Little Ritojärvi—A Treasure Trove of Nature Sites

At the start of the hike, as you walk along the boardwalk, you’ll see beautiful marsh landscapes dotted with forest ponds. As the trail continues through the forest, you’ll see majestic dead trees, and after climbing the ridge, the landscape transforms into a true work of art. Fallen, ancient, and massive dead trees tell their own stories, and you can even spot crocodile-like figures and the dens of forest trolls among them.

The ridges are bordered by the sparkling Lake Ritojärvi with its small islands and, on the other side, the Pitkä-Valkea pond. The trail, which runs close to the shore, leads to a lean-to, where your picnic will taste even better in the beautiful surroundings after this wonderful experience.

Note: The rest area is maintained only occasionally, so be sure to bring your own firewood. Please be considerate of nature during your visit.

• Open fires are prohibited during forest or grass fire warnings and in strong winds.
• Be careful—never leave a fire unattended. The last person to leave should make sure the fire is completely out.
• In rainy and wet weather, boardwalks, rocks, and roots can be very slippery.
• Carry a first-aid kit with you.
• General emergency number: 112 (Also download the free “112 Suomi” app to your phone).
• Please note that there may be dead zones in cell phone coverage.
• Check the Finnish Meteorological Institute’s warnings!

Kontiovaarantie is a narrow, winding gravel road, so please drive carefully.

• The trail's starting and ending points on the map
• The trail begins with a 2.2 km stretch through a marsh, with boardwalks in the wettest areas.
• After crossing the road, the trail features a single ascent of 1.5 km up a ridge, which is very easy to walk on.
• The rest of the route follows forest trails through a grove of ancient trees, and there is a rest area 700 m before the end of the route.

• You'll need rubber boots or sturdy hiking boots. Be sure to bring enough warm clothes.
• It’s a good idea to bring mosquito repellent. You probably won’t need a compass. Cell phone service works fairly well in the area, and the trail is well marked.