Bring a picnic lunch and take a relaxing break at the Siikakoski shelter while watching the rapids flow by.
A 12-km classic-style ski trail in Ruunaa
A ski trail approximately 12 km long, winding through the scenery of the Ruunaa Hiking Area, takes skiers through tranquil natural surroundings and offers a glimpse of the area’s lakes, rivers, marshes, and forests.
Description
The 12-kilometer ski trail, maintained by volunteers from Ruunaan Matkailu, is a great spot for a peaceful cross-country ski outing. The trail is technically easy, as it runs mostly over ice in addition to undulating forest terrain, and there are no major uphill or downhill sections along the route.
The first approximately 2.5 km of the trail runs through the forest, after which it descends onto the ice of Lake Siikajärvi and continues along the shore to the Siikakoski rest area. Siikakoski is about 5 km from the trail’s starting point. At the Siikakoski rest area, you’ll find a shelter maintained by Metsähallitus with a fire pit, a wood shed, and an outdoor toilet.
Continuing from Siikakoski, the trail runs through the forest for a little over a kilometer, after which it winds across the ice of Lake Murroojärvi before entering the forest again for the final few kilometers. The trail ends in the courtyard of Ruunaan Matkailu, a couple hundred meters from the starting point. The trail does not intersect with any other trails at any point, so it is easy to follow even though it is not marked with trail signs in the wilderness.
Note! The trail is maintained voluntarily by a local business owner, so there is no guarantee of regular upkeep. Check the current conditions by contacting Ruunaan Matkailu or visiting their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ruunaanmatkailu. Since the trail runs largely on ice, its exact location may vary slightly depending on annual changes in conditions. Skiing with a dog is permitted on the trail.
Safety
Be sure to wear weather-appropriate outdoor clothing, and bring enough drinks and snacks for your hike. It’s also recommended that you always carry a paper map and make sure your cell phone is charged in case you need it. General emergency number: 112.
Location & Parking
There is a small parking lot at the trailhead that can accommodate a few cars; additional parking is available in the Ruunaa Tourism yard, a couple hundred meters from the trailhead.
Tools and equipment
Wear weather-appropriate outdoor clothing; we recommend bringing a change of dry clothes for breaks. When out in nature, please also observe Metsähallitus’s hiking etiquette: https://www.luontoon.fi/retkietiketti.