Best trails in Koli National Park
Koli National Park is home to Finland's most famous national landscape. From the top of the towering dunes opens up a vast and magnificent landscape that has inspired Jean Sibelius, Eero Järnefelt, Juhani Aho and many others.
The Koli dunes were formed during the last ice age, and the result is a series of smooth and rounded cliffs. Ukko-Koli is the highest point in southern Finland, rising 347 metres above sea level and 253 metres above the surface of the Pielise River. Koli is also the southernmost place in Finland where thunderstorms accumulate on the trees in winter.
Traditions such as birch burning and stubble mowing are cherished in Koli. In summer, Finnish sheep, cycads and horses graze in Lakkala and Seppälä at the southern end of the national park, and in Ollila and Mattila at the northern end. If you wish, you can come to the small farms on a shepherd's holiday to look after the animals.
In addition to the cultural landscapes of stakes and ploughs, Koli has old forests and groves. The park has natural attractions such as the Kolinuuro gorge valley, the sandy beaches of Rykiniemi, the Mäkrän stone, the Devil's Church, the Wavemaker's Rock, and the Uhrihalkeama. The harbour path is reportedly the oldest marked nature trail in Finland, and along it you can find the ruins of the Old Almshouse. The current Alamaya Harbour has a café-restaurant, Mattila has a tobacco café and small-scale accommodation, and the Uko Nature Centre offers a variety of guided tours and temporary exhibitions.
Top trails
- (157)•Moderate•4.7 mi•Est. 2.5–3 hrKoli has inspired Jean Sibelius, Eero Järnefelt and Juhani Aho, among others, with its vast and magnificent scenery. Koli is enjoyable for all ages all year round. Mäkrän Kierto Trail is the most popular day hike in Koli National Park. Along the way you can admire the most beautiful landscapes and natural attractions. At the top of Mäkrävaara is the “Järnefelt Pine”, a pine painted by the artist. The work “Landscape from Koli” is on display at the Anteneum in Helsinki. The route is marked...
- (39)•Moderate•1.0 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrKoli has inspired Jean Sibelius, Eero Järnefelt and Juhani Aho, among others, with its vast and magnificent scenery. Koli is enjoyable for all ages all year round. Huippujen Kierros (The tour of the peaks) runs from the nature center Ukko to the peaks of Ukko-Koli, Akka-Koli and Paha-Koli. The top of Ukko-Koli overlooks the forests and Lake Pielinen. The rock cliffs of Paha-Koli have been the inspiration for many stories. From Akka-Koli you can admire the landscape to the west over forests...
- (41)•Moderate•2.0 mi•Est. 1–1.5 hrKoli has inspired, among others, Jean Sibelius, Eero Järnefelt, and Juhani Aho with its spacious and beautiful landscapes. There is something for all ages to enjoy at Koli all year round. Kolinuuro's tour goes through the Koli peaks in the region's geological history, where you can see the traces left by ancient deserts, oceans, the Karelian mountain range, and continental glaciers. The route is marked with red circles. There are stairs, challenging climbs, exposed bedrock, and duckboards...
- (14)•Hard•22.0 mi•Est. 10–11 hrKoli has inspired Jean Sibelius, Eero Järnefelt and Juhani Aho, among others, with its vast and magnificent scenery. Koli is enjoyable for all ages all year round. The Herajärvi Trail is a hiking trail that runs through Koli National Park and around Herajärvi. The journey passes through diverse nature, and deviates to the best vantage points. The route can hiked in its entirety, or just the northern or southern loop. The route is marked on the terrain with signs and blue dots. The route has...
- (14)•Moderate•4.0 mi•Est. 2–2.5 hrKoli has inspired, among others, Jean Sibelius, Eero Järnefelt, and Juhani Aho with its vast and magnificent landscapes. There is something for all ages to enjoy at Koli all year round. The summer cafe tour runs along wide and well-maintained trails at the northern end of Koli and conveniently offers breakfast, lunch, daytime coffees, and dinner along the route. The elevation changes on the route are considerable, but the scenery is worth the effort.
- (11)•Moderate•2.2 mi•Est. 1–1.5 hrKoli has inspired Jean Sibelius, Eero Järnefelt, and Juhani Aho with its spacious and magnificent scenery. Koli is enjoyable for all ages all year round. Ennallistajan Polku trail starts from the Pirunkirkko parking area, crosses the isthmus, climbs to Jauholanvaara, and returns to the starting point via Ylä-Murhi. The route is marked with white circles. The trail has several sets of stairs, more difficult ascents, bare open bedrock, and duckboards.
- (9)•Moderate•2.1 mi•Est. 1–1.5 hrKoli has inspired Jean Sibelius, Eero Järnefelt, and Juhani Aho, among others, with its vast and magnificent landscapes. Koli has something for all ages to enjoy all year round. The Harbor Tath may well be the oldest guided nature trail in Finland. The trail runs through forests to the top of Koli, and famous Karelian artists have taken the same route. The route is marked with a purple circle at the crossroads.
- (5)•Hard•1.9 mi•Est. 1–1.5 hrKoli has inspired Jean Sibelius, Eero Järnefelt, and Juhani Aho, among others, with its vast and magnificent landscapes. Koli has something for all ages to enjoy all year round. The village trail starts from Koli Church and runs through the national park to the top of Ukko-Koli. You will find the Mattila farm, the Vaaranalaho fireplace, and the Ukko Nature Centre in Koli along the trail. The demanding ascent is rewarded with magnificent views of Pielise. The route is marked with a petrol...
- (4)•Moderate•0.4 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrKoli has inspired Jean Sibelius, Eero Järnefelt, and Juhani Aho, among others, with its vast and magnificent landscapes. Koli has something for all ages to enjoy all year round. The Ukko-Koli Demanding Accessible Route runs from the courtyard of the Ukko Nature Centre to the viewing platform near the top of Ukko-Koli. The route skirts the stairs of the Huippujen Kierros Trail. As the route is a demanding accessible route, wheelchair users will need an assistant. The route is marked at the...
- (7)•Hard•11.5 mi•Est. 5.5–6 hrKoli has inspired Jean Sibelius, Eero Järnefelt, and Juhani Aho, among others, with its vast and magnificent scenery. Koli is enjoyable for all ages all year round. The Kiehinen loop runs through the southern part of the national park and is a versatile hiking destination for hikers of all levels. On the route, you can start to build up your overnight hiking experience and even get a chance to try out fording a river. From the Rykiniemi car park, the Herajoki fording spot is right at the...
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Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to hike in Koli National Park?
According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Koli National Park is Mäkrän Kierto Trail, which has a 4.6 star rating from 157 reviews. This trail is 4.7 mi long with an elevation gain of 931 ft.
What is the longest trail in Koli National Park?
According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Koli National Park is Herajärvi Trail. This trail is estimated to be 34.5 mi long.
How many trails are in Koli National Park?
There are 19 trails in Koli National Park. These trails have an average 4.4-star rating from 342 AllTrails community reviews.
Which trail has the most elevation gain in Koli National Park?
If you're looking for elevation gain, Koli National Park has you covered. Herajärvi Trail boasts the most elevation gain with 5,669 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Northern Herajärven Kierros Trail, which will get you 3,454 ft of elevation gain.
Are there camping trails available in Koli National Park?
According to AllTrails.com, there are 10 camping trails in Koli National Park and the most popular is Mäkrän Kierto Trail with an average 4.6 star rating from 157 community reviews.
Are there running trails available in Koli National Park?
According to AllTrails.com, there is 1 running trail in Koli National Park which is Soikkeli - Nature Centre Ukko with an average 3.6 star rating from 5 community reviews.
Are there any trails with scenic mountain peak views in Koli National Park?
Yes, there are 11 trails with scenic mountain peak views in Koli National Park, including Mäkrän Kierto Trail, Huippujen Kierros Trail, Kolinuuro Loop, Northern Herajärven Kierros Trail, and Koli's Summer Café Tour.
Are there any trails with lakes in Koli National Park?
Yes, there are 13 trails with lakes in Koli National Park, including Northern Herajärven Kierros Trail, Koli's Summer Café Tour, Ennallistajan Polku Trail, Harbor Trail, and Kiehisen Kierros Trail.
Are there any trails with caves in Koli National Park?
Yes, there is one trail with a cave in Koli National Park: Soikkeli - Nature Centre Ukko.
Are there any trails with huts in Koli National Park?
Yes, there are 6 trails with huts in Koli National Park, including Mäkrän Kierto Trail, Northern Herajärven Kierros Trail, Ennallistajan Polku Trail, Kiehisen Kierros Trail, and Soikkeli - Nature Centre Ukko.
Are there any trails with beaches in Koli National Park?
Yes, there is one trail with a beach in Koli National Park: Koli Harbor - Likoilahti.
Are there any trails with picnic areas in Koli National Park?
Yes, there are 6 trails with picnic areas in Koli National Park, including Northern Herajärven Kierros Trail, Ennallistajan Polku Trail, Kiehisen Kierros Trail, Southern Herajärven Kierros Trail, and Soikkeli - Nature Centre Ukko.
