The Mäkrä Trail—A Hike Through the National Landscape of Koli National Park

The most popular day hike in Koli National Park takes you to the park’s most spectacular landscapes and natural attractions. Along the way, you’ll pass through the national park’s diverse natural landscape. From Koli’s most famous scenic cliffs, you’ll hike through spruce forests down to the kaskiaho—ancient settlements—and then climb back up to Mäkrävaara, whose breathtaking views captivated the first artists to visit Koli over a hundred years ago. Perhaps the painter Eero Järnefelt fell most deeply in love with Koli’s landscapes; the pine tree he painted can still be found at the top of the hill. The tree has even been nicknamed “Järnefelt’s Pine.”

You can take a break for a snack, for example, at the campfire site in Ikolanaho. Ikolanaho is one of three meadows along the trail that are still maintained in the traditional way by mowing and harvesting hay. Their floral splendor is often at its peak in early July.

• 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!
• Plan and adjust your day trips according to your fitness level

https://www.luontoon.fi/koli/ohjeetjasaannot

From Highway 6 (Joensuu–Kajaani), it is 9 km to the village of Koli and 12 km to Ukko-Koli. From Highway 6, turn onto Highway 504 at the Kolinportti gas station (turn right if coming from Joensuu, turn left if coming from Kajaani). In the village of Koli, there are signs pointing to Ukko-Koli. You can get to Koli by public transportation and shared taxi. In the summer, you can also reach Koli by water.

See the options for getting to Koli.

• View parking areas
• Of the parking areas in Koli National Park, parking lots P1, P2, and P3 at Ylä-Kolintie 39 will be included in a paid parking pilot program starting September 1, 2026.
• Prices and instructions. A free rail lift takes you to the trailhead. Parking is free for guests staying at Break Sokos Hotel Koli and for conference attendees.

Starting point of the route on Google Maps

This figure-eight-shaped loop trail offers some flexibility in terms of route variations. It is marked along the trail with numbered trail markers and blue paint dots. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the route in advance and bring a map with you.

The route is marked on the trail markers with a black circle. The recommended direction for the route is clockwise.

The trail begins in the grounds of the Koli Nature Center Ukon and Break Sokos Hotel Koli, runs past Koli’s highest peaks down to Mäkränaho and Purolanaho, where the ascent to Mäkrä—or Mäkrävaara—begins. From the top of the hill, the trail continues down toward Ikolanaho, where there is a campfire site and an outhouse. From Ikolanaho, the trail continues back to Mäkränaho, where you can choose from three route options to return to the starting point.

A more detailed route description can be found on the luontoon.fi website.

Be sure to bring a map, your phone, a water bottle, and perhaps a small snack. We recommend shoes with good traction, such as trail running shoes or hiking boots.

Moderately difficult - good fitness is required.