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Summit Trail

—•Hiking Trails

1.4 km

Route

P 1

Description

Luontoon.fi – Huippujen kierros+

Description

Summit Trail (Huippujen kierros) is about 1.4 km in Lieksa, North Karelia, threading the three highest summits of the Koli national landscape—Ukko-Koli, Akka-Koli and Paha-Koli—with the open views over Lake Pielinen that drew painters and hikers long before social media. For downloadable maps, national park rules and the trail page maintained by Metsähallitus, use Luontoon.fi. Koli.fi sets out how visitors typically reach Ylä-Koli by car, village paths, the harbour route or the scenic lift, and why this short ring is the classic introduction to the skyline. In practice you start beside Kolin luontokeskus Ukko and Break Sokos Hotel Koli on the Ylä-Koli yard: Koli pysäköintialue 1 and Koli pysäköintialue 2 ja 3 are the usual carparks on our map, Ukko-Kolin laskettelukeskus and Koli Relax Spa sit in the same cluster, and about two tenths of a kilometre along the walk you pass Pääministerin tulentekopaikka, a maintained campfire site—carry your own firewood and respect wildfire bans that Metsähallitus posts through Luontoon.fi. The tread is mostly easy underfoot because you begin high on the ridge, but there are short rocky stretches and wooden stair flights that feel slippery when icy. Many people walk the ring slowly in well under an hour even though quick strides can cover the distance in roughly half that time. Independent bloggers often recommend going counter-clockwise so Akka-Koli, with its west-facing benches and small Silence Temple stone altar, comes first and sunset watchers know where to linger. Paha-Koli tends to deliver sweeping views south toward Pielinen and beyond, while Ukko-Koli is the busiest lookout because it is closest to the hotel and visitor centre. Expect heavy foot traffic around Ukko-Koli on fine weekends. If you want a guided storytelling round with fixed Saturday departures from the nature centre yard, Retkipaikka Koli sells those programmes separately. For a photo-heavy journal that also records winter drifting snow on uncleared tread, read Mutkiamatkassa. Retkiseikkailu adds concrete elevation figures for the three summits and notes tight, steep bends on the approach road to upper parking in winter. Longer legs can stitch in Sataman polku from the harbour, Kolinuuron Kierros in the gorge, the eastern Ukko-Koli trail network or Kylän Polku from the village without doubling back on the same skyline section.

Length & route

The trail is about 1.4 km as a summit ring visiting Ukko-Koli, Akka-Koli and Paha-Koli, starting and finishing at the visitor hub on Ylä-Koli. Breaks, photos and short side looks at quartzite outcrops stretch a fast half-hour stroll into a longer visit for most groups. There is no machine grooming in winter; snow and ice on stone steps can be awkward until paths are packed by traffic.

Getting there

Aim for the Ylä-Koli visitor yard beside Kolin luontokeskus Ukko (Ylä-Kolintie 39). On our map, Koli pysäköintialue 1 sits near the upper lifts, while Koli pysäköintialue 2 ja 3 covers the larger lot downhill; Retkiseikkailu also mentions Ylä-Kolintie 32 and 37 as upper-road parking references. Koli.fi explains walking up Kylän Polku from the church carpark (Ylä-Kolintie 4), climbing Sataman polku from the harbour restaurant (Rantatie 12), or riding the scenic lift from Rantatie 27 when you want to avoid the vertical haul with children or photography gear. In winter the village trail may be packed by snowmobile grooming, while Ylä-Kolintie itself can be steep and icy—chains are sometimes wise on the final climb. Joensuu is the usual rail hub for travellers continuing to Lieksa and Koli village by road or bus.

Good to know

The walking trail itself is free of charge; national park fees may still apply to your party under current Finnish regulations, which Luontoon.fi explains. Campfires at Pääministerin tulentekopaikka need your own wood unless you purchase it at the nature centre or hotel services, and every flame follows Metsähallitus wildfire rules. Guided Huippujen kierros programmes from Retkipaikka Koli cost extra, run on advertised schedules and are not a substitute for checking current park notices. Crowding peaks around Ukko-Koli on summer weekends, so quieter moments are usually earlier or later in the day.

Managed by

Lieksa

Official Maintenance

GPX data from: © Metsähallitus, 2024

Trail info

Counterclockwise travel is often recommended so Akka-Koli comes first for lighting and views.

Route direction

National Park

Area

Marked Route

Route Signs

Open / Good Condition

Mutkiamatkassa – Huippujen kierros, Koli

Activities allowed

Hike / Walk

Activity

Terrain & conditions

1.4 km

Distance

About 30–60 minutes for most visitors, longer if you photograph each summit.

Est. Time

Stone Dust / Dirt

Surface

Loop

Route Type

Heavy Traffic

Traffic

Partial Shade

Shade

Mutkiamatkassa – Huippujen kierros, Koli

Location

63.09452°N, 29.80338°E

Parking coordinates

FinlandCountry

North KareliaRegion

LieksaCity

KoliVillage

Hiking TrailsCategory

Explore nearby

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342 m

Free

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Answers to your questions

Our data was researched from Lieksa, 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 Lieksa Hiking TrailsSummit Trail