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Oravantaival

—•Hiking Trails

37.6 km

Route

Raatevaaran pallokenttä

37.6 km|Free

School Ball Fields

Description

City of Joensuu – Nature trails and hiking routes+

Description

Oravantaival is about 37.6 km of point-to-point hiking in Kiihtelysvaara, Joensuu, in North Karelia. The City of Joensuu describes it as a long-distance trail from Riuttalampi in Särkivaara to Raatevaara village hall, passing through Heinävaara with links toward Kiihtelysvaara centre and Jänispolku; the route is easy going overall, with duckboards on wet ground and red markings in the terrain, and five laavut along the way. The Kiihtelysvaara parish pages set the same trail in the ancient Karelian upland landscape between Heinävaara and Raatevaara, alongside Hiidenvaaran luontopolku as a shorter neighbour. Retkipaikka republished a weekend journal by Simeon Turpeinen and Ville Honkanen that names Riuttalammen, Iso-Valkealammen, Joutenlammen, Metsälammen, and Purnukorven laavut, resupply at Heinävaara shops, boardwalks in wind-exposed mire, and wartime earthworks near Metsälampi—worth reading for pacing and atmosphere. Joensuu lies in North Karelia. The trail runs southeast across forest roads and easy paths; elevation gain on a common GPX profile is on the order of a few hundred metres. Around 12 km from the start the route passes Heinävaara village: Heinävaaran kaukalo, Heinävaaran lähiliikuntapaikka, Heinävaaran pallokenttä, and the school sports cluster sit beside the same sports hub where Heinävaaran valaistu kuntorata and Heinävaaran valaistu latu connect for winter skiing and lit running. Toward Raatevaara you approach Raatevaaran pallokenttä near the northern village edge. The route shares corridors in places with local snowmobile connectors such as Kiihtelysvaara–Reijola and Reijola–Raatevaara—hikers should stay on the marked walking route and be aware of other trail users where networks overlap. Terrain is mostly forest road and gentle path with roughly two kilometres of duckboards through wet sections; waterproof footwear helps after rain. Mountain bikers also use the corridor; a documented GPX variant bypasses Ilomantsintie and Heinävaara services via a gravel pit. Geocachers maintain many caches along the corridor—carry a map or phone with offline maps because phone coverage is patchy in places.

Length & route

The trail is about 37.6 km point-to-point. The City of Joensuu rounds the distance to about 38 km and lists the start at Riuttavaarantie 342, Joensuu. Terrain is mostly forest road and easy path with duckboards on bogs; a common elevation profile shows on the order of 272 m of ascent and roughly two kilometres of boardwalks.

Getting there

The City of Joensuu gives the trailhead at Riuttavaarantie 342, Joensuu, with a map link on its nature trails and hiking routes page. The route ends near Raatevaara village hall; Hyypiäntie addresses appear on local maps toward the Raatevaara end. Plan a car spot at both ends or return along local roads—the trail is one-way in the terrain.

Good to know

Retkipaikka’s hikers note that not every laavu had axes for firewood when they visited—carry a small axe or knife if you rely on shelters. Respect everyman’s rights and private yards near villages. Mountain biking may be restricted next to some defence or land-use zones—check any posted rules on the trail.

Managed by

Joensuu

Official Maintenance

013 267 7111

Trail info

Point-to-point from Riuttalampi toward Raatevaara; walk either direction but the City of Joensuu describes the canonical southeast run.

Route direction

Red paint and symbols in the terrain per the City of Joensuu; Myllypolku shares part of the same network and uses squirrel symbols on some sections.

Route Signs

City of Joensuu – Nature trails and hiking routes

Activities allowed

Bike

Activity

Hike / Walk

Activity

Terrain & conditions

37.6 km

Distance

A fit party can walk it in one long summer day; many people split it over two days using the laavut. Allow roughly 10–14 hours of walking if you do it in one push, depending on pack weight and breaks.

Est. Time

Forest roads and easy paths; roughly two kilometres of duckboards on wet ground; short rocky or exposed boardwalk sections possible in wind.

Surface

Point-to-Point

Route Type

Light Traffic

Traffic

City of Joensuu – Nature trails and hiking routes+

Location

62.54464°N, 30.05492°E

Approximate location

FinlandCountry

North KareliaRegion

JoensuuCity

KiihtelysvaaraVillage

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 TrailsOravantaival