Koli National Park Trails
There are about 80 km of marked trails in the Koli National Park, the length of which vary from 1.4 to 61 kilometres. As some of the trails are demanding and others are less so, you can choose the trail according to your level of physical fitness and the time you have available. The customer service officers at Koli Nature Centre Ukko are more than happy to help you in planning your hike. Even so, it is advisable to take along the Koli service and trail map (koli.fi, in Finnish). Koli beckons!
Please note that Koli's peaks and many other scenic viewpoints have a rough terrain and the bare rock areas are particularly slippery when it rains. There are no handrails at the viewpoints. They are natural attractions where visitors go at their own risk.
Koli Brochure
Parking
When setting off from Nature Centre Ukko's Yläpiha courtyard, park your car in the Ylä-Koli's parking area P1 (for short-term parking) or P2 (for long-term parking). In the village of Koli, you can park your car in the Koli Church parking area. There are also parking areas at Koli Harbour and at Ollila. When hiking in the southern parts of the national park, you can park your car at the Likolahti, Paimenenvaara, Peiponpelto, Pirunkirkko, Seppälä parking areas and Rykiniemi and the Rantatie Road lay-bys.
Summer Trails
There are several alternative starting points for the summer trails which you will find in each trail's description.
Starting from Nature Centre Ukko's Yläpiha courtyard, there are trails that continue across the Koli peaks to the national park's southernmost areas. In addition to these, there are also trails beginning from the Yläpiha courtyard that run via the Kolinuuro gorge to the shore of Lake Pielinen and to the north to Koli Harbour and the village of Koli.
Koli Harbour and the village of Koli are also popular starting points.
In addition, there are starting points by the Rantatie Road and all the national park's parking areas.
Most Popular Trails
Huippujen kierros Trail (Trail of the Tops), 1.4 km Circle Trail
Available: In the snow-free season. The trail does not have winter maintenance, but as it is a popular trail all year round, the path is often clear also in the winter.
Travel time: 30 min–1 h.
Difficulty: The trail is intermediate due to differences in height, steep stairs and slippery bare rock. The trail also has step-free access for prams and wheelchairs to a demanding accessible lookout point, but due to large differences in altitude an assistant is needed.
Starting Point: Koli Nature Centre Ukko's courtyard (Yläpiha), Ylä-Kolintie 39, Koli, Lieksa.
Trail description of the Huippujen kierros Trail
Ukko-Koli demanding accessible Trail, 400 m each way
Available: In the snow-free season.
Travel time: 30 min.
Difficulty: Demanding accessible trail. The gravel trail does not have any stairs but the altitude differences are significant so wheelchair users should have an assistant with them. The trail has lateral slopes, roots and rainwater ruts that can make the trail more challenging for those using mobility aids.
Starting Point: Koli Nature Centre Ukko's courtyard (Yläpiha), Ylä-Kolintie 39, Koli, Lieksa.
Trail description of the Ukko-Koli demanding accessible Trail
Kolinuuron kierros Trail, 3.1 km Circle Trail
Available: In the snow-free season.
Travel time: 2–3 h.
Difficulty: The demanding trail feature large elevation differences and steep stairs. Some parts of the trail are also very rocky and have exposed tree roots on the path. Therefore a good basic fitness level is sufficient for the trail and it is best suited for families with children over 6 years old.
Starting Point: Koli Nature Centre Ukko's courtyard (Yläpiha), Ylä-Kolintie 39, Koli, Lieksa.
Trail description of the Kolinuuron kierros Trail
Mäkrän kierto Trail, 7.5 km Circle Trail
Available: In the snow-free season.
Travel time: 3–4 h.
Difficulty: The demanding trail feature large elevation differences and steep stairs. Some parts of the trail are also very rocky and have exposed tree roots on the path. A good basic fitness level is sufficient for the trail.
Starting Point: Koli Nature Centre Ukko's courtyard (Yläpiha), Ylä-Kolintie 39, Koli, Lieksa.
Trail description of the Mäkrän kierto Trail
Nature Trails
Sataman polku Trail (Harbour Trail), 2.1 km each way
Available: In the snow-free season.
Travel time: 1.5–2 h/uphill (return 1 h/downhill).
Difficulty: The trail is demanding due to the differences in elevation but for the most part, the paths are broad and easy to walk. There are also multiple steep steps on the trail, so a good basic fitness level is sufficient.
Starting Point: Koli harbour parking area 1, Rantatie 12, Koli, Lieksa or Koli harbour parking area 2, Rantatie 6, Koli, Lieksa.
Trail description of the Sataman polku Trail
Kylän polku Trail (Village Trail), 3 km each way
Available: In the snow-free season.
Travel time: 1.5–2 h/uphill (return 1 h/downhill).
Difficulty: The trail is demanding due to the differences in elevation but for the most part, the paths are broad and easy to walk. There are also multiple steep steps on the trail, so a good basic fitness level is sufficient.
Starting Point: Koli Church parking area, Ylä-Kolintie 4, Koli, Lieksa.
Trail description of the Kylän polku Trail
Kasken kierros Trail (Slash-and-burn Trail), 4.1 km Circle Trail
Available: In the snow-free season.
Travel time: 2–3 h.
Difficulty: Intermediate. The trail is moderately demanding due to the differences in elevation but for the most part, the paths are broad and easy to walk. The trail is suitable for prams and buggies from the Ollila parking area until Mattila and Turula.
Starting Points: Ollila parking area, Ylä-Kolintie 12, Lieksa.
Alternatively you can start from Koli Harbour parking area 1, Rantatie 12, Koli, Lieksa or Koli Harbour parking area 2, Rantatie 6, Koli, Lieksa.
Trail description of the Kasken kierros Trail
Other Circle Trails
Paimenen polku Trail (Shepherd's Trail), 2.5 km Circle Trail
Available: In the snow-free season.
Travel time: 1.5–2 h.
Difficulty: The demanding trail feature large elevation differences and steep stairs. Some parts of the trail are also very rocky and have exposed tree roots on the path. A good basic fitness level is sufficient for the trail.
Starting Point: Paimenenvaara parking area, Kotaniementie 10, Koli, Lieksa.
Koli Summer Café Tour, 6.8 km Circle Trail
Available: In the snow-free season.
Travel time: One day.
Difficulty: The trail is demanding due to the differences in elevation but for the most part, the paths are broad and easy to walk. There are also multiple steep steps on the trail, so a good basic fitness level is sufficient.
Starting Points: You can start the Summer Café Tour from any café.
Trail description of the Koli Summer Café Tour
Hiking Trails
Kiehisen kierros Trail, 3 to 19 km partly Circle Trail
Available: In the snow-free season.
Travel time: At least 2 days to complete the whole trail.
Difficulty: The demanding trail feature large elevation differences and steep stairs. Some parts of the trail are also very rocky and have exposed tree roots on the path. One section of the trail also features a river crossing with a wading cable which you can skip if you want. A good basic fitness level is sufficient for the trail.
Starting Points
Rykiniemi parking area, Vaaralahdentie 116, Joensuu,
Seppälä parking area, Herajärven rantatie 36, Kontiolahti and
Pirunkirkko parking area, Rantatie 118, Koli, Lieksa.
Trail description of the Kiehisen kierros Trail
Herajärvi Trail (30 to 61 km)
Available: When there is no snow on the ground.
Travel time: Visitors are recommended to reserve three days (of which the first and last are not full hiking days) for the trail around the northern end of Lake Herajärvi, and four days for the entire 60 km trail.
Difficulty: The Herajärvi trail is a demanding hiking trail, as it is slow to walk and there are variations in elevation.
Starting Points: Several starting points.
Trail description of the Herajärvi Trail
Boating Routes
A boating fairway leads to Koli Harbour across Lake Pielinen from Lieksa, from Juuka and Nurmes in the north as well as through Ahveninen from the Pielisjoki River and Joensuu in the south. Lake Pielinen is linked with Lake Saimaa by fairways.
Read more about boating routes.
Canoeing Routes
Paddling on Lake Pielinen can be challenge due to the long, open expanses of the lake, but the experience of paddling across wilderness-like waters is unforgettable.
Read more on canoeing routes.
Biking Trails
Finnish National Biking Route 6
Starting Point: You can get onto it from main road 6, which runs between Joensuu and Kajaani. From main road 6 turn onto road 515 in the direction of Ahveninen and then turn left onto the biking route.
Read more about biking routes.
Riding Trails
Farmhouse Paimentupa (paimentupa.fi) arranges cross-country riding excursions along small roads in Koli National Park.
Winter Trails
In addition to walking, Koli National Park is a great place for snowshoeing, skiing and downhill skiing during the winter.
For more detailed information, see the trail and activity descriptions on the Winter Hiking page. Also remember to check the What’s New section for the destination before starting out.
Walking Trails
Ukko-Koli, 400 m each way
Available: While there is no winter maintenance on this trail, walkers often trample the snow, keeping the trail open throughout the winter.
Travel time: 30 min.
Difficulty: The trail is demanding in winter due to height differences, varying snow conditions, steep steps and slippery paths. The trail also has step-free access to the Ukko-Koli demanding accessible viewpoint.
Starting Point: Koli Nature Centre Ukko's Upper Yard (Yläpiha), Ylä-Kolintie 39, Lieksa.
Trail description of the Ukko-Koli Winter Trail
Kylän polku (Koli Village) Winter Trail, 3.3 km each way
Available: Year-round. During the winter, the trail is kept open with a snowmobile on weekdays if necessary (no ploughing). Please note that there is no maintenance during weekends.
Travel time: 1.5–2 h/uphill (return 1 h/downhill).
Difficulty: The trail is demanding in winter due to height differences, varying snow conditions, steep steps and slippery paths, so a good basic fitness level is sufficient.
Starting Point: Koli Church parking area, Ylä-Kolintie 4, Lieksa.
Trail description of the Kylän polku Winter Trail
Snowshoeing Trails
Snowshoeing Trail of the Tops, 2 km Circle Trail
Available: In winter with adequate snow depth. Information on when the trail opens and its condition is available on the What's New page.
Travel time: 1,5–2 h.
Difficulty: The trail is demanding in winter due to height differences, varying snow conditions and slippery rocks. A good basic fitness level is sufficient for the trail.
Starting Point: Koli Nature Centre Ukko's Upper Yard (Yläpiha), Ylä-Kolintie 39, Lieksa.
Trail description of the Snowshoeing Trail of the Tops
Cross-country Skiing Trails
The Hillyskiing trails of the Koli National Park, 3 and 7 km Circle Trails
Available: In winter with adequate snow depth. Check the ski trail maintenance situation in real time (infogis.fi) before starting out.
Difficulty: The 3 km ski trail is medium difficulty and the 7 km ski trail is demanding because of the steep ascents and descents. Please note that the ski trails are unlit.
Starting Point: Ukko-Koli P2 parking area, Ylä-Kolintie 31, Lieksa.
Up-to-date information and maps for all Koli ski trails (koli.fi).
Trail description of the Hillyskiing Trails of the Koli National Park
Downhill Skiing
The Ukko-Koli Ski Slopes
Starting Point: Ukko-Koli slopes parking area, Rantatie 27, Lieksa.
More information about the slopes and services on The Ukko-Koli ski slopes (koliski.fi).
Activity descriptions for the Ukko-Koli Ski Slopes
Riding Trails
You can visit the national park's cultural landscape on horseback in winter as well.
Further information is available at the Paimentupa farmhouse (paimentupa.fi).
Snowmobile Routes
In Koli National Park, snowmobiling is prohibited, including the islands. The snowmobile route runs outside Koli National Park from Ahmovaara (via the village of Koli) onto Lake Pielinen, passing by Koli Harbour and Hiekkasaaret Islands. By Koli Harbour and the Rinnetupa hut, snowmobiles can be parked on the ice. From Koli, the snowmobile route further continues to Juuka and Nurmes, Lieksa and finally to Eno and Joensuu.
Check for Warnings
When wildfire warnings (en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi) are in effect, fire is only allowed at covered campfire sites that have a flue. A fire can be also lit in fireplaces at wilderness and other huts. Always use extreme caution when handling fire. The one who lights a fire is always responsible for its safe use. Please note, that making fire at these campfire sites can be banned locally.
Trail Brochures of Koli National Park – summer
- Sataman polku Trail (2.2 Mb, julkaisut.metsa.fi)
- Huippujen kierros Trail (pdf 883 kb, julkaisut.metsa.fi)
- Ukko-Koli demanding accessible Trail (pdf 862 kb, julkaisut.metsa.fi)
- Kylän polku Trail (pdf 2.2 Mb, julkaisut.metsa.fi)
- Kasken kierros Trail (pdf 2.1 Mb, julkaisut.metsa.fi)
- Paimenen polku Trail (pdf 1.6 Mb, julkaisut.metsa.fi)
- Kolinuuron kierros Trail (pdf 1.9 Mb, julkaisut.metsa.fi)
- Mäkrän kierto Trail (pdf 2.2 Mb, julkaisut.metsa.fi)
- Kiehisen kierros Trail (pdf 1.8 Mb, julkaisut.metsa.fi)