Where can I see more photos for Devil's Church loop (Pirunkirkko)?

Huts.fi

Devil's Church loop (Pirunkirkko)

—•Hiking Trails

1.3 km

Route

P 1

Description

Luontoon.fi – Pirunkirkko protected forest+

Description

Devil's Church loop (Pirunkirkko) is about 1.3 km around Louhenjoki gorge near Paljakka in Puolanka, Kainuu. Metsähallitus describes the compact Pirunkirkko protected forest—roughly 74 hectares next to Paljakka Strict Nature Reserve—on Luontoon.fi as an easy day-trip target where Louhenjoki runs through a rocky canyon and the “devil's pulpit” rock formation draws the eye. For the most up-to-date route notes, service locations, and rules, start from that Pirunkirkon suojelumetsä article on Luontoon.fi. Puolanka sits in wooded hill country; Paljakka’s ski and hiking networks start a few kilometres away. From the Holstintie trailhead area you soon pass Pirunkirkko päivätupa and maintenance points with firewood storage and a dry toilet—handy before you drop toward the river. About half a kilometre into the loop, Pirunkirkko is the gorge and boulder scene above Louhenjoki; banks are gravelly and steep in places with no guard rails, so keep back from slippery slopes and supervise children. After exploring the canyon, the loop returns to Pirunkirkon parkkiapaikka. The same trailhead area is shared with Ilveskierros and ties into longer hiking: UKK-reitti Paljakka, Köngäskierros Puolanka, and Paljakan luonnonpuiston polku all intersect this corner of the network. In summer, Jukka Eskelinen’s VaaraKainuu notes highlight lichen-rich old spruce forest on the way in and the drama of the steep gorge—worth a slow look at the rock benches. Luontoon.fi states the path is easy going overall, with bridges and duckboards in wet or steep spots, but sturdy footwear is still wise near the gorge rim. Out in the Nature recorded a rougher, rockier final approach after storm damage and rerouting; if the ground is wet or icy, extra care near the river makes sense. Winter skiers on Latvavaaran latu, 17 km, Paljakka also pass Pirunkirkko on maintained tracks, giving another seasonal perspective.

Length & route

The trail is about 1.3 km as one loop. Most of the circuit follows easy forest footway with duckboards and small bridges where Luontoon.fi notes wet or steep ground. The middle section concentrates on Louhenjoki gorge walls that can rise on the order of twenty metres above the water, including the narrow Portinkoski rapid reach.

Getting there

Drive to Pirunkirkon pysäköintipaikka or Pirunkirkon parkkiapaikka on Holstintie in Puolanka, turning off Hoikanvaarantie as local signing indicates; there is no public transport to the site. Metsähallitus explains that Pirunkirkko uses the same Holstintie parking cluster as Ilveskierros, but you circle the road loop in the opposite direction from the nature-reserve trail start when heading for Pirunkirkko. The day hut lies a short walk from the first parking area, while finishing the full 1.3 km loop brings you back toward Pirunkirkon parkkiapaikka.

Good to know

Right of public access applies throughout Pirunkirkko forest, unlike Paljakka Strict Nature Reserve: stay on responsible lines, light fires only at signed campfire sites, and carry out litter. Angling rules for Louhenjoki combine general fishing management fees and Metsähallitus permit 5411 where needed. Paljakka reserve bans berry and mushroom picking; moose hunting rules differ between the strict reserve and Pirunkirkko forest, so check seasons if you visit in autumn. Paljakan kierros mtb-reitti passes nearby for mountain bikers who want a longer ride after the short walk.

History

Luontoon.fi recounts local stories behind the name Pirunkirkko: a former parish priest supposedly coined it after a blocky rock that resembles a pulpit, and another tale describes a lumberjack climbing onto the “pulpit” to tell stories until someone joked he was preaching like the devil in church. The protected forest itself was designated in 1998 beside the much older Paljakka reserve. Heavy storms in 2014 felled trees onto former stairs and duckboards, forcing Metsähallitus to close the old approach until new routing and repairs could be planned.

Managed by

Puolanka

Official Maintenance

Trail info

The loop is typically walked from Pirunkirkon pysäköintipaikka past Pirunkirkko päivätupa toward Pirunkirkko on Louhenjoki, then returning via Pirunkirkon parkkiapaikka; either direction around the 1.3 km circuit works if local signing allows.

Route direction

Marked Route

Route Signs

Open / Good Condition

Activities allowed

Hike / Walk

Activity

Terrain & conditions

1.3 km

Distance

About 30–60 minutes including time at the gorge.

Est. Time

Loop, Single Track

Route Type

Location

64.71285°N, 27.95373°E

Parking coordinates

FinlandCountry

KainuuRegion

PuolankaCity

PaljakkaVillage

Hiking TrailsCategory

Explore nearby

Paljakan kierros mtb-reitti

483 m

Free

Rate & Review

Be the first to write a review for "Devil's Church loop (Pirunkirkko)"

Share a photo from a recent trip

Answers to your questions

CC BY-NDPasi Korhonen, Outdoors Kainuu

Our data was researched from Puolanka, 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 Puolanka Hiking TrailsDevil's Church loop (Pirunkirkko)