Koli

Koli is one of the few places which rouses strong emotions in both, the first-time visitors and the experienced ones. The nature in Koli National Park alternates between lush groves, barren rocks, flowery glades and shady spruce copses. The surface of Lake Pielinen gives Koli and the national Park unique characteristic. Finnsheep and native Finncattle graze in the cultural scenery in the meadows of the national park.

The cultural bounty of Koli is strong. Koli is remembered for burn-beaten land, for a destination of the hiking adherents of Karelianism in the 19th and 20th century, for folklore and for preserving the local traditional culture. The viewpoints, white quartzite rocks, the Lake Pielinen and its surrounding wilderness, the burn-beaten and traditional landscape, excellent trail and ski track networks, together with multifaceted services makes Koli a great destination for a day visit or even for a longer hiking tour.

The delightful national landscape is accessible even by taking a relaxing ride on a horseback with Icelandic horses or sitting on the cable car bound for Ukko-Koli. Experience the landscape in multiple ways, for example by paddling, rowing or cruising on Lake Pielinen.

The highlight of the summer, the Koli Outdoor Activity Week, is a dream come true for nature lovers with hundreds of hours of guided programmes.The Herajärvi TraiI, which was awarded the title of “Trekking Destination of 2007 in Finland”, has been extended and now offers up to a 60 km long, challenging hiking route. The other, shorter hiking routes in and around the national park take you to awesome sights and views over lakes and hills. In autumn the marathon race “Vaarojen Maraton” takes place.

The cultural treasures of Visitor Centre Ukko provide information on the Koli National Park, the villages of Koli and Vuonislahti and the Finnish Stone Center. The Centre provides an excellent addition to the offerings of Koli, satisfying a visitor's hunger for culture. Koli – situated in the middle of North Karelia, offers the great connections that allow for the visiting of other places of interest in the surrounding area. The environs of Lake Pielinen, the Karelian milieus of Bomba and Ilomantsi, Ruunaa Hiking Area, the Lieksa Brass Week event, Ilosaarirock in Joensuu, the New Valamo Monastery, the Lintula Convent of The Holy Trinity in Heinävesi, the other national parks of Petkeljärvi, Patvinsuo and Tiilikkajärvi, golf courses and the 'border of peace' are all in close proximity to Koli.

Koli will always exist - www.koli.fi