North Savo Hiking Trails

Patalahti birdwatching tower trail is an easy nature walk around a reed-fringed bay in the Maaninka area of Kuopio, North Savo. For contacts, addresses, and the city’s own description of the towers and shoreline path, start with the City of Kuopio’s Patalahti trail pages(1). HelloKuopio packages the same access tips and background for visitors exploring the Maaninka district(2). The trail is about 4.8 km end to end. It follows the edge of Patalahti, a shallow bay at the northwest end of Maaninkajärvi that has been restored by dredging and raising the water level—an internationally important bird habitat within the Natura network and national bird-wetland programmes, as summarised by the city and regional tourism pages(1)(2). Within the first kilometre you reach Patalahden Laavu Länsi and Patalahden lintutorni länsi; further along, Patalahden lintutorni pohj sits deeper in the reed and forest margin. Toward the closing section of the circuit you pass Patalahden Laavu and Patalahden lintutorni itä, with Patalahden parkkipaikka beside Pielavedentie where most people leave their car and read the roadside information board. Species and seasonality at Patalahti and nearby Patajärvi are documented in detail by Lintuyhdistys Kuikka, including reed-bed breeders, migrants, and notable records from the towers(4). Retkipaikka’s field write-up from a September evening adds useful ground-level detail: solid bridges across open ditches, careful carpentry at the laavu, and a reminder to wear rubber boots when wet weather soaks the grass alongside the path(3). Kuopio maintains the area’s outdoor infrastructure; Maaninka lies northwest of the centre along highway 77. If you are planning a longer North Savo birding day, combine this outing with other Maaninka-area sites only after checking the latest guidance from the land manager(1).

The Paloisvuori–Saunaniemi forest nature trail is about 5 km of hiking between the Paloisvuori ridge and the Saunaniemi shore south of Iisalmi in North Savo. Iisalmen kaupunki describes the route as a 22-checkpoint nature trail with the start point and guidance from Nouvanlahden parkkipaikka, and links a printable route map PDF from the same outdoor hub(1). The same recreation area appears on Luontoon.fi for map browsing alongside other Paloisvuori trails and services(2). Suomi.fi’s service point for the area repeats the ridge setting and lists field phone numbers if you need maintenance or access questions while planning(3). The trail is not a closed loop. From the Nouvanlahti end you quickly pass Iisalmen kuntopolku parkkipaikka and approach the Paloisvuori slope cluster: Paloisvuoren Parkkipaikka and Paloisvuori Parking give alternative access, while Paloisvuoren laavu, Paloisvuoren puolikota, Paloisvuoren kuntotelineet, Paloisvuoren portaat and Paloisvuoren lintutorni sit within a short walk of one another on the hillside. The city’s outdoor copy calls the long fitness staircase the “Menestyksen kuntoportaat”: about 125 m of ascent with a 25 m height gain and 161 steps, opened in 2018 for general training use. Further along the line, Nouvanlahden retkisatama marks the lake connection toward Nouvanlahti. Approaching Saunaniemi you pass Saunaniemi WC, Saunaniemen kota and Saunaniemen retkisatama; Saunaniemi Parking and Saunaniemen parkkipaikka support car access at the shore end, and Saunaniemen ulkokuntoilu paikka adds outdoor exercise equipment near the return leg. Dry toilets are available at the kota area rather than as standalone named stops in the narrative. The route stitches into a much larger network: the same ridge hosts Paloisvuoren-Saunaniemen koira-/sauvakävelypolku, Iisalmen opastettu kuntopolku, lit ski circuits, mountain-bike lines and boat-oriented connections—useful if you want to extend a day after the nature loop. Iisalmen kaupunki requires dogs to stay on leash on Paloisvuori routes; respect other users on shared corridors.

Urkin poloku is a long point-to-point hiking trail in North Savo. The start lies in the municipality of Pielavesi and the Korkeakoski finish is in Kuopio. Pielaveden kunta maintains the route and publishes maps, updates, and contact details on its outdoor recreation pages(1). The same trail is listed on Luontoon.fi(2). Visit Savo describes the overall visitor experience for the region(3). The trail is about 23.9 km from the Lepikon torppa start area toward Korkeakoski. It begins at parking beside Urkin poloku Parkkipaikka; dry toilets sit a few metres along the path. Within the first few kilometres you reach Arkkuvuoren laavu, then another parking area (Urkin poloku Parking) for drivers joining mid-route. The middle section passes Urkin poloku pysäköintialue and the Pajuskylän kota cluster with Pajuskylän WC nearby—natural places to pause, grill, or plan an overnight in the kota setting. Further on, Kesälahden laavu offers another sheltered stop before the line approaches Korkeakoski. At the Korkeakoski end you meet Finland’s highest free-falling waterfall and can continue onto Kanjonin kierros, which includes Kanjonin laavu and Kanjonin nuotiopaikka on its own circuit. In winter the corridor overlaps Moottorikelkkareitti Pielavesi-Jylänki where the geometries coincide—keep clear of snowmobile traffic when that route is active. A rural development project between 2019 and 2021 renewed duckboards, firewood storage, laavu and eco-toilet facilities, and added sensory boards and cultural interpretation along the line(4). Allow most of a day for the full distance; terrain mixes forest paths, village connections, and lakeshore near Tuovilanlahti as described by the municipality and regional tourism pages(1)(3).

For maps, lean-to information, and the latest maintenance notes, start with the City of Kuopio’s Vehmeri nature trail page(1). The same route is summarised on Liikkuva Kuopio with land-management contact details(3). The Vehmeri nature trail is about 4 km as one point-to-point walk through Vehmersalmi, part of Kuopio in North Savo. The City of Kuopio built the path on private land under agreements with landowners(1)(3). From the village edge you move through pine forest on paths and short roadside sections. More than a kilometre of the route follows lake shore near Rantarinne toward Luukaarteen laavu, with nature trail boards about Ice Age traces, changing forest habitats, and woodland wildlife(1)(3). Near the start the path passes the Vehmersalmen Majakan urheilualue cluster—tennis, ice rink, disc golf course, and Vehmersalmen kirkonkylän hiihtomaa sit beside the same recreation area—before the route turns toward the lean-to. About a kilometre before the shelter you reach Luukaarteen laavu, which has a woodshed, waste point, dry toilet, and information board; in winter it doubles as a rest stop for skiers and snowmobilers using nearby Vehmersalmen hiihtoladut, Vehmersalmen jääladut, and the wider snowmobile network(1)(3). Past the laavu the surroundings open toward Helin Tallin ratsastuskenttä and Helin Tallin maneesi along Lempelänniementie—handy context if you combine a short hike with local riding or events. Luontopolkumies notes blue paint marks that are easy to follow, a short climb past Luuvuori’s ancient shoreline, and overall terrain that suits most walkers in ordinary trainers when conditions are dry(2).

The Paimensaari Trail is about 2.2 km as one walking segment on Paimensaari, a heritage farm island in Lake Suvasvesi south of Tuusniemi, North Savo. The island sits on the Heinävesi boating route in a sheltered archipelago; most people reach it by boat or kayak, then walk the path locally called Paimenpolku that threads the meadows and forest between the landing area and the historic farmstead in the south. For route and outdoor destination information, Metsähallitus publishes this trail on Luontoon.fi(1). The City of Tuusniemi explains access, year-round opening, free visits, and contact numbers on its Paimensaari page(2). Visit Tuusniemi highlights the island for paddlers and boaters and summarises the siblings’ self-sufficient farm story and the rebuilt paths and signs(3). At the northwest landing you find the retkisatama area: Paimensaari kiinnityspaikka 1 and Paimensaari kiinnityspaikka 2 for boats, Paimensaari tulentekopaikka with firewood noted in harbour listings, Paimensaari telttailualue for tents, and a dry toilet within a short walk. About 2 km from the landing toward the farm end you reach the water points Paimensaari pihakaivo and Paimensaari navetankaivo and the Paimensaari savusauna smoke sauna beside the preserved barn and yard—buildings visible from the trail but not open for self-guided entry(2)(3). The terrain mixes open meadow, pine forest, and patches of richer deciduous woodland; grazing sheep maintain the traditional landscape and often meet walkers on the paths(4)(5). Independent paddling accounts praise how the place reveals itself once you leave the fenced harbour pocket: stone cairns on the hayfield, the quiet of the old yard, and the contrast between open niitty and shaded shoreline make the island a memorable stop on Suvasvesi circuits(5). Harbour guidance adds a strict dog rule: do not take dogs beyond the harbour fenced area because sheep roam freely, with signs on site(4). Tuusniemi lies in North Savo.

Puijo nature trails are a marked hiking network on Puijo hill in Kuopio, a few kilometres from the market square. About 200 hectares of forest here are protected, and most of the woodland is also part of the EU Natura 2000 network. Kuopion kaupunki describes the three main summer loops—Puijon polku, Konttilan kierros, and Kokonmäen kierros—and the Ylä-Antikkalan and Puijonnokka lean-tos on its Puijo page(1). Hello Kuopio summarises parking, colours, and how the loops connect for visitors planning a day on the hill(2). Puijo Peak outlines themed and accessible routes around the summit, tower, and ski area, including the short accessible circuits near Puijo Maja(3). The trail on our map is about 6.6 km as one continuous line through this network. The three principal loops are each roughly two kilometres: Puijon polku (about 2 km, marked blue) crosses the old nature reserve with interpretation boards on nature, ski-jumping history, towers, and local culture, with start options at the end of Puijonrinteentie and on the summit. Konttilan kierros (about 2.3 km, marked red) visits old-growth forest and the Konttila heritage farm setting. Kokonmäen kierros (about 2 km, marked green) runs along the east flank of Kokonmäki and can be started from Konttila or from the foot of the Antikkala ski slope. Expect strong height differences on the blue and green loops—often over 100 metres cumulative—so some sections feel demanding. Along the line you pass Antikkalan tukkipatteri and Antikkalan rekkitangot near the top of Antikkalantie, Ylä-Antikkalan laavu a short way into the forest from the slope area, Puijon kuntoilukatos and Puijon portaat on the sports side of the hill, and Puijon näkötorni with views over Lake Kallavesi. The route also skirts Puijo DiscGolf, winter jump hills, and playing fields in Puijonlaakso before turning toward Otsolan miekkailusali—useful landmarks when you picture how urban fringe and forest alternate on Puijo. In the same area, Puijon maastopyöräreitit and Puijo Ladut share paths and facilities with hikers in different seasons; Kuopion pyöräilyreitit links into the wider city cycling network where geometries meet. For opening hours of the tower, firewood rules at lean-tos, and any maintenance notices, check Kuopion kaupunki(1).

For access rules, fire-making, and other up-to-date requirements in Tiilikkajärvi National Park, start with Luontoon.fi(1). The Will-o'-the-wisp Trail is about 18.1 km as one hiking line between Tiilikkajärvi National Park and Nuorisokeskus Metsäkartano in Rautavaara, North Savo. Seura describes the name from marsh gas lights (will-o'-the-wisps) over open mire at Löyty and Maansuo, and the Pumpulikirkko kettle opening along the way(2). Independent trip writing on Mtbfin notes soft mire, duckboards in varying repair, and rougher ground around Pumpulikirkko(3). Retkipaikka’s Pumpulikirkko article adds detail on the canyon and kettle geology and reminds visitors that the site lies within national-park rules(4). Rautavaara lies in North Savo east of the regional centre. About 10.5 km along the route, the Sammakkotammi pysäköintialue parking area sits near Tiilikkajärvi Sammakkotammi varaustupa, puuliiteri,varasto (bookable wilderness hut with wood shed and storage), Sammakkotammi tulentekopaikka, Sammakkojärvi sahi kiinnityspaikka, and Sammakkotammi kuivakäymälä—this is the main service cluster where Virvatulten polku meets Uiton kierto and Tiilikan kierto, with Venäjänhiekka camping and campfire places on those loops. Further on, Yrttilampi tulentekopaikka and Yrttilampi kuivakäymälä sit near the junction with Pumpulikirkon reitit. Near the Metsäkartano end, Metsäkartanon nuorisokeskuksen uimapaikka, Metsäkartanon frisbeegolfrata, Metsäkartanon liikuntasali, and Metsäkartanon kuntosali line the last kilometres before Konttimäki pysäköintialue at the route end. Dry toilets are available at the hut and mire stops, which makes a long day more comfortable. Treat Luontoon.fi as the place to confirm seasonal restrictions and any changes to structures before you walk(1).

Pökösenmäen patteripolku is a hiking route in Ranta-Toivala, a short drive north of Kuopio. The trail is about 5 km end to end on our map and visits earthworks and other sites linked to the Finnish War period; the City of Kuopio describes shorter alternatives of about 2 and 3 km in the same network, maintained by the Ranta-Toivala village committee together with the longer option(1). The same route is listed on Luontoon.fi for national outdoor planning(2). From the Halmejoki starting area you pass Halmejoen nuotiopaikka almost immediately, then Halmejoen rantautumispaikka where paddlers can land by the river. The route finishes near Ranta-Toivalan rantautumispaikka, a second canoe landing closer to open water—handy if you combine walking with a short paddle. The shared Halmejoen nuotiopaikka sits near the connection with Halmejoen luontopolku, a separate nature loop in herb-rich Natura forest with green paint blazes on the city pages; Pökösenmäki is marked in white in independent trip notes(3). Nearby, Karhon luontopolku reaches Karhonsaaren laavu and Karhonsaaren laituri on its own circuit. In winter the same forest corridor overlaps Jännevirta-Uuhimäki-latu Kuopio where that ski track is groomed—give ski traffic space when both are in use. Retkipaikka’s Halmejoen luontopolku walk-through adds detail on boardwalks, birdlife, and the old sand-pit campfire setting where many visitors join the military-history route(4). For firewood rules, hunting seasons, and the latest local notices, start from the City of Kuopio’s Pökösenmäki path page(1). Exercise extra care during elk hunting periods when moving in this forest landscape(1).

The Seinävuori gorge to Kaavinkoski trail is about 2 km point-to-point on the map through forest and rocky ground north-east of Tuusniemi, North Savo. It links the famous Seinävuori gorge recreation area toward the Kaavinkoski channel area as part of the municipality’s longer hiking network. For maps of the gorge loop, the 20 km gorge–Mäkimaja–Ahvenlampi–Kaavinkoski option, and road access from Highway 9, start with the Seinävuori gorge pages maintained by the Municipality of Tuusniemi(1). Metsähallitus documents the overlapping Karanka–Ahvenlampi hiking route on Luontoon.fi(2). Visit Tuusniemi summarizes how the marked paths connect toward Kaavinkoski and what visitors find at the gorge(3). Tuusniemi lies in North Savo roughly 55 km from Kuopio. The trail shares trailheads and junction logic with Mäkimaja- Karankalahti retkeilyreitti and Karanka-Ahvenlampi reitti: near the start you can tie in toward Mäkimaja wilderness hut and Ahvenlammen laavu on those routes when you plan a longer day. Day-trip context: Tuusniemi lists a roughly 20 km hike from the gorge through Mäkimaja and Ahvenlammen laavu to the Kaavinkoski kota, while the classic gorge circuit advertised for visitors is about 2.5 km around the ravine with viewing deck, lean-to, kota, dock, woodshed, and dry toilet by the parking area(1)(3). The roughly 2 km line on our map is the shorter connector that heads from that hub toward Kaavinkoski along the wider network rather than the full loop geometry. Expect rooty and rocky tread in places; a trip write-up on Retkipaikka recommends sturdy footwear and notes red paint blazes and hand ropes on the steeper gorge-edge sections of the nearby loop(4). Kaavinkoski, on the boundary of Tuusniemi and Kaavi, is a 1915 channel between Lakes Rikkavesi and Kaavinjärvi with a historic guard cabin, village-maintained smoke sauna, and bookable hut; Visit Tuusniemi notes older border history on-site(3). Berry and mushroom picking are good in surrounding upland forest when seasons allow(3).

The Juankoski section of the Koillis-Savon retkeilyreitti is a long-distance leg through North Savo: on our map it is about 38.8 km as one continuous hiking path, point-to-point rather than a loop, running from the Juankoski area toward Kaavi. Kaavin kunta groups this corridor with other regional hiking and outdoor networks on its outdoor route pages, alongside Vaikonvaelluspolut, Telkkämäki, and other named legs—use those pages for PDF maps and the latest local notes(1). Visit Tuusniemi & Kaavi promotes the wider Koillis-Savo nature-travel area shared by Kaavi and Tuusniemi, within reach of Tahko, Koli, and other major destinations(4). The middle of this segment crosses one of the best-known day-hike blocks in the area. Pisan luontotorni stands on the Kuopio–Juankoski boundary along the regional hiking corridor; Kuopion kaupunki describes the 12 m steel tower and wide lake-and-forest views from roughly 270 m above sea level, with Retkikartta.fi links for structures and routes, and the same pages cover Pisan reitit on the Metsähallitus-managed Pisa reserve: about 8.5 km of marked paths on steep quartzite slopes, orange paint markings, stairs and railings on the hardest climbs, no open fires inside the reserve, a picnic table by the tower, and Lastukosken kota by Vuotjärvi for supervised fires where rules allow(2). Luontoon.fi lists Pisa trails as a Metsähallitus outdoor destination in Nilsiä with the same trail length order of magnitude(3). Where our route meets that network you can add the shorter Pisan reitit loop or branch to Lastukosken kota for a longer day. Earlier along the line, Teerimäen ampumarata lies a little off the main walking line but marks the same corridor where Juankoski-Poutilanmäki moottorikelkkareitti shares the trace—expect seasonal overlap with motorised winter use and keep clear of active range operations. Further along, Pisankosken kalastusalue signals a fisheries-stewarded stretch beside Pisankoski: a natural pause for anglers and anyone following shore threads toward Kaavi. The full Koillis-Savon retkeilyreitti continues on our map as Koillis-Savon retkeilyreitti – Kaavi with additional facilities such as Telkkämäki; treat this entry as one network segment with changing surfaces and marking density between forest roads, lake shores, and the Pisa crags.

The Rietula loop trail is about 1.9 km of easy walking through Telkkämäki’s slash-and-burn heritage landscapes in Kaavi, North Savo. The path samples ancient and actively managed kaski clearings, deciduous woods, stone heaps from old clearing work, and the cultural layers Metsähallitus keeps alive as a living museum farm. Kaavi is the municipality, and North Savo is the wider region. For year-round planning—field seasons, public burn events, building openings, and how to time a visit with staff on site—start with Luontoon.fi’s Telkkämäki pages(1) and the City of Kaavi’s Telkkämäki heritage farm overview(2). Along the route you pass Telkkämäki lähde, a spring people use as a pause point before the trail bends deeper into the reserve, and Telkkämäki pysäköintialue sits at the visiting end of the line with room to leave a car while you walk. Dry toilets are available near that parking cluster so you can combine a short hike with the farmyard visit without searching for facilities. Maatiaismuori’s long-running blog writing about Telkkämäki captures how the smoke, rye cycle, and meadow grazing look from someone who has followed the place since the 1990s(3). Museoraitti’s museum-route listing adds practical rhythm for summer openings, zero entrance fee for self-guided yard walks, and how to book a paid group guide when you want a deeper farm tour(4). Interpretation boards on the Rietula loop itself help you read burn scars, regrowth, and old field patterns in the terrain(1). The footpath also sits in the middle of a denser trail network: the short Telkkämäki hiking loop, Telkkämäki kärrytie, and the Northeast Savo hiking route – Kaavi section all meet the same service cluster, so you can stitch a longer day on foot if you arrive with maps and daylight to spare.

Kirman Nature Trail (Lapinlahti) is about 5.3 km as a point-to-point hiking segment along the Kirmanjärvi lake landscape where the shore lies on the Lapinlahti side of this North Savo waterbody. Iisalmi and Lapinlahti are the two municipalities you cross when walking the full lake circuit. It is the companion leg to Kirman Nature Trail (Iisalmi): together they form one continuous hiking route around the lake, with this shorter segment covering the Lapinlahti portion while the longer Iisalmi segment continues the circuit on the city side. For the trail listing, maps, and the same route identity in Metsähallitus outdoor services, see Luontoon.fi under Kirman luontopolku/Iisalmi(1). The City of Iisalmi publishes regional outdoor layers and points walkers to Retkikartta.fi for printable views that combine municipal routes, boat landings, lean-tos, and beaches with national outdoor data(2). Lake facts for Kirmanjärvi—area, depth, shoreline length, and catchment—are summarised in Järviwiki from SYKE register data; the lake is administratively listed under Iisalmi there(3). Visit Lapinlahti’s outdoor pages describe wider nature walking and cycling themes across the municipality, useful if you are combining this shore walk with other Lapinlahti day trips(4). The trail is not a loop. Where the route meets Kirman Nature Trail (Iisalmi), you can continue for a roughly 9.3 km additional leg on the Iisalmi side or plan a vehicle shuttle between ends. Terrain follows typical North Savo lake-and-forest mosaic: forest paths, lake shore, and short stretches on local tracks. Allow about one and a half to two and a half hours in summer conditions depending on pace and photo stops. No linked picnic or lean-to stops appear in our route data for this segment yet; carry water and check the City of Iisalmi’s Fluent Outdoors fireplace listings when planning a longer day elsewhere in the city.

Peisi fitness and nature trail (Peisin kunto- ja luontopolku) is about 1.8 km on our map in Harjuranta, Varkaus, climbing Joenmäenvuori above Lake Haukivesi. Harjurannan Kyläyhdistys describes the full marked Peisin kunto- ja luontopolku as a roughly 4.3 km circuit: signed start on Harjurannantie, loop via Joenmäenvuori, finish at Pukkikankaantie, then a short walk back along the road to the start — allow about one to two hours if you follow that fuller on-the-ground circuit(1). For maintenance contacts for Peisin laavu and Harjurannan luontokirkko, audio-guide playlists, and the cave story, start from the Harjurannan Kyläyhdistys nature sites page(1). Visit Varkaus introduces Peis Immosen luolasto and links Harjurannan outdoor points on a map(2). Retkipaikka’s Peisin polku article follows the seven storyboards and the folklore of hermit Peis-Immonen(3). Luontopolkumies’s 2018 walk report notes dense blue paint marks, a rope on the steepest climb, and practical parking tips near Harjurannantie(4). Varkaus lies in North Savo on Soisalo — by area Finland’s largest island — amid Saimaa lake country. The path gains roughly a hundred metres from Haukivesi’s shore onto Joenmäenvuori (about 174 m above sea level). The association states on its luontokohteet page that parts of the trail are very demanding and not suitable for people with poor balance or for small children(1). Along the route, boards explain an old moonshine still site, a former mill, and a celebrated old rowan; higher up, views open over Haukivesi toward Linnansaari National Park in the distance(3). Near the top, Peisin laavu and Harjurannan luontokirkko — a wooden chapel completed in 2000 for about forty people — stand together; the association maintains them with volunteers and can arrange firewood for the laavu by request(1). A short side trip reaches Peisin luolasto, tied to early-1900s hermit tales(1)(2). The long-distance Haukiveden kierros cycling route belongs to the wider Varkaus–Saimaa outdoor network; this footpath is a compact nature and fitness loop focused on Joenmäenvuori rather than a long-distance link.

Kaivannonkierto is an easy circular nature trail of about 3.3 km on the Rautavaara side of the Älänne Natura 2000 area in North Savo. Rautavaara sits in the North Savo lake district. The trail starts from the Rouskunhiekka day-trip shore beside Lake Älänne, winds through pine forest and small ridges above Rouskun Valkeinen pond, and returns to the beach. Metsähallitus describes the same route on Luontoon.fi as Kaivannonkierto reitti(1). For swimming-season services, road access, and what the municipality maintains at the beach, the Municipality of Rautavaara’s Rouskunhiekka pages are the practical reference(2). The regional Visit Rautavaara presentation highlights Rouskunhiekka as a family-friendly swimming spot with the three-kilometre loop starting nearby(3). From the Rouskunhiekka end you pass Rouskunhiekka tulentekopaikka and Rouskunhiekan uimapaikka almost at once, with dry toilets available in the same beach area. About 1.7 km into the loop you reach the Haatainniemi shore cluster: Haatainniemi tulentekopaikka, Haatainniemi laavu, Haatainniemen laavu, and Haatainniemi kuivakäymälä—good places to pause, grill, or shelter in wet weather before continuing back toward Rouskunhiekka. The path is mostly easy walking on sandy, dry ground; trail descriptions often describe orange circle markings on the ground for following the loop. Expect open views toward Älänne’s water and the small pond; the wider Älänne landscape is an important bird area, and the Finnish Environment Institute’s Älänne Natura site description summarises the ridge, lake, and mire mosaic around the trail(4). If you want a longer day, the same Haatainniemi stops appear on the nearby Älänne Trail and Vongankoski–Haatainniemi Nature Trail, which explore more of the Älänne shoreline and forests. Tiilikkajärvi National Park lies farther east in the municipality—another natural follow-up for multi-day visitors to Rautavaara.

Uiton Circle is about 7.2 km of marked hiking through Tiilikkajärvi National Park near Rautavaara in North Savo, winding around two small lake basins beside Sammakkojärvi. Metsähallitus manages the park; for recommended walking direction, indicative duration, and the latest service wording for this circuit, start from the Uiton kierto entry in Tiilikkajärvi’s trail listing on Luontoon.fi(1). Retkipaikka published Luontopolkumies’ on-the-ground circuit of Uiton kierto together with Aution kierto, noting kilometer after kilometer of duckboards, bright orange paint blazes, suspension bridges, and how the western ridge legs feel more demanding than the mire boardwalks(2). Hannamari Henrika’s family hike write-up adds useful texture about roots and short rocky pulls on the first half toward Venäjänhiekka, easier long duckboard crosses on the return, and how busy the sand beach can feel on a sunny weekend(3). Most people begin from the Sammakkotammi service area: Tiilikkajärvi Sammakkotammi varaustupa, puuliiteri,varasto sits about 3.5 km into the circuit next to Sammakkojärvi sahi kiinnityspaikka, with Sammakkotammi tulentekopaikka and Sammakkotammi pysäköintialue at the same cluster—practical parking, reservable hut services, a cooking shelter, and dry toilets in one place. The Uitto shoreline cluster along the line includes Uitto kaivo, Uitto laituri beside the lake, Uitto nuotiopaikka, and Uitto kuivakäymälä; from here you can also step onto Aution kierto for a shorter additional loop or continue toward Tiilikan kierto and Virvatulten polku elsewhere in the park network. About seven kilometres into the day, Venäjänhiekka telttailualue and Venäjänhiekka tulentekopaikka / Venäjänhiekka tulentekopaikka 2 frame the pale-sand Venäjänhiekka shoreline—worth the roughly four-hundred-metre side path for a swim or picnic when you have time(3). Dry toilets are spaced at Uitto, Sammakkotammi, and Venäjänhiekka so you are not carrying the whole circuit without basic sanitation.

The Karttula–Syvänniemi hiking route is a point-to-point day hike in Kuopio, North Savo, linking the Syvänniemi village area toward Karttula. On our map the trail is about 13.6 km as one continuous line. For current outdoor information and maps for the city’s trail network, start with the City of Kuopio’s outdoor recreation pages(1). The same corridor sits inside the wider Sisä-Savon (Inner Savo) hiking route system, which Luontoon.fi lists by municipality segment(2). Syvänniemi village association describes the Syvänniemi–Souru–Savikoski–Karttula walking and mountain-biking corridor in detail, including where the path follows forest tracks and where wet ground can appear in summer(3). Reiskat ja Reppu’s Syvänniemi and Souru article adds readable background on the village, the former ironworks landscape at Souru, and why the shoreline and forest edges here are popular for local outings(6). From the Syvänniemi end you pass typical village services and recreation: Syvänniemen kaukalo, Syvänniemen pallokenttä, Syvänniemen ulkokuntoilupaikka, Syvänniemen nuotiopaikka, Syvänniemen uimaranta, Hermannitalon beachvolleykenttä, and Syvänniemen Nousu ry:n tenniskenttä cluster together near Keihäsjoki and Kuttajärvi. About 0.9 km into the route, Keihäsjoen laavu offers a lean-to stop beside the Keihäsjoki loop; the shorter Keihäsjoen retkeilyreitti is maintained locally and summarised on the city’s Keihäsjoki trail listing(4). Near Souru, Sourun näköalatorni is a clear landmark along the line. Toward Karttula, Karttulanlahden uimaranta and Karttulan urheilukenttä sit at the western end of the mapped route. The route connects logically to Sisä-Savon retkeilyreitti - Karttula for multi-day planning and shares trailhead space with winter routes such as Hermanninreitti (valaistulatu) and Kuttajärven jäälatu where those lines meet the same village fabric. Terrain is mostly forest paths and local connecting tracks; Syvänniemi village association notes that some stretches can stay wet depending on the season, especially before Savikoski(3). Expect a mix of lake views, small roads, and marked outdoor infrastructure typical of the Inner Savo network(2)(3).

Tarinaharju–Patakukkula Nature Trail is a compact ridge hike on the edge of Siilinjärvi, North Savo. Siilinjärven kunta publishes maps, downloadable PDF trail maps, and up-to-date notes on outdoor projects for the Patakukkula–Tarinaharju recreation area(1). The national Suomi.fi service listing repeats practical basics and contact details for the same trail(2). Retkipaikka’s walk-through by Luontopolkumies adds on-the-ground detail on pacing, terrain, and the Huosiaisen depression pond area(3). The trail is about 4.2 km as recorded from authoritative outdoor line data. It lies in esker scenery protected under Finland’s national esker conservation programme, with violet trail markings and numbered information posts along the way(1)(2)(3). After a short start on wide outdoor corridors you drop toward Huosiaisen lampi, where a roughly 500-metre optional loop circles the small waterbody; the ground can stay damp near the shore, so sturdier footwear helps in wet weather(3). The climb back onto the ridge is steep in places; along the crest you pass interpretation posts and views toward Siilinjärvi, and you cross maintained winter sport corridors where skiers may be present in season(3). Near Tarinaharjun tenniskenttä the route runs beside the same sports cluster as Kuilun kuntoortaat, Kuilun ulkokuntosali, and the Fontanella leisure buildings—useful landmarks if you join or leave the path from town-side access routes. Toward the southern part of the trace, Tarinalaakso Disc Golf / New Course sits beside the line. The wider Patakukkula trail network includes lit ski tracks and shared corridors; Patikkalan laavu is part of that winter network on Patakukkulan ladut and makes a natural extension if you are already touring the ridge on ski or foot(1). In winter, regional snowmobile routes can overlap parts of the wider outdoor system—stay alert where Moottorikelkkareitti 63+15 km geometry meets shared infrastructure(1). TarinaGolfin ladut etulenkki runs nearby as a separate ski loop around the golf course(1). For the latest on maintenance, fireplaces, and winter arrangements, rely on Siilinjärven kunta outdoor pages(1).

Kämäri outdoor trails is a short, easy hiking line—about 1.5 km on our map—through the Kämäri nature and recreation area beside downtown Varkaus in North Savo. The route is not a loop. It sits between Ämmäkoski and the Taipale canal zone on Kämäri island, where leaf woodland, rapids, and sports facilities sit close together. Luontoon.fi lists this trail as Kämärin ulkoilureitit for map browsing and general orientation(1). VisitVarkaus describes the marked nature path crossing wooden bridges over Kattilakoski and Linnakoski, linking to a lit outdoor route near Kämärin uimaranta, and notes the wider Kämäri outdoor network at roughly 2.5 km with about 700 m of winter-maintained path(2). City of Varkaus confirms winter grooming on Kämäri trails where walking and cycling are allowed, and mentions a 2 km dog ski trail in the same area(3). From the Päiviönsaari side you start near everyday services: winter swimmers use Varkauden avantouintipaikka off Wredenkatu, and Padel Zone Päiviönsaari, Kunnonsali Varkaus, and Varkauden uimahalli Ilopisara sit within a few hundred metres of the trailhead zone. Walking toward Kämäri, the path reaches Kämärin uimaranta on Rehnströminkatu— a city swimming beach—and passes Kämärin jäähalli, Kämärin pesäpallokenttä, Kämärin tekojää, and Kämärin harjoitushalli, so an outing here pairs easily with ice sports or ball games. The 2021 wooden bridges were built to join green corridors across the rapids; VisitVarkaus places the spacious Leijonalaavu beside the bridges(2). The Ämmäkoski fish pass and spawning improvements are part of the same river landscape—check municipal and regional pages for any dam safety signals near the water(2)(3). The same corridor ties into longer outdoor networks: Haukiveden kierros, the large Haukivesi lake bike circuit, passes Kämärin facilities on its way around the region, and the separate walking route Kämärin ulkoilureitti overlaps the beach and sports cluster with its own distance on the map. Taipaleen kanava and the canal museum are a short walk from the Kämäri shore for anyone combining a nature stroll with cultural stops(2). Varkaus lies on Saimaa in eastern Finland. Pohjois-Savo is known for lake-and-forest recreation; the names Varkaus and North Savo appear here so city and region pages link cleanly.

For up-to-date trail rules, services, and the city’s own description of habitats and birds, start with the City of Kuopio’s Vanuvuori nature trail page(1). HelloKuopio’s visitor notes align on parking, the new structures, and reserve etiquette, including why bikes stay off the paths(2). Luonnon helmassa recounts early visits while signing was still going in, and how vivid the view feels once you reach the tower(3). Savon Sanomat reported on the stair build on Ukko-Vanu’s north slope in 2023, when a red-ribbon path kept access open around the work site(4). Vanuvuori nature trail is about 2.7 km in Hiltulanlahti, Kuopio, North Savo, on the Lake Kallavesi shore. The walk crosses a former clearing, older natural forest, and shaded hollows beneath three tops—Ukko-Vanu, Akka-Vanu, and Pikku-Vanu—in a Natura 2000 nature reserve of roughly 125 hectares that the City of Kuopio now owns almost entirely. About 0.8 km along the route you reach Vanuvuoren näkötorni on Ukko-Vanu: a 20 m observation tower finished in spring 2023, with stairs on the north face to soften the steep climb. Information boards introduce local species and the wellness benefits of time in the forest. Before the summit you can study a tall cliff face along the path. The city classifies the trail as partly demanding because of sharp ups and downs on rocky ground(1); expect rooty forest tread and airy views rather than a level stroll. After the 2023–2024 improvements the route supports day trips with a lean-to, maintained campfire site, woodshed, and dry toilet on site(1)(2); keep fires to those official spots and pack out litter. Berry picking and mushrooms are allowed where local rules permit general foraging(1). Wildlife interest is high: pygmy owls, red-flanked bluetails, woodpeckers, and other old-forest birds are mentioned on the city pages(1). Read more about the tower itself on our Vanuvuoren näkötorni page.

Karhonsaari is a roughly fifty-hectare island in Lake Kallavesi off Ranta-Toivala, Kuopio. The trail on our map is about 3.7 km as one line and threads the arboretum shore, Karhonsaaren laituri on the north side, and Karhonsaaren laavu on the south, with Ranta-Toivalan rantautumispaikka along the way for paddlers. Kuopion kaupunki describes the island’s two main marked routes—a roughly two-kilometre tree-species loop you can start from information points on either shore, and a separate Karhonkierto loop of similar length through EU Natura primeval forest in the west—as well as the laavu, campfire spot, and boat access(1). Luontoliitto adds detail on the small pond and wetland you can circle on duckboards, seasonal Karhofest on the island, and winter ski access from Kelloniemi, with a strong warning not to cross Toivalansalmi on weak ice(2). SLL explains that KLYY’s locked rowboats at Ranta-Toivala were not in service when last updated, while the city’s free summer boat loan from Valtuustotalo customer service remains the practical option for many visitors(3). Expect an open-air arboretum with nearly a hundred trees and shrubs, some plantings from the early 1900s, giant larches, thujas, and rhododendrons around Midsummer. Reminders of North Savo’s first steam sawmill (1875–1910) and company villas in the north add historical colour. For building rentals, sauna, and event questions, Savo-Karelia Nature League material is the right place to dig deeper(2). In the same Ranta-Toivala countryside, Pökösenmäen patteripolku runs as a separate hiking line with its own history focus; it is only a few hundred metres away at closest approach if you are planning a longer day on the mainland before or after the island. Borrowing the city rowing boat in summer is free of charge, but reserve ahead if you want a specific day; the boat fits three people and life jackets are available from customer service(1). Crossing the strait takes on the order of ten to fifteen minutes by oar when conditions are calm(2).

Vuori-Kalaja accessible path is a very short barrier-free hiking connection of about 0.1 km beside Vuori-Kalaja pond in Rautalampi, North Savo, inside Etelä-Konnevesi National Park. It starts from Vuori-Kalaja inva-pysäköintialue and reaches the Vuori-Kalaja shore cluster: Vuori-Kalaja puolikota, Vuori-Kalaja laituri, and Vuori-Kalaja nuotiopaikka within a few minutes on foot. Visit Rautalampi packages the outing for visitors and points to Metsähallitus information for planning(1). Metsähallitus describes the related Vuori-Kalaja accessible trail as somewhat demanding under wheelchair use but leading to a viewing spot, picnic shelter, and accessible dry toilet by the clear pond(2). On the ground you mostly move between the accessible parking, the half kota, the jetty, and the campfire spot. The jetty is a natural place to look across Vuori-Kalaja in calm weather; the nuotiopaikka suits a short picnic if park fire rules allow. Dry toilets sit with the kota services so you can plan a comfortable stop without hunting for facilities. Read firewood and kota rules on our place pages for Vuori-Kalaja puolikota and Vuori-Kalaja nuotiopaikka. The same shore pins much longer hiking: Kalajan kierros nature trail loops past Kalajanvuori from Kalaja P-alue, Inner Savo hiking route – Rautalampi threads the national long-distance line through these stops, Three Fells Hike links Keskilahti and Enonranta farther west, Kalaja connector trail 1 ties Kalaja P-alue into the laituri and kota knot, and the separate mapped line Vuori-Kalaja esteetön reitti adds a few more barrier-free metres if you want the fuller Metsähallitus profile beside this path. Retkipaikka’s Kalajan kierros article explains how the main circuit treats the Vuori-Kalaja shore as its easy prelude before the steep climb toward Kalajanvuori(4). For atmosphere on the pond and the forested shore, Jalkaisin’s Vuori-Kalaja outing from Kalajankierros day is a readable companion piece with on-trail pacing notes(5).

The Kirman nature trail in Iisalmi is about 9.3 km as a point-to-point hiking route around the Kirmanjärvi lake landscape southeast of the city centre in North Savo. Iisalmen kaupunki maintains regional outdoor information and points visitors to Metsähallitus Retkikartta.fi for maps that combine municipal routes, boat landings, lean-tos, and swimming beaches with national outdoor layers(1). Ylä-Savon Veturi publishes a printable North Savo recreation map PDF highlighting Leader-funded local destinations worth combining with day walks(2). Open water-body facts for Kirmanjärvi sit in Järviwiki, which mirrors SYKE register data on area, depth, and catchment(3). A private venue at Kirman kyläpirtti also advertises access to a short local luontopolku near its yard, useful if you are planning an event stop beside the lake(4). The trail is not a loop. It belongs to the same named trail family as Kirman luontopolku/Lapinlahti in the neighbouring municipality, so you can treat the two segments as related when planning longer outings across municipal boundaries. Near Iisalmi the Ylä-Savon pyöräreitti cycling network runs in the wider area; the city snowmobile route geometry can overlap some shore corridors in winter—stay alert for other users when those routes are active. Terrain is typical North Savo lake-and-forest mosaic: cultivated shore, forested west shore, and the narrow Kirmanjoki outlet toward Nerkoonjärvi. Allow roughly two and a half to four hours in summer conditions depending on pace and photo stops. There are no database-linked picnic or lean-to stops along this route yet; carry water and check the city’s Fluent Outdoors service for fireplaces elsewhere in Iisalmi when planning a longer day.

Sepon seiska is a marked hiking trail in Keitele in North Savo. Keiteleen kunta publishes route directions, shelter details, and parking on its outdoor trails pages(1), with extra shelter and kota notes on its laavu and kota page(2). The same trail is listed on Luontoon.fi(3). The trail is about 9.6 km. It runs through the town’s sports and lake shore area: the municipal description starts from the sports field on Lepolantie, follows Kirkkotie toward Pekantie, branches onto a forest path, reaches Savelantie, and returns along the ski track corridor toward the sports field(1). Along that ski track section you pass Keiteleen Kuntoportaat, Sepan laavu, and after roughly 700 metres Kota (Sepon seiskan varrella); firewood and fire places are available at the laavu and kota, and a spur to a campfire site is marked with white poles off the forest path(1)(2). Near Keitelerannan rantasauna and the winter swimming place the route passes the lakeshore on Laituritie. The trail meets Keiteleen Puupolku around Ystävyydenpuisto and the outdoor gym there—Puupolku is the municipality’s wood-themed learning loop with checkpoints through the built-up area(1). In winter the same corridor links to maintained ski tracks such as Tasamaan latu, Sepan valaistu latu, and Pikonharjun valaistu, and longer options such as Leppäselän latu branch from the same sports-field area(1). Visit Savo describes Leppäselä’s separate lakeside hiking loop for visitors who want another marked walk in the municipality(4). Pielavesi-Keitele reported a Roosa nauha charity walk from Äimetty-areena parking to the kota with coffee at the shelter; some participants continued on a longer autumn route(5). Allow roughly two and a half to four hours on foot depending on pace and stops at the shelters.

Metsäkoulu nature trail is a short forest walk in Toivala, Siilinjärvi, in North Savo, beside the forestry and agricultural training campus locally known as Metsäkoulu. The City of Siilinjärvi states that several routes of different lengths exist next to the campus along old Highway 5, but that overall route conditions in the area are currently poor and new residential infrastructure is under construction—always confirm access and safety before you go(1). The trail is about 1.6 km long. It is not a loop, so you typically retrace your steps or return along nearby paths. Near the far end of the line, about 1.5 km from the usual start, the route passes close to Haaparinteen luistelukenttä and Haaparinteen pallokenttä on Haaparinteentie, giving families a clear landmark if they combine a walk with sports facilities in the same area. In winter the municipality maintains a parallel corridor as Metsäkoulun latu: it describes a lit track of about 1.7 km starting from the left side of the old Highway 5 junction toward Metsäkoulu, and notes that this ski track is not in service(2). That notice applies to the winter track; summer hiking conditions still depend on ongoing construction and ground maintenance, so treat the municipality’s pages as the live checklist(1). Savon ammattiopisto’s Toivala campus sits on Highway 5 at Haapamäentie 1, with bus connections toward Kuopio and Siilinjärvi centre(3). If you are planning a visit around class times or campus events, checking campus information separately is sensible.

The Pitkämäki nature trail network is about 7.1 km as a point-to-point hike in Kuopio, North Savo. It crosses the Pitkämäki outdoor area and passes close to Pitkämäen uimaranta on Pitkälampi (Vääränlammentie), roughly 1.4 km from the start. Very near the beginning it meets Pitkämäen valaistu kuntorata and Pitkämäen valaistu latu — short, lit walking and ski loops in the same patch of forest that are handy for winter access or a quick warm-up before a longer walk. For closures, maintenance, and how Kuopio’s trail and rest-area network fits together, start with the City of Kuopio’s retkeilykohteet ja luontopolut hub(1). The city’s walking and outdoor routes pages note that Kuopio offers on the order of 80 km of narrower nature trails with information about the surrounding nature, alongside wider fitness routes(2). Visit Kuopio-Tahko sets North Savo’s lake-and-forest trail landscape in context for visitors planning day hikes from Kuopio(3). The trail is entirely within Kuopio. Read more on our page for Pitkämäen uimaranta for swimming and beach practicalities in summer. If you want to combine with a short lit walk or ski in winter, see our pages for Pitkämäen valaistu kuntorata and Pitkämäen valaistu latu.

Haminalahti Culture Trail is a short culture route in Haminalahti, Kuopio, in North Savo. The City of Kuopio maintains the trail and publishes up-to-date information on parking, the lean-to, and seasonal use(1). The walk follows the landscapes linked to the von Wright brothers—Ferdinand, Magnus, and Wilhelm—and panels along the way connect their 19th-century paintings to the views and local history. Retkipaikka’s illustrated report from the trail adds practical notes on viewpoints, road crossings, and how the loop and Mustalahti spur fit together(3). Hello Kuopio offers a compact visitor-facing summary of the same themes(4). The trail is about 3 km as one continuous line on our map. The City of Kuopio describes the full culture-trail network as a 3.1 km loop plus a 1.2 km side branch to Mustalahti—often quoted together at roughly 4.3 km if you walk the loop, the spur, and connections between them(1). The route uses forest paths and village roads, is marked with signposts and posts showing a grouse symbol, and is intended for hiking when the ground is free of ice and snow(1). Short climbs and stone stairs appear where the terrain is steeper; busy roads run nearby, so traffic noise reaches some forest sections(1)(3). At the Leirikuja 13 trailhead there is parking, an information board with maps, an accessible toilet, and a waste point(1). Haminalahden laavu offers firewood and a rest stop: the City of Kuopio has moved the lean-to from its former site south of Karttulantie to Mustamäki (Mustamäentie 116), about 250 m from the trail when you follow Mustamäentie, with summer vehicle access and a barrier key arrangement described on the municipal page(1). Read more about the shelter on our Haminalahden laavu page. Retkipaikka highlights lookout rocks above Karttulantie, Iron Age jewellery finds near Mustamäki, and the old Mustamäki road’s history as a main route toward Karttula and onward north(3).

For closures, seasonal conditions, and the most up-to-date practical details about Korkeakoski and the canyon trail, start with the City of Kuopio’s Korkeakoski destination page(1). The same trail is also published on Luontoon.fi(2). The route lies in Kuopio in the Maaninka area beside Finland’s highest free-falling waterfall, Korkeakoski, in a roughly 35-hectare gorge nature reserve with steep rock walls along Korkeakoskenjoki. The trail is about 5.8 km. It combines a nature-path section through the canyon with a return leg along local road, so you get both forest tread and short road walking(1). From the Korkeakoski parking area you walk about 400 metres toward highway 77 (Pielavedentie) to pick up the marked path(1). The line is marked in red and drops into the gorge, so expect big height differences, wooden stairs, and short stretches where the footing is rougher; overall the outing is usually described as moderate in difficulty(1)(3). About 4.9 km from the start you reach Kanjonin laavu and almost immediately Kanjonin nuotiopaikka beside the river—natural lunch and fire stops. Nearby, the long-distance Urkin Trail arrives at Korkeakoski, and you can combine visits with the separate short Korkeakoski nature trail around the waterfall itself. Hello Kuopio notes that in many years snow and ice can linger on parts of the path around May Day while the falls are at their most dramatic—worth weighing if you plan an early-season visit(4). Retkipaikka’s walk-through describes wooden stairs (well over a hundred steps on the steeper climbs), small bridges, a side trip sign to Kokonkallio, and the Lokson old dam site as landmarks along or just off the nature path—useful orientation if you like to know what comes next on the ground(3).

For closures, markings, and the Metsähallitus trail description for this linked day-hike line, start with Luontoon.fi(1). The City of Lapinlahti(2) describes how the Huuhkajankierros loop and the lakeshore connection piece together into Älänne reitti, and what sits at Näätähiekka. Retkipaikka’s Huuhkajankierros write-up by Luontopolkumies adds on-the-ground notes on parking, markings, and firewood(3). Luonnon mukaan covers the same loop with practical detail on laavu stops, snakes in warm weather, and Tiilikkajoki views(4). The trail is about 14.7 km and runs as a point-to-point outing through Lapinlahti in North Savo, mostly on forest paths and sandier lakeshore tread. Lapinlahti and Rautavaara share the wider Älänteen outdoor area; this line links Vongankoski, Näätähiekka on Lake Älänne, and Haatainniemi without forming a closed loop on the map. Near the start you soon reach Huuhkajanniemi kuivakäymälä and Huuhkajanniemi laavu, a good first break above the Huuhkaja harju scenery. The route follows the same corridor as Huuhkajan kierros luontopolku here, so you can treat that shorter loop as an alternative if you want to circle back to Vongankoski early. Around 3.5–3.6 km you arrive at Vongankoski kuivakäymälä and Vongankoski laavu beside the stream; Vongankoski pysäköintialue is the main driving access many hikers use for Huuhkajankierros. From this junction the Huuhkajankierros - Näätähiekka yhdyspolku heads toward the big beach amenities if you are stitching sections. From mid-route toward Haatainniemi, Haatainniemi tulentekopaikka sits with Haatainniemi laavu and Haatainniemen laavu; dry toilets are grouped a short step away at Haatainniemi kuivakäymälä. This cluster is shared with Vongankoski - Haatainniemi luontopolku, so you can combine or shorten with that 5.1 km nature trail. The Näätähiekka end of the hike clusters Älänteen Näätähiekan uimapaikka, Näätähiekka tulentekopaikka 1, Näätähiekka tulentekopaikka 2, Näätähiekka kaivo, Näätähiekka pysäköintialue, and Näätähiekka kuivakäymälä within a few hundred metres. Expect a managed beach with fire rings, a well, parking, and an outdoor toilet backing the municipality’s description(2). Nearby, Kaivannonkierto reitti and Kaivannonkierto circle Rouskunhiekka on the Rautavaara side and pass many of the same shelters around Haatainniemi; they are useful if you want an extra short loop off the main sand ridge. Terrain on the Huuhkaja loop section mixes pine heath, rocky lifts, and harju tops; bloggers report short steep climbs rather than long climbs(3)(4). Snakes occur in warm weather on these drier ridges, so watch your footing and keep dogs controlled(4).

Kiertolahti spur is a short, one-way foot connection of about 0.4 km in Rautalampi, North Savo, within the Southern Konnevesi National Park trail system around Vuori-Kalaja and Lake Konnevesi. Finnish trail names often call this kind of side branch a “pisto”; here it drops through forest to Kiertolahti kanoottilaituri, a canoe dock on a sheltered bay—useful if you want to join a hike with a paddle or simply reach the water’s edge from the marked Kalaja trails. Rautalampi lies on the edge of a twin-region park that straddles Northern Savo and Central Finland, and Metsähallitus publishes the formal hiking information and maps through Luontoon.fi(1). Visit Rautalampi’s Kalajan kierros page describes how the wider 4.6 km Kalaja loop starts from Kalaja parking, how the easy first kilometre to Vuori-Kalaja feels underfoot, and how the climb over Kalajanvuori is much more demanding(2). The City of Rautalampi’s national park pages summarise practical themes for the area, including steep terrain in places, the short wheelchair-assisted section at Vuori-Kalaja with an assistant, and an accessible boarding pier at Lapinsalo(3). Luontopolkumies reports excellent yellow paint markings on the main Kalajan kierros and a well-kept, rooty forest path on the harder sections beside Vuori-Kalaja—conditions you should expect to resemble on short interconnecting strips such as this spur(4). On our map the path is not a loop: it runs from the main trail junction out to the dock. Most visitors first walk Kalajan kierros, Kolmen vuoren vaellus, or Inner Savo hiking route – Rautalampi before stepping onto this branch. Add roughly 0.8 km there-and-back to a longer day if you visit Kiertolahti kanoottilaituri and return to the junction the same way. Metsähallitus also offers a printable Southern Konnevesi hiking map PDF that helps orient the whole Kalaja trail network(5). Dedicated YouTube searches did not surface a clip that clearly showcases this exact 0.4 km branch; trail-overview videos for Kalajan kierros cover the wider setting if you want moving pictures of the area.

Loukkuvuori Loop is a short hiking circuit in Etelä-Konnevesi National Park, on the shore of Lake Konnevesi in Rautalampi in North Savo. The trail is about 2.9 km and is aimed especially at visitors who arrive by boat or canoe, though you can also reach the start by bicycle. For route description, marking, suggested direction, and seasonal advice, start with the Loukkuvuori Hiking Trail page on Luontoon.fi(1). Visit Savo summarises the same practical facts for travellers in the region(2). The start and finish is Enonranta. About a kilometre along the route you pass the Enonranta rest area: Enonranta telttapaikka 2, Enonranta telttailupaikka, Enonranta puolikota, the Enonranta laituri for boats and canoes, and Enonranta liiteri-käymälä. From Loukkuvuori summit the view over the national park is the main payoff described in official material(2). Retkipaikka published Antti Huttunen’s on-the-ground notes on Loukkuvuori’s giant’s kettle (hiidenkirnu), cliff caves, and how slippery the bare rock can be when wet—worth reading if you plan to explore off the main path(3). The same shoreline at Enonranta connects to the longer Kolmen vuoren vaellus circuit if you want a full-day mountain hike in the same landscape.

Paljakka Hill nature trail is about 1.7 km as a loop on Paljakanvuori in Kiuruvesi, North Savo. The route crosses open rock, forest, and lakeshore, and the City of Kiuruvesi maintains the trail and publishes current access details, facilities, and the virtual walk-through on its Paljakanvuori nature trail page(1). For landscape context, the municipality’s rock and soil pages place Paljakanvuori–Ahvenusmäki in nationally significant upland rock terrain: the hill rises to about 187 m above sea level with roughly 59 m of relative relief, with Pirunpesä on the northwest slope and a dense cluster of prehistorical cup marks on the summit(2). Other signed nature trails in Kiuruvesi are grouped on the municipality’s Luontopolut overview(3). Along the loop, information boards retell local stories: beacon fires in the Finnish War era, Midsummer gatherings on the summit, and the legend of Pirunpesä, a deep weathered cavity on the west flank that was partly closed in the 1930s after sheep fell in. The summit is largely open and windy; views open over the surrounding lake and forest mosaic. Two rest spots with tables and benches sit along the route, and a lean-to has been refurbished with new information boards and a guestbook box. Campfire rings have stone surrounds, grill grates, and log seats; firewood is kept at the parking-area woodshed for you to carry to the fire places, and there are no rubbish bins on the trail—pack out what you pack in. If you want a longer hike in the same landscape, the Luontovaellusreitti Paljakka-Rytky nature hiking route continues the network from the same hill area as a separate marked line of about 5.4 km.

For planning and the latest local notes on Suovu–Palonen, start with the City of Kuopio’s Suovu-Palonen destination page(1). The same trail is listed on Luontoon.fi as Suovun retkeilyreitti, which helps when you want Metsähallitus-style browsing alongside the city’s practical details(2). The trail lies in western Kuopio in North Savo. It is about 18.7 km on our map as one continuous hiking route, point-to-point rather than a loop. Some official pages round the distance to about 16 km or describe shorter loop options in the same landscape—use our figure as the mapped trail length. The route follows the almost natural Palosenjoki from Pieni-Palonen toward Lake Kallavesi: the river drops roughly 40 m through seven rapids, with riverbank forests and the mid-river Vanhansahansaari nature reserve along the way(1)(2). Along the route you pass lean-tos and campfire places that make good lunch stops. About 4.7 km from the start, Nihtilahden laavu sits near the river; Käänniänlahden tulipaikka follows around 6.2 km (street address on the stop: Palosenjärventie 588). Lammasjärven laavu is near the lake shore around 7.8 km, Ryönänkosken laavu sits beside the rapids around 10.9 km, and Suovun laavu is toward the northern end around 16.5 km. The City of Kuopio describes Suovun kota by Länsirannantie as built with accessibility in mind, and lists Suovun opastuspiste at the same road as the main trailhead area with parking, a dry toilet, and a campfire place(1). Where the trace meets the shorter Suovu-Palosen luontopolut network, Ryönänkosken laavu is a natural junction; the snowmobile corridor Itä-Karttula – Kaislastenlahti shares campfire stops at Nihtilahden laavu and Käänniänlahden tulipaikka—mind seasonal motor traffic if you connect there. Terrain varies: one detailed day hike on Luonnon mukaan followed green-marked posts along forest roads for roughly the first five kilometres toward Ryönänkosken laavu, then entered rougher forest paths beside the river with roots and stone, duckboards over wet ground, and a side view of restored timber-driving structures at Myllykoski(3). Yle reported maintenance replacing duckboards on a stretch of more than three kilometres between Ryönänkoski and Lammasjärvi, with summer work timed to keep the trail usable(4). We drew colour and pacing detail from Luonnon mukaan’s Suovu–Palonen hike—worth reading for photos and an honest on-the-ground feel for the forest-road start and the river sections(3).

The Paljakka–Rytky nature hiking route is a roughly 5.4 km point-to-point forest link in Kiuruvesi, North Savo, between the Rytky side and the Paljakka hill area. This is the Paljakka beside Kiuruvesi—not the Paljakka Strict Nature Reserve in Kainuu that appears on national park pages. For current trail lists, renovation history, and etiquette links, start from the City of Kiuruvesi’s Luontopolut hub(1). Visit Kiuruvesi summarises both end areas for visitors: Rytky’s Huvikallio trailhead and Paljakka’s hill trail with its views and cultural features(2). At one end the line meets Huvikallion luontopolku, a short signed loop in mixed forest with nature quiz posts, a lakeshore rest spot, laavu, and parking at Palojärventie 741; the city renewed signage, paths, parking, and fireplaces here in 2019–2021(3). At the other end it meets Paljakan luontopolku on Paljakka, where Visit Kiuruvesi describes a compact summit, ancient cup-mark stones, Pirunpesä gorge, and signal-fire history tied to old travel routes—good reasons to add the loop if you have time(2). Walking the whole connector lets you plan a longer day by combining this line with Huvikallion luontopolku and Paljakan luontopolku without doubling back by car. Terrain is typical North Savo forest: roots, small height differences, and occasional wet patches; sturdy footwear suits most of the season. Follow leave-no-trace habits: the city asks visitors at nearby Rytky trails to carry out litter and take firewood from the parking shed where provided rather than expecting wood on fireplaces(3).

For up-to-date rules on campfires, overnight stays, and who to contact about the property, check the City of Kuopio(1), which publishes a full page for Murtosjoki nature trail. The walk sits in Riuttala in the Karttula postal area (72100), within Kuopio, North Savo. The Murtosjoki nature trail is about 0.7 km on our map as a short, family-friendly path beside Murtosjoki. Much of the route runs through natural spruce forest along the river; the stream channel is rocky with pools, backwaters, and small rapids that support insects and other invertebrates—mayfly and dragonfly life stages and similar life in the water are part of why birdlife is rich here(1). Interpretive boards along the way introduce the local nature. The trail is marked in the terrain with paint blazes and wooden arrow markers(1). About 0.2 km from the start you reach Murtosjoen laavu on the riverbank, with a designated campfire site—fires are allowed only there, and overnight accommodation on the property is not permitted(1). Take your litter home(1). Read more about the shelter and fire ring on our Murtosjoen laavu page. Many visitors combine the outing with Riuttalan talonpoikaismuseo—the open-air peasant museum and its summer café are only about half a kilometre away along local roads(1)(2). The museum describes a large historic farmstead in Riuttala dating to the 17th century; opening weeks concentrate in summer, so check their site before planning(2). In winter, snowmobile routes in our database such as Riuttala - Korosmäki Moottorikelkkaura and Itä-Karttula - Riuttala Moottorikelkkaura use the same Murtosjoen laavu stop along their lines, and Riuttalan kota appears farther along the same winter network for riders using those routes—hikers in summer will not follow those corridors, but the lean-to is a shared waypoint on those winter corridors.

Neulamäen kierto is about 5.5 km along the route mapped here—a marked nature loop in the Kolmisoppi–Neulamäki recreation area southwest of Kuopio in North Savo. Kuopion kaupunki manages roughly 230 hectares as a nature reserve inside the wider EU Natura 2000 site, with year-round outdoor routes and three marked nature trails that are designed to be walked without rubber boots(1). Metsähallitus also presents the destination on Luontoon.fi with pointers to downloadable maps and related material(2). For brochures, Retkikartta.fi links, fire regulations at the lakeshore rest spot, and the latest on access, start from Kuopion kaupunki’s Kolmisoppi-Neulamäki page(1). The circuit climbs from the Kolmisoppi trailhead area through mixed forest, passing Neulamäen tenniskentät, Neulamäen jääkiekkokaukalo, Neulamäen luistelukenttä, and Neulamäen hiekkatekonurmi near Raiviopolku before the trail turns into the reserve proper. About 1.5 km into the walk you reach Neulamäen näkötorni on the main ridge; the city lists views over Kallavesi, Puijo, and central Kuopio and explains car or path access from Mahlatie(8). From the summit band the line drops toward Tervaruukin ulkoilumaja on Tervaruukintie, then winds back through Vuorilammen nuotiopaikka at the north end of Vuorilampi. The fireplace there has firewood and a dry toilet with step-free access to the toilet building in summer, although the path down to the fireplace terrace is steep enough that Kuopion kaupunki notes assisted access for some visitors(1)(7). Kuopion kaupunki highlights almost 100 metres of vertical range on this loop, interpretive boards on bedrock movements and the roughly 11 000-year-old Yoldian shoreline, a striking fern grove beside the brook flowing into Kolmisoppi, and open rock viewpoints on Suuri Neulamäki(1). SYKE’s Natura description stresses the area’s strong relief, representative limestone and spruce–pine forests, and status as core habitat for species such as flying squirrel and several regionally rare plants(6). Retkipaikka’s 2020 trail write-up describes green paint blazes, rooty and stony tread, stair climbs on the steepest pitches, a brief duckboard section through a deciduous fringe, and a faster return along wider recreation corridors before the three colour-coded trails reunite near Kolmisoppi(3). Kivenjuurelta’s blog notes rich grove plants around Vuorilampi, lively birdlife in old forest with plenty of deadwood, and a popular mix of dog walkers and day hikers close to the city(4). Hello Kuopio rounds up Pilpantie parking, Juontotie kerbside spaces, and buses 4 and 8 to Juontotie I if you arrive without a car(5). You can shorten the day with Pikkukierto at Vuorilammen nuotiopaikka or add interpretation-focused kilometres on Vanhan metsän polku where it shares tread. Kolmisoppi–Neulamäen ulkoilureitit, Neulamäen valaistu kuntorata, Neulamäen valaistu kuntolenkki 3km, Neulaniemen-Tervaruukin-Pilpan-Haminalahden jääladut, Neulaniemen ja Tervaruukki- Pilppa kuntolatu, and Pörrönpolku all sit in the same trail network for anyone mixing walking and winter skiing.

The trail is in Tervo in North Savo. It is one leg of the Sisä-Savon retkeilyreitti, a long-distance connector through Inner Savonia between the Karttula and Vesanto segments on our site. The full length is about 45.6 km, point-to-point rather than a loop. For marking style, surface mix, and how the wider network is described on the ground, Vesannon kunta’s outdoor pages are a practical starting point (they describe the Vesanto municipality section of the same network in detail)(1). Tervon kunta’s tourism pages outline the area’s nature and rural tourism offer and point to neighbouring outdoor destinations (5). Metsähallitus lists the Sisä-Savon retkeilyreitti/Vesanto entry on Luontoon.fi as part of the same regional system (3). Savon Sanomat reported on the 1998–2009 regional project that built roughly 330 km of hiking routes and 280 km of snowmobile routes, added nine rest sites with a lean-to or kota, and left maintenance to Karttula, Rautalampi, Suonenjoki, Tervo, and Vesanto; the article also notes the routes may be used for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding where conditions allow(2). Along the sequence on this leg, about 15 km from the start you pass Savela DiscGolfPark. The same junction sits on Savelan kuntorata, Yhdyslatu Pohjalampi–Savela ladut, and Savelan valaistu latu, so winter skiing and running-track options meet the long hike here. Pohjalampi and the short Hellepolku nature loop lie near Tervo village; Retkipaikka’s walk-through of Hellepolku describes the duckboards, bird tower, and yellow paint marks around the pond—useful context if you combine a village loop with the long route(4). Farther along, roughly 37 km from the start, the line passes Kekkolan pallokenttä and Kylmämäen ampumarata as practical landmarks beside the sports fields and shooting range. This segment links to Sisä-Savon retkeilyreitti – Karttula and Sisä-Savon retkeilyreitti – Vesanto on the network. Kuopio is the main regional centre for services if you combine this hike with a wider trip.

Telkkämäki carriage path is a very short loop of about 0.1 km at Telkkämäki slash-burn heritage farm and nature reserve in Kaavi, North Savo. It links Telkkämäki pysäköintialue with Telkkämäki lähde, Telkkämäki ulkohuussi, and Telkkämäki kuivakäymälä—the spring and toilet services visitors use before walking the longer trails. The name kärrytie marks it as a path intended for prams and wheeled mobility between the car park and these points; Metsähallitus illustrates the approach with post-and-rail fencing along the carriage track on Luontoon.fi(1). For summer opening of the farm buildings, kaski events, and the latest visiting rules for the Natura 2000 reserve, Luontoon.fi’s Telkkämäen perinnetila pages are the main reference(1). The City of Kaavi describes the two longer nature loops—Laidunkierto about 0.9 km and Rietulan kierto about 1.9 km—and links to Metsähallitus route material from the Telkkämäen kaskiperinnetila page(2). The Finnish Environment Institute summarises on its Natura pages why the roughly 103 ha Telkkämäki reserve matters for slash-burn landscapes and species(3). From the parking area, this segment sits at the hub where Rietula loop trail, the short Telkkämäki hiking loop, and the long Northeast Savo hiking route – Kaavi section meet the same facilities. If you plan a longer walk, use those trails after this short approach; the Northeast Savo hiking route – Kaavi section passes Telkkämäki on its way through North Savo. Berry and mushroom picking are allowed in the reserve; hunting, camping, and open fires are not(2). Winter maintenance is not provided on the access road to Telkkämäki(1).

The Karanka–Ahvenlampi trail is about 5.3 km long and not a loop. It sits in Tuusniemi in North Savo, between the Karanka-side forest corridor and Ahvenlampi at Kaavinkoski. Metsähallitus lists this route on Luontoon.fi(1). For PDF maps and how the leg fits the wider Tuusniemi trail network, use the City of Tuusniemi outdoor recreation pages(2). Visit Tuusniemi & Kaavi describes the full Seinävuori–Kaavinkoski day-hike of roughly 20 km from Seinävuori gorge via Mäkimaja and Ahvenlampi to the Kaavinkoski kota—this segment shares the Ahvenlampi lean-to stop with that corridor(3). Hello Kuopio gives the same distance figure for the long connection and notes the gorge trail before Mäkimaja and Ahvenlampi(4). Sydän rinnassa, reppu selässä(5) walked the Mäkimaja–Karankalahti hiking trail in the same landscape and describes forest paths and forest roads, light day-hiking, and conversation with other visitors—useful colour for what the forest travel feels like here. The trailhead area is Ahvenlammen laavu beside the municipal Ahvenlampi rest stop at Kaavinkoski: dry toilets sit near the lean-to and tower area on similar municipal pages elsewhere in Tuusniemi, and the Ahvenlampi rest stop page publishes coordinates and a photo of the small dock(6). From Ahvenlammen laavu you can continue on the Ahvenlampi–Kaavinkoski trail toward Kaavinkosken kota and the river places, join the short Seinävuoren rotkolaakso–Kaavinkoski hiking trail, or follow the Mäkimaja–Karankalahti trail toward Mäkimaja. Tuusniemi is a Lakeland municipality: Pohjois-Savo is known for forest trails between lakes and villages, and Tuusniemi works well as a base for stitching this segment into longer outings.

The Helvetinkattila Nature Trail is about 1.1 km in Lapinlahti, North Savo, in the Petäys woodlands of the old Varpaisjärvi countryside. For the national trail card in Metsähallitus’s outdoor service, use the Helvetinkattilan luontopolku material on Luontoon.fi(1). Visit Lapinlahti explains the forest-road approach from Rokuantie 376, notes there are no guard rails on the rim, and recommends sturdy footwear for the steep sections down toward the gorge floor(2). The walking trace is short, but the landform itself is dramatic: many descriptions speak of roughly 600 m of ruhjelaakso—meltwater-sculpted trench with moraine-draped rock ridges—and a main sink at the end about 15 m deep and 20 m wide, with awkward boulder footing on the bottom(3). The path stays visible on bare ground even though there are no trail signs out in the terrain; in winter you need to judge snow conditions yourself(2). Turisti-info lists the same basics for visitors scanning sights around Varpaisjärvi(3). Matkallasuomessa cross-checks the public-road address as Rokuantie 376 for drivers matching GPS pins(4). Lapinlahti.net still summarises the pull-in as a small five-car verge often used by locals(5). This is a compact outing best paired with other Lapinlahti walks if you want more kilometres; the Älänteen area and Huuhkajan kierros further west are well-known longer forest circuits in the same municipality.

Linnaharju Forest Trail is a loop of about 4.4 km on the Linnaharju ridge in Nissilä, Vieremä, in North Savo. It was laid out in 1995 on Tornator forest land north of Hällämöharju for European Nature Conservation Year to showcase the ridge, the Luvejoki river, and forestry that keeps landscape and recreation in mind even in commercial forest. For firewood rules, fallen trees, and blue marking, the Linnaharjun metsäpolku page on the Vieremä municipality website is the place to start(1). Suomi.fi lists the same outdoor service point with address and 24-hour access(3). The trailhead at Nissiläntie 1978 has parking (including buses), a kota, a campfire spot, and a grill area; open fires are allowed only with care and you must bring your own firewood(1). You can begin beside the kota or the fireplace or from the edge of the parking area(1). Along the loop you pass Linnanharjun kota about 3.8 km from the start—useful for a break before the last part of the circle. The ridge is steep-sided with ravines; the path drops to Luvejoki’s lush riparian fringe and returns through pine forest, with information boards updated as forestry work changes(1). Katja Moisio's Retkipaikka article describes the route from the Linnakartano kota, the Luvejoki shore, the last forest-road section back to the kota, and shoreline boulders from post-glacial sea levels near the start(2). The municipality states the destination is not suitable for people with mobility restrictions(1). Vieremä lies in North Savo; the trail is free and open around the clock(1).

For opening hours of the summer kiosk, viewing structures, and how this destination fits the wider Korkeakoski reserve, start with the City of Kuopio’s Korkeakoski destination page(1). The same rapids area is also listed on Luontoon.fi(2). Korkeakoski Rapids Trail is a short walking loop of about 0.2 km beside Finland’s highest free-flowing rapids—about 36 metres of drop—inside a roughly 35-hectare gorge nature reserve in Maaninka, Kuopio. Waters of Korkeakoskenjoki gather from small lakes and reach Maaninkajärvi in Tuovilanlahti through the steep-walled canyon. From the parking area at Korkeakoskentie 111 there is an information board, and in summer a small kiosk café(1). An easy, short path reaches the wooden viewing platform at the top of the falls, and from there stairs lead down into the gorge for anyone who wants the full vertical perspective(1)(3)(4). Flow varies sharply with the season: spring snowmelt around early May is the classic high-water window, and heavy summer rain can briefly swell the stream; in cold spells the spray and rock ledges can ice dramatically(3)(4). This trail is only the immediate rapids circuit. The long-distance trail Urkin Trail (Urkin poloku) ends here from Pielavesi, with Arkkuvuoren laavu along the way if you approach from that direction. Kanjonin kierros—the Canyon Trail—starts a few hundred metres along the road toward highway 77; on that ring you pass Kanjonin laavu and Kanjonin nuotiopaikka beside the river(1). Hello Kuopio notes that snow and ice can linger on parts of the wider trails around May Day when the falls are most thunderous—worth remembering if you plan to combine the short upper walk with the canyon loop(5). Vagabondablogi’s Maaninka write-up adds practical colour on how the red-marked Canyon Trail feels on the ground and how many steps the gorge descent involves from the upper decks(3). Dedicated YouTube searches did not surface a verified clip that clearly names only this 0.2 km rapids loop; a future short video could be added if one appears.

The Kaivannonkierto Trail is about 3.5 km in Rautavaara, North Savo, winding through the Älänne nature reserve northwest of highway 87. Metsähallitus publishes maps and visitor guidance for this exact walk on the Kaivannonkierto reitti page on Luontoon.fi(1). The City of Rautavaara lists it as a circular path on forested ridges in the Älänne protected landscape and points families toward the wider trail menu in the municipality(2). Iisalmi ja tienoot describes Rouskunhiekka as a popular swimming beach with changing cubicles, dry toilets, and two campfire places, and reminds drivers that the beach end of Joutenlahdentie is the authorised car route in from road 582(3). The same municipality summarizes the wider Älänne trail network on its nature-and-outdoor destinations page, including roughly 19 km of marked routes, how road 582 serves the southern shore, and links to retkikartta.fi for area parking and base maps(4). From the trailhead zone, easy sandy-footed forest walking leads into the reserve. About 1.2 km along the route you reach the Rouskunhiekka cluster: Rouskunhiekka tulentekopaikka, Rouskunhiekan uimapaikka on Joutenlahdentie, and quiet lakeside scenery typical of the Älänne shore forests. It is a natural place to swim, grill, or let children play before continuing. Further along, near Haatainniemi at about 2.9 km, you pass Haatainniemen laavu, Haatainniemi laavu, and Haatainniemi tulentekopaikka tucked into the same shoreline nook—handy for a longer break or a meal stop. Dry toilets are available near both the beach services and the Haatainniemi shelters. If you want a longer day, the same Älänne shoreline hosts the 14.7 km Älänne reitti and the 5.1 km Vongankoski - Haatainniemi luontopolku nearby, and a shorter 3.3 km Kaivannonkierto variant overlaps this line—combine segments carefully using area maps when you plan multiple loops.

The Suonenjoki section of the Sisä-Savon retkeilyreitti is a long-distance hiking route through Inner Savonia: on our map it runs about 62.3 km as one continuous path, not a loop, linking forests, shorelines, and the outdoor hubs around Suonenjoki town. Yle has described the wider five-municipality project—Suonenjoki, Rautalampi, Hankasalmi, Konnevesi, and Pieksämäki—as marketing together more than 500 km of varied routes for hiking, cycling, paddling, and other outdoor use, reusing older regional ring-route corridors in places(1). For the most up-to-date local trail descriptions, parking, and downloadable PDF maps, start with Suonenjoen kaupunki outdoor pages(2). Two areas along this segment deserve special attention. Around Lintharju—the main ridge recreation area west of central Suonenjoki—VisitSavo and Suonenjoen kaupunki describe a roughly 13 km nature trail with information boards and shortcut options, plus five maintained lean-tos (laavu) with firewood service, and main access from the ice-hall lower car park on Koulukatu or from Latumaja at Onkilampi(3). Retkipaikka’s long walk-through of Lintharjun luontopolku adds ground-level detail: steep climbs near Kyöpelinvuori, duckboards across wet ground on the richest third of the ridge, and brown pinecone plus red paint markings on parts of the signed network(4). Further east toward Lake Iisvesi, the Jokipolku page on Suonenjoen kaupunki describes an 8.6 km riverside nature path from Siioninsilta to Iisvesi with several lean-tos and fire places, an accessible section from Siioninsilta to Purola, and a downloadable Jokivarren trail map PDF(2). Where the route passes Iisveden satama, the shore lean-to and outdoor exercise spots make a natural lunch or swim stop. This segment shares corridors with other marked networks—mountain bike routes such as Koskelon maastopöräreitti, winter ski tracks including Lintharjun ladut, the Sisä-Savon Kelkkareitti snowmobile network, and shorter hiking spurs such as Lintharjun luontopolku and Jokivarren luontopolku—so expect shared junctions and seasonal users; always yield according to local guidance and stay on marked routes where required(3)(4). For connections toward neighbouring route packages, our map also meets the longer Sisä-Savon retkeilyreitti legs toward Rautalampi and Karttula at network junctions. North Savo offers varied lake-and-ridge scenery; Kuopio is the main regional centre for services and transport if you combine this hike with a wider trip.

Pisa trails are a day-hike network on forested Pisa hill above Lake Syväri in Nilsiä, which is part of Kuopio in North Savo. The quartzite slopes belong to the same old Karelian remnant chain as Koli; Luontoon.fi describes long sightseeing tradition, demanding rocky paths, and viewing points such as the Treaty of Teusina boundary marker and Pirunkellari cave(1). For parking options, Lastukosken kota, the nature tower, and practical notes, the City of Kuopio publishes a dedicated Pisa trails page(2). The trail is about 8.5 km as recorded for this line. You begin near Lastukosken kota on Vuotjärvi shore, where the village association keeps a hut with campfire opportunities(2), then follow the marked network toward Pisan luontotorni roughly 6.7 km into the walk. That nature-viewing tower crowns the hill at about 270 m above sea level and about 170 m above nearby lake surfaces; the City of Kuopio notes extremely steep slopes and cliffs on the order of 5–15 m(2). Waymarks are orange paint on trees; stairs, railings, and resting platforms ease the steepest climbs(1)(2). Campfires are not allowed inside the conservation area, but there is a table and benches beside the tower for packed meals(2). Retkipaikka’s Nilsiä winter report adds ground-level detail: the rebuilt tower (opened 2014 in that account) is climbed by a narrow stair shaft, and on a clear day the view reaches roughly 45 km to Puijo tower, with icy footing called out on the final climbs(3). The longer Pyöräilyreitti Kuopio-Tahko (Kuopio) cycling route shares the Lastukoski shore and the same kota, so cyclists linking Kuopio and Tahko often pass this trailhead area. Where marked hiking meets Koillis-Savon retkeilyreitti - Juankoski, walkers share Pisan luontotorni; that regional trail continues past Pisankosken kalastusalue for anglers following the bigger circuit.

The trail lies in Rytky in Kiuruvesi, North Savo. For firewood rules, waste, the parking-area toilet and the latest maintenance notes, the City of Kiuruvesi’s dedicated Huvikallion luontopolku page(1) is the place to check. General outdoor etiquette in Finland is summarised on Luontoon.fi(3), in line with how the city asks visitors to respect nature on its paths. The Huvikallio nature trail is about 1.5 km. It runs through forest with learning posts where you can practise recognising animals and plants from the pictures(1). About halfway, the path drops into a lush depression to a rest spot on the lake shore with a lean-to, a table and marked campfire places(1). The City of Kiuruvesi renewed the trail between 2019 and 2021: expanded parking and large information boards, a firewood shed at the parking area (take firewood from the shed to the campfire sites; the municipality does not haul wood to the fireplaces), a dry toilet at the parking area, refreshed markings and trail surface work, upgraded signs, refurbished campfire rings and seating, and a renovated lean-to roof and information boards at the lakeside(1). There are no litter bins along the trail; pack out what you bring(1). The wider Luontopolut listing on the City of Kiuruvesi website(2) places Huvikallio alongside Paljakanvuori and Putouksenmäki in a round of duckboard and signage work completed in summer 2021. Retkiseikkailu also lists Huvikallion luontopolku among Kiuruvesi outdoor tips(4). About 1.5 km from the start of this route, the path meets Luontovaellusreitti Paljakka-Rytky, a longer marked hiking connection in the same municipality if you want to extend the day.

For descriptions, distances, and national park rules for this loop, use the Aution kierto section on the Tiilikkajärvi trails page on Luontoon.fi(1). Mika Markkanen’s walk-through of Uiton kierto and Aution kierto on Retkipaikka adds on-the-ground detail on duckboards, bridges, and how the loops connect(2). Matkalla Suomessa summarises the park’s walking routes and parking options for visitors coming from Rautavaara(3). The trail is about 3.4 km and forms a loop in Tiilikkajärvi National Park in Rautavaara, North Savo. It is a short day hike through mire and forest, mostly on duckboards, and is often combined with the longer Uiton Circle or the 18 km Tiilikan kierto circuit when you want a full day in the park. The loop is named for Tiilikanautio, a historic homestead clearing along the route. After a short opening near Koirakivi tulentekopaikka, the path soon reaches the Venäjänhiekka shore area: Venäjänhiekka telttailualue, several Venäjänhiekka tulentekopaikka spots, and the wide sandy beach that draws many visitors to the park. Further along, the Uitto cluster includes Uitto kaivo, Uitto laituri, Uitto nuotiopaikka, and picnic space by the water—practical stops before you climb back through forest toward Tiilikanautio kuivakäymälä near the old farmyard. Dry toilets are available at several of these service points so you can plan a relaxed half-day without rushing. From the same trail network you can link to Uiton Circle for a longer lakeside loop, or pick up Tiilikan kierto for a full circuit past additional shelters, rowing crossings, and reservable huts elsewhere in the park. Treat Metsähallitus pages as the place to confirm any seasonal closures or service changes.

Jokivarren luontopolku—the same riverside walk widely known locally as Jokipolku or Suonenjoen Jokipolku—is a point-to-point nature path along the Suonenjoki river in Suonenjoki, North Savo. For route descriptions, access points, and kayaking alongside the river, Visit Savo’s Jokipolku page is a good starting point(1). The City of Suonenjoki groups the trail with other local outdoor ideas on its “Lähde retkelle luontoon” pages and notes city-maintained laavu shelters at both ends of the Kimpanlampi–Iisvesi section plus a cultural outhouse at the Kimpanlampi laavu(2). Retkipaikka’s long-form guide to Suonenjoen Jokipolku adds on-the-ground colour: river history boards, Myllykoski and Petsamo, a short climb to Simolanvuori for views over the ice-age landforms, and why Kimpanlampi matters for waterbirds in spring and autumn(3). The trail is about 6.2 km one way toward Lake Iisvesi. About 1.3 km along you reach Kimpanlammen Laavu, a natural break by the pond. The route finishes at Iisveden Laavu and the Iisvesi harbour area, where Iisveden sataman kuntopaikka and Iisveden sataman uimapaikka sit by the water for a swim or outdoor fitness after your walk. Near the upper part of the trail, SPSH ry:n halli lies close to the path—useful as a landmark when reading a map. The same river corridor links to other outdoor networks: Lintharjun luontopolku and Lintharjun ladut meet the area around the sports hill, and Simolan Maastopyöräreitti and the long Sisä-Savon retkeilyreitti - Suonenjoki share segments for cyclists and multi-day hikers who want to stitch a longer day together. Expect an easy, family-friendly riverside character with bridges across the river, nature and culture information boards, and wet ground after rain—Retkipaikka suggests sturdier footwear when the soil is soft(3). The river is popular for canoeing; Visit Savo points to phone-friendly paddling route guidance and free city boats stored along the centre(1). Suonenjoki is a compact Lakeland town; combine the walk with Lintharju’s ridge trails if you want more distance on another day.

Telkkämäki hiking loop is about 0.2 km of easy walking in Kaavi, North Savo, in a tight circuit beside Telkkämäki pysäköintialue on Metsähallitus-managed Telkkämäen luonnonsuojelualue. The path introduces the slash-and-burn heritage landscape around Telkkämäen perinnetila and ties in with longer marked routes from the same trailhead. For opening hours during the summer season, phone contact, kaski-burning announcements, and the wider story of traditional cultivation and restoration work, see Luontoon.fi(1). City of Kaavi lists the companion loops Laidunkierto and Rietulan kierto plus free year-round access to the reserve, and notes that hunting, camping, and open fires are not allowed while berry and mushroom picking are(2). Starting from Telkkämäki pysäköintialue, the short ring reaches Telkkämäki lähde and visitor amenities along the way; dry toilets are available near the farm area so you can combine a few minutes of walking with reading the outdoor exhibition in the barn side room when the heritage yard is staffed(1). From the same hub you can join Rietulan kierto for about 1.9 km through historic and present-day kaski scenery with interpretation along the trail(1)(2), use Telkkämäki kärrytie for an even shorter link in the yard, or pick up Northeast Savo hiking route – Kaavi section (Koillis-Savon retkeilyreitti - Kaavi) when you want a much longer regional day(4). City of Kaavi groups Telkkämäen retkeilypolku together with Rietulan kierto as Metsähallitus-maintained outdoor offerings and points walkers toward Retkikarta for the regional trail network(3). Wild Karelian Outdoor has written about the atmosphere of kaski smoke and traditional practice days at the heritage farm, which pairs well with a short walk in the surrounding reserve(5). Terrain is mostly level meadow, pasture, and deciduous forest typical of restored slash-and-burn landscapes rather than steep climbs(2).

The trail is about 3.5 km and starts from the Nuorisokeskus Metsäkartano outdoor centre in Rautavaara, North Savo. On local signs the same walk is labelled Luontopolku 2 / Haravapuron polku; Nuorisokeskus Metsäkartano publishes full directions, junctions, and fire rules for the turf hut and laavu along the way(1). Rautavaaran kunta lists Metsäkartano among the main trail hubs for the wider Tiilikkajärvi area, with skiing, MTB, and longer loops linked from the same yard(2). From the centre you quickly pass everyday sports sites such as Metsäkartanon frisbeegolfrata and Metsäkartanon liikuntasali, while Metsäkartanon kuntosali sits near the shore band. About a kilometre into the forest-track approach you can branch to Metsäkartanon turvekammi, a bookable, fee-based shelter with a dry toilet; open fire there is restricted during wildfire warnings because of the roof type(1). The Haravapuro section uses rooty forest path, short ups and downs, a bridge crossing over Haravapuro, and sections of duckboards past spruce forest and gentle moraine slopes. A sandy lakeside rest spot pairs a laavu, dry toilet, woodshed, and wilderness cabin rental patch; Retkipaikka’s visit write-up captures how cosy the turf hut feels for a lunch stop and how much trail variety spreads out from the peninsula(3). The same trailhead links into longer options: Pumpulikirkon reitit toward the ice-stream gorge landmark, Metsäkartanon valaistu kuntorata and Metsäkartanon valaistu latu on shared machine-groomed corridors in winter, Uusi liikuntapaikka moottorikelkkareitti for snowmobile touring, and the long Virvatulten polku circuit toward Tiilikkajärvi National Park huts and parking. Metsäkartanon nuorisokeskuksen uimapaikka by the address yard gives a swimming beach when you want to cool off after the walk. Confirm the latest on bookings, turf-hut fees, and wildfire restrictions with Nuorisokeskus Metsäkartano(1); the municipality overview helps place the route in the wider Rautavaara trail menu(2).

For up-to-date maps, loop combinations, and winter-versus-summer routing, start with Kuopion kaupunki overview pages for Tahko hiking trails(1) and the KuopioTahko hiking trails and maps hub(2). SYKE summarises Huutavanholma’s Natura 2000 habitat and species values on the national nature information pages(3). Tahko trails is about 31.5 km as one continuous hiking line through the Tahko–Nilsiä outdoor network in Kuopio. North Savo’s busiest resort municipality combines forest hills and Lake Syväri shores here. Official materials describe five colour-coded summer ring routes—Huutavanholman kierros (4.6 km), Tahkon Tähtikierros (6.3 km), Kettukankaan kierros (5.5 km), Tahkomäen kierros (14.1 km), and Rahasmäen kierros (20.1 km)—that you can link into day hikes of different lengths; all are designed to climb to roughly 300 m elevation at least once. The corridor stitches those hills, lakeshores, and resort edges into a single long day or multi-section walk rather than one signed loop. The Huutavanholma retkeilyreitti is a short signed loop in the same conservation pocket if you want a minimal add-on beside the main network(1). From the Rahasmäki–Syväniemi end, the route soon reaches Vanhan kaivoksen laavu, where snowmobile connectors also meet the forest road network. Around 8 km in, Hiekkoniemen kota sits by the shore—handy before you climb toward Välimäen laavu and pass Tahkovuori DiscGolfPark. Near 13 km, Tahkon näköalatorni rewards the climb with views over the holiday area and Lake Syväri; Tahkon laskettelukeskus sits close by. Pöllölaavu lies beside Mäkiaution rotko, where Kuopion kaupunki describes stairs down to old quartzite formations; the same pages note firewood and a dry toilet at the lean-to. Nipasen kota and Taukotupa offer further shelter deeper in the forest, then Tahkon reitin tulipaikka and Tahkonlahden uimaranta bring you back toward the water. Tahkon Ilveslaavu, Nallelaavu, and the Tahkon Maneesi riding-field cluster sit toward the northern shore before the line finishes near Tahko Spa and Tahko Span tenniskenttä—useful landmarks if you end a section at the village services. The same paths form part of North Savo’s busiest year-round recreation destination: in snow-free months you hike marked summer trails, while many corridors double as maintained ski tracks or snowmobile routes in winter—check KuopioTahko and Kuopion kaupunki for the active season layer you plan to use(2). A major trail and signage renewal at Tahko was underway in 2025–2026, including wider crushed-surface work on Rahasmäen route and replacement of wooden fingerposts with new aluminium guidance(2).

Huuhkaja Loop nature trail is about 6 km as one continuous loop on the Älänne outdoor area between Varpaisjärvi and Rautavaara in North Savo, on a ridge landscape that drops toward the Tiilikkajoki river. Metsähallitus describes the wider Älänne hiking network, including this loop, on the Älänne reitti page on Luontoon.fi(1). Visit Lapinlahti outlines how Huuhkajankierros fits the Älänne route pairings and the Natura 2000 setting on its Älänteen alue page(2). Hello Kuopio’s Huuhkajan kierros article adds practical access notes for the Vongankoski trailhead on regional road 582(3). You start and finish at Vongankoski parking: lean-to shelter, campfire places, and dry toilets sit beside the lot, with the same facilities repeated at Huuhkajanniemi roughly halfway round—about 3.2 km from the start for Huuhkajanniemi laavu and the nearby dry toilet. Between those clusters the path circles Pieni-Valkeinen, climbs onto a long, light-filled pine ridge with short rocky climbs and duckboard sections, and then follows the Tiilikkajoki canyon edge so you can look down to the water before closing the loop back at Vongankoski pysäköintialue. Along the way, about ten nature boards explain local geology and plants(4). Mika Markkanen’s Retkipaikka walk-through notes how the white circle markings read clearly in the forest and suggests carrying your own fire-making supplies if you plan to use the shelters, because availability can vary(4). Marja’s Luonnon mukaan account praises the ridge-top going and reminds dog walkers to use a leash in warm weather because snakes also use the sunny rocky pockets(5). From Vongankoski you can branch onto the wider Älänne reitti or follow Huuhkajankierros - Näätähiekka yhdyspolku toward Näätähiekka beach and campfire spots on Lake Älänne—useful if you want a swim after the hike(3). Lapinlahti(2) and the Älänne materials(1) place the area in the joint Lapinlahti–Rautavaara recreation landscape. North Savo is lake and ridge country; Lapinlahti sits east of Kuopio; the drive from central Kuopio is a bit over an hour and from Tahko roughly 45 minutes(3).

The Vuori-Kalaja accessible trail is a very short wheelchair route of about 0.3 km around the Vuori-Kalaja pond in Etelä-Konnevesi National Park, in Rautalampi in North Savo. Metsähallitus describes it on Luontoon.fi(1), Visit Rautalampi covers the rest-stop services(2), and the Etelä-Konnevesi regional site repeats timing, barrier, and winter maintenance notes together with a link to the national hiking map PDF(3). Though the distance is small, officials allow about half an hour on snow-free ground because the surface is built for assisted wheelchair travel rather than a fast walking pace(2)(3). Along the trail you pass the Vuori-Kalaja puolikota half kota, the Vuori-Kalaja laituri dock, and the Vuori-Kalaja nuotiopaikka campfire site before reaching the Vuori-Kalaja inva-pysäköintialue accessible parking area at the end of the forest road. The rest stop is also where longer marked hikes begin: Kalajan kierros circles the pond and climbs Kalajanvuori, Kolmen vuoren vaellus crosses several fells, and the Inner Savo hiking route – Rautalampi passes through as part of a much longer link in the same park. A separate Vuori-Kalaja esteetön polku is only a few hundred metres and shares the same facilities. Visit Rautalampi highlights swimming in the clear pond in summer, a shared rowboat with your own life jacket required, an accessible dry toilet, and tighter fire rules during forest or grass-fire warnings(2). Retkipaikka’s Kalajanvuori article focuses on the rugged cliffs and old forest reached from the north shore path rather than this barrier-free stretch, but it captures why the pond setting feels dramatic for visitors continuing onto the demanding sections(4). Rautalampi is the home municipality on the North Savo side of the park; national park rules and Metsähallitus contacts apply across the area.

For driving directions, facilities at the trailhead, and a species-focused introduction, Visit Rautalampi’s Rastunsuon lintujärvi page is the most practical visitor-facing starting point(1). The bird lake and surrounding mire are owned and managed for nature conservation by Pohjois-Savon luonnonsuojelupiiri, the North Savo district of the Finnish Nature Association; their Rastunsuo page outlines how the wetland was created, how it was protected in 2017, and what habitat work is planned or underway(2). Rastunsuo Bird Lake nature trail is about 1.8 km as an easy loop on our map around the artificial bird lake on a former peat production block near Kerkonkoski village in Rautalampi, North Savo. Some visitor pages describe the nature path as roughly 1.5 km, which is close to the same circuit rounded differently(1). The trail rings the pool where Vapo raised water levels in the early 1990s after peat digging stopped, producing roughly fifteen hectares of shallow open water that now attracts nesting gulls, ducks, grebes, and many migratory waders and waterfowl; over a hundred species have been recorded on the complex(2). Interpretation boards along the path explain birds, plants, and other wildlife(1). About 0.9 km into the loop from the mapped start you pass Rastunsuon lintutorni, a bird tower suited for scanning the lake and margins—bring binoculars if you can. Official listings also mention a second tower, a viewing platform, a bird hide, a log-built kota roof by the parking area, and a dry toilet, so you can combine a short hike with longer birdwatching(1)(2). Spring migration is the busiest season, when ducks, geese, and waders pause on the flooded fields and open water; local birders still compile notable spring lists from the towers(3). Satunnainen Retkuilija joined a Luonnonpäivät opening walk here in 2017 and noted how much easier viewing had become after the site’s upgrade(4). Dedicated YouTube searches with Finnish name variants did not surface a short clip clearly focused on this exact loop.

Pikkukierto is about 2.1 km as mapped here—a short forest trail in the Kolmisoppi–Neulamäki nature reserve on the edge of Kuopio in North Savo. Kuopio maintains the site as a popular recreation area inside roughly 230 hectares protected as part of the EU Natura 2000 network. The trail links the longer Neulamäen kierto and Vanhan metsän polku at Vuorilammen nuotiopaikka, the campfire rest spot on the north end of Vuorilampi. For route descriptions, brochures, Retkikartta.fi links, accessibility notes around the campfire, and up-to-date practical detail, Kuopion kaupunki publishes the main Kolmisoppi-Neulamäki destination page(1). Metsähallitus also lists the area on Luontoon.fi as a recreation destination with related trail material(2). Compared with the roughly five-kilometre Neulamäen kierto and the four-kilometre Vanhan metsän polku, Pikkukierto is the gentlest option in the trio still marked for year-round outdoor use without needing rubber boots(1). Neulamäen kierto is the demanding circuit: it climbs through Vuorilampi and Tervaruukki toward Suuri Neulamäki with almost a hundred metres of vertical gain and big views from the bedrock(1). Vanhan metsän polku overlaps the same ground in places and focuses interpretation on old-forest life—cones, woodpeckers, and glacial erratics(1). Pikkukierto gives a compact way to reach Vuorilammen nuotiopaikka about 0.8 km from the Kolmisoppi trailhead along the trail so you can combine a snack stop or fire with whichever outer loop you choose. The Kolmisoppi–Neulamäen ulkoilureitit walking network and winter ski lines such as Neulaniemen ja Tervaruukki- Pilppa kuntolatu share the same trail network nearby if you want to extend the day. On the north shore of Vuorilampi, Vuorilammen nuotiopaikka has firewood and a dry toilet; in summer the city describes step-free access to the toilet itself even though the connecting path down to the fireplace area is not fully barrier-free for everyone without assistance(1)(5). Kivenjuurelta’s hike write-up from the reserve highlights rich grove and rock vegetation around Vuorilampi and quieter old-forest stretches when you stitch together more than one marked path(3). Hello Kuopio summarises parking on Pilpantie, street spaces at the end of Juontotie in the Neulamäki neighbourhood, and local buses 4 and 8 stopping at Juontotie I for car-free access(4). If you want the lookout tower or Tervaruukin ulkoilumaja that sit on Neulamäen kierto, continue onto that loop from the same junction by Vuorilammen nuotiopaikka rather than expecting them on Pikkukierto alone.

Väisälänmäki Culture and Nature Trail is about 2.5 km as a loop on the hill of Väisälänmäki in Lapinlahti, North Savo. The hill rises to about 218 m above sea level and is North Savo’s only national landscape; traditional Savonian farm and lakeside scenery has drawn artists here for generations. For opening hours at Karjamajakahvio, firewood at the shelter, seasonal events such as the Christmas elf trail, and who maintains the trail, the City of Lapinlahti’s Väisälänmäki page is the best place to start(1). Metsähallitus summarises what a national landscape means in Finland on Luontoon.fi(2). The trail winds through field edges, meadows, and forest on the ridge. Along the route, information boards introduce artworks created in the area and stories of local history and nature—the best views over the patchwork toward Lake Onkivesi are from Väisälänmäen näköalatorni, a wooden tower you reach about 1.2 km into the loop. Beside the tower, Väisälänmäen nuotiopaikka is a covered campfire spot; the city’s page lists firewood, a dry toilet, and a water point nearby(1). A little farther along, Karjamajakahvio is a summer café run by Lapinlahti 4H, with decades of seasonal opening; details and updates are on the association’s channels linked from the city page(1). Independent walkers on Retkipaikka and Reissukuume describe the mix of pasture fences, meadow flowers, and uneven stone underfoot, and recommend walking the full loop rather than only visiting the tower if you want the full sense of the place(3)(4). The same hill area connects to the long regional Ylä-Savon pyöräreitti cycling corridor—the hiking loop shares a short section with that bike route—useful context if you combine driving or cycling in Upper Savo with a short walk here. The trail is maintained with support from Väisälänmäen kulttuuri- ja luontopolun tuki ry; current notices also appear on the hill’s Facebook presence referenced from the city page(1).

Volokinpolku is about 30 km of marked wilderness-style hiking between eastern Sonkajärvi and the edge of Rautavaara in North Savo. Sonkajärven kunta maintains the shelters, firewood, and waste service on the trail during the summer service season (1 May–31 October) and describes the full sequence of laavus, the Jussinlampi wilderness hut, parking, and contact details for the service point(1). Metsähallitus lists the same route on Luontoon.fi for national outdoor recreation browsing(2). The trail runs through ordinary commercial forest, but the landscape shifts from sandy eskers and cloudberry bogs to deep ravines and lake views; Retkipaikka’s route guide highlights Hankalammen bird tower, the hand-pulled Koplukka ferry at Holinpuro, Holinmäki viewing platform, and the Uuranholi gorge with boardwalks and beaver activity(3). Railo’s long-form walkthrough adds practical colour: the trail is marked with yellow paint blazes, suits a first overnight backpack for many people, and is popular with trail runners; some rocky sections make tent spots scarce near Jussinlampi, so carrying a backup shelter is wise(4). The route is often walked north to south from the Jyrkkä ironworks area and Ruukin tupa toward Susi-Kervinen, or in the opposite direction; several road connections reach mid-route shelters so you can walk shorter sections. Expect duckboards, stairs in wet ravines, and occasional forest roads. The name is sometimes linked to a 16th-century wanderer or to a Finnish word for wolf; treat both as folklore. Rautavaara is the municipality on our page at the southern end of the line. For the latest on firewood, waste, and closures, rely on Sonkajärven kunta(1); for the national trail page, Luontoon.fi(2).

The Seinävuori–Mäkimaja trail is about 5.1 km point-to-point in Tuusniemi, North Savo, linking the Seinävuori gorge area with the Mäkimaja wilderness hut. For up-to-date route listings, services at the gorge, and winter access to the car parks, start with the City of Tuusniemi’s outdoor recreation pages(1). The trail is one of the municipality’s longer day-hike legs between two well-known stops: you begin from the Seinävuori gorge destination and walk through forest to Mäkimaja, which sits on the same hiking network as longer connections toward Karankalahti and Kaavinkoski(1). The trail runs in Tuusniemi, roughly 55 km from central Kuopio. At the Seinävuori end you are in the same landscape as the famous gorge: a deep ice-age fracture valley protected since 1964, with steep walls and small lakes(2). The Seinävuori gorge page describes the on-site services at the gorge itself—lean-tos, a barbecue kota, viewing deck, jetty, woodshed, and dry toilets, with winter maintenance on Seinävuorentie to the lower parking area(2). Visit Tuusniemi & Kaavi summarises the wider hiking offer around the gorge and the optional 20 km continuation toward Kaavinkoski via Mäkimaja and Ahvenlampi lean-tos(3). Along this route you pass Seinävuoren rotkolaakso at the start and reach Mäkimaja after about 5 km. Mäkimaja is a wilderness hut style stop where you can break before continuing on the Mäkimaja–Karankalahti trail or returning by car. If you want more detail on the gorge’s geology and birdlife, Retkipaikka’s write-up on the rotko gives a vivid on-the-ground account of the raven cliffs and the stream under the boulders(4). Terrain is forest trail and path between the two hubs: expect roots, rocks, and short climbs typical of North Savo forest shores. The gorge’s own loop trail is narrower and more exposed at the rim; this connector is more about moving between two serviced points on the wider network.

The Mäkimaja–Karankalahti trail is a point-to-point hiking leg in Tuusniemi in North Savo. On our map it is about 4.5 km from Mäkimaja toward the Karankalahti end of the same forest corridor, following forest paths and forest roads between lake shores. For how this leg fits into Tuusniemi’s published hiking network and PDF maps, start with the City of Tuusniemi outdoor recreation pages(1). The same pages list the popular Seinävuori–Mäkimaja–Ahvenlampi–Kaavinkoski day hike of roughly 20 km from Seinävuori gorge via Mäkimaja and Ahvenlampi to the Kaavinkoski kota; this 4.5 km segment is the stretch that leaves Mäkimaja toward Karankalahti rather than the full day route(1). The Seinävuori gorge page on the City of Tuusniemi site describes the protected ravine, winter road maintenance to the lower parking and kota, and the signposted 2.5 km loop around the gorge when you want a shorter outing from the same trail system(2). Visit Tuusniemi & Kaavi highlights Seinävuori as Tuusniemi’s best-known hiking area and points to the long gorge-to-Kaavinkoski option with lean-tos and campfire sites along the way(3). Mäkimaja is a natural break point: the City of Tuusniemi lists a 5.6 km Seinävuori–Mäkimaja footpath with parking, lean-to, dry toilet, and campfire place at both ends(1). Retkipaikka describes the rotkolaakso geology and notes that longer walks continue from the gorge loop toward Mäkimaja, Ahvenlampi, and Kaavinkoski over about 20 km(4). The Sydän rinnassa, reppu selässä blog describes walking the Mäkimaja–Karankalahti corridor on forest paths and forest roads, stopping at Mäkimaja’s historic building, and meeting other visitors—useful colour even though the piece focuses on a day section rather than a full trail guide(5). Where Karanka-Ahvenlampi reitti meets the same network near Ahvenlammen laavu, Metsähallitus lists the route on Luontoon.fi for map context(6). From Mäkimaja you can also branch onto the Seinävuoren rotkolaakso-Kaavinkoski retkeilypolku or align with the Seinävuori-Mäkimaja -reitti depending on how you stitch the day(1). Tuusniemi sits in Lakeland Pohjois-Savo; North Savo is known for forest trails between villages and lakes, and this leg works well if you are linking Mäkimaja to the Karanka–Ahvenlampi direction or stitching stages of the wider Seinävuori–Kaavinkoski corridor.

Kissakoski Nature Trail is a short hiking route in Kuopio’s Säyneinen area in North Savo. It is listed on Luontoon.fi as Kissakosken luontopolku in Kuopio(1). Note that another, longer trail shares the same Finnish name in Hirvensalmi in South Savo—this page is only for the Kuopio route. Municipal outdoor pages for Kuopio describe the wider regional trail network and roughly one hundred maintained rest and fire places(2). For the latest on the swimming spot at the trail end, see Ruukinrannan uimaranta (Säyneisen uimaranta) on the city site(3). The trail is about 1.6 km and runs point-to-point from the Säyneinen sports cluster toward Kissakoskentie and Säyneisen uimaranta. Near the start, Riekkiläntie 4 has Säyneisen jääkiekkokaukalo, Säyneisen urheilukenttä, and Säyneisen tenniskenttä—easy landmarks for finding the corridor through the recreation area. About 1.4 km along you reach Säyneisen uimaranta at Ruukinranta on Kissakoskentie: a small, sheltered swimming beach where the city provides a rescue ring, changing rooms, WC, a grill spot, and bins; parking for the beach is about 70 m away(3). The walk suits a quick nature break combined with swimming or ball sports at the start. There are no linked connecting trails in our data for this route. In the same district, other Säyneinen outdoor facilities appear on separate municipal listings(2).

The Niittylahti hiking trail is about 10.5 km of marked path in eastern Kuopio, North Savo, in the Niittylahti–Asuma outdoor area along Vehmersalmentie, roughly 40 km from the city centre. For current conditions and the city’s own trail description, start with the Niittylahti hiking trail page on the City of Kuopio website(1). Liikkuva Kuopio lists the same route with practical details for visitors(3). The route links the Tonkkurinmäki and Mustamäki ridges and runs through the Tonkkurinmäki and Niittylahti nature reserves. Terrain shifts from spruce and pine forest and mire edges to rocky shores: on Mustamäki, cliffs along Lake Mustajärvi rise on the order of 40 m above the water, and the Mustamäki observation tower gives a wide view over Lake Kallavesi toward Kuopio. About 6.4 km along the route you reach Niittylahden laavu, a maintained lean-to with a fireplace; the Kortejoki-Vehmersalmi Moottorikelkkaura snowmobile route overlaps the same forest-road stretch near that shelter, so expect occasional winter motor traffic on overlapping forest roads. Nearer the Mustamäki end, Mustamäen näkötorni sits above the trail. The city maintains two lean-tos and a swimming and boating beach at Niittylahti(1). The Niittylahti farm was once owned by Colonel Carl Lode, a Finnish War figure remembered in literature; a famous Scotch pine associated with the story, Ukko-Lode, stands near the Tonkkurinmäki parking area(1). A walk-through article on Retkipaikka notes green paint markings on trees, varied footing (forest paths, old track beds, some wet stretches), and a moderately demanding day out with noticeable ups and downs(2). Allow roughly three to four hours if you walk the full distance at a comfortable pace with breaks.

The trail is about 73.2 km as one continuous hiking route in Kuopio, not a loop, forming the Karttula leg of the Sisä-Savon retkeilyreittistö through lake-and-forest countryside in North Savo. For downloadable maps, the latest municipal guidance on local outdoor networks, and notes on rest spots, start from Kuopion kaupunki retkeily pages(1). Metsähallitus documents other legs of the same named network on Luontoon.fi—for example the Rautalampi segment—so you can compare how the route is described and mapped across municipalities(2). Savon Sanomat reported when the wider Sisä-Savon retkeily- ja moottorikelkkailureitti project was largely completed: a ten-year programme from 1998 that added roughly 330 km of hiking routes and 280 km of snowmobile routes, plus nine rest points with a lean-to or kota, with Karttula, Rautalampi, Suonenjoki, Tervo and Vesanto responsible for upkeep(3). That context explains why you will share junctions with snowmobile corridors and ski tracks in winter, and with shorter village trails in summer. Syvänniemen kyläyhdistys describes the Syvänniemi–Souru–Savikoski–Karttula corridor as a mountain-bike and hiking connection that climbs through Souru, continues on forest track to the Suonenjoki road, then follows about a kilometre along the road before turning onto private road and path toward historic Savikoski and on to Karttula; expect wet ground in places near Mäntylä and before Savikoski depending on the season(4). Near the water, the same community pages detail Keihäsjoen ulkoilureitti to Keihäsjoen laavu with orange and blue branch options, Hermanninreitti (valaistulatu) as a lit ski and walking loop from the Keihäsjoki shore, and Sourun näköalatorni at the old ironworks landscape—facilities that sit on or beside the early kilometres of the route(4). Further along, Karttulanlahden uimaranta and the sports cluster around Kissakuusentie appear as local landmarks; Hoikanlammen laavu and Kivelän kota mark quieter forest stops deeper on the circuit(4). Kuopio lies in North Savo. This segment meets the shorter Karttula-Syväniemi vaellusreitti and Keihäsjoen retkeilyreitti at Syvänniemi, and lines up with the longer Sisä-Savon retkeilyreitti - Suonenjoki package on the regional network. Read more on our pages for Keihäsjoen laavu, Sourun näköalatorni, Hoikanlammen laavu, and Kivelän kota when you plan breaks.

For trail descriptions, maps, and the latest visitor information, start with Visit Leppävirta’s Orinoro Gorge page(1). The same hiking route is listed on Luontoon.fi alongside other Finnish outdoor destinations(2). Retkipaikka’s North Savo mobile trail guide for Mustinmäki weaves village history, stories tied to Orkonen pond and the gorge, and waypoint notes into a long walk-through of the area—useful background if you want more than bare facts(3). Orinoro nature trail is about 8 km long in Mustinmäki, Leppävirta, in North Savo on the island of Soisalo. The route is a circuit from Mustinmäki community house through forest and farmland scenery and back, with Orinoro gorge as the main destination. The gorge is a narrow ice-age fracture valley: Visit Leppävirta gives roughly 200 m length and almost 20 m depth, with a spring at the bottom where snow and ice can linger into June(1). The Finnish Geological Survey has included the Orinoro gorge valley on its national list of geologically valuable sites; demanding lichen species such as tree lungwort and Arctic kidney lichen grow in the cool, shady microclimate(1)(4). Along the walk you pass mixed forests at different successional stages, old paths, stone walls, forest ponds, and duckboard sections where the ground stays wet. Near Orkonen pond there is a rest spot with a lean-to, kota, and a small jetty; the Retkipaikka guide describes the pond and its stories in detail(3). The gorge rim has no safety fences, and boulders on the floor make footing uneven in places—move carefully, especially with children(1). In winter there is no packed trail all the way to the gorge; snowshoes are the practical choice(1). Rubber boots or waterproof hiking footwear help on damp summer sections(1)(3). Mustinmäki village association can arrange guided walks and campfire refreshments for groups by advance booking(3).

The Pohjalampi nature trail is an easy loop of about 2.1 km around a small bird-rich lake beside Tervo village centre in North Savo. Locally the same path is often called Hellepolku. For who to contact about local outdoor facilities and maintenance requests, the Municipality of Tervo’s Liikunta ja ulkoilu pages list hiking routes among other services and name the vapaa-aikasihteeri and Servica property services(1). The circuit crosses mire and birch shore woodland with yellow paint markings on trees. About 200 m from the usual start, a bird tower overlooks the reed-fringed water; a viewing platform sits near Tervon urheilukenttä on the north-east side of the lake. Information boards along the route introduce wetland birds. The only picnic table on the loop sits on the southern shore in open mire, roughly midway around the lake. After that section the path passes Kirkkotien uimaranta and the Mantuntie sports cluster—Tervon urheilukenttä and nearby courts—where a second viewing platform gives another angle over the water. Retkipaikka’s Luontopolkumies walk-through describes the duckboards, the tower, and pacing the loop in about an hour; it also notes that some boardwalk planks are broken and waterproof footwear is wise after wet weather(2). Lintuyhdistys Kuikka’s Tervo page summarises breeding and visiting birds on Pohjalampi, including crane, common pochard, little grebe, and black-headed gull, with rarer records such as corn crake(3). In winter the same lakeshore links logically to Yhdyslatu Pohjalampi-Savela ladut, a maintained ski connection toward Savela that shares this part of the shore with the summer footpath.

Inner Savo hiking trail – Vesanto is about 60.4 km as one through-hike segment in the Sisä-Savon retkeilyreitti network across lake-and-forest country in Tervo and Vesanto, North Savo. For marking style, maintenance expectations, and how the Vesanto municipality describes its share of the network, start with Vesannon kunta(1). The trail is a long-distance link rather than a town loop: underfoot you get forest paths, forest roads, and quieter public roads, with stretches that feel wet underfoot especially south of Vesanto church village, so sturdy footwear that tolerates damp ground is a practical choice(1). Vesannon kunta describes the Vesanto section as marked with wooden posts, red paint marks, and wooden signs at junctions(1). Visit Savo describes the separate Patoveden kierros day loop that starts from Tiitilänkylä beach as an easy, clearly marked ring—useful context where this long route passes Tiitilänkylän uimapaikka(2). The same corridor passes close to everyday recreation in Vesanto: early along the line you are near Pumptrack Vesanto, Vesannon kuntoportaat, Kirkonkylän urheilukenttä Vesanto, and Vesannon koulun lähiliikuntapaikan ulkokuntoilulaitteet, while Pönkkälän laavu offers a lean-to stop a few kilometres from the start. Where the route runs through Vesanto’s school and sports cluster, it also meets the lit ski loop Vesannon valaistu latu, the lit running track Vesannon valaistu kuntorata, Humalavuoren ladut, and the Sisä-Savon moottorikelkkareitti winter trail—useful context if you are planning linked day trips or comparing summer hiking with winter routes. Mid-route, Kirkonkylän uimapaikka Vesanto and Kirkonkylän talviuintipaikka sit by the shore in the church village area. Farther along, Niiniveden nuorisoseurantalon sali, Niiniveden pallokenttä, and Niiniveden uimapaikka cluster near Niinivesi; the local ski track Niiniveden hiihtolatu joins the same band. Toward the southern end, Tiitilänkylän uimapaikka sits near the Tiitilänkylä swimming beach that Visit Savo uses as the main access for the separate Patoveden kierros day loop(2); Luonnon mukaan describes combining Patoveden kierros with a side visit to Manginniemi in Tervo as a relaxed North Savo day out(3). The through-hike finishes near Laurilanrannan rantautumispaikka/laituri, a small landing and dock by the water. The wider Sisä-Savon retkeilyreitti continues beyond this segment: Sisä-Savon retkeilyreitti - Rautalampi and Sisä-Savon retkeilyreitt - Tervo are the adjacent long-distance legs in the same family of routes. Asinjoen latu is another local ski connection where the geometry meets it.

Suovu–Palonen nature trails are short marked walking paths in the Suovu–Palonen recreation area in western Kuopio, North Savo. The route on our map is about 4.2 km and is not a closed loop. It reaches Ryönänkosken laavu roughly halfway—an open lean-to by the Palosenjoki rapids where you can pause above the water. The wider Suovu–Palonen outdoor network follows the near-natural Palosenjoki river past Vanhansahansaari nature reserve land; the City of Kuopio describes fishing rules, timber-industry history, and the main trail services on its Suovu–Palonen pages(1). Lupa innostua’s hike report from the area names several nature-trail branches around Ryönänkoski toward the protected island and riverside forest, and contrasts the easy forest track toward the lean-to with wetter duckboard sections farther along the longer round(2). Retkipaikka’s Palosenjoki article highlights a roughly 3.3 km Palosensalo nature trail inside the same destination family, green-marked wooden posts on the main river route, and boardwalk stretches that can be slippery when wet—useful context if you extend beyond this segment(4). Yle Pohjois-Savo reported boardwalk renewal between Ryönänkoski and Lammasjärvi to keep those crossings safe(3). For a full day on the Palosenjoki corridor, the Suovu–Palonen hiking trail continues past more lean-tos and fireplaces—read more on our page for that trail. Kuopio is about a twenty-minute drive from the city centre to this side of the area; the City of Kuopio’s materials list the Suovu shore hub at Länsirannantie 1500 with parking, an information board, dry toilet, and campfire, designed with accessibility in mind(1).

For Metsähallitus route information and map browsing for this trail, start with the Luontoon.fi trail page(1). The Municipality of Tuusniemi publishes up-to-date detail on services at the ravine, winter maintenance on Seinävuorentie, and how to reach the parking(2). Retkipaikka hosts Luontopolkumies’s walk report from the main parking, with practical notes on red paint markings, rope-assisted cliff sections, the viewing platform above the gorge, and why a clockwise circuit can feel easier on the final smooth rock descent(3). The trail is about 2 km on our map as one path through the Seinävuori recreation area. Tuusniemi and other guides often describe the marked circuit around the gorge at about 2.5 km and roughly an hour on foot(2)(3). The walk is moderately demanding in places: the marked path runs close to steep edges, and short rope handlines help on rock(2)(3). Marking is red paint on trees and rocks(2)(3). About 1.2 km from the start you reach Seinävuoren rotkolaakso—the deep fracture gorge itself—where the tread drops to the floor with a different, sheltered mix of plants including eastern leaved moss in the bottom(3). The ravine is on the order of 500 metres long, tens of metres wide, and up to about 25 metres deep; it has been a strict nature reserve since 1964(2). The Seinävuori-Mäkimaja -reitti is a longer signed hiking option from the same network toward Mäkimaja wilderness hut and onward toward Kaavinkoski—Tuusniemi describes multi-hour options of roughly 20 km via Ahvenlampi lean-tos for strong hikers planning a full day(2). Tuusniemi lists a large lean-to and campfire area, a grill kota, a panoramic deck, a small dock on Pieni Seinälampi, information boards, a woodshed, and dry toilets; the deck, main lean-to, and dock are step-free(2). Tuusniemi lies in North Savo, roughly 55 km from central Kuopio by road—easy to combine with other North Savo outdoor stops.

For current work on the trail and how it fits Rautalampi’s wider hiking scene, start with Visit Rautalampi’s hiking and outdoor page(1). The same page highlights that Tyyrinvuori has been a recent maintenance focus for the municipality. Paikallislehti Sisä-Savo reported in August 2023 on the opening of a roughly 900-metre barrier-free section and refreshed nature-trail boards along the route(3). The trail is about 2.9 km on our map as a forest loop a couple of kilometres from Rautalampi centre on the wooded peninsula between lakes Lonkari and Äijävesi and the Rautalampi basin; independent walk-throughs sometimes round the distance up when detours are included. Rautalampi is a practical base in North Savo for this outing. The path climbs onto Tyyrinvuori, then drops toward the shore of Lake Lonkari, with numbered nature-trail boards (15 in sequence, followed clockwise in field reports) explaining geology, forest and local history—topics include Ancylus-lake shoreline boulders, erratics, an ice-grooved rock face, and views from the east rim toward Koskelovesi and drumlin hills. Marking is mainly yellow paint on trees alongside the boards. Terrain is mostly dry pine and spruce forest with one short duckboard crossing; the ascent is modest but the descent off the hill is steep enough that Retkipaikka classes the hike as medium demand(2). The shore stretch along Lonkari is flat; you can nip down to the water in several places even though the main line stays slightly inland. Near Tupakkaniemi the wider landscape includes a bird tower marked on local maps(2). The final kilometre is built as a broad, gravelled and partly boardwalked section promoted as barrier-free, with benches—Retkipaikka notes a wheelchair user might still want to check widths and surfaces on site(2). There is no maintained campfire site along the loop(2). Day hikers connecting longer outings can join the marked Sisä-Savon retkeilyreitti - Rautalampi long-distance trail very close to this loop. Paddlers on Lake Rautalampi should also know that the canoe route Kartanokierros passes nearby. Dedicated YouTube searches with Finnish name variants did not surface a short clip that clearly shows only this Tyyrinvuori loop.

The Lintharju nature trail is a long day hike on a forested ridge just outside Suonenjoki town centre in North Savo. The trail is about 12.9 km as mapped here—official pages for the area usually describe it as roughly 13 km, with connector paths that let you shorten the walk. Suonenjoen kaupunki maintains the Lintharju outdoor area and publishes practical details on its Lintharju pages(1). Visit Savo summarises the same network for regional visitors(2). Retkipaikka’s walk-through by Luontopolkumies adds on-the-ground notes on markings, lakes, and pacing along the ridge(3). The route runs through pine forest and open ridge tops with views over small lakes and mires. Nature boards along the way explain local habitats; the marking uses brown cone symbols on posts and additional colour marks on trees that are easy to follow in clear weather(3). After the first couple of kilometres you are already in the Palolampi–Onkilampi section, where the ridge profile stands out and several ponds sit in the forest mosaic. Nearer the eastern town side, the trail passes the Kaatron laavu lean-to and the Kyöpelin rinteen kuntoportaat fitness stairs—known locally as “Ranen raput” after Olympic skier Rauno Miettinen—with the Lintharjun Liikuntakeskus sports block and other town-edge facilities close by. The same ridge hosts Lintharjun ladut in winter, shared-use Lintharjun Maastoypöräreitti, and links into the long Sisä-Savon retkeilyreitti - Suonenjoki network; Jokivarren luontopolku is another hiking loop in the wider Suonenjoki system worth combining when you plan more than one day outdoors. Terrain is moderate: mostly wide forest tracks with a few steeper short climbs and, in wet springs, occasionally soft ground on alder shore strips—footwear with a bit of grip is enough for normal summer conditions(3). Five lean-tos (Alaparkki, Palolampi, Kukkura, and Onkilampi upper and lower) sit in the wider Lintharju recreation area; the city keeps firewood at the shelters(1)(2). A separate, shorter sienipolku mushroom trail with eleven species boards is signposted as an accessible loop in the same area(1).

For listings, access details, and the same trail summary Iisalmen kaupunki uses across its services, start with the outdoor trails hub on the Iisalmen kaupunki website(1). The national Suomi.fi service point for this route repeats the headline facts in plain language: about 7 km in Viitaa, varied terrain, several campfire and rest stops, and a winter ski track on the line when snow allows(2). The trail is about 7 km and is not a loop. It lies in Viitaa village in Iisalmi, North Savo. From the Palosenlammintie start, you reach Pajusen kota after roughly 1.5 km—a good early stop. Around 4.9 km along the route, Keskisuon laavu sits in mire and forest. Nearer the end, Soidinvuoren paikoitusalueen nuotiopaikka at Palosenlammintie 250 marks a campfire spot by the parking area. In winter, the groomed Soidinvuoren retkihiihtolatu ski trail follows the same Soidinvuori network and uses the same shelters and campfire points along the way. Iisalmen kaupunki maps laavut, kodat, and nuotiopaikat—including sites on this route—in the free Fluent Outdoors map service, with photos and notes on accessibility and firewood where the city provides it(3).

Kalaja connector trail 1 is about 1.1 km one way in Southern Konnevesi National Park. It links Kalaja P-alue parking to the Vuori-Kalaja shore rest area in Rautalampi, North Savo, where Metsähallitus manages the park and publishes rules, seasonal fire bans, and destination information on Luontoon.fi(1). Visit Rautalampi describes Vuori-Kalaja as the starting point for Kalajan kierros and Kolmen vuoren vaellus, notes roughly one kilometre of walking from Kalaja parking to the shelter area, and lists the half-shelter, campfire spot, jetty, rowing boat, and accessible toilet at the shore(2). The mapped trail is a short, mostly gentle forest path along the approach to Vuori-Kalaja nuotiopaikka, Vuori-Kalaja puolikota, Vuori-Kalaja laituri, and Vuori-Kalaja inva-pysäköintialue at the same end of the line. Retkipaikka’s walk-through of Kalajan kierros starts from Kalaja parking and follows the easy approach toward Kalaja shelter before the loop branches; that narrative matches the character of this connector as the shared entry to the Vuori-Kalaja facilities(4). From here you can continue onto Inner Savo hiking route – Rautalampi, which Luontoon.fi lists as a long-distance hiking connection through the Rautalampi section of the network(3), or step onto Kalajan kierros for the full Kalaja hill loop, Vuori-Kalaja esteetön reitti for a very short accessible circuit, Vuori-Kalaja esteetön polku, or Kolmen vuoren vaellus for a longer fell traverse. The shore has a campfire place and a half-kota for breaks; bring your own life jacket if you use the rowing boat described on the visitor page(2). During forest or grass fire warnings, open fire is prohibited throughout the national park, including in enclosed fireplaces(2). Check the Finnish Meteorological Institute warnings and Metsähallitus pages before you light a campfire or use the kota(1).

The Ahvenlampi–Kaavinkoski trail is a point-to-point hiking leg in Tuusniemi in North Savo. On our map it is about 6.8 km between Ahvenlammen laavu at the Ahvenlampi rest area and the Kaavinkoski end of the same forest corridor, ending at the Kaavinkoski landing spot, swimming place, and kota by the water. For PDF maps and how this leg sits in the wider Tuusniemi trail network, start with the City of Tuusniemi outdoor recreation pages(1). The Ahvenlampi rest stop page adds a photo of the small dock and the exact coordinates published for the rest area, matching the trailhead area for Ahvenlammen laavu(4). Visit Tuusniemi & Kaavi outlines the popular long Seinävuori–Kaavinkoski day-hike option of roughly 20 km from Seinävuori gorge via Mäkimaja and Ahvenlampi to the Kaavinkoski kota, and describes Kaavinkoski as a historic canal channel between lakes Rikkavesi and Kaavinjärvi with local services and heritage buildings in the channel landscape(2). From Ahvenlammen laavu, the Karanka–Ahvenlampi reitti meets the same shelter as a separate signed connection; Metsähallitus lists that route on Luontoon.fi for map context and the lean-to stop shared with this junction(3). After roughly 6.6 km you reach Kaavinkosken rantautumispaikka and Kaavinkosken uimapaikka beside Kaavinkoskentie—useful if you arrive by canoe or want a swim after the forest walk. A short step further along the trace, Kaavinkosken kota offers a traditional kota for breaks and gatherings. Tuusniemi is a Lakeland municipality: Pohjois-Savo is known for forest trails between lakes and villages, and Tuusniemi works well as a base for stitching this segment into longer outings.

Mäntyjärven kyläpolut is a village hiking network around Lake Mäntyjärvi in Kortteinen, Kaavi, in North Savo. The City of Kaavi lists the network as two named routes: Harjas-Matin polku and Leppäkertun kierros, alongside other Kaavi outdoor routes on its outdoor trail network page(1). Retkiseikkailu’s Kaavi listing gives practical labels for the same pair as nature trails in the Kortteinen area(2). The hiking line on our map is about 6.4 km long—suitable for a half-day walk in forest and lakeshore terrain. The network sits in a quiet village setting; combine walking with a swim at Mäntyjärven uimapaikka on Riihijärventie, which the municipality records among village-association-maintained beaches(3)—see our Mäntyjärven uimapaikka page for the swimming place itself. Terrain is typical North Savo forest and lake shoreline: footpaths and local tracks rather than wide sports boulevards. The municipality does not spell out marking colour or winter maintenance on its short Mäntyjärvi entry, so check the city’s outdoor pages before you go if you need the latest local notes(1).

For current routes, services, and maps across the Älänne lake country, start with Visit Lapinlahti’s Älänteen alue overview(1). Metsähallitus publishes the wider Älänne trail package for map browsing on Luontoon.fi(2). The Huuhkaja circuit – Näätähiekka connector is a point-to-point hiking link of about 3.4 km between the Näätähiekka day-use cluster on Lake Älänne and the Vongankoski rest area along the Tiilikkajoki corridor in Lapinlahti, North Savo. Lapinlahti sits east of Varpaisjärvi near the Rautavaara boundary; the Älänne countryside is known for long sandy shores, pine and spruce forest on glacial ridges, and quiet lake views(1). At the Näätähiekka end you reach Älänteen Näätähiekan uimapaikka with its strand, Näätähiekka kaivo for water, two marked campfire spots called Näätähiekka tulentekopaikka 1 and Näätähiekka tulentekopaikka 2, and a woodshed for fuel named on the municipal page(1). Dry toilets are grouped with those services. Näätähiekka pysäköintialue gives a short walk to the shore facilities. Following the marked path toward Vongankoski, you close the gap to the Huuhkaja day loop: Vongankoski pysäköintialue and Vongankoski laavu sit together with a dry toilet, forming the usual start for the 6.2 km Huuhkajankierros ring and the Vongankoski - Haatainniemi luontopolku shore link that Visit Lapinlahti describes as 8.6 km past Näätähiekka(1). That longer shoreline hike continues to Haatainniemen laavu and related stops beyond this connector. Independent walkers who toured the Huuhkaja loop report clear white paint blazes, easy-to-follow pine forest walking, and a mix of gentle ridge walking with short steeper pulls elsewhere on the network; they also remind you to carry your own firewood if you plan to grill at Vongankoski because supplies can run out(3)(4). Retkipaikka’s spring walk focused on the sunny, easy ridge plates above Pieni-Valkeinen and the thousand-year-old mire at Peipusenlammi on Huuhkajan kierros luontopolku(3), while Luontopolkumies notes route finding from the same trailhead and the alternate sign toward Näätähiekka(4). Together with Huuhkajan kierros luontopolku and Älänne reitti, this link lets you combine a lake swim or picnic at Näätähiekka with the full Huuhkaja circuit or the Vongankoski - Haatainniemi luontopolku toward Haatainniemi without driving between those trailheads(1)(2).

The trail is in Iisalmi in North Savo, on the Sikokallio outdoor area above rocky ground in a nature reserve; OmaHyte describes the view from the rocks as reminiscent of Lapland(2). For printable maps, Metsähallitus Retkikartta integration, and how Sikokallio fits alongside the city’s other walking and hiking networks, the City of Iisalmi’s outdoor routes page is the right place to start(1). The Sikokallio outdoor area service point on OmaHyte publishes the street address and practical access notes from Koljonvirta and the centre(2). Iisalmen Latu reminds visitors that the kota and lean-to are free for general use except when a booking is in force—look for a private-use sign—and notes video monitoring in the area(3). Sikokallio Nature Trail is about 2.1 km. It is not a closed loop in our geometry. About 1.15 km from the start you reach Sikokallion laavu ja kota, a natural break point for a snack, shelter, and campfire when rules allow. Read more on our page for Sikokallion laavu ja kota. The same Sikokallio hub links into much longer outings: the Koljonvirta–Piilampi hiking trail passes this lean-to and kota on its way through the Koljonvirta–Piilampi lake country, while Sikokallion latureitit and Maastopyöräreitti Koljonvirta-Runni share the terrain for winter skiing and summer riding(4). Ylä-Savon pyöräreitti runs nearby if you are planning a wider cycling loop from the city.

The Katiskaniemi nature trail is about 1.9 km as a shoreline loop in Kuopio, North Savo. It circles Katiskaniemi beside Kallavesi from the Rauhalahti spa area, mostly through protected woodland with deciduous groves and rocky pine stands. Kuopio.fi(1) describes interpretation along the path, flying squirrel and lesser spotted woodpecker habitat in old aspen and grey alder, and traditional grazing landscapes near the shore. Metsähallitus lists the Katiskaniemi destination on Luontoon.fi(2) for map-based browsing in the same lakeland setting. About half a kilometre along the route you pass Jätkänkämppä, a historic logging cabin with smoke sauna—read more on our Jätkänkämppä page. Around the northern shore, Pölhön rantautumispaikka and Pölhön grillikatos sit together off Saaristokatu; they are easy stops if you arrive from the archipelago side or want a charcoal shelter. Nearer the spa end, Rauhalahden uimaranta faces the bay, with Kylpylähotelli Rauhalahti and Rauhalahden kuntosali alongside Katiskaniementie for services after a short walk. The tread alternates easy lakeside paths with short duckboard stretches and rooty segments where the ground stays uneven; Retkipaikka(3) notes good signage, a bench around 400 m, and a wider haapa grove on the north shore worth slowing down for. The route meets Kivilammen kuntolenkki at Jätkänkämppä and runs close to winter tracks such as Leväsen-Rauhalahden ladut and the long shoreline walk Himoliikkujan Saaristokatu—handy if you want to extend the day. Stay on marked paths: the City of Kuopio stresses that the rich forests and rock pine wear easily and asks visitors to follow existing trails only(1).

Revonsuo Nature Trail is a short hiking loop of about 3.5 km in Vieremä, North Savo. The route is named for the Revonsuo area and works well as a half-day walk in forest and mire-edge terrain. For the municipality’s wider trail network and events, the City of Vieremä publishes an overview on its outdoor recreation and nature pages(1). About 2.7 km along the loop you reach Läsykankaan laavu, a lean-to that also sits on the much longer Aarnikotkan polku (White-tailed Eagle Trail) between Vieremä and Talaskangas. The City of Vieremä’s Aarnikotkan polku page describes campfire possibilities at the lean-tos along that long route, including Läsykankaan laavu, and notes that the full Aarnikotkan polku is a demanding, map-reading backcountry-style trail marked with blue and red paint(2). Luontoon.fi lists Aarnikotkan polku as a Vieremä hiking route on the national outdoor site(3). If you are only walking this short Revonsuo loop, you still get the same laavu as a rest and lunch stop; combining days on Aarnikotkan polku is optional and a different trip. Vieremä lies in North Savo. The Talaskangas nature reserve and other Vieremä outdoor destinations are described separately on the city’s pages(1); this loop is compact enough for a morning or afternoon outing before exploring the area further.

For the latest on Tahko hiking access, structures, and how Huutavanholma links to the observation tower and the wider trail network, start with the City of Kuopio Tahko hiking trails pages(1). The Finnish Environment Institute summarises Huutavanholma’s Natura 2000 habitats and species on the national nature information pages(3). Tahko.com reported the 2021 renewal of boardwalks, stairs, and the brook bridge through the reserve with EU and local co-funding(5). Huutavanholma hiking trail is about 0.5 km as a short forest loop in Kuopio in the North Savo region, inside the 43-hectare Huutavanholma herb-rich forest reserve beside Lake Syväri. The same conservation pocket sits south of the ski and outdoor centre; a stream cuts through steep, partly rocky slopes with lush herb-rich forest and spring-fed brook scenery described on the City of Kuopio pages(1). Official Tahko materials and regional reporting often describe longer Huutavanholma circuits that climb toward Tahkon näköalatorni and connect into ring routes such as Tahkon Tähtikierros; those full outings are typically quoted around a few hours and several kilometres, while this page follows the compact loop geometry only(1)(4). Tahkon reitin tulipaikka sits on Pehkuntie a few hundred metres from this line and is shared with winter ski connections and other Tahko routes—handy if you combine a short walk here with a break by the fire(1). The broader Tahkon reitit hiking network stitches laavut, beaches, and the tower into much longer days elsewhere on our site if you want to extend beyond this loop(2).

Kalajan kierros nature trail is about 3.9 km as a day hike in Etelä-Konnevesi National Park, on Rautalampi’s shore in North Savo. Metsähallitus manages the park; Luontoon.fi hosts the national trail page for closures, services, and maps(2). Visit Rautalampi summarizes how the route works for visitors: an easy gravel approach to Vuori-Kalaja, then a steep, rough circuit past Kalajanvuori with big lake views(1). Rautalampi sits at the national-park gateway, and North Savo is the wider region name on the journey from Kuopio or Jyväskylä. About 1.1 km from Kalaja P-alue along the route you pass Kiertolahti kanoottilaituri, the launch for the short Kiertolahti spur toward the canoe channel. The Vuori-Kalaja shore cluster is the main rest area: Vuori-Kalaja puolikota, Vuori-Kalaja laituri, Vuori-Kalaja nuotiopaikka, and Vuori-Kalaja inva-pysäköintialue sit within a few hundred metres of each other—take a break at the half kota and campfire spot, cool off from the jetty in summer, and use the accessible parking only according to current park rules. Kalaja P-alue is the logical car park at this end of the hike. Dry toilets sit with the kota services; read more on our place pages for firewood rules and bookings. From here the path turns rugged: roots, stones, and short duckboards climb toward Kalajanvuori, where open rock gives views over Vuori-Kalaja pond and Etelä-Konnevesi. Retkipaikka’s on-trail article recommends walking clockwise so you tour the east shore of Vuori-Kalaja toward the hill first, then drop back toward the kota(3). The photo walkthrough on Keski-Suomen Yhteisöjen Tuki highlights how clearly the route is marked in places and how rough the middle kilometres feel underfoot(4). The same junctions tie into longer hiking in the park: the Inner Savo hiking route – Rautalampi long-distance line shares Vuori-Kalaja stops, Three Fells Hike links Keskilahti and Enonranta hut and tent places to this shore, and Kalaja connector trail 1 stitches the laituri and nuotiopaikka knots toward Kalaja P-alue. Short Vuori-Kalaja esteetön polku and Vuori-Kalaja esteetön reitti give barrier-free metres beside the kota if you want a minimal outing. For tone and pacing on mixed easy-and-hard terrain, the same Retkipaikka piece is a readable companion to the official pages(3).

Lähemäki Nature Trail is a short forest loop of about 1.2 km in Kuopio, North Savo. It is a compact walk suited to a quick outing when you already have other plans in the city or along the Kallavesi shoreline. Dedicated tourism pages rarely spell out this exact trail name, so for operational questions and the wider network of marked paths, the City of Kuopio’s walking and outdoor route pages are the right place to start(1). The same municipality team documents Katiskaniemen luontopolku a little farther along the Levänen–Rauhalahti shore; the City of Kuopio’s Katiskaniemen luontopolku page lists phone and email for Kuopio’s environmental protection unit if you need to ask about conservation rules or maintenance in this shoreline forest zone(2). Hello Kuopio’s introduction to Katiskaniemen luontopolku describes herb-rich groves and rocky pine woods beside the water in the same broad area—useful background on the kind of lake-and-forest scenery you get south of the centre, even though that write-up follows a longer named loop(3). The route is mapped as a loop with a start in the Levänen district area. Allow roughly 20–40 minutes on foot at an easy pace. No linked stops are recorded for this route yet, so carry water and plan breaks on general city services until more on-trail facilities are confirmed from the ground.

The White-tailed Eagle Trail (Aarnikotkan polku) is a long point-to-point hiking route of about 34.7 km between Vieremä parish village and the Talaskangas forest and mire mosaic on the North Savo–Kainuu border. Vieremä lies in North Savo; this line ties Einarin puisto’s sports cluster in the village to Talaskangas, where the wider Talaskangas hiking trail network begins. For marking refreshes, forestry notices, the annual Hiljaisuuden kävely event, shuttle arrangements on event days, and safety notes such as the beaver-dam detour, the Municipality of Vieremä publishes the dedicated Aarnikotkan polku page(1). The reserve end of the journey is described together with driving distances and on-water rules on the municipality’s Talaskangas hiking page(2); the Natura 2000 site factsheet from the Finnish Environment Institute summarises why Talaskangas matters for old-growth forest and mire species(3). The Municipality of Vieremä describes the route as a demanding, non-permanent marked “boot trail”: blue and red paint and arrow boards (including distance hints), following old footpaths, cart tracks, and quiet village roads through upper-Savon-style conifer forest, lakes, and streams(1). Markings were rechecked in early June 2025(1). Terrain and navigation skills matter; the same authority states the route is unsuitable for people with reduced mobility(1). About 9 km from the end that lies toward Talaskangas you reach Puolinmäen laavu, a good first long stop with a fireplace. Past the midpoint, near Läsykankaan laavu at roughly 21 km, the line meets Revonsuon luontopolku, a short nature loop sharing the same lean-to. That stretch is also where a beaver dam blocks the main line: the trail page(1) describes a roughly 400 m bypass on blue and red ribbon roughly 3 km north of Läsykankaan laavu toward Talaskangas along Kotvakkojoki / Pieni Mäkijärvenpuro(1). Further on, Pitkäkankaan laavu offers another sheltered fire ring before Hukkalan laavu appears roughly 2 km from the village end—practical staging if you are linking into winter ski corridors or Kirkonkylän kuntorata around the disc golf course and Iivon Areena. Scenery called out officially includes the Kuorejärvi slash-and-burn heritage patches, old spruce along Kotvakkojoki, and entry into Talaskankaan luonnonsuojelualue at the north end(1)(2). Vegetation shifts from spruce mires and brookside forest to hay meadows and grazed openings(1). The Finnish Environment Institute notes extensive aapa mires, wooded bogs, and boreal natural forest habitats across the wider Talaskangas Natura site on the Vieremä, Sonkajärvi, and Kajaani municipal boundaries(3). At Talaskangas itself Metsähallitus manages the strict reserve; easy built trails, canoe carry options, and the Patalampi / Pikku-Talas shelter cluster belong to the separate Talaskangas route that begins from Jyleikönkangas or Talaskangas trailheads(2). You can walk the distance in sections; the trail page(1) notes vehicle access to each laavu when needed and promotes the late-August Hiljaisuuden kävely gathering with guided pace groups and free buses from Einarin puisto(1). Allow a very long summer day or two easier days with an overnight near one of the lean-tos if you tackle the whole trail.

The Old Forest Trail is about 3.7 km on our map in the Kolmisoppi–Neulamäki nature reserve, a few kilometres southwest of central Kuopio in North Savo. The route is not a loop; it overlaps the longer Neulamäki circuit in places and focuses on the reserve’s older spruce and pine forest, dead wood, and display boards about conks, hole-nesting birds such as woodpeckers, and Ice Age erratic boulders. The area is part of a Natura 2000 site with strong relief between rocky hills and forested hollows; the Finnish Environment Institute describes representative herb-rich forest, springs, cliffs, and species such as flying squirrel on the wider site(4). For trail descriptions, the PDF brochure, parking, and how the three marked nature trails connect, start with the City of Kuopio’s Kolmisoppi–Neulamäki destination page(1). Hello Kuopio lists the same trailheads, adds bus lines 4 and 8 to Juontotie I, and points to the Vuorilampi campfire site as a link between routes(2). About 0.8 km from the start along the route you reach Vuorilammen nuotiopaikka on the Vuorilampi shore, a natural break spot with a campfire place and a dry toilet; the City of Kuopio notes that the last approach is steep enough that assistance may be needed for people with restricted mobility even though the toilet is accessible(1). From this same corner, the short Pikkukierto trail links the Neulamäki loop and the Old Forest Trail, and the longer Neulamäen kierto continues toward Tervaruukki and Suuri Neulamäki with much more height gain (1). If you want a tower lookout or reservable hut, those sit on the wider walking and ski networks around Neulamäki and Pilppa (Neulamäen näkötorni, Tervaruukin ulkoilumaja, Pilpan maja, and related laavut on connecting routes in our database). Kivenjuurelta’s visit to the area in 2017 describes rich stream-side groves, cliff plants on Vuorilampi’s east rim, and quieter paths in the old-forest section where narrow tread sometimes fades; the same day mixed sun and showers, and the author combined several paths into a longer outing than any single marked loop(3). Kuopio is a lakeside city; this reserve sits close enough for a half-day forest walk without leaving town.

Hirvipolku is about 4.2 km of forest and mire-edge walking in Lukkarila village, Lapinlahti, in North Savo—easy going overall, but the ground changes from leafy stream banks to drier pine heath and the fringe of open bog. Lukkarilan Kyläyhdistys maintains the trail and publishes the trailhead coordinates, markings, and Citynomadi links for the nature interpretation boards along the route(1). Visit Lapinlahti highlights the same walk among nature experiences in the Lukkarila–Varpaisjärvi area and points readers to the village association’s trail page for detail(2). Roughly three kilometres along from the usual start you reach Oskarinkota. A laavu was built beside the kota in autumn 2021, with campfire spots and an outdoor dry toilet—read more about the kota and the laavu on our pages for Oskarinkota and Hirvisuonlaavu. The path continues to Hirvisuonlaavu at the bog edge, another laavu with a fireplace and a natural place to pause before heading back. Near Oskarinkota the line meets Hirvisuon lenkki, a local mountain-biking loop on our map, and Lukkarilan hiihtolatu, a longer ski trail that uses the same shelter area in winter—handy if you want to combine a short nature walk with biking or skiing from the same cluster. Retkiseikkailu lists Hirvipolku among compact Lapinlahti outing ideas and links the municipality’s wider nature-trail overview for context(3). The municipality listing has moved on the Lapinlahti site; when in doubt, rely on the village page for this exact trail(1).

Pumpulikirkko trails are about 6 km as one point-to-point hiking line in Rautavaara, North Savo, linking the northern approach toward Konttimäki pysäköintialue with the Nuorisokeskus Metsäkartano shore area. The City of Rautavaara describes the distance from Konttimäki pysäköintialue, notes summer 2022 upgrades such as new wooden walkways, and stresses waterproof boots because tread can stay wet and rocky(1). Tiilikkajärvi National Park visitor rules and the official Pumpulikirkko trail description on Luontoon.fi(2) use the Finnish name Pumpulikirkon reitti—check there before you go because Pumpulikirkko joined the national park on 1 June 2023. The geology everyone comes for is Pumpulikirkko itself: a steep-walled crevice opening into a rock-walled clearing, with a large giant’s kettle eroded open on one side so you can look into the cavity(1)(2). That short nature path from Konttimäki pysäköintialue is about 1.3–1.4 km one way on foot through old-growth spruce and pine, bog bridges, and rocky steps(1)(4). Along the roughly 6 km line you pass Konttimäki pysäköintialue first, then about 2.8 km from the northern end you reach Yrttilampi tulentekopaikka with Yrttilampi kuivakäymälä a few dozen metres away—useful if you continue south on the same corridor that Virvatulten polku shares through this section. The route finishes near Metsäkartanon nuorisokeskuksen uimapaikka at Metsäkartanontie 700, beside Metsäkartanon frisbeegolfrata, Metsäkartanon kuntosali, and Metsäkartanon liikuntasali; Erä- ja luontopolku II, Metsäkartanon valaistu kuntorata, and Metsäkartanon valaistu latu also meet the sports shore, so day visitors can pair a forest walk with a swim, disc golf, or a lap on the lit ski or fitness tracks. Retkipaikka describes the approach over mixed duckboards to the canyon rim, very old spruce forest with beard lichen, loud birdlife in summer, and the sudden canyon floor of waist-high ferns under straight rock walls(3). Ice and snow can linger in shaded pockets into early summer(1).

Vongankoski–Haatainniemi nature trail is a hiking segment in the Älänteen outdoor area in Lapinlahti, North Savo. The City of Lapinlahti describes the full shore connection as an about 8.6 km path from Vongankoski via Näätähiekka to Haatainniemi, together with the Huuhkajankierros loop forming the Älänne route; Metsähallitus publishes maps and route information for Älänne reitti on Luontoon.fi(1)(2). On our map this route is about 5.1 km as a point-to-point line from Näätähiekka to Haatainniemi. Treat that as the Näätähiekka–Haatainniemi shore leg: you can start from Älänteen Näätähiekan uimapaikka and Näätähiekka pysäköintialue, use Näätähiekka tulentekopaikka 1, Näätähiekka tulentekopaikka 2, and Näätähiekka kaivo near the beach, and reach Haatainniemen laavu, Haatainniemi laavu, Haatainniemi tulentekopaikka, and Haatainniemi kuivakäymälä at the far end. Dry toilets are available at Näätähiekka kuivakäymälä and at Haatainniemi. The Älänteen landscape is ridge, mire, and lake shoreline country between Lake Älänne and Tiilikanselkä; the municipality notes long sandy beaches and geology shaped by the last ice age(2). Retkipaikka’s Huuhkajankierros walk report describes white circle paint markings on the wider Älänne network, good signposting from the Vongankoski parking area, and a mix of forest, ridge, and river scenery on linked loops(3). Luonnon mukaan’s day-hike notes for Huuhkajankierros mention possible snakes on warm days and keeping dogs on a leash in those conditions(4). From Näätähiekka you can also connect to Älänne reitti, Huuhkajankierros – Näätähiekka yhdyspolku toward Vongankoski, and nearby Kaivannonkierto reitti and Kaivannonkierto on the Rautavaara side. The municipality lists a reservable group camp at Näätähiekka with saunas in the summer season; check the City of Lapinlahti outdoor pages for booking(2).

For route maps, printable maps, and the same outdoor services the city publishes across its channels, start with the outdoor trails hub on the City of Iisalmi website(1). Suomi.fi’s overview of municipal outdoor areas and routes in Iisalmi repeats that locations and directions are available online or on printable maps, and that use is free(2). The trail is about 3.9 km and is not a loop. It runs in the Peltosalmi neighbourhood south of central Iisalmi, North Savo. From the Peltosalmen lähiliikunta-alue sports cluster you pass the ball field, outdoor hockey rink, skate park, tennis courts, and disc golf course—Frisbeegolfradat.fi describes the 10-hole course in the same sand-pit and forest pocket, with parking typically at the school yard(3). About 2 km along the route, Ohenmäen laavu offers a lean-to stop in forest. In winter, the Peltosalmen ladut ski track network shares the same recreation pocket; the Ylä-Savon pyöräreitti regional bike route passes nearby if you are linking day trips. Iisalmi links municipal hiking routes, laavut, and services to Metsähallitus Retkikartta and lists bonfire sites in Fluent Outdoors with photos and notes—use those for the latest facility details(1). For fenced dog parks and the training field elsewhere in town—not this trail—see the City of Iisalmi dog parks page(4).

The Keihäs River hiking route is about 3.3 km along Keihäsjoki in Syvänniemi, Kuopio. Syvänniemen kyläyhdistys maintains the trail on city land, with practical questions directed through City of Kuopio property services(1). The same trail is listed on Luontoon.fi for nationwide outdoor planning(2). Almost immediately along the route you reach Keihäsjoen laavu, a lean-to by the river. Farther along, near roughly 2 km from the start, the line passes Syvänniemen Nousu ry:n tenniskenttä; the mapped hiking route ends near Syvänniemen koulun sali. The riverbank setting suits short forest walks and breaks at the lean-to. Syvänniemen kyläyhdistys describes colour-coded options from the Evangelical Lutheran church parking area: an orange-marked path of about 900 m each way as the most direct approach to the lean-to at Keihäskoski, a blue southern loop of a little over 1 km along the river to the lean-to, and a blue northern return of about 1.7 km closer to the channel, with some rockier and more demanding footing(3). The lean-to sits in the U-bend of the river and has firewood, a fireplace, and a dry toilet nearby(3). The same Syvänniemi shoreline links to longer networks: Karttula–Syvänniemi hiking route and Inner Savo hiking route – Karttula meet this corridor, and Hermannin liikuntareitti and Hermanninreitti (valaistulatu) pass the sports and beach cluster toward Kuttajärvi. See our pages for Keihäsjoen laavu, Syvänniemen Nousu ry:n tenniskenttä, and Syvänniemen koulun sali for facility details.

The trail is about 11.4 km as one point-to-point hiking route in Kiuruvesi, North Savo — not a loop — linking the Hingunniemi area with the Luupujoki river corridor. For the latest municipal trail listings and outdoor services, start with the City of Kiuruvesi nature trails pages(1). Hello Kuopio’s North Savo hiking overview places the region’s lake-and-forest trail network in context for trip planning beyond the city of Kuopio(2). At the headwater end of this system, Lake Luupuvesi is a nationally listed bird-water site and a shallow through-flow lake in the Vuoksi catchment, described in Järviwiki(3). The Hingunniemi name is familiar locally from the Ylä-Savo vocational campus area (Hingunniementie); the route starts from that vicinity and follows forest and shoreline terrain toward the Luupujoki valley. In the same recreational network, Venereitti Kiuruvesi-Runni offers a summer paddling route between Kiuruvesi and Runni with beaches and harbours along the way, and Kiuruveden jäälatu provides a winter ski track in the area — useful combinations if you want to mix hiking with boating or skiing in the right season. Kiuruvesi lies in North Savo. The municipality maintains several shorter signposted nature trails (Paljakanvuori, Huvikallio, Putouksenmäki, and others) and publishes a downloadable map of local nature destinations on the City of Kiuruvesi nature trails hub(1).

Patalikon polut is a long point-to-point hiking route in Pielavesi, North Savo. The trail is about 26.9 km and is not a loop. It begins near Kirkkoniemen laavu at the route start, then continues through forest and lake shores typical of the Pielavesi area. About 10.4 km along you reach Tornin laavu, and about 13.9 km along Oravimäen laavu—natural places to pause, eat, or plan an overnight beside a lean-to. For maps, maintenance, and the latest local rules, start with the municipal outdoor recreation pages for this network(1). Visit Savo gives regional visitor context for the same municipality and nearby destinations(2). The municipality maintains several marked hiking routes in Pielavesi, including Urkin polku, which is often described as a roughly 25 km line from Lepikon torppa toward the Korkeakoski waterfall area. Patalikon polut follows its own alignment on our map with the distances and shelters above; use the same municipal pages to confirm how this line connects to the wider network and to download the official PDF map(1). Maaseutuverkosto documents a 2019–2021 rural development project that renewed duckboards, firewood storage, laavu and eco-toilet facilities, and added interpretation along the Urkin polku outdoor corridor in the same countryside(3). Allow most of a day for the full distance in summer conditions. Terrain mixes forest paths, local connections, and views toward Pielavesi lake country. Turisti-info lists a general contact number for trail enquiries(4).

Rautalampi sits in North Savo, and this segment of the Sisä-Savon retkeilyreitti is a long-distance hiking line through Inner Savonia (Sisä-Savo): on our map it runs about 86.7 km as one continuous path, point-to-point rather than a loop. For what Visit Rautalampi highlights locally—national-park trails, lean-tos, birding spots, and routes under improvement—start with VisitRautalampi.fi(1). Yle has reported the wider five-municipality cooperation—Suonenjoki, Rautalampi, Hankasalmi, Konnevesi, and Pieksämäki—as marketing together more than 500 km of varied routes for hiking, cycling, paddling, and other outdoor use, reusing older regional ring-route corridors in places(2). From the northern part of this line, the route passes the Tervaharjun ampumarata belt and then threads through Kerkonkoski village, where Kerkonkosken uimapaikka, Kerkonkosken pallokenttä, Kerkonkosken kaukalo, and Kerkonjoen koulun pallokenttä sit close to the shore and sports areas—useful mental waypoints for water and services. The densest outdoor cluster on this segment is around Vuori-Kalaja and Lake Konnevesi inside Etelä-Konneveden kansallispuisto: VisitRautalampi.fi points visitors to three marked hiking levels in the national park and names Vuori-Kalaja, Kalajan kierros, and shorter options toward lean-tos(1). Luontoon.fi lists Kalajan kierros as a national-park trail in Rautalampi(3). Retkipaikka’s walk-through of Kalajankierros describes the loop from Kalaja parking around Vuori-Kalaja, the climb toward Kalajanvuori, and the lean-to stop—worth reading for terrain and pacing if you plan to branch onto Kalajan kierros or Kolmen vuoren vaellus from this long route(4). Along the same lakeshore band you can branch to Kalajan kierros, Vuori-Kalaja esteetön reitti, Kalaja yhdysreitti 1, Kolmen vuoren vaellus, Vuori-Kalaja esteetön polku, and Kiertolahden pisto; our map places Vuori-Kalaja nuotiopaikka, Vuori-Kalaja puolikota, Vuori-Kalaja laituri, and Kiertolahti kanoottilaituri within a few kilometres of each other, with Vuori-Kalaja inva-pysäköintialue and Kalaja P-alue as practical parking. Farther south, Törmälä bussi P-alue sits near the shore thread that meets Rajasaaren kierros for paddlers; Kierinniemen satama marks another harbour waypoint. Around Konnekoski, Konnekoski nuotiokatos, Konnekoski pysäköintialue, and Kellarilahti laituri pair with the short Kellarilahti polku connection. Toward the eastern end the line passes Wanhan Ratsastuskeskuksen maneesi and Wanhan Ratsastuskeskuksen kenttä off Palolahdentie. VisitRautalampi.fi also mentions Rastunsuon lintujärvi and Tyyrinvuoren luonto -ja ympäristöpolku as separate local targets where the wider network touches them(1). This segment links to other Sisä-Savon long legs—Sisä-Savon retkeilyreitti - Suonenjoki and Sisä-Savon retkeilyreitti - Vesanto—and shares junctions with local ski tracks such as Rautalammin kirkonkylän ladut, kayaking lines such as Kartanokierros and Rajasaaren kierros, and the short Tyyrinvuoren luonto -ja ympäristöpolku where the geometry meets it. North Savo is lake country; Kuopio is the main regional centre for services if you combine this hike with a wider trip.

For elk hunting periods, contacts, and the municipal description of the area, check the City of Kuopio’s Halmejoki nature trail page(1). The same route is listed on Luontoon.fi alongside other Finnish hiking destinations(2). The Halmejoki nature trail is about 1.8 km long in Ranta-Toivala, Kuopio, in North Savo. It runs almost entirely inside an EU Natura nature reserve where the city and partners have worked to protect and restore herb-rich forest and diversify the tree stand(1). The path is marked with paint blazes in the forest; a detailed on-the-ground walk-through with photos describes green paint marks, duckboards through birch groves, a figure-of-eight layout with two short loop arms, and nature boards on birds such as the greenish warbler and red-breasted flycatcher(3). Soon after the trailhead you reach Halmejoen nuotiopaikka, a campfire spot with a shelter and firewood looked after by the Ranta-Toivala village committee—handy for a break or a meal(1). About 0.7 km along the route, Halmejoen rantautumispaikka offers a landing on Halmejoki for canoes and small craft, with access from Halmejoentie 80 if you approach from the water. From the nature trail you can continue onto Pökösenmäen patteripolku, an about 5 km military history route past Finnish War sites, using the same campfire area as a junction(1). Mika Markkanen’s Retkipaikka report from August 2025 adds practical pacing: roughly two kilometres and about fifty minutes at a sightseeing pace, with moderate ups and downs and roots in the outer loop(3).

The Koljonvirta–Piilampi hiking trail is about 30.3 km one way between the lean-to end at Piilampi and the Koljonvirta lakeshore and equestrian-centre side near Iisalmi in North Savo, threading forest, lake shores, and local recreation infrastructure rather than remote wilderness. Iisalmi groups this line with the wider Koljonvirta and Soidinvuori walking networks and points hikers to Metsähallitus Retkikartta plus Fluent Outdoors for city-maintained ski, campfire, and lean-to details on Iisalmi.fi(1). The Iiranta–Partala village pages spell out how the long-distance connection links hiking, skiing, mountain biking, and riding routes from Koljonvirta through Tirisen cliffs and Tervalammi toward Iimäki, with reservable kota shelters at Tervalammi and Piilampi along the corridor(2). From Piilammen kota at the northern end you soon pass Hanhilammen kota Iisalmi and the Hanhilammen ampumakeskus complex—treat the range as an active facility and keep to public trail access rather than wandering on competition grounds. Around 14 km into the hike, Sikokallion laavu ja kota sits where several other trails meet: the short Sikokallion luontopolku nature trail, winter Sikokallion latureitit, and the long Maastopyöräreitti Koljonvirta-Runni mountain-biking circuit all share this knot, so expect occasional bikes or skiers depending on season. Iisalmen Latu ry maintains the Sikokallion maja area and explains that the open lean-to and kota are for general day use except when a private booking displays a closure sign, and that the site has video surveillance(4). Farther south the line reaches Tervalammen kota by Lake Tervalampi, then spreads onto the Mansikkaniemi and Koljonvirran swimming spots with a campfire site between the beaches—handy for a long lunch or swim on calm days. Keskimmäisen tulipaikka and Keskimmäisen lintutorni Iisalmi cap the wetland-and-lake transition before the final approach to Koljonvirran Ratsastuskeskuksen kenttä ja maneesi near Porovesi. That end zone also intersects Ylä-Savon pyöräreitti and Iisalmen venereitit if you want to extend toward town by bike or packraft another day. Independent trip logs on AllTrails often label the circuit as strenuous and plan most of a daylight day for similar distances, even though their loop wording differs from this point-to-point geometry(5).

Three Fells Hike is about 14 km in Southern Konnevesi National Park, weaving Rautalampi terrain in North Savo across Kalajanvuori, Kituvuori, and Loukkuvuori. Metsähallitus publishes trail facts on Luontoon.fi(1). Visit Rautalampi rounds out arrival, marking, and rest-stop details for the Rautalampi side of the park(2). Retkipaikka’s Mikko Ulmanen documents how heavy roots, stone steps, and wet hollows between Vuori-Kalaja and Kitulampi reward sturdy boots and a slow pace(3). Hannamari Henrika’s overnight journal underscores how slowly kilometres tick by with a full pack and why carrying drinking water matters when the backcountry offers no taps(4). The circuit begins and ends at the Vuori-Kalaja shore, where Vuori-Kalaja puolikota, Vuori-Kalaja laituri, and Vuori-Kalaja nuotiopaikka sit beside the pond. Within about two kilometres the path reaches Keskilahti: Keskilahti kanoottilaituri, Keskilahti nuotiopaikka, and Keskilahti telttapaikka give paddlers and tent campers a breezy lakeside stop on Lake Konnevesi, and firewood storage plus dry toilets make longer breaks workable without naming every utility building. Roughly 5.7 km along the loop you return to the Vuori-Kalaja service corner with Vuori-Kalaja inva-pysäköintialue beside the kota and dock—many people meet Kalajan kierros, Vuori-Kalaja esteetön polku, and the long Sisä-Savon retkeilyreitti - Rautalampi trunk here. Kiertolahti kanoottilaituri follows near 7.2 km as a canoe landing link into the bays. The Enonniemi shore near 10.6 km clusters Enonranta puolikota, Enonranta laituri, Enonranta telttailupaikka, and Enonranta telttapaikka 2 for a second natural camp night with swimming and cooking space. Loukkuvuoren lenkki fans out from the same shoreline if you want a short add-on before the climb back toward Kalajanvuori. National-park rules still apply: during forest-fire warnings open fires are banned even in kota stoves, so check Visit Rautalampi’s Vuori-Kalaja reminders before you strike a match(2). Expect yellow paint markings, steep stone pushes, and the counterclockwise direction that managers recommend during frost-free months; overlapping trails are easy to follow but busy on sunny weekends(2)(1)(4).

Koivuniemi lean-to trail is a very short forest walk of about 0.4 km in Lapinlahti, North Savo, leading to the Koivuniemenlaavu shelter at the tip of the Koivuniemi peninsula on the lakeshore. Lapinlahden kunta directs visitors looking for local hiking lines and laavu locations to Metsähallitus free map service retkikartta.fi from its Ulkoilualueet ja -reitit page(1). That makes the municipal outdoor hub the right place to double-check composite network mapping alongside on-site signs. The destination is the reward: Koivuniemenlaavu sits with a lake view, a fireplace, and a woodshed that includes an axe for processing firewood(3). Laavu.org describes roughly 400 metres of footpath from the nearest road and a direction sign beside Kivistöntie, which matches the compact distance you see as one walk-in segment on outdoor maps(3). Allow only a few minutes each way in summer conditions; the ground is typical needle‑leaf forest path rather than a groomed promenade. In winter the nearby Sihvon lenkki nature ski track runs through the same shoreline landscape, and Visit Lapinlahden winter-trails material presents it as a community ski line that partly follows shoreline and ice, maintained by the municipality and volunteer clubs with maps hosted in Lipas(2). Hikers in snow should treat the walking spur as ungroomed forest access unless local notices say otherwise. The long Kivistönlenkki biking circuit passes a few hundred metres away if you are linking human-powered loops around the Lapinlahti village area. North Savo’s lake-and-ridge country frames short outings like this: Lapinlahti fits into the broader Ylä‑Savo driving tour that Iisalmi ja tienoot promotes between the region’s flagship nature stops(4).