Nurmes Hiking Trails

For trail facts and map context, Metsähallitus lists this route on Luontoon.fi as Joukonpolku ja Hyvän mielen polku in Nurmes(1). Visit Bomba describes the shore walk from Vajatie to the Vinkerlahti bird tower, parking shared with the small-boat harbour and Tyttöjen puisto, and views over Puu-Nurmes and the harbour—aimed at all walkers including families(2). An autumn trip account on Maailman äärellä praises the short walk for big shoreline scenery after the drive to Bomba country(3). The trail is about 0.5 km on our map along Vinkerlahti to the bird tower; walking back along the same line is a gentle outing on the order of a kilometre round trip(2). The tower is a natural turnaround: bring a warm drink or a picnic to pause upstairs while you scan the bay—binoculars help if you want a closer look at waterbirds(2)(3). Winter trail layers nearby include Kevätjääladut spring ice ski tracks and the Nurmeksen taajamaan moottorikelkkaura snowmobile corridor, which meet the Vajatie shoreline zone close to where this walk begins, so expect occasional winter motor and ski traffic in the wider harbour area even though this short footpath stays a calm stroll. Toward the route end, the line passes close to Nurmeskodin seniorikuntosali on Esantie—handy landmark if you are linking a town errand with the tower outing.

Kukonlammi Loop is about 3.7 km of hiking on the Mujejärvi trail network in Nurmes, North Karelia—a compact ring over Kukonsärkän esker named for Kukonlammi pond. Metsähallitus publishes network information for the conservation area on Luontoon.fi(1). Visit Karelia describes driving directions to Hiltuslahti parking, free parking, orange over red-and-black trail markings, slippery boardwalks in wet weather, berry and mushroom picking for personal use on the reserve, and safety reminders about fire and emergency calls(2). The usual start is Hiltuslahti parkkipaikka, where Hiltuslahti tulentekopaikka sits right beside the lot and a dry toilet is a few steps away. You climb quickly onto Kukonsärkän ridge; the crest stays high above surrounding mires in places, with a short dip over wetlands and bridges before resuming on the ridge. Retkipaikka’s illustrated Tetrijärvi report notes that after roughly two kilometres on the longer Tetrijärven kierros, a junction offers the shorter Kukonlammi option that turns back west past Kukonlammi while the main trail continues north; that report also warns of narrow, wet duckboards and many windthrows in recent seasons, so sturdy boots help(3). Toward the end of the ring you pass Murtolahti laavu with Murtolahti laavu tulentekopaikka and a dry toilet (Murtolahti laavu kuivakäymälä) near the shore—natural stops before closing the loop back toward Hiltuslahti. If you want a longer day, the same trailhead links to Tetrijärven kierros and the wider Mujejärvi reitti toward laavus and parking elsewhere on the lake system(2). The Näitä polkuja tallaan hiking diary from midsummer underlines how quiet the Tetrijärvi circuit feels and recommends insect protection in still forest air(4). Nurmes lies in North Karelia between major population centres; the Mujejärvi area sits toward Kuhmo along highway 75.

The Mujejärvi Trail is about 24.1 km point-to-point through the Mujejärvi recreation and nature reserve north of Nurmes in North Karelia. Metsähallitus publishes the authoritative route page on Luontoon.fi(1). The route starts from Uuronrotko parkkipaikka and soon reaches Uuronrotko laavu and Uuronrotko tulentekopaikka along the Uuronrotko gorge landscape. Via Karelia describes Uuronrotko as a steep western gorge cutting the area, with most other scenery a mosaic of rocky ridges, glacial landforms, and small dark forest lakes such as Mujejärvi and Tetrijärvi(3). Trek – N- Paws quotes Luontoon’s portrait of the gorge path running mainly on the rim through old forest, with big views from the edge and a descent to the laavu by a small pond—worth reading before you go(4). After about 6.6 km you pass Peurakangas parkkipaikka and Peurakangas kaivo. Around 8.5 km the line reaches Tammikämppä autiotupa - Kivilampi with Tammikämppä tulentekopaikka and Tammikämppä kaivo— a good halfway-style break with reservable wilderness hut character on the shore of Kivilampi. Mujeniemi laavu, Mujeniemi tulentekopaikka, and a dry-toilet cluster at Mujeniemi follow near the Mujeniemi peninsula scenery roughly two kilometres farther. Near 12.8 km you come to Murtolahti laavu and Murtolahti laavu tulentekopaikka on the bay. From this cluster you can shorten the day by joining Tetrijärven kierros or Kukonlammen kierros on shared trail sections, or continue on the long traverse past Talvilahti parkkipaikka and Talvilahti kaivo. Visit Karelia’s description of the Tetrijärven kierros loop highlights mire boardwalks whose colours swing from summer green to autumn ruska, old moss-carpeted spruce stands, and quiet dark-lake views typical of the wider Mujejärvi network(2). Berry and mushroom picking for personal use is allowed in the protected landscape as local guidance summarises(2). Beyond Talvilahti the route passes TETRIJÄRVI eräkämppä at the rental cabin corner of Lake Tetrijärvi, then Teerilaavu and Teerilaavu tulentekopaikka above the eastern lakeshore. A late swing revisits Talvilahti tulentekopaikat before finishing near Hiltuslahti tulentekopaikka and Hiltuslahti parkkipaikka. Dry toilets are placed near several shelters along the way. Parking at the main lots is described as free on regional guidance for the Tetrijärven kierros trailheads at Hiltuslahti and Talvilahti(2); driving directions from Nurmes toward Kuhmo on road 75 are signposted to Mujejärvi access roads(2)(3). Expect slippery boardwalks after rain(2). No suitable trail-only overview video met the quality bar after dedicated YouTube searches.

Mäntyjärvi Lake circuit is about 8 km of marked hiking through pine heath, mires, and lakeland around Mäntyjärvi in the Peurajärvi recreation area. The trail sits in northern Nurmes, North Karelia, on the Nurmes–Kuhmo road corridor, and ties into a wider network that includes a second lake loop and a link toward Hiidenportti National Park. Visit Karelia publishes the main feature page with step-by-step route instructions, suggested direction, safety reminders, fishing permits, and parking notes(1). Metsähallitus lists opening hours, structure facts, and fire-making rules for Mäntyjärven laavu on Luontoon.fi(2). The first stretch follows the same path as Iso-Valkeisen kierto for roughly one kilometre to Mäntyjärven laavu. From the lean-to on a long sandy beach bluff, the recommended direction is counter-clockwise along the east shore, past the north end where a side trail branches toward Hiidenportti National Park, then back along the west shore across the narrow isthmus between Peurajärvi and Mäntyjärvi. Marking is an orange circle on signposts(1). That same page classifies the outing as physically demanding on its checklist even though the climb is modest—about 6 m up and down between roughly 150 m and 170 m elevation on their figures—so allow time for duckboards and lake views(1). Via Karelia describes Peurajärvi as a compact family destination with clear lakes, short round trips, rental cabins, rowboats, and overnight options at lean-tos and kota shelters around Iso-Valkeinen and Mäntyjärvi(3). About 2.4 km into the circuit you pass Käärmesärkkä pysäköintalue and Käärmesärkkä kuivakäymälä—this is the natural junction for Peurajärvi reitti and the spur that continues toward Hiidenportin kansallispuiston retkeilypolku. Further along Mäntyjärvi shore near 6 km you reach Mäntyjärven laavu together with Mäntyjärvi kuivakäymälä, Mäntyjärvi tulentekopaikka Nurmes, and Mäntyjärvi kaivo for water. PEURAJÄRVI ISO-HIRVAS savottakämppä sits slightly inland on the shared segment with Peurajärvi reitti. The Iso-Valkeinen shore segment clusters Iso-Valkeinen niemi kuivakäymälä, Iso-Valkeisen niemen kota, Iso-Valkeinen tulentekopaikka 1, Iso-Valkeinen tulentekopaikka 2, Iso-Valkeinen kuivakäymälä, and Iso-Valkeisen infopisteen kota—handy for lunch, shelter, and fire rings. Near the south end, Urtti-Valkeinen kuivakäymälä and Urtti-Valkeinen tulentekopaikka round out the meal-stop options. Dry toilets sit close to these shelters; plan for typical backcountry cleanliness. If you want a shorter second loop on another lake, Iso-Valkeisen kierto branches from the same main trail system. Retkiseikkailu also indexes the Peurajärvi trails together with the 2 km connector toward Hiidenportti when you need a quick map of how the paths fit(4).

For closures, route-specific notes, and the official trail description, start with the Talonpojan taival page on Luontoon.fi(1). The trail is about 29 km as one continuous hiking line in Nurmes and the wider Upper Karelia–Kainuu countryside. Many published guides describe the classic long-distance Talonpojan taival from Valtimo’s Puukari area toward Peurajärvi at roughly 45 km; use Luontoon.fi and local service pages if you are planning that full corridor(1). Retkipaikka’s Hiidenportti guide places Talonpojan taival at about 45 km and notes it begins near Puukarin pysäkki, with the national park’s main services and lean-tos tied into the same landscape(2). North Karelia is known for lake-and-forest hiking; Nurmes lies in the Pielinen catchment. On this segment, the terrain moves through forested hills and links into Hiidenportti National Park’s trail network. Retkipaikka describes Hiidenportti as a quiet backcountry park crowned by a rocky gorge with dark forest lakes, with reindeer lichen heaths and pine mires around the ravine and large carnivores and forest reindeer possible in the wider area(2). About 20 km along the route you reach Murtovaara Tammitupa Autiotupa and Allaslahden laavu, where the route meets Hiidenportin kansallispuiston retkeilypolku. The same sector offers a lean-to and dry-toilet facilities near Allaslahden laavu for comfortable breaks. Palolampi and other Hiidenportti trailheads on connecting routes carry parking, cooking shelters, and campfire spots described in Retkipaikka’s park overview(2). Near Murtovaara, Murtovaaran talomuseo preserves Finland’s only vaara hill-farm museum; the museum’s history pages describe mäkitupa settlement from the 1840s to the 1980s and the building stock visitors see today(3). At the Nurmes end of the line, Puukarin kuntopolut and Puukarin ladut share the Puukari outdoor area with winter ski tracks and a snowmobile connector—useful if you arrive by car for a short add-on or a winter approach when conditions suit(2).

The Tetrijärvi Loop is about 9.2 km of marked circle walking through the Mujejärvi nature reserve north of Nurmes in North Karelia, threading forested ridges, spruce stands, and lakeshore mire with long stretches of duckboards beside Tetrijärvi. Visit Karelia hosts the main trail page with driving directions, timing, official difficulty class, and safety reminders for boardwalks in wet weather(1). Metsähallitus presents the wider Mujejärvi hiking corridor on Luontoon.fi(2), and Via Karelia sketches how the reserve sits in the regional landscape(3). Most hikers start at either Hiltuslahti parkkipaikka or Talvilahti parkkipaikka (both have campfire corners nearby: Hiltuslahti tulentekopaikka and Talvilahti tulentekopaikka). From Hiltuslahti the route soon climbs the Kukonsärkä esker ridge above dwarf-pine bogs, then crosses open mire on duckboards before dropping toward Tetrijärvi. About two kilometres along, the path meets the shorter Kukonlammen kierros—handy if you want a smaller loop on the same ridge line. At roughly the midpoint, Teerilaavu, Teerilaavu tulentekopaikka, and a small Tetrijärvi shoreline make a natural lunch stop; read more on our Teerilaavu page for the shelter itself. Dry toilets are available near shelters without calling each one out by name. Past Teerilaavu the trail hugs the north shore toward TETRIJÄRVI eräkämppä (rental wilderness cabin at the north end of the lake), then swings south past Talvilahti parkkipaikka and Talvilahti kaivo to close the circle back toward Hiltuslahti, still within the same 30 km Mujejärvi trail network Visit Karelia describes(1). Earlier on the western side, Murtolahti laavu and Murtolahti laavu tulentekopaikka sit in the Murtolahti bay cluster a little under a kilometre from Talvilahti—easy to reach if you begin from that parking field. The long Mujejärvi Trail shares these breakpoints if you want to extend onto a point-to-point traverse. Luontopolkumies adds on-the-ground detail on orange paint markings, boardwalk quirks, and how quietly trafficked the loop can feel outside peak weekends on Retkipaikka(4). Berry and mushroom picking for your own use is allowed in the protected area according to regional guidance(1). Pack insect protection in summer(1). Expect limited mobile coverage in places(1). Respect fire instructions: open fire is forbidden during wildfire warnings and in strong wind(1).

For route directions, the clockwise marking system, safety reminders, and the demanding difficulty rating Visit Karelia publishes for this loop, see their Iso-Valkeinen trail page(1). Via Karelia summarises Peurajärvi recreation forest as a compact family-friendly lake and ridge destination with two main ring hikes and links toward Paistinvaara old-growth and longer trail networks(2). Luontopolkumies Mika Markkanen’s walk on Retkipaikka adds practical pacing—where the path overlaps Mäntyjärvi loop, how the orange paint marks read on the ground, and why the short climb toward Kärnänkivi feels steeper than the main circuit(3). The trail is about 5.9 km as a loop on forested ridges and lake shores in the Peurajärvi area on the Nurmes and Sotkamo boundary in North Karelia. Early on you follow the southwest shore of Iso-Valkeinen past PEURAJÄRVI ISO-HIRVAS savottakämppä, then the peninsula neck where Iso-Valkeisen niemen kota sits with Iso-Valkeinen tulentekopaikka 1, Iso-Valkeinen tulentekopaikka 2, and the Iso-Valkeisen infopisteen kota gathering space—dry toilets are available near the kota and info point without needing to hop between each structure by name. Around two kilometres along, Urtti-Valkeinen tulentekopaikka gives a sheltered campfire pause beside Urtti-Valkeinen. On the east shore, Iso-Valkeinen Itäranta tulentekopaikka marks a logical snack stop before the trail swings north toward Mäntyjärvi. Near kilometre five the route meets Mäntyjärven laavu, Mäntyjärvi tulentekopaikka Nurmes, and Mäntyjärvi kaivo—handy if you refill water or want a swim-friendly sand beach a few steps from the shelter. From that junction you can extend the day on Mäntyjärven kierto or stitch in longer distances on Peurajärvi reitti if you want a bigger tour of the same lake system. Optional side-trip markers point toward Paistinvaaran vanhojen metsien suojelualue and the balancing Kärnänkivi erratic; Visit Karelia budgets roughly 1.6 km return to the rock from the branch(1). Expect sections of duckboards and wooden bridges over wet ground plus exposed footing where roots and stones concentrate on the spur(1)(3).

Raesärkkä trails are about 4.8 km of hiking through the Raesärkkä ridge and lake mosaic south of Nurmes in North Karelia, following an old cart track on the open ridge and dropping toward forest and lake shores at the south end. The area is a popular day-trip destination: Via Karelia describes the setting as rolling esker scenery with calm mires, river bends, and older forest in between the ridges(1). For the statutory Natura 2000 boundaries, habitat types, and how the site is zoned into protection forest and recreation forest, see the Finnish Environment Institute’s Raesärkkä site page(2). Retkipaikka’s on-the-ground report by Luontopolkumies gives a practical feel for the wide crest path, named rest benches, and how an optional Iso-Raejärvi loop can stretch the day to about 10 km with duckboards and quieter lakeside paths(3). Visit Bomba notes short spacing between rest spots that suits families and adds that the trails also work for mountain biking(4). Along the about 4.8 km spine, about 2.2 km from the northern end you reach the Iso-Raejärvi kuivakäymälä and Iso-Raejärvi tammi tulentekopaikka beside the Iso-Raejärvi shore—handy for a break before the trail continues toward the Ahven-Valkeinen end. In the last kilometre the route passes Ahven-Valkeinen kuivakäymälä, Ahven-Valkeinen tulentekopaikka, Ahven-valkeinen kuivakäymälä 2, and Ahven-valkeinen tulentekopaikka 2 around the Ahven-Valkeinen shore; Retkipaikka describes a shelter with woodshed, table, fire ring, and a boardwalk to the pond here(3). Raesärkkä pysäköintialue sits at the southern end of the mapped line and matches the main car access from highway 75 described for the area(1)(3). Stay on marked routes in the protected part of the esker; Via Karelia reminds visitors that there is no dedicated ring trail through the whole site, only a through-hiking line on the old track bed(1). Nurmes lies on the north–south highway linking Kuopio and Kuhmo; Raesärkkä is west of the centre toward Kuopio with signed turnoffs from road 75(1). North Karelia as a whole is known for lake and esker scenery—this pocket by Iso-Raejärvi and Ahven-Valkeinen is a compact sample.