Petkeljärvi- Putkelanharju
Natura 2000 Area

Petkeljärvi National Park is situated 25 km to the east of Ilomantsi. The national park includes a nature information hut, a café- restaurant, accommodation, a camping ground with services and canoes for rent. The Harjupolku nature trail (3,5 km) and Kuikan Kierros nature trail (6,5 km loop) depart from the Petkeljärvi Outdoor Centre and nature information hut. The area offers excellent opportunities for canoeing and boating. The national park also preserved military installations, including dugouts and trenches from the Second World war.

Taitajan Taival Trail

Taitajan taival is a 35 km trail from Mekrijärvi to Petkeljärvi national park that offers splendid scenery along the ridge. The trail includes lean- to shelters with places for bonfires. An 8 km connecting trail departs from the Parppei Sports Centre in the centre of Ilomantsi and the Rune Singer’s Village on Parppeinvaara Hill. Another 13 km trail connects Petkeljärvi with Möhkö. The Taitajan taival trail is marked with orange circles.

Susitaival Trail

The 90 km Susitaival trail stretches from Möhkö to Patvinsuo National Park along ridges and through marsh areas. Wilderness huts are situated along the trail, they can be used to spend the night. The Susitaival Trail is marked orange- red.

Koitajoki Natura 2000 Area

Koitajoki is the easternmost Natura 2000 area in Finland. The are offers excellent opportunities for hiking and exploring the nature. There are marked trails with wilderness huts or lean- to shelters every 5 km or so. The 17 km Pirhun Kierto Nature trail forms a loop starting from Polvikoski. The trail is easy to hike, and wooden boards make crossing bogs safe. Pirhun kierto crosses Koitajoki River twice. A shorter 10,3 km loop departs from Polvikoski and circles via Kivikkosuo and crosses Koitajoki River once. River crossings can be made by boat from 1 June to 30 September. From Polvikoski you can also hike to the easternmost point of sontinental EU along a 10 km trail.

Tapion Taival Trail

The 21 km Tapion taival Trail passes through ancient forests along the edge of Koitajoki River from Niemijärvi Lake to the Hoikka Road. Wilderness huts are situated along the trail, wchich is marked in orange. At Niemipuro you can also make a separate 4,4 km loop with its own lean- to and wilderness hut.

Kesonsuo Conservation Area

Kesonsuo is the most important natural marsh in North Karelia. Most of the area was officially protected in 1976. The area can only be viewed from the birdwatchtower in Säkäsaari. Take the road from Hakovaara, and follow the wooden planks over the marsh

Koivusuo Nature Park

The Koivusuo area has been conserved to study unspoilt marshes and forests in Eastern Finland. Access in this area is restricted to the marked hiking path. The network of hiking paths can be seen on the Ilomantsi Tourist map (1: 100 000) that is available from the Karelia Expert tourist Service office.

Canoeing and boating routes

Ilomantsi offers splendid surroundings for canoeing and boating. Information about waterways is available in the River Koitajoki map and Koitere waterways tourism map (1: 30 000) which can be purchased from the Karelia Expert tourist service office.