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Shepherd's Path

—•Hiking Trails

2.4 km

Route

P 1

Description

Luontoon.fi – Koli National Park trails+

Description

Shepherd's Path (Paimenen polku) is about 2.4 km of hiking in Koli National Park on the wooded slopes of Paimenenvaara near Lieksa in North Karelia. For maps, services, and the wider trail network, start with the Koli National Park hiking and outdoor section on Luontoon.fi. Metsähallitus has published a dedicated Paimenen polku route guide aimed at schools and visitors, with twelve information boards about herb-rich forest, trees, and plants in Finnish, English, German, and Russian. Via Karelia places Koli National Park in context for travellers exploring the Karelia region. The trail climbs steeply through handsome deciduous forest, crosses a gentler middle section that Retkipaikka contributor Luontopolkumies Mika Markkanen compares to an old cart track, then drops past short duckboard stretches to rocky Paskovaara with views over Lake Jerojärvi toward Verkkovaara. Orange circle markers appear at junctions; carry a map in case of side paths on the rock. About 1.5 km into the walk, Paimenenvaaran tulentekopaikka offers a simple campfire ring with a wood shed—good for a break before the steeper descent. The route ties into other Koli walks: Paimenen polku yhdyspolut links directly at the trailhead area, while Ukko-Koli itärinne reitit, Mäkrän Kierto, and Kolinuuron Kierros start nearby and share the same hill landscape with additional viewpoints and services toward Ukko-Koli. Lieksa hosts the park gateway settlements; North Karelia’s lake-and-ridge scenery frames the outing. Expect moderate fitness demand: stone steps, roots, and short duckboards after wet weather.

Length & route

The trail is about 2.4 km. Allow roughly one hour at a moderate pace with a stop at Paimenenvaaran tulentekopaikka. The Metsähallitus route guide targets teaching use and describes the trail as moderately demanding, with steep climbs and short duckboard sections after rain. Retkipaikka’s walk-through reports about seventy stone steps on the main climb and roughly half a kilometre of easier middle ground.

Getting there

Park at Paimenenvaara pysäköintialue on Kotaniementie 10 (space for a small number of cars). The trail begins from the Paimenenvaara side of the road network described for Koli National Park on Luontoon.fi. Public buses serve Ukko-Koli; from there it is roughly three kilometres by foot or local transport links to this trailhead area.

Good to know

Wear sturdy boots with good grip for stone steps and steep slopes; in snowmelt or heavy rain, waterproof footwear helps on wet ground and duckboards. Follow national park rules for dogs on leash and campfire use. For closures or maintenance affecting Koli trails, check Luontoon.fi and the Metsähallitus route materials.

History

The name Paimenen polku (“shepherd’s path”) reflects local tradition: the level middle section is described in field writing as a possible former cart track where a Koli-area shepherd once walked with livestock. Metsähallitus has packaged the trail as an educational nature route with multilingual boards for schools and the public.

Managed by

Lieksa

Official Maintenance

Trail info

Local maps show a recommended clockwise circuit; the trail can also be walked the other way.

Route direction

National Park

Area

Orange circle markers at junctions; older cone-topped posts occur in places.

Route Signs

Dogs (On Leash)

Dogs

Open / Good Condition

Retkipaikka – Paimenen polku (Luontopolkumies)

Activities allowed

Hike / Walk

Activity

Terrain & conditions

2.4 km

Distance

About 1 hour.

Est. Time

Duckboards / Dirt

Surface

Single Track, Wide Track

Route Type

Light Traffic

Traffic

Partial Shade

Shade

Location

63.08093°N, 29.79931°E

Parking coordinates

FinlandCountry

North KareliaRegion

LieksaCity

KoliVillage

Hiking TrailsCategory

Explore nearby

Ukko-Koli eastern slope trails

343 m

Mäkrän Kierto

246 m

Free

Kolinuuron Circuit

350 m

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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 TrailsShepherd's Path