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Noljakka nature trail

—•Hiking Trails

2.5 km

Route

Noljakka bird watching tower

1.1 km|Free

Scenic Lookout Towers

Description

Joensuun kaupunki – luontopolut ja retkeilyreitit+

Description

Noljakka nature trail is a short loop of about 2.5 km through the Höytiäinen canal estuary nature reserve on the edge of Joensuu—about six kilometres from the city centre by road. Joensuun kaupunki maintains the trail together with the ELY Centre and summarises the rules, access, and facilities on its nature-trails pages. Luontoon.fi publishes the same trail under the reserve’s outdoor routes for quick cross-checks of name and location. Much of the walking is on duckboards through wetland and lakeshore forest, with wooden direction signs and boards about local nature; there is no designated campfire site along this loop. Noljakka bird watching tower, partway around the loop, offers views over Pyhäselkä and the channel margins—worth a stop for birdwatchers and anyone who wants an open vista. Under the nature reserve decision, bringing dogs onto the protected area is prohibited, as are open fires, camping, littering, and other activities that could harm habitats. For context, Retkipaikka’s long read on the Höytiäinen shoreline explains how the reserve’s unusual landscape ties to the great nineteenth-century drawdown of Lake Höytiäinen after canal work and dam failure—useful background if you wonder why this corner of Joensuu feels both lake-edged and history-laden. Karjalainen has highlighted summer grazing on and near the trail: organic Hereford cattle are used for habitat management, with daily checks that fences and animals are in good order. The trail links logically to the wider Noljakka outdoor cluster: Noljakan polut reaches the same tower area on duckboards from the beach and field side, and Jaama Trail passes close by with orange markings for longer hikes or bike loops. The neighbourhood also includes Yhdysladut Mehtimäki-Noljakka, Noljakan valaistu latu, and Noljakan kuntorata for winter skiing and year-round running. For any change in reserve rules, grazing schedules, or maintenance, start from the latest city and ELY guidance on Joensuun kaupunki’s pages.

Length & route

The trail is about 2.5 km as a loop through the Höytiäinen canal estuary reserve. The surface is largely duckboards through wetland, with wooden signs and interpretation boards. There is no official campfire site on this nature trail loop.

Getting there

The City of Joensuu gives the trailhead address as Iisakintie 3, Joensuu, with a map link from its nature-trails page. Retkipaikka notes a small car park on Iisakintie and additional parking at the Aavarantan uimaranta lot off Nuottaniementie, plus wayfinding from the Noljakantie–Nuottaniementie junction toward the reserve and tower. Local buses reach the Noljakka area; Retkipaikka mentions lines 2 and 3 with a nearby stop at Noljakankaari. From the beach side, Jaama Trail’s orange markings are often used as an approach before branching toward the tower. An accessible, roughly 2.1 km section on Noljakan polut from the Erkinpellontie field car park leads to a maintained fireplace—handy if you need an accessible approach or a picnic fire—but dogs remain forbidden on the nature-trail section that continues to the tower.

Good to know

Höytiäisen lintuasema lies near the shore route; respect reserve boundaries and any seasonal guidance from ringers and authorities. If water levels are very high, duckboards can be wet or awkward—several independent trip accounts describe detours or abbreviated hikes in flood conditions; check City of Joensuu notices before visiting.

History

The reserve occupies the estuary of the Höytiäinen canal after Lake Höytiäinen was dramatically lowered in the nineteenth century—Joensuu describes it as arising from the aftermath of Höytiäisen purkautuminen (the lake’s engineered drainage). Retkipaikka recounts how canal construction from 1854 and a dam breach on 3 August 1859 started a rapid week-long drawdown of about 7.5 metres, with further managed lowering later—events that reshaped shorelines across the region.

Managed by

Joensuu

Official Maintenance

013 267 7111

Trail info

Recreation Area

Lake

Marked Route

Route Signs

No Dogs

Dogs

Open / Good Condition

Activities allowed

Hike / Walk

Activity

Terrain & conditions

2.5 km

Distance

Allow about 45–75 minutes at an easy pace with time on the tower and reading boards.

Est. Time

Duckboards through wetland and shore forest, with short natural path sections that can be soft when water is high.

Surface

Loop, Single Track

Route Type

Partial Shade

Shade

Light Traffic

Traffic

Joensuun kaupunki – luontopolut ja retkeilyreitit+

Location

62.61645°N, 29.68601°E

Approximate location

FinlandCountry

North KareliaRegion

JoensuuCity

Hiking TrailsCategory

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Answers to your questions

Our data was researched from Joensuu, 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 North Karelia Joensuu Hiking TrailsNoljakka nature trail