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UKK Trail (Syöte–Puolanka section)

—•Hiking Trails

129.6 km

Route

P 1

Description

Luontoon.fi – Syöte National Park+

Description

For rules, services, and the protected mire and forest environments along the Syöte section, start with the Syöte National Park pages on Luontoon.fi. Syöte.fi explains how local day trails are marked with yellow paint blazes while the UKK long-distance trail through the area uses blue blazes, and points to Syötteen luontokeskus for maps and the latest trail news. The trail is about 129.6 km as one point-to-point line on our map. It follows the national UKK hiking route between the Syöte area and the Puolanka area, crossing parts of Posio and neighbouring municipalities in Kainuu and North Ostrobothnia. Trekkari lists Posio among the municipalities the UKK route crosses. Rinkka ja Pulkka’s long-form walk-through of the UKK emphasises that overall maintenance and marking vary by municipality and that hikers should expect a patchwork of well-kept paths, forest roads, and occasionally faint markings—plan with maps and patience. From the north, the line reaches Ukonvaaran P-alue and joins corridors shared with Torpparin taival, Rytivaaran kierros, and Raatetuvan polku near Rytivaara: Rytitupa vuokratupa, Rytivaara sauna, and campfire spots sit within the first few kilometres. The UKK-reitti Syöte - Kouva segment overlaps here; Peuronlampi laavu, Lomaoja laavu, Toraslampi autiotupa, Koiratupa päivätupa, and Välitupa päivätupa cluster between about 13 km and 26 km with Toraslammen kierros options toward Ahmatupa sauna and Ahmakallio torni. Approaching Syötteen luontokeskus you pass Syöte DiscGolfPark, Luontokeskus pysäköointialue, Syötteen luontokeskuksen laavu, Hiihtokeskus Iso-Syöte, Luppoveden uimaranta, Syötteen Luppopark, and Luppoveden nuotiopaikka ja kato—a full service hub before Pintamon laavu farther south. Mid-route highlights include Huipun kota and Taikametsän Nuotipaikka near Kaakkurinlammen laavu, Haapuanojan laavu, then Lomavaara autiotupa, Myllyn laavu, and Ylimmäisen Pirinjärven laavu. Toward the south, Portinojan nuotiopaikka, Pikkulammen laavu - Puhoskylä, and Säynäjäojan nuotiopaikka mark the transition toward Kirkasheteen laavu and Ollinlammen laavu before Pöksänkorpi laavu and Siikajärvi pysäköintialue. Shorter links along the way include UKK-reitti Syöte - Pintamo, itä/länsi variants, UKK-reitti Pintamo - Puolangan raja, UKK-reitti Puolanka, Sienipolku, and Kometon kierros near the southern end.

Length & route

The trail is about 129.6 km end to end on our map as a single UKK corridor. Broader route descriptions sometimes quote different lengths for the Syöte–Puolanka UKK link depending on where the segment starts and ends; use our figure for this mapped line and confirm junction choices on the ground with a recent map. Terrain mixes forest paths, mires, and occasional forest roads; Rinkka ja Pulkka notes variable upkeep along the national UKK.

Getting there

Syöte.fi lists Syötteen luontokeskus as the main hub for maps and current trail information for the Syöte trail network. You can reach the corridor by car to Ukonvaaran P-alue or Luontokeskus pysäköointialue depending on which segment you start; the southern end has Siikajärvi pysäköintialue near the Puolanka-area link. Check Luontoon.fi for national park parking and movement rules before you drive to a trailhead.

Good to know

Carry a printed or offline map even when you use a phone: Trekkari and independent hikers describe stretches where markings thin out or forestry alters the ground. Respect Everyman’s Rights, campfires only where allowed, and Metsähallitus instructions inside Syöte National Park. Pack food for several days between resupply points.

History

Finnish hiking literature ties the UKK name to President Urho Kekkonen’s long ski journey from Vuokatti toward Koli in spring 1957; the trail name was proposed around 1980 when regional planners linked existing paths into a branded long-distance route. The full UKK network was never finished as one uniformly maintained corridor, and sections have evolved with forestry and local rerouting.

Itinerary

Rough multi-day layout using on-route shelters (adjust daily kilometres to your fitness and daylight): Days 1–2 (about 0–35 km): Start from Ukonvaaran P-alue; overnight options around Peuronlampi laavu, Toraslampi autiotupa, Annintupa, and Välitupa päivätupa before Syötteen luontokeskus, Luontokeskus pysäköointialue, and Iso-Syöte–Luppovesi services. Days 3–4 (about 35–75 km): Continue past Pintamon laavu, Huipun kota, Taikametsän Nuotipaikka, and Kaakkurinlammen laavu toward Haapuanojan laavu and Lomavaara autiotupa with Myllyn laavu nearby. Days 5–7 (about 75–120 km): Pass Ylimmäisen Pirinjärven laavu, Portinojan nuotiopaikka, Pikkulammen laavu - Puhoskylä, and Säynäjäojan nuotiopaikka toward Kirkasheteen laavu and Ollinlammen laavu. Final kilometres (about 120–129.6 km): Finish at Pöksänkorpi laavu and Siikajärvi pysäköintialue. Connecting loops such as Sienipolku and Kometon kierros sit at the southern end if you want a short extra day.

Managed by

Pudasjärvi

Official Maintenance

Trail info

National Park

Area

Recreation Area

Lake

Wilderness Area

blue (UKK); local Syöte day trails use yellow blazes

Route Signs

Open / Good Condition

Activities allowed

Hike / Walk

Activity

Terrain & conditions

129.6 km

Distance

Typically on the order of one week or more of walking for the full mapped distance, depending on daily kilometres and rest days.

Est. Time

Dirt / Duckboards / Gravel

Surface

Point-to-Point, Single Track

Route Type

Partial Shade

Shade

Light Traffic

Traffic

Location

65.75964°N, 27.73479°E

Parking coordinates

FinlandCountry

KainuuRegion

PosioCity

Hiking TrailsCategory

Explore nearby

Luppoveden uimaranta

339 m

Free

Syötteen luontokeskus

138 m

Free

Syötteen Luppopark

314 m

Free

Kävelypolku Luppoveden ympäri

275 m

Free

Iso-Syötteen moottorikelkkaura

445 m

Free

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Answers to your questions

Our data was researched from Pudasjärvi, 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 Posio Hiking TrailsUKK Trail (Syöte–Puolanka section)