions, cave-tour marking, and how the outing feels for families, Visit Kajaani’s trail service page is the best overview to read first. The path is a short but sometimes rugged adventure: granite crags, small caves, and open stone ground alternate with forest, and separate signage helps you through the boulderiest stretches where trees no longer grow. Follow the Luolakierros (cave circuit) markers along the way. About 1 km along the route, Jättiläisenluola - Akkovaara and Pirunpelto - Akkovaara cluster at the rock maze on the south side of the hill; Visit Kajaani recounts the giant-and-devil tales tied to the boulders, and the Koutaniemi–Vuoreslahti village association gathers longer folklore and geology notes on its Akkovaara page. Akkovaaran nuotiopaikka sits close to Akkovaaran näköalatorni near the crest, a natural break before you read the guestbook in the wooden mailbox Visit Kajaani mentions at the top. From the tower and open rock you look across Oulujärvi toward Ärjänsaari and its long sand beaches, a classic Kainuu panorama. The Kouta-Vuores trail network that hosts this loop now sees far more use than early planners expected; the City of Kajaani describes the wider route set, and Yle quotes local volunteers counting on the order of 7,000 visits a year after the new tower drew crowds, both sources encouraging people to spread pressure across the roughly 18 km of marked paths. From the same trailhead you can continue on Kouta-Vuores -retkipolut or ride the shared Kouta-Vuores retkipolut cycling tracks, and paddlers can line up the Vuoreslahti/Akkovaara melontareitti described on Luontoon.fi.

Length & route

The trail is about 2.3 km as one loop on Akkovaara, with a family-friendly distance but rough bedrock and short climbs that can feel slower than the kilometre count suggests. The wider Kouta-Vuores network offers about 18 km of additional marked hiking and biking connections from the same trailhead area when you want a longer day.

Getting there

From central Kajaani, drive south on Mainuantie (road 5) about 3 km to the Vuoreslahdentie (road 19033) junction, turn right, continue roughly 8 km until you see the roadside sign for Kouta-Vuores retkipolut, turn right onto Åhlströmin metsätie, and follow it about 2 km to Akkovaaran perhereitin P-paikka. The forest road can be soft during spring thaw; the Koutaniemi–Vuoreslahti village association sometimes directs walkers to the Heinisuo starting point when Åhlströmin tie is closed early in the season. Parking is at the dedicated family-route lot beside that forest road, matching Akkovaaran perhereitin P-paikka on the map.

Good to know

Small children may find the caves and drops intimidating even though the distance is short; adults should scout the rocky segments first. Campfires belong only at Akkovaaran nuotiopaikka and other maintained fireplaces, during safe fire weather. If you plan paddling, read Metsähallitus route notes for the Vuoreslahti/Akkovaara circuit before launching.

History

Akkovaara rises a little over 150 m above its surroundings and exposes nearly bare, weathered granite of the so-called Kajaani granite belt described on the association’s Akkovaara page. The Pirunpelto boulder slopes below the southern quarry are relics of powerful late-glacial ice surges more than 10,000 years ago, when huge rafts of stone were rafted toward ancient shorelines. Visit Kajaani and the association recount that Sámi reindeer hunters and fishers used the hill as a ritual site; the older place form A´hkkuvoara comes from North Sámi áhkku, meaning grandmother or an old woman tied to a female spirit figure in Sámi mythology. Finnish-language journalism quotes local volunteers estimating on the order of 7,000 visits per year after the new lookout and heavy word-of-mouth drew summer crowds.

Managed by

Kajaani

Official Maintenance

08 6155 2555

Trail info

Follow Luolakierros markers through the signed junctions on Akkovaara.

Route direction

Marked Route

Route Signs

Open / Good Condition

Visit Kajaani – Jättiläisten jalanjäljissä – perheretki Akkovaaralle

Activities allowed

Hike / Walk

Activity

Terrain & conditions

2.3 km

Distance

About 1–2 hours for families with breaks at Akkovaaran nuotiopaikka and the lookout.

Est. Time

Dirt / Stone Dust

Surface

Loop

Route Type

Partial Shade

Shade

Moderate Traffic

Traffic

Location

64.23112°N, 27.50659°E

Parking coordinates

FinlandCountry

KainuuRegion

KajaaniCity

VuoreslahtiVillage

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 TrailsIn the footsteps of giants – a family trip to Akkovaara