Matkalampi Trail is a medium-length forest route in Liperi’s Kinttupolut network (about 65 km across seven linked circuits east of Joensuu). The City of Liperi maintains maps, GPX files, rest-area details, and rule updates for the whole system on its Kinttupolut pages. Visit North Karelia describes Matkalampi Trail...
City of Liperi – Kinttupolut+
Description
Matkalampi Trail is a medium-length forest route in Liperi’s Kinttupolut network (about 65 km across seven linked circuits east of Joensuu). The City of Liperi maintains maps, GPX files, rest-area details, and rule updates for the whole system on its Kinttupolut pages. Visit North Karelia describes Matkalampi Trail as one of the prettiest needle-carpet sections of the network, with shoreline walking at Sompalampi and a highlight in the Kotisalo nature reserve beside Lake Hovatta. Metsähallitus also lists the route on Luontoon.fi for national outdoor planning. The trail is about 15.7 km long as mapped here. It is a point-to-point line through forest and local roads, not a closed loop. Markers in the field are blue. Early on you reach Vaaralammen kota, a hut with a fireplace and firewood—about 4 km from a typical start—where Kinttupolut / Pahakala Trail meets the same rest point; dry toilets and an info board are part of the city’s published service list. Farther along, Sompalammen laavu sits near Matkalammentie with a lean-to, fireplace, and firewood; Kinttupolut / Jyri Trail and the mountain-bike line along Matkalampi share this junction, so expect cyclists and runners as well as hikers. Between these shelters the path threads mixed needle forest, old track beds, and short gravel connectors on Matkalammentie and Vaiviontie as the municipality describes. Near Ylämylly the line passes Honkalampi’s school and recreation cluster—tennis, ball fields, and the local sports park—where Honkalammen valaistu kuntorata also runs—before finishing at Honkalammen uimaranta on Honkaranta, a swimming beach with space to cool off after the kilometres. Kotisalo’s paths around Hovatta add a quieter stretch with old pines, a small swimming jetty, and berries in good seasons; a short video introduction to the reserve is linked from Visit North Karelia’s page. Liperi lies in North Karelia; Ylämylly has shops and cafés within easy reach of the trail.
Length & route
The trail is about 15.7 km. Tourism materials often round the same line to roughly 15.8–16 km. Expect forest paths and old track beds with a few kilometres on gravel roads (Matkalammentie, Vaiviontie). Visit North Karelia quotes on the order of 250 m of ascent and descent, a high point near 120 m and a low near 84 m on their profile, and classifies the outing as moderate overall with mostly easy footing aside from some rocky steps. Wet weather makes roots and stone tread slippery.
Getting there
By car from Joensuu, drive Highway 9 toward Kuopio for about 13 km, exit at the Ylämylly junction, and choose one of the signed Kinttupolut car parks. The City of Liperi lists Honkalampi beach (Ylämylly) and Sompalampi on Matkalammentie as primary start points for Matkalampi Trail, both with free parking, dry toilets, and info boards; Sompalampi adds a campfire site. Honkalammen uimaranta uses address Honkaranta 2e. Pärnävaara outdoor centre (Urheilutie 5A) is another regional hub with parking and services, a few kilometres from Matkalampi depending on which link you walk. Regular buses run from Joensuu to Ylämylly; the stop area is within about a kilometre of the trail—check current timetables with Joensuu region public transport.
Good to know
Dogs are allowed on a leash; horses are not allowed on marked Kinttupolut routes. Light campfires only at signed sites, with firewood supplied at listed kota and laavu locations unless temporarily depleted after busy weekends. Trails cross forestry and hunting land—respect logging, hunting seasons, and temporary detours. In October 2025 the City of Liperi noted forest work at Pärnävaara that required avoiding parts of Surmilampi Trail and Heinälampi Trail near the lit ski trail; check the city page before combining branches. Mountain biking the wider network requires skills and a suitable bike; walking needs basic outdoor skills. Riding or walking on groomed ski trails in winter is prohibited except where signed winter connectors meet the ski corridor.
History
The Kotisalo nature reserve beside Lake Hovatta, which Matkalampi Trail crosses, was established with support from Luonnonperintösäätiö, private donors, and companies; Visit North Karelia highlights its old-growth pine stands and quiet atmosphere.
Marked two-way; primary starts are Honkalampi beach and Sompalampi per the City of Liperi. You can link onward to Kinttupolut / Pahakala Trail at Vaaralammen kota and to Kinttupolut / Jyri Trail at Sompalammen laavu.
Route direction
Blue paint marks and junction boards; spacing is wider on short gravel road sections but the line stays visible.
Route Signs
Dogs (On Leash)
Dogs
Open / Good Condition
Open / Good Condition
City of Liperi – Kinttupolut+
Activities allowed
Run
Activity
Hike / Walk
Activity
Bike
Activity
Terrain & conditions
15.7 km
Distance
About 2–4 hours of steady walking for the full distance, or longer with breaks at Vaaralammen kota, Sompalammen laavu, Kotisalo, and Honkalammen beach.
Est. Time
Needle-carpet forest paths, ski-track bases, cart tracks, short rocky ridge sections, and gravel road connectors; some stone steps near Kotisalo.
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Answers to your questions
Our data was researched from Liperi, 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.
Short presentation on Kotisalo nature reserve establishment and scenery at Lake Hovatta, linked from Visit North Karelia’s Matkalampi page.
Description
Matkalampi Trail is a medium-length forest route in Liperi’s Kinttupolut network (about 65 km across seven linked circuits east of Joensuu). The City of Liperi maintains maps, GPX files, rest-area details, and rule updates for the whole system on its Kinttupolut pages. Visit North Karelia describes Matkalampi Trail...
City of Liperi – Kinttupolut+
Description
Matkalampi Trail is a medium-length forest route in Liperi’s Kinttupolut network (about 65 km across seven linked circuits east of Joensuu). The City of Liperi maintains maps, GPX files, rest-area details, and rule updates for the whole system on its Kinttupolut pages. Visit North Karelia describes Matkalampi Trail as one of the prettiest needle-carpet sections of the network, with shoreline walking at Sompalampi and a highlight in the Kotisalo nature reserve beside Lake Hovatta. Metsähallitus also lists the route on Luontoon.fi for national outdoor planning. The trail is about 15.7 km long as mapped here. It is a point-to-point line through forest and local roads, not a closed loop. Markers in the field are blue. Early on you reach Vaaralammen kota, a hut with a fireplace and firewood—about 4 km from a typical start—where Kinttupolut / Pahakala Trail meets the same rest point; dry toilets and an info board are part of the city’s published service list. Farther along, Sompalammen laavu sits near Matkalammentie with a lean-to, fireplace, and firewood; Kinttupolut / Jyri Trail and the mountain-bike line along Matkalampi share this junction, so expect cyclists and runners as well as hikers. Between these shelters the path threads mixed needle forest, old track beds, and short gravel connectors on Matkalammentie and Vaiviontie as the municipality describes. Near Ylämylly the line passes Honkalampi’s school and recreation cluster—tennis, ball fields, and the local sports park—where Honkalammen valaistu kuntorata also runs—before finishing at Honkalammen uimaranta on Honkaranta, a swimming beach with space to cool off after the kilometres. Kotisalo’s paths around Hovatta add a quieter stretch with old pines, a small swimming jetty, and berries in good seasons; a short video introduction to the reserve is linked from Visit North Karelia’s page. Liperi lies in North Karelia; Ylämylly has shops and cafés within easy reach of the trail.
Length & route
The trail is about 15.7 km. Tourism materials often round the same line to roughly 15.8–16 km. Expect forest paths and old track beds with a few kilometres on gravel roads (Matkalammentie, Vaiviontie). Visit North Karelia quotes on the order of 250 m of ascent and descent, a high point near 120 m and a low near 84 m on their profile, and classifies the outing as moderate overall with mostly easy footing aside from some rocky steps. Wet weather makes roots and stone tread slippery.
Getting there
By car from Joensuu, drive Highway 9 toward Kuopio for about 13 km, exit at the Ylämylly junction, and choose one of the signed Kinttupolut car parks. The City of Liperi lists Honkalampi beach (Ylämylly) and Sompalampi on Matkalammentie as primary start points for Matkalampi Trail, both with free parking, dry toilets, and info boards; Sompalampi adds a campfire site. Honkalammen uimaranta uses address Honkaranta 2e. Pärnävaara outdoor centre (Urheilutie 5A) is another regional hub with parking and services, a few kilometres from Matkalampi depending on which link you walk. Regular buses run from Joensuu to Ylämylly; the stop area is within about a kilometre of the trail—check current timetables with Joensuu region public transport.
Good to know
Dogs are allowed on a leash; horses are not allowed on marked Kinttupolut routes. Light campfires only at signed sites, with firewood supplied at listed kota and laavu locations unless temporarily depleted after busy weekends. Trails cross forestry and hunting land—respect logging, hunting seasons, and temporary detours. In October 2025 the City of Liperi noted forest work at Pärnävaara that required avoiding parts of Surmilampi Trail and Heinälampi Trail near the lit ski trail; check the city page before combining branches. Mountain biking the wider network requires skills and a suitable bike; walking needs basic outdoor skills. Riding or walking on groomed ski trails in winter is prohibited except where signed winter connectors meet the ski corridor.
History
The Kotisalo nature reserve beside Lake Hovatta, which Matkalampi Trail crosses, was established with support from Luonnonperintösäätiö, private donors, and companies; Visit North Karelia highlights its old-growth pine stands and quiet atmosphere.
Marked two-way; primary starts are Honkalampi beach and Sompalampi per the City of Liperi. You can link onward to Kinttupolut / Pahakala Trail at Vaaralammen kota and to Kinttupolut / Jyri Trail at Sompalammen laavu.
Route direction
Blue paint marks and junction boards; spacing is wider on short gravel road sections but the line stays visible.
About 2–4 hours of steady walking for the full distance, or longer with breaks at Vaaralammen kota, Sompalammen laavu, Kotisalo, and Honkalammen beach.
Est. Time
Needle-carpet forest paths, ski-track bases, cart tracks, short rocky ridge sections, and gravel road connectors; some stone steps near Kotisalo.
Be the first to write a review for "Matkalampi Trail (Kinttupolut)"
Share a photo from a recent trip
Answers to your questions
Our data was researched from Liperi, 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.