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Will-o'-the-wisp Trail

—•Hiking Trails

18.1 km

Route

P 1

Description

Luontoon.fi – Tiilikkajärvi National Park (instructions and rules)+

Description

For access rules, fire-making, and other up-to-date requirements in Tiilikkajärvi National Park, start with Luontoon.fi. 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. Independent trip writing on Mtbfin notes soft mire, duckboards in varying repair, and rougher ground around Pumpulikirkko. Retkipaikka’s Pumpulikirkko article adds detail on the canyon and kettle geology and reminds visitors that the site lies within national-park rules. 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.

Length & route

The trail is about 18.1 km end to end and is not a loop. Seura places the hike in the ice-free season from late May to October because snow lingers in hollows and rocky terrain. Mtbfin describes sections of duckboard, easier forest path, and steeper rocky steps near Pumpulikirkko. Retkipaikka notes about two kilometres on foot from Konttimäki parking toward the Pumpulikirkko kettle viewpoint area on a shorter visit to that feature.

Getting there

Konttimäki pysäköintialue lies at the route end; Sammakkotammi pysäköintialue serves the mid-route hut and mire sector. Retkipaikka used Konttimäki parking as the start for a Pumpulikirkko visit with signboards and maps at the lot. For national-park parking, road access, and any closures, follow the Tiilikkajärvi instructions on Luontoon.fi. Plan two vehicles or a pickup if you walk one way between Metsäkartano and the Konttimäki end—Seura frames the trail between the national park and Metsäkartano.

Good to know

Biting insects can be intense on mires in summer; light cover or repellent helps on visits like those described on Retkipaikka. After heavy rain or spring flood, wet sections and missing or weak duckboards make footing harder—Seura and Mtbfin both stress sturdy boots or rubber boots and careful footing. The trail is intended for hiking during the snow-free season rather than as a maintained winter walking route. Luontoon.fi carries wildfire and everyman’s rights guidance for Tiilikkajärvi National Park.

History

Retkipaikka states that Metsähallitus established a Pumpulikirkko nature reserve in 1972 and that protection and Natura boundaries later expanded around Löytynsuo–Maansuo and Tiilika; the kettle lies in ancient gneiss terrain shaped by ice-age meltwater.

Managed by

Rautavaara

Official Maintenance

Trail info

Point-to-point between Tiilikkajärvi National Park and Metsäkartano; you can walk either direction depending on where you park.

Route direction

National Park

Area

Recreation Area

Lake

Marked as a Metsähallitus hiking route; follow posted signs and park maps.

Route Signs

Open / Good Condition

Luontoon.fi – Tiilikkajärvi National Park (instructions and rules)+

Activities allowed

Hike / Walk

Activity

Terrain & conditions

18.1 km

Distance

About 5–8 hours of walking for fit hikers on rough ground in season.

Est. Time

Forest paths, duckboards, rocky steps near Pumpulikirkko, and mire crossings—conditions vary with season and maintenance.

Surface

Point-to-Point, Single Track

Route Type

Light Traffic

Traffic

Partial Shade

Shade

Seura – Virvatulten polku (Tiilikkajärvi and Metsäkartano)+

Location

63.62197°N, 28.32782°E

Parking coordinates

FinlandCountry

North SavoRegion

RautavaaraCity

Hiking TrailsCategory

Explore nearby

Rautavaara - Ylä-Keyritty moottorikelkkareitti

233 m

Free

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Answers to your questions

Our data was researched from Rautavaara, and other trusted sources, in March 2026. Our route / place GPX data comes from Metsähallitus / Lipas, last updated March 2026. Always check their official website for safety-critical updates.

Finland North Savo Rautavaara Hiking TrailsWill-o'-the-wisp Trail