A land of ancient mountains and mighty forests, celebrated by Jean Sibelius, Eero Järnefelt, and Juhani Aho, it remains a promised land for travelers, nature lovers, and art enthusiasts.
Koli National Park was established in 1991 and covers an area of 30 km2. The park is home to Finland’s fourth largest lake, Pielinen, the narrow Herajarvi, and many smaller bodies of water. The Ruuna nature reserve is adjacent to the park.
How to get to Koli National Park
Koli is located about a 40-minute drive from the city of Joensuu. Two taxi companies provide transportation from Joensuu to Koli.
An excellent place for rafting on turbulent rapids or fishing from the shore. In Ruunaa, everyone can spend their time as they please. Experienced kayakers can navigate the foaming waters of the rapids on their own, while beginners will get no less thrilling sensations from rafting accompanied by an experienced instructor. The highlight of a day spent in nature can be an evening by the campfire and a dinner of freshly caught fish.
What to do in Koli?
If you are visiting Kali National Park for the first time, the best way to get information is to visit the Ukko Visitor Center for advice on where to go and what to do. The visitor center also hosts interesting exhibitions and photo displays, and you can buy gifts in the souvenir shop, enjoy a cup of coffee, or try traditional Karelian delicacies in the café. In addition, at Ukko you can purchase maps and pick up various brochures and booklets about services in the region.
Enjoy nature
- Go hiking safely. Koli Park offers tourists nature trails and numerous route options among varied terrain—the length of the marked trails is about 80 km. You can choose an easy or difficult route ranging from 1.5 to 61 km, depending on your physical fitness and available time. The guides at the Ukko Visitor Center will be happy to help you plan your trip.
- The Huippujen kierros mountain peak route (1.4 km) starts near the Ukko Visitor Center and leads to the magnificent peaks of Ukko-Koli, Akka-Koli, and Paha-Koli, each of which offers a new view. The route has steps and steep climbs on bare rocks, but the magnificent views are worth the effort. In winter, you can walk the route on snowshoes, which can be rented at the Ukko Visitor Center.
- The forest along the Kaskenkierros route (3 km) has not been cut down for at least a century, so you can walk among huge spruce and aspen trees. Decaying wood provides a habitat for rare insects, and ferns, mosses, and even orchids grow in the park.
- The Herajarven kierros route (30-61 km) runs through the national park and is suitable for a multi-day hike. The route will take you through diverse landscapes, from groves with babbling brooks to barren rocks and forests.
- You can admire the Finnish national landscapes while skiing or snowboarding. Even according to experienced skiers and snowboarders, the slopes of Ukko-Koli are considered the highest, with a maximum elevation difference of 230 m. The six slopes of Ukko-Koli are located in the national park, very close to the Ukko Visitor Center and the Break Sokos Hotel.
- Even without skis, you can enjoy the mesmerizing surrounding landscapes from a bird’s eye view. All this is possible thanks to the ski lift that goes from the shore of Lake Pielinen up to the mountain slopes. In the immediate vicinity of the national park is the Loma-Koli ski resort, whose slopes are easier and suitable for the whole family.
- You can go horseback riding on three trails that are open all year round. Guided horseback tours and riding lessons are also available for beginners.
- Angling and ice fishing on Lake Pielinen are free for everyone, but a license is required for other types of fishing. Local entrepreneurs rent out boats and organize fishing trips.