Ruunaa Hiking Area Trails
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A magnificent view over the rapids opens up from the Haapavitja suspension bridge. Photo: Heikki Räsänen.
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Steep drop at the rapids of Neitikoski is impressive. Photo: Metsähallitus.
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Special white water kayak in Neitikoski Rapids. Photo: Metsähallitus.
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The accessible Neitikoski trail invites everyone to enjoy the Ruunaa rapids. Photo: Heikki Räsänen.
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The size of the anthill is a wonder for hikers. Photo: Marja Lahti.
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School camp participants in Ruunaa. Photo: Heikki Räsänen.
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The Siikakoski skiing track. Photo: Heikki Räsänen.
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Skiers at Murrookoski Rapids. Photo: Heikki Räsänen.
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Skiers enjoying a break at the Siikakoski lean-to-shelter. Photo: Heikki Räsänen.
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Photo: Heikki Räsänen.
There are about 50 km of marked trails in Ruunaa Hiking Area.
Easy Trails
The Accessible Neitikoski Trail, 600 m/Each Way
When there is no snow on the ground, travel time 1h
Category: an easy trail , a demanding wheelchair trail
Starting Point: Neitikoski Parking Area (excursionmap.fi)
Description of the Accessible Neitikoski Trail
Närelenkki Trail, 2 km Circle Trail
When there is no snow on the ground, travel time 1h
Category: an easy trail
Starting Point: Neitikoski Parking Area (excursionmap.fi)
Description of the Närelenkki Trail
Intermediate Trails
The Short Trails of Siikakoski, 3 km and 5 km Circle Trails
When there is no snow on the ground. Travel time Siika - Murrookoski (5 km) 2h and Siikakoski (3 km) 1h
Category: an intermediate trail
Starting Point: Siikakoski Parking Area (excursionmap.fi)
Description of the Short Trails of Siikakoski
Demanding Routes
Vastuuniemen Kierros Trail, 11 km Circle Trail
When there is no snow on the ground. Hiking this trail takes 3 - 5 hours, depending on the choice of route, and the walking pace and fitness of the hiker.
Category: a demanding trail
Starting Point: Siikakoski Parking Area (excursionmap.fi)
Description of the Vastuuniemen Kierros Trail
Neitijärven Kierros Trail, 22 km
When there is no snow on the ground. It will take all day to hike this trail.
Category: a demanding trail
Starting Point: Trail starts clockwise from the gravel road which turns off just before Neitikoski parking area (excursionmap.fi)
Description of the Neitijärven Kierros Trail
Koskikierros Circle Trail, 31 km
When there is no snow on the ground. You should reserve at least one whole day, preferably two.
Category: a demanding trail
Starting Points: Neitikoski parking area (excursionmap.fi). Other good places to get onto the trail are the parking areas at Siikakoskentie road, Lake Neitijärvi and on the east and west sides of Haapavitja Rapids.
Description of the Koskikierros Circle Trail
Hiking Trails
Karhunpolku Trail, 133 km
The Town of Lieksa (lieksa.fi, in Finnish) is responsible for managing the trail, except in the Ruunaa Hiking Area, Ruunaa Nature Reserve and Patvinsuo National Park, which are run by Metsähallitus.
Route markings: yellow circles.
The regional 133 km hiking trail Karhunpolku (vaellus.info), runs through the Ruunaa Hiking Area and the western part of the Ruunaa Nature Reserve (21 km) from the border of Lieksa and Kuhmo to the Patvinsuo National Park.
Cross-country Skiing Trails, 30 km
Ruunaan Matkailu and Metsähallitus maintain about 30 km of skiing trails in Siikakoski - Murrookoski area.
Starting Points: Ruunaa retkeilykeskus, Ruunaan Matkailu in Munkinvaara or Siikakoski Parking Area (excursionmap.fi).
Description of the Skiing Trails
Canoeing Routes
Lieksanjoki River is an excellent destination for rapids shooting as well as flat water paddling. The rapids belong to class II - III according to Finnish Canoe Federation.
Different sections of the river, rapids and lakes provide alternative routes for canoeists with different levels of experience. The services along each route can be seen on the map of the Hiking Area.
Description of the Canoeing Routes
Snowmobile Tracks, 30 km
A snowmobile route maintained by the North Karelia Association for Recreational Trails circles the Ruunaa Hiking Area (excursionmap.fi).
Snowmobiling on the routes is subject to the permission of the North Karelia Association for Recreational Trails. More information from the local snowmobiling association "Pohjois-Karjalan virkistysreitistö ry" (pohjoiskarjalankelkkaurat.fi, in Finnish).
Description of the Snowmobile Tracks