Welcome to pure nature
- All-inclusive hiking tour from national park to national park-
Welcome to the pure nature of Finland. National parks are a paradise for hikers and backpackers. Hiking is the most popular way to get to know Finland's natural attractions. Take your rucksack and come along!
On this guided national park hiking tour you will enjoy magnificent scenery when trekking in unspoiled nature. When you choose a guided trip you will get much more out of your wildlife experience. With the help of a guide you will get to know the area and its history while listening to interesting stories along the way.
For this hiking tour we have chosen three national parks and one nature reserve area which differ considerably from each other: Koli, Tiilikka, Hiidenportti (Goblin’s gate) and Raesärkät. There are also short walking trips to get to know the surroundings of the guesthouse and the nearby nature of the town Nurmes. The trips are suited for travellers with average fitness and who are keen on hiking in fresh air. Welcome to an all-inclusive hiking experience!
Tour highlights:
- National Parks
- Pure nature
- Local way of live
- Local pure food
- Silence and without hurry tour
- Sustainable travel
Dates:
25.5.-1.6.2024 Guaranteed departure
1.6.-8.6.2024 Guaranteed departure
15.-22.6.2024 Guaranteed departure
27.7.-3.8.2024 Guaranteed departure
24.8.-31.8.2024 Guaranteed departure
31.8.-7.9.2024 Guaranteed departure
Other times upon request.
Program
Day 1
Arrival to the guesthouse. Dinner and getting to know the program.
Day 2
Getting to know the surroundings of the guesthouse by foot. A 6 km route goes along village roads and forests trails. In the afternoon a short Finnish course for beginners and a possibility for canoeing on the Viemenjärvi Lake (300 m from the guesthouse to the lake).
Dinner and sauna at the guesthouse
Day 3
• Hiking at Nature reserve area of Raesärkät
Raesärkät nature reserve is a beautiful day trip destination in a ridge landscape. The hiking trail that runs through the area follows the old cart road and the bottom of the wheel track. The rest stops are along the route at a short distance from each other. In addition to ridges, Raesärkät landscape includes calm marshes, clear lakes, river bends and old forest with diverse inhabitants. Raesärkät scenery has been admired for decades, and the area is a popular local recreation destination. We can also take a swim in the Ahven-Valkeinen Lake.
- The circular route of Raejärvi, 10 km.
- Trail category: Easy
- 30 minutes driving time by car/direction
Dinner and sauna at the guesthouse
Day 4
• Hiking at Hiidenportti
The gorge of Hiidenportti is a spectacular sight. Along the trail leading up to the gorge you can experience the mystical spruce forest and the austere beauty of the the flowery meadow.
Places to see at Hiidenportti: the gorge with its upright cliffs is the most popular sight of the national park. On the forested hill of Kovasinvaara there is a desolated cabin which gives the traveller a view on the life in the wilderness and presents the local traditional landscape.
- The hiking route: Hiidenkierros Trail, 5 km / Circle Trail.
- Trail Category: intermediate and demanding
- 1,5 hours driving time/direction
Dinner and sauna at the guesthouse.
Day 5
• Hiking at Tiilikkajärvi
The spectacular sandy beach of Tiilikkajärvi is called Venäjänhiekka (Russian sand) which is no coincidence: in the year of the peace treaty of Täyssinä (1595) a memorial stone was placed there to mark the demarcation. On the stone you can see a crown and a cross representing Sweden and Russia, the two countries at war. On the sandy beaches, forested hills, odorous swamps and in the sighing forests you can feel nature at its most powerful.
- The hiking route: The circular routes of Uiton kierto (7km) and Autionkierto (3,2 km) or 17 km Tiilikan kierto.
- The trail is agreed upon according to the condition of the group.
- Trail Category: intermediate
- 50 minutes driving time/direction
Dinner and sauna at the guesthouse.
Day 6
Hiking at Koli
Koli is best known for the magnificent views you get to enjoy on top of the forested hill. Over the years it has inspired famous artists like our national composer Jean Sibelius as well as ordinary hikers and backpackers who love hiking in the area. The highest point, Ukko-Koli rises 347 metres above sea level and 253 metres above Lake Pielinen. The view you get from the top has been named the best known Finnish national landscape.
The hiking route: Mäkrä trail 7,2 km. The starting point for the circular route is from the parking place of hotel area. From there the trail goes to the glades of Mäkränaho and Purolanaho and then up to the forested hill of Mäkrävaara. The next destinations will then be the forested hill Pieni-Mäkrä and the glades of Ikolanaho and Mäkränaho. From there we walk to Ukko-Koli and to the hotel area and information centre.
- Trail Category: demanding or intermediate
- 45 minutes driving time/direction
Dinner and sauna at the guesthouse.
Day 7
Hiking trip to Toivo tower. From Toivo tower we’ll have a scenery over the 4th biggest lake of Finland, Lake Pielinen). Trail 4 km.
Snack by the campfire in the village of Lipinlahti.
On the way back, a visit to the Karelian hotel area of Bomba and a tsasouna, orthodox chapel.
- Trail Category: Easy
- 30 minutes driving time/direction
In the evening the smoke sauna experience at Minna’s. One kilometre from the guesthouse Pihlajapuu by canoe over the lake. (6.5 kilometres by bike or by car).
Day 8
Breakfast. Time to say hei, hei.
Group size: min 2 persons, max 14 persons.
The package price is 1460€/ person / 7 nights, 8 days.
The price includes accommodation in double rooms and full board at the guesthouse Pihlajapuu or Laitalan Lomat. Full board: breakfast, lunch, coffee / tea, dinner, sauna, packed lunch for excursions, guided hiking tours and transportation in the hiking trip.
Arrival on the plane:
- On the arrival day, Saturday; one group transfer from airport or Railway station Kuopio at 18.00.
- Return on Saturday one group transfer to airport Kuopio or Railway station at 11.00 (for the flight at about 14.15).
Notice: No flights by Finnair from Helsinki to Kuopio in july 2024.
- All extra transfers from/to airport or Railway station 400€.
Arrival by train: Pickup from the Nurmes railway station at 14.00 or 20.00 hours.
- On the day of departure, trains leave at 6.35 in the morning or 15.40 in the afternoon. Check the timetable from the tour operator.
Single room: 40€/day/person
An extra day 80€/person. Including accommodation and breakfast.
Please note:
- Not suitable for disabled or those with limited mobility.
- Most trails can be easily walked in sports shoes or walking shoes during dry weather, though hiking boots be useful, as terrain can vary considerably even over short distances. Weatherproof clothing.
More information:
ww.nationalparks.fi/kolinp
www.nationalparks.fi/hiidenporttinp
www.nationalparks.fi/tiilikkajarvinp
