The Puolanka section of the UKK-reitti is about 61 km as a point-to-point hike through Kainuu’s forest and fell margins, with lean-tos, firewood stops, and several short detours to bigger sights. For Hepokönkään Vesiputous, laavu maintenance, and the wider network of Puolanka–Paljakka outdoor routes, the best official...
City of Puolanka – Exercise in nature+
Description
The Puolanka section of the UKK-reitti is about 61 km as a point-to-point hike through Kainuu’s forest and fell margins, with lean-tos, firewood stops, and several short detours to bigger sights. For Hepokönkään Vesiputous, laavu maintenance, and the wider network of Puolanka–Paljakka outdoor routes, the best official hub remains the City of Puolanka outdoor pages. Retkipaikka describes the waterfall as one of Finland’s tallest natural drops and notes how the national UKK corridor brushes the site on the Puolanka–Hyrynsalmi line, with a side option toward Paljakka.
From the first kilometres you already pass firewood and dry-toilet points at Markonpuro and soon after the Markonpuron laavu. Around six kilometres the Kuirivaaran laavu pair offers a first longer break on climbs toward the Pyssylampi country. Near 14 km the Pyssylammen puolikota, Pyssylampi polttopuus.-kuivak., and Pyssykuljun parkkipaikka form a natural hub: day hikers often treat this as a lake-and-shelter goal, and the route shares the shoreline with Pyssykuljun lenkki for a short loop option without leaving the area.
The Hepoköngäs block near 19 km is the emotional centre of the stage. Hepoköngäs waterfall, Hepoköngäs puolikota, Hepokönkään parkkiapaikka, Hepoköngäs inva-käymälä, and Hepoköngäs inva kuivakäymälä cluster around the Heinijoki canyon; the City of Puolanka lists an accessible gravel path, viewing decks, and the 1.5 km Hepoköngäs geologinen luontopolku with geology boards. The separate Esteetön reitti Hepokönkään putoukselle gives a wheelchair-friendly approach from the same parking idea. Jalkaisin’s coast-to-coast journal praises the riverside walking below the falls and the newer kota-style shelter above the cascade, while reminding readers that summer heat and insects can bite as hard as the scenery rewards.
Beyond Hepoköngäs the line rolls toward Syvälammen laavu - Puolanka and the Syvälampi polttopuus.-kuivak. pair near 25 km, then Väärälampi laavu and Väärälampi polttopuus.-kuivak. around 29 km beside small lakes; this is where Köngäskierros Puolanka branches toward Pirunkirkko and Paljakka if you want a rest day loop. The middle trail continues past Matinvaara pysäköintialue (parking that also supports approaches from the Matinvaara side), Myllypuro kuivakäymälä, Myllypuro laavu, Lakilampi kuivakäymälä, and Lakilampi laavu—steady shelter spacing for anyone breaking the 61 km into three or four summer days.
The northern vaara come back into play around Poussuoja kuivakäymälä and Poussuoja laavu near 41 km, then Nuottivaara pysäköintialue offers car access for a late-stage entry. Pöksänkorpi kuivakäymälä and Pöksänkorpi laavu near 51 km sit on the climb toward Siikajärvi pysäköintialue; municipal materials highlight the Siikavaara–Kometon kierros day-hike ring that starts from the same road end for people based in Puolanka village. The route finishes near Aapronlampi kuivakäymälä and Aapronlampi laavu, a quiet lake pair before connectors toward the next UKK segments.
Kainuu is classic UKK country: blue paint blazes remain easy to follow when foliage is down. Carry maps or a phone backup for hot spells when you might prefer forest tracks to exposed esker tops, and treat Kiiminkijoen melontareitti as the paddling parallel in the same valley system if you are planning a canoe leg near Hepoköngäs rather than walking every metre. Puolanka is the municipality anchor for food and lodgings after a long day.
Length & route
The trail is about 61 km point-to-point along the UKK corridor through Puolanka, mainly forest and fell edges with frequent lean-tos and firewood posts. Some public planners list a slightly longer GPX variant near 66 km; treat our 61 km figure as the continuous mapped hiking line for this listing. Side trips include Pyssykuljun lenkki at Pyssylampi, the short Hepoköngäs geologinen luontopolku and Esteetön reitti Hepokönkään putoukselle at the falls, and Köngäskierros Puolanka toward Paljakka from Väärälampi.
Getting there
Hepokönkään Vesiputoukselle ajetaan Hepokönkääntie 21, 89200 Puolanka, with Hepokönkään parkkiapaikka beside the accessible approach the municipality describes. Long-distance hikers often stage shorter segments from Pyssykuljun parkkipaikka (Hyrynsalmentie 26 area per the Pyssykulju listings), Matinvaara pysäköintialue, Nuottivaara pysäköintialue, or Siikajärvi pysäköintialue depending on shuttle plans. Confirm road maintenance in winter before relying on forest parking lots.
Good to know
Roughly 40 lean-tos and kota sites stay active around Puolanka in summer; maintenance splits among the municipality, Metsähallitus, and village associations, so firewood politics can vary by structure. Treat stream water in warm weather and pack insect defence for lowland river sections. For canyon geology detail, combine walking with the official panels on Hepoköngäs geologinen luontopolku.
History
The UKK-reitti takes its name from President Urho Kekkonen and was launched as a branding exercise for a Vuokatti–Koli ski showcase in 1957, then expanded in the early 1980s into the nationwide hiking corridor planners still maintain today; Trekkari reconstructs the newspaper trail behind the acronym and the Kainuu–North Savo planning push.
Itinerary
Day 1 (≈18–20 km): Trek from the northern end past Markonpuron laavu and Kuirivaaran laavu to the Pyssylampi shelter cluster; overnight near Pyssylammen puolikota or push to Syvälammen laavu - Puolanka if daylight and weather allow. Day 2 (≈16–18 km): Continue through Hepoköngäs waterfall, and spend time on Hepoköngäs geologinen luontopolku or Esteetön reitti Hepokönkään putoukselle if you arrive by car support, then camp near Väärälampi laavu after the lake section. Day 3 (≈15 km): Cross the Matinvaara / Myllypuro / Lakilampi shelter chain using Matinvaara pysäköintialue only if you need a vehicle rendezvous. Day 4 (≈12–15 km): Finish via Poussuoja laavu, Nuottivaara pysäköintialue, Pöksänkorpi laavu, Siikajärvi pysäköintialue, and Aapronlampi laavu. Adjust distances to fitness, water carry, and whether you want a rest day on Köngäskierros Puolanka.
Long-distance hikers usually follow whichever direction matches their previous UKK stage; day visitors often work outward from Pyssykuljun parkkipaikka or Hepokönkään parkkiapaikka.
Route direction
Fell / Mountain
Area
Blue paint blazes typical for UKK legs in Kainuu.
Route Signs
Jalkaisin – Vaelluksella Suomen poikki, osa 7
Activities allowed
Hike / Walk
Activity
Terrain & conditions
61 km
Distance
3–4 summer hiking days for most party speeds, or 2 long days for very fit lightweight groups.
Be the first to write a review for "UKK Trail – Puolanka section"
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Answers to your questions
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.
The Puolanka section of the UKK-reitti is about 61 km as a point-to-point hike through Kainuu’s forest and fell margins, with lean-tos, firewood stops, and several short detours to bigger sights. For Hepokönkään Vesiputous, laavu maintenance, and the wider network of Puolanka–Paljakka outdoor routes, the best official...
City of Puolanka – Exercise in nature+
Description
The Puolanka section of the UKK-reitti is about 61 km as a point-to-point hike through Kainuu’s forest and fell margins, with lean-tos, firewood stops, and several short detours to bigger sights. For Hepokönkään Vesiputous, laavu maintenance, and the wider network of Puolanka–Paljakka outdoor routes, the best official hub remains the City of Puolanka outdoor pages. Retkipaikka describes the waterfall as one of Finland’s tallest natural drops and notes how the national UKK corridor brushes the site on the Puolanka–Hyrynsalmi line, with a side option toward Paljakka.
From the first kilometres you already pass firewood and dry-toilet points at Markonpuro and soon after the Markonpuron laavu. Around six kilometres the Kuirivaaran laavu pair offers a first longer break on climbs toward the Pyssylampi country. Near 14 km the Pyssylammen puolikota, Pyssylampi polttopuus.-kuivak., and Pyssykuljun parkkipaikka form a natural hub: day hikers often treat this as a lake-and-shelter goal, and the route shares the shoreline with Pyssykuljun lenkki for a short loop option without leaving the area.
The Hepoköngäs block near 19 km is the emotional centre of the stage. Hepoköngäs waterfall, Hepoköngäs puolikota, Hepokönkään parkkiapaikka, Hepoköngäs inva-käymälä, and Hepoköngäs inva kuivakäymälä cluster around the Heinijoki canyon; the City of Puolanka lists an accessible gravel path, viewing decks, and the 1.5 km Hepoköngäs geologinen luontopolku with geology boards. The separate Esteetön reitti Hepokönkään putoukselle gives a wheelchair-friendly approach from the same parking idea. Jalkaisin’s coast-to-coast journal praises the riverside walking below the falls and the newer kota-style shelter above the cascade, while reminding readers that summer heat and insects can bite as hard as the scenery rewards.
Beyond Hepoköngäs the line rolls toward Syvälammen laavu - Puolanka and the Syvälampi polttopuus.-kuivak. pair near 25 km, then Väärälampi laavu and Väärälampi polttopuus.-kuivak. around 29 km beside small lakes; this is where Köngäskierros Puolanka branches toward Pirunkirkko and Paljakka if you want a rest day loop. The middle trail continues past Matinvaara pysäköintialue (parking that also supports approaches from the Matinvaara side), Myllypuro kuivakäymälä, Myllypuro laavu, Lakilampi kuivakäymälä, and Lakilampi laavu—steady shelter spacing for anyone breaking the 61 km into three or four summer days.
The northern vaara come back into play around Poussuoja kuivakäymälä and Poussuoja laavu near 41 km, then Nuottivaara pysäköintialue offers car access for a late-stage entry. Pöksänkorpi kuivakäymälä and Pöksänkorpi laavu near 51 km sit on the climb toward Siikajärvi pysäköintialue; municipal materials highlight the Siikavaara–Kometon kierros day-hike ring that starts from the same road end for people based in Puolanka village. The route finishes near Aapronlampi kuivakäymälä and Aapronlampi laavu, a quiet lake pair before connectors toward the next UKK segments.
Kainuu is classic UKK country: blue paint blazes remain easy to follow when foliage is down. Carry maps or a phone backup for hot spells when you might prefer forest tracks to exposed esker tops, and treat Kiiminkijoen melontareitti as the paddling parallel in the same valley system if you are planning a canoe leg near Hepoköngäs rather than walking every metre. Puolanka is the municipality anchor for food and lodgings after a long day.
Length & route
The trail is about 61 km point-to-point along the UKK corridor through Puolanka, mainly forest and fell edges with frequent lean-tos and firewood posts. Some public planners list a slightly longer GPX variant near 66 km; treat our 61 km figure as the continuous mapped hiking line for this listing. Side trips include Pyssykuljun lenkki at Pyssylampi, the short Hepoköngäs geologinen luontopolku and Esteetön reitti Hepokönkään putoukselle at the falls, and Köngäskierros Puolanka toward Paljakka from Väärälampi.
Getting there
Hepokönkään Vesiputoukselle ajetaan Hepokönkääntie 21, 89200 Puolanka, with Hepokönkään parkkiapaikka beside the accessible approach the municipality describes. Long-distance hikers often stage shorter segments from Pyssykuljun parkkipaikka (Hyrynsalmentie 26 area per the Pyssykulju listings), Matinvaara pysäköintialue, Nuottivaara pysäköintialue, or Siikajärvi pysäköintialue depending on shuttle plans. Confirm road maintenance in winter before relying on forest parking lots.
Good to know
Roughly 40 lean-tos and kota sites stay active around Puolanka in summer; maintenance splits among the municipality, Metsähallitus, and village associations, so firewood politics can vary by structure. Treat stream water in warm weather and pack insect defence for lowland river sections. For canyon geology detail, combine walking with the official panels on Hepoköngäs geologinen luontopolku.
History
The UKK-reitti takes its name from President Urho Kekkonen and was launched as a branding exercise for a Vuokatti–Koli ski showcase in 1957, then expanded in the early 1980s into the nationwide hiking corridor planners still maintain today; Trekkari reconstructs the newspaper trail behind the acronym and the Kainuu–North Savo planning push.
Itinerary
Day 1 (≈18–20 km): Trek from the northern end past Markonpuron laavu and Kuirivaaran laavu to the Pyssylampi shelter cluster; overnight near Pyssylammen puolikota or push to Syvälammen laavu - Puolanka if daylight and weather allow. Day 2 (≈16–18 km): Continue through Hepoköngäs waterfall, and spend time on Hepoköngäs geologinen luontopolku or Esteetön reitti Hepokönkään putoukselle if you arrive by car support, then camp near Väärälampi laavu after the lake section. Day 3 (≈15 km): Cross the Matinvaara / Myllypuro / Lakilampi shelter chain using Matinvaara pysäköintialue only if you need a vehicle rendezvous. Day 4 (≈12–15 km): Finish via Poussuoja laavu, Nuottivaara pysäköintialue, Pöksänkorpi laavu, Siikajärvi pysäköintialue, and Aapronlampi laavu. Adjust distances to fitness, water carry, and whether you want a rest day on Köngäskierros Puolanka.
Long-distance hikers usually follow whichever direction matches their previous UKK stage; day visitors often work outward from Pyssykuljun parkkipaikka or Hepokönkään parkkiapaikka.
3–4 summer hiking days for most party speeds, or 2 long days for very fit lightweight groups.
Est. Time
Dirt
Surface
Rate & Review
Be the first to write a review for "UKK Trail – Puolanka section"
Share a photo from a recent trip
Answers to your questions
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.
Jalkaisin – Vaelluksella Suomen poikki, osa 7