Monastery hiking Valamo to Lintula monastery
The monastery walk connects the only two Orthodox monasteries in Finland: the monastery of Valamo and the Lintula nunnery. The route is 20 km in one direction. The route has a variety of narrow paths, with suitable transition sections along sandy roads in between. An annual crusade procession follows the route of the Monastery Walk from Valamo to Lintula. The route of the monastery pilgrimage takes in the varied terrain of eastern Finland. In addition to paths, the route includes longitudinal paths and sandy roads.
The route is marked on the terrain with blue signs. There is also a shorter Prayer Path from the Valamo gate, marked in orange. The signs run partly in unison and partly cross the monastery walk. If you want an extra kilometre of narrow path to start with, you can follow the orange path for the first two kilometres, then continue along the blue path.
After Varissuo, the route continues through old mossy spruce until you reach Taivalkota -hut. The hut is owned and maintained by the Varistaipalee Village Association. The clean and spacious building can accommodate eight hikers.
The next few kilometres from home to the canal are idle, partly along sandy roads. In the canal area, it's worth slowing down, as the canal and its surroundings are listed as a nationally significant built cultural environment. The Taivallahti canal is part of the Heinävesi waterway, one of Finland's national landscapes.
Winding along small sandy paths, you reach the Palok hydroelectric power station. Soon after the power station, the trail dives into more wooded stretches and crosses a beautiful wooden footbridge, after which it's just over a kilometre to Lintula Monastery.
Availability: 1.6-31.8.2025 In May and September by reservation only.
Difficulty category: Medium
Distance: 20 km, 8 hours
Hiking package:
1. Day
Pic up Joensuu Train station.
Arrival day Accommodation in Valamo Monastery. Self-catering.
- All rooms have shower and toilet
- There are bunk kitchens on both floors of the hostel
- Use of Valamo's wireless wi-fi network
2. Day
Valamo Monastery breakfast
Hiking
Accommodation in Lintula monestary 2-3 bedded room including linen
- Self-catering: breakfast and meals can be prepared in the kitchenette in the guesthouse.
3. Day
Departure
Price: from 400€ /person.
Incl. Guidance, accommodation and bed linen, in Valamo also breakfast. Picnic dinner. Transfer from/to Joensuu Train station.
On request: camping equipment. Extra nights in the monasteries. Luggage transfer Valamo - Lintula.
