Koli National Park
Koli National Park (Koliin kansaliipuisto) was founded in 1991. It’s one of the most well-known natural landmarks and points of attraction in Finland (Suomi), renowned for its famous view. Koli National Park lies in the municipalities of Joensuu, Lieksa and Kontiolahti in Northern Karelia and covers 3000 hectares.
Koli is one of the most popular national parks in Finland and was named as the most picturesque and breathtaking landscape of Finland.
In the summertime there are about 80 km of marked trails, the lengths of which vary from one and a half to 61 kilometres, 5 scenic trails, 4 nature trails, a circular trail, 20 fireplaces and 6 tourist islands.
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In the wintertime, Koli offers over 60 km of maintained cross-country skiing trails, including Finland’s longest continuous illuminated ski trail of 25 km, 8 km of the first-snow trail, an 8 km long cooled trail and 20 km of trails along the ice of the frozen Lake Pielinen.
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The ski resort Ukko-Koli offers 6 slopes with an elevation of 230 m, 4 lifts and longest slope reaching 1500 m. At Koli you’ll also find 3 snow-shoeing tracks.
In the summertime the road to Koli takes about an hour (57 km).
In winter, the official Koli ice road is opened, when the minimum thickness of ice is at least 40 cm. Koli ice road is 7 km long and is one of the local landmarks. It goes over lake Pielinen and shortens the road’s distance between Koli and Vuonislahti villages. The travel time from the hotel to the ski lifts over the ice road is about 20 minutes away.
Paateri
Paateri is an atelier of famous Finnish sculpture artist Eva Ryynänen.
Works of Eva Ryynänen are closely connected to the local culture and traditions of regions Savo and North Karelia. Her works constitute animalistic and floral motifs.
Throughout her artistic career, she has created over 500 wooden sculptures.
There is an atelier, a house and a church (Paateri Kirkko), as well as the most impressive of her works in the territory of Paateri.
The wooden church was handcrafted by Eva Ryynänen and is particularly notable for its wonderful airiness and light thanks to an abundance of excellently crafted wood and glass.
The church is functioning. It was consecrated, but it doesn’t belong to any religious denomination. It’s very popular to have weddings at this church. In the summertime, weddings must be reserved in advance.
It is located only 20 minutes from the hotel by car.
Patvinsuo National Park
Patvinsuo National Park (Pavinsuo kansalipuisto) was founded in 1982. It covers an area of roughly 105 square kilometers and is the largest park in South Finland.
Patvinsuo is less known than Koli. This makes Patvinsuo a perfect location for those who love and appreciate being alone with nature.
There are about 80 km of well marked trails in the park. There are 10 fireplaces and 8 camping sites on the territory.
The most well known trail is the 15-km Suomunkierto circle trail, which leads around the wild and sand lined shores of Lake Suomunjärvi.
As well, Patvinsuo is famous for a lot of trails which lead through open mires with their enormous silence and quiet ambience. The damp spots have duckboards. Over 20 km of duckboards have been laid across mires and wetlands.
It is located about 1 hour away by car (67 km) from the hotel.
State tourist area Ruuna
Ruuna lies approximately 30 km from the city of Lieksa. It is one of 7 state tourist areas in Finland.
Ruuna is well known for its rapids, offering perfect opportunities for white-water rafting by canoe, kayak, traditional wooden boat, rubber raft or wooden raft. Ruunaa's rapids are a real treat for fishermen. The waters are regularly stocked with fully grown rainbow trout and brown trout.
In summer and autumn, the Ruunaa Hiking Area has more than 50 kilometres of marked trails of various levels of difficulty along the river Lieksanjoki, around lakes Ruunajärvi, Neitijärvi, Kattilajärvi, Murroojärvi, with 23 fireplaces and 5 camping sites.
In winter Ruuna offers around 30 km of maintained ski trails, snowshoeing and 30 km of snowmobile routes.
It’s about 1 hour drive away (67 km).