Lieksa Map

Otroskoski sauna or otroskosken sauna.

Otroskoski autiotupa or Otroskosken kämppä. is a large wilderness hut with an oven and bunk beds for over 10 people. The wilderness hut also has a fireplace, toilet, sauna and a landing place for kayakers.

Valamajoki wilderness hut is

Kakkinen laavu

Along the illuminated fitness track.

Kattilaniemen laavu

For Metsähallitus’ official description, difficulty class, and the latest trail-specific guidance, start with the Kuusipolku luontopolku page on Luontoon.fi(1). Visit Karelia sets the scene: the path threads through old slash-and-burn forest beside a fell slope, with vegetation that feels distinct from other nearby walks in the Patvinsuo area(2). Kuusipolku is about 2.6 km as one nature trail in Lieksa in North Karelia, beginning from the Autiovaara parking area on the western side of Patvinsuo National Park. The route is classified as demanding: expect roots, short climbs and descents, and about an hour on the move for most walkers(1)(2). Along the forest path, information boards cover both ecology and local history; duckboards help in wet stretches, and the trail is marked with blue paint(1)(2). A picnic table group sits at Autiovaara pysäköintialue so you can eat before or after the walk; there are no separate benches along the path itself(2). Jari Hanhela’s Patvinsuo trip write-up on Kotona ikimetsässä notes how the spruce-forest introduction can feel brief and how nearby road noise reaches the trail in places—worth weighing if you want a very quiet forest experience(3). The Kävelystä ja elämästä blog from Autiovaara highlights counterclockwise walking, lively autumn fungi and moss, and the absence of formal rest stops along the walk—matching the idea of a compact, self-sufficient stroll(4). On the ground you use Autiovaara pysäköintialue as the hub: Autiovaara pysäköintialue kuivakäymälä is right next to the parking area for a dry toilet before you set off. The same Autiovaara start appears in national data as the related Kuusipolku luontopolku listing; both describe the same spruce-path experience from the same trailhead. The City of Lieksa publishes wider hiking information and municipal trail contacts on its retkeily pages if you need a local phone after your visit(5).

Karhunpolku – Jongunjoen eräkeskus yhdyspolku is a short point-to-point hiking link on the Karhunpolku network in Lieksa, North Karelia. The trail is about 5.3 km and connects the main Karhunpolku hiking route with the Jongunjoki / Nurmijärvi area, where Jongunjoen Matkailu and the Jongunjoki wilderness-centre services sit beside the long-distance trail. For the wider Karhunpolku story—border country, lakes, ridges, shelters, and how the full route is marked—start with Visit Karelia’s Karhunpolku hiking trail article(1). The City of Lieksa maintains Karhunpolku through its sports department and publishes contacts for reporting windthrow or shelter issues on the route network(2). Jongunjoen Matkailu describes road and rail access to the Nurmijärvi–Jongunjoki area and notes the property lies close to Karhunpolku for walkers and cyclists arriving under their own power(3). This segment is a practical connector: it lets you reach services, accommodation, and canoe hire near the Jongunjoki river without walking the entire 140 km Bear Trail. Where it meets the long hiking route, you can continue on Karhunpolku (retkeilyreitti) toward shelters and campfire places such as Jongunjoen laavu, or branch onto the parallel Karhunpolku mountain-bike line and shorter loops like Maastopyöräreitti Rukajärventien kierros. Older Lieksa route notes summarised on Visit Karelia have warned that yhdyspolku sections toward Nurmijärvi village could be unevenly maintained and spottily marked in places, with a real risk of losing the line without a proper map—treat marking as something to verify on the ground and confirm current status with the City of Lieksa before a standalone trip(1)(2). Terrain on Karhunpolku overall mixes forest, mires, and lake shores, with duckboards on wet ground and orange paint marking on the main line(1). Expect similar forest tread here, with roots, stones, and short steep pitches possible where the route crosses moraine and river banks. Mobile coverage is generally usable on Karhunpolku but pockets without signal remain possible in hollows(1).

Siikakoski 3 km loop is a short marked circuit in the Ruunaa hiking area south of Lieksa in North Karelia. Metsähallitus lists this exact variant as the Siikakosken lenkki 3 km connection trail on Luontoon.fi(1). Visit Karelia describes the wider Siikakoski day-hike options along Lieksanjoki: riverbank walking, the Siikakoski bridge with views over the rapids, spruce and pine forest, and duckboard crossings through colourful open bogs(2). Retkipaikka’s Luontopolkumies walk-through of the Siikakoski loops—written for the longer ring—notes yellow paint on trees, a pale pink circle symbol on trail signs, good map boards, and several campfire and lean-to stops where you can break the walk into shorter legs(3). On this loop you stay in the same landscape: about a kilometre in, the Murrookoski stretch brings Murrookosken laavu and campfire spots near the river; a little further, Uittopato and Murroopuro add more fire sites on narrow forest paths and boardwalks. Near the Siikakoski bridge, Horkan laavu and the Siikakoski laavu sit close to Horkka pysäköintialue and the Siikakoski parking areas—handy for combining a break with views of the rapids. The route shares the Siikakoski trailhead roads and signage with the longer Siikakosken lenkki 5 km; if you want a bigger day, you can follow that trail on from the same network(2)(3). Lieksa lies in eastern Finland; Ruunaa is known for canoeing and rafting on the Ruunaa rapids as well as hiking.

Rönkönkierros is a short, point-to-point walk of about 0.6 km along the Lieksanjoki rapids corridor in the Ruunaa state hiking area, between the Hongikkoranta–Kattilaniemi service cluster and the Neitikoski–Kirppuvirta shore at the east end. Lieksa is the gateway town in North Karelia for this valley. For markings, seasonal issues, and services on the wider 22+ km loop that shares these shoreline stops, start from the Luontoon.fi trail page for Ruunaa Neitijärven kierros(1). From west to east the line passes Ämmäkoski tulentekopaikka 2 and Ämmäkoski esteetön tulentekopaikka 1 beside the side channel, then continues toward Kirppuvirta veneenlaskupaikka and the Neitikoski fireplaces beside Neitikoski pysäköintialue. Before or after the shore section you can use Hongikkoranta tulentekopaikka and the Kattilaniemi laavu with Kattilaniemi tulentekopaikka — handy if you start from Hongikkoranta pysäköintialue. Dry toilets sit at Hongikkoranta kuivakäymälä and Kattilaniemi kuivakäymälä near those sites. VisitKarelia’s Neitijärven kierros description notes a demanding, well-marked long loop with maintained rest spots, suspension bridges elsewhere on the rapids route, and a boat crossing at Airovirta on the full circuit — useful background when you join or leave this short segment(2). For an on-the-ground feel of the Neitikoski shore (boardwalks, viewing decks, and fireplace rhythm), Luontopolkumies’s piece on Retkipaikka walks the nearby accessible shore route and matches the same parking and rapid scenery(3). If you want a full day on marked paths in the same valley, continue onto Ruunaa Neitijärven kierros, which shares several of these stopping points.

The trail is about 0.1 km as a short loop on Ukko-Koli in Koli National Park, in Lieksa, North Karelia. It is practical rather than scenic: it stitches the busiest visitor pocket—Koli Relax Spa, Ukko-Kolin laskettelukeskus, Kolin luontokeskus Ukko, and Pääministerin tulentekopaikka—to Koli pysäköintialue 1 and Koli pysäköintialue 2 ja 3 when you prefer a few steps on foot instead of riding the hill access lift. Metsähallitus gathers arrival and parking rules for the park on Luontoon.fi, including how drivers reach the hilltop zones(1). Koli.fi reminds hikers that dozens of marked lines radiate from this fell area, with exposed cliffs that deserve care in any weather(2). Koli Spa’s arrival notes outline the free funicular from the P1 parking plateau to the hotel forecourt and the stairway beside it that serves as a walking connection when winter conditions allow—useful background if you park on the plateau and still need a link past the buildings(3). Because the path is so short, most people use it as a shuttle between cars, services, and longer circuits: Huippujen Kierros begins right at the nature centre cluster, Ukko-Koli itärinne reitit threads east from the same parking neighbourhood, and Sataman polku links toward the harbour cafés and jetties. Read more on our pages for Kolin luontokeskus Ukko, the spa, the ski hill, and the Prime Minister’s campfire spot when you plan a longer day around the peaks.

Kattilakoski connecting trail is about 1.1 km as a short point-to-point link in Metsähallitus(1) Ruunaa recreation area in Lieksa, North Karelia. It starts from the KATTILAKOSKI eräkämppä area beside the Lieksanjoki rapids and runs toward the Murroojärvi shore, where the trail network meets the rowing-boat crossing and the Murroojärvi lean-to and campfire spots. Ruunaa is a state-maintained hiking and fishing landscape along the Lieksanjoki; Kattilakoski is one of the named rapids in the Ruunaankosket chain between Neitijärvi, Kattilajärvi, and Murroojärvi. Visit Karelia(2) describes the long Karhunpolku hiking and mountain-bike route that passes through this same countryside with orange paint marks and many rest places; this connector sits on that wider route system, so you can use it as a short leg or as part of a longer day. After a few hundred metres you reach Vastuuniemi ylitysvene, where a fixed rowing boat is used to cross the narrow strait toward Murroojärvi. Kävelystä ja elämästä(3) notes that life jackets are provided at the boat, that the boats are sturdy wooden rowboats with a winch to pull them ashore, and that the crossing is straightforward for adults in normal conditions. On the Murroojärvi side the route passes Murroojärvi tulentekopaikka and Murroojärven laavu; a Murroojärvi kuivakäymälä sits nearby. Luontoon.fi(4) lists Murroojärvi laavu as a Metsähallitus lean-to in the Ruunaa area. The same blog walk(3) describes wide, well-kept duckboards and clear signposts on longer Murroojärvi circuits in this forest-and-shore setting. Lieksa lies in eastern North Karelia; combined train and bus access from Joensuu is summarised on regional outdoor pages(2). For closures, campfire rules during forest-fire warnings, and the latest service situation in Ruunaa, rely on Metsähallitus(1) and arrival guidance for Ruunaa on Luontoon.fi.

Metsähallitus manages the Ruunaa hiking area, and the Koskikierros trail page on Luontoon.fi is the right place to double-check route facts, area rules, and any seasonal restrictions before you go(1). VisitKarelia classifies Koskikierros as a demanding round-trip style hike of about 32 km in the rapids landscape and recommends rubber boots or sturdy boots, warm layers, and insect protection in season(2). Via Karelia summarizes the Ruunaa rapids strip as one of eastern Finland’s flagship outdoor destinations and notes that Koskikierros crosses the river on suspension bridges at Haapavitja in the north and Siikakoski in the south, with shorter marked options elsewhere in the same network(3). The trail on our map is about 32.1 km through Lieksa in North Karelia. It strings together lake shores, rapids, and patches of old-growth spruce, pine heaths, and open mire on duckboards and small footbridges. From the Onkilampi cluster at the northern end you have Onkilampi tulentekopaikka, Onkilammen laavu - Pankakoski, and easy access toward Neitijärvi veneenlaskupaikka within the first few kilometres. Around Lakkapäänlahti and Paasikoskentie the line passes Lakkapäänlahti pysäköintialue, Lakkapäänlahden nuotiopaikka, and then Neitisaaren laavu, Neitisaari tulentekopaikka, and Neitikoski tulentekopaikka 1 and 2 with Neitikoski pysäköintialue close by if you start from the Neitikoski service area. Ämmäkoski esteetön tulentekopaikka 1 and Hongikkoranta tulentekopaikka sit along the noisy rapids; Kattilaniemi laavu and Kattilaniemi tulentekopaikka make a natural lunch stop before the rowboat crossings Naukuniemi ylitysvene and later Vastuuniemi ylitysvene, where pulling across short stretches of water cuts distance compared with walking both banks. Near Murroojärvi you pass Murroojärven laavu, KATTILAKOSKI eräkämppä, Niskalahti tulentekopaikka, Murrookosken laavu, Siikakoski laavu facing Siikakoski tulentekopaikka, and Horkan laavu as dense day-use options. Climbing to Huuhkajanvaara luontotorni is a short but steep, rocky side trip with views over Neitijärvi; treat the steps with care, especially when wet(2). NEITIJÄRVI Juolukka vuokrakämppä, NEITIJÄRVI Pilvi vuokrakämppä, and NEITIJÄRVI Puolukka vuokrakämppä offer bookable cabins at the east end of Neitijärvi. Saunaniemen laavu and Saunaniemi tulentekopaikka form a common overnight cluster before you curve back through Miikkulanvaara pysäköintialue and Mutikaisenkari pysäköintialue toward the northern rapids again. Bear Trail (Karhunpolku) runs as a long-distance hiking route through the wider Ruunaa area toward Patvinsuo National Park, and Ruunaa Neitijärven kierros offers a shorter lake-and-rapids loop on the same maintained network if Koskikierros feels long for one day(3)(4). Sydän rinnassa, reppu selässä writes about walking Koskikierros over two days from Neitikoski, camping at Saunaniemen laavu, and savouring Haapavitja’s suspension bridge, Mustapyörre tulentekopaikka, and the long Siikakoski bridge before returning along forest and mire(4). That pacing matches how many people treat the trip as an overnight rather than a single push. The route is also used by mountain bikers; give each other space on narrow sections(2). Rapids fishing is possible at named spots such as Haapavitja, Neitikoski, Murrookoski, and Siikakoski when regulations and permits allow(2).

For national park rules, trail descriptions, and service pages covering Patvinsuo, Metsähallitus publishes the main hiking and outdoor recreation material on Luontoon.fi(1). The trail lies in Lieksa in North Karelia, on Patvinsuo National Park ground at the Suomu–Surkanpuro service end of the park. The Surkanpuro–Olkkonen trail is about 1.7 km point-to-point. One end is the Surkanpuro pysäköintialue and Surkanpuro matkailuvaunualue pair at the river mouth, with space for cars and caravans and a corner picnic table setup described in independent walk notes(3). The other end ties into the inland marked network toward Teretti and the Olkkosensaari area, where longer bog-and-pine circuits branch off. Visit Karelia lists Surkanpuro pysäköintialue among the standard access points for the Suomu Lake circuit (Suomunkierto), alongside Suomu and Kurkilahti(2). From the same corner, Patvinskierto retkeilyreitti, Suomu Lake circuit (Suomunkierto), Karhunpolku (retkeilyreitti), and the Maastopyöräreitti Ruunaa-Reposuo-Ritojärvi-Patvinsuo mountain bike corridor meet the paths documented here—handy if you are stitching a multi-day tour or a shorter day loop from the parking pocket. Retkipaikka’s Olkkosen kierros article—written around Luontopolkumies’s visit—starts from Surkanpuro pysäköintialue, mentions the faded information board beside the corner, and describes orange-yellow paint blazes on the onward paths toward Olkkosensaari loops(3). elinanmatkalaukussa recounts a midsummer link from Kurkilahti past Teretti toward Olkkosen and back out to Surkanpuro parking, through pine forest, open mire, and boardwalk sections typical of this park(4). Expect mosquitoes in summer; regional guidance recommends insect protection and leashed dogs(2).

This ride is a compact mountain-biking spur of about 2,1 km in Lieksa, North Karelia, in the Änäkäinen–Saarijärvi part of the wider Karhunpolku hiking and mountain-biking corridor. For rules, etiquette, and the full 140 km Karhunpolku mountain-biking description, start from Luontoon.fi’s Karhunpolku (mountain biking) page(1) and Visit Karelia’s Karhunpolku mountain biking article(2). The City of Lieksa now maintains key Änäkäinen recreation structures—among them Saarijärvi laavu, cooking shelter, and kota—and the western side of the Saarijärvi circuit, which is explicitly tied into the Karhunpolku network the city already maintains(3). Lieksa Travel places Änäkäinen on the historic Rukajärventie–Salpa battle landscape and notes a short ring path around Saarijärvi (Iso-Änäkäinen) at the north side of the area, with military-history foot loops elsewhere on the site(4). On this ride, about half a kilometre from the start you reach Jongunjoen laavu, a natural early break before the line continues toward the Saarijärvi shore area. In the last section, roughly 1,7 km from the start, the Saarijärvi cluster gathers a laavu, a northern campfire spot, and dry toilets nearby—enough for a snack stop or a longer pause before you join bigger day routes. The Karhunpolku backbone in this region is described as marked forest riding with duckboards, roots, and steeper ridge pitches in places; MTBreitti.fi’s Karhunpolku write-up stresses orange paint/blaze markings, map discipline, and how slippery duckboards become in wet weather(5). Even on a short leg, carry a printed or offline map, mind other trail users, and stay on marked cycling lines where the network requires it(2)(5). From Jongunjoen laavu you can think about longer links that share the same landscape: Karhunpolku yhdyspolku connects toward the Bear Trail network near Jongunjoki, and Jongunjoen melontareitti follows the river corridor for paddlers if you are combining sports on another day.

For closures, fire rules, and how to use Ruunaa responsibly under Metsähallitus management, read the instructions and rules for Ruunaa Hiking Area on Luontoon.fi(1). General mountain biking behaviour on state trails—including staying on marked bike routes and moderating speed—is summarised in Metsähallitus’s mountain biking etiquette material(2). This point-to-point mountain biking route is about 9.5 km between Lieksa’s Ruunaa recreation area and the forest-and-mire landscapes that lead toward Patvinsuo National Park (Reposuo–Ritojärvi–Patvinsuo are the corridor names in the title). The GPX line begins near the Hongikkoranta parking and campfire cluster, follows shared multi-use paths through Neitikoski and the wider Ruunaa lake-and-ridge country, and finishes toward the Surkanpuro parking and Kaatiinlammen nuotiopaikka end of the sector. VisitKarelia’s Karhunpolku mountain bike guide describes the same Patvinsuo–Ruunaa long-distance system: on the Kitsi–Ruunaa leg the line crosses Inarintie, threads demanding ridge-and-boardwalk country before Särkkäjoen laavu, passes Suurijoen nuotiopaikka, and uses gravel links as well as needle-path forest—terrain very similar to what you ride here(3). Lieksa Travel notes that you can pedal from Ruunaa toward Patvinsuo on Karhunpolku-class trails and points visitors to Metsähallitus overview pages for maps(4). The northern kilometres stay busy with day-trip infrastructure. Besides Hongikkoranta pysäköintialue you have Ämmäkosken and Neitikosken campfire sites, Neitikoski parking, and the grill shelter at Neitikosken parkkpaikka grillikatos within the first half-kilometre—ideal if you want to watch Ruunaa’s rapids before pedalling south. Kirppuvirta veneenlaskupaikka and the Paasikoski–Haapaniska–Haapavitja string add more picnic shelters and dry toilets along gentle lake shores before Kakkisen laavu and Haapaniskan laavu appear among mixed pine-and-spruce woodland. Around Neitijärvi the NEITIJÄRVI Juolukka, Pilvi, and Puolukka vuokrakämppä rental cabins sit metres from the water; they are useful context for multi-day link-ups even if you only roll past on a day ride. Huuhkajanvaara luontotorni lies a short detour off the main line for anyone craving a viewing tower stop. Farther south, Miikkula laavu with its campfire and dry toilet, Mutikaisenkari pysäköintialue, Korpiniemen laavu, and Mutikaisenkari tulentekopaikka form another natural break zone before the route dives into more open mire-and-forest scenery. The southern section passes Suurijoen nuotiopaikka and Särkkäjoen laavu—places VisitKarelia highlights as part of the wider Karhunpolku ride where boardwalks, roots, and ridge climbs can demand dismounts after rain(3). Surkanpuro pysäköintialue and the neighbouring Surkanpuro matkailuvaunualue mark a practical road access point, while Kaatiinlammen nuotiopaikka on Kaatiinlammentie offers a campfire stop before longer continuation toward Patvinsuo. The Ruunaa Neitijärven kierros hiking loop shares some of these shores, and Surkanpuro - Olkkonen reitti ties in at Surkanpuro if you want a short walking connection(3). If you continue from Kaatiinlampi toward the national park, check Patvinsuo National Park instructions on Luontoon.fi as rules tighten inside park boundaries(6). Trail markings on Karhunpolku sections use orange paint blazes and trail posts; riders are asked to follow those marks so fragile mires and slopes stay protected(3)(4). Dry conditions make the needle-path and gravel segments flow; wet weather turns boardwalks and roots slippery—VisitKarelia repeats the warning for the whole Karhunpolku corridor(3). Pole fatbikes are advertised for rent from Ruunaan Retkeilykeskus at Neitikoski if you need a wide-tyre bike locally(5).

The Neitikoski Accessible Trail page on Luontoon.fi is the place to start planning a visit to this part of Ruunaa Hiking Area(1). Visit Karelia’s article on the same corridor explains how the path leaves Neitikoski parking, crosses open lake-and-rapids scenery on Ruunaa, and is promoted first and foremost for walking, wheelchairs, and strollers on a 600 m leg each way with a 1.2 km round trip in total(2). Retkipaikka’s Luontopolkumies trip write-up gives a ground-level feel for the boardwalks, viewing platforms, and campfire clearings near Neitikoski(3). The cycling route on our map is about 0.5 km through Lieksa in North Karelia, following the Neitikoski–Ämmäkoski visitor strip beside Kirppuvirta. At the north end, Hongikkoranta pysäköintialue sits a few hundred metres from the line with Hongikkoranta tulentekopaikka and a dry toilet in the same cluster—handy if you approach from that side. About 0.14–0.18 km along, Ämmäkoski esteetön tulentekopaikka 1 and Ämmäkoski tulentekopaikka 2 give spaced picnic stops above the channels. Further on, Neitikoski pysäköintialue is the main trailhead described in brochures; Neitikoski tulentekopaikka 1, Neitikosken parkkpaikka grillikatos, and Neitikoski tulentekopaikka 2 concentrate campfire and shelter space beside the pools. Near the downstream end, Kirppuvirta veneenlaskupaikka offers hand-launch access for canoes and kayaks. Surfaces along the public trail are described as coarse gravel on the first roughly 200 m and easier plank decking beyond(2); wet duckboards can be slippery after rain(2), so soft tyres and careful braking help on a bike. Because official marketing centres on the accessible walking experience, confirm from the Neitikoski trail instructions on Luontoon.fi whether cycling is welcome on each section for your visit, ride slowly, and yield on any narrow boardwalk(1)(2). For a long hiking day from the same landscape, the Neitijärvi loop (Ruunaa) circles Neitijärvi and returns through these points on a marked walking network tens of kilometres in length—worth combining if your group mixes bikes and boots(1). A wider 2023–2025 Ruunaa improvement programme led by Metsähallitus touched Neitikoski parking capacity, accessibility structures, and signage; check their news pages for anything still under work when you travel(4).

Ulkokuntosalilaitteessa on vartalonkierto, surflaite ja kävelylaite.

Paljon korkeuseroja.

Paljon korkeuseroja.

Tasainen maasto.

Tasainen maasto.

Jonkin verran korkeuseroja.

Kahdeksan erilaista allasta ja kolme saunaa.