Hiking Trail
|Juuka
Easy hiking route to Porttilouhi gorge and back, 1.5 km
The Porttilouhi gorge located in Vuokko takes the traveler to another world. On the 1.5-kilometer UKK route, a 700-meter-long gorge melted by the continental glacier opens completely unexpectedly into the middle of the coniferous forest, between two vertical cliffs.
Description
At the place also called the fairy tale world, the bottom stones of the gorge are covered with soft, sinking moss, on top of which the traveler can admire the mesmerizingly beautiful Porttipuro flowing at the bottom. According to old legends, Porttilouhi was once a ceremonial place for folk healers and witches who lived in the area – sick people were brought through the legendary stone gate of Porttilouhi, banishing the evil spirits and illnesses that haunted them. At the northern end of the gorge, there is also a sacred sacrifice site, a natural amphitheater shaped by Mother Nature herself, where people sacrificed both food and animals. On the Porttilouhi rock ledge, there is a campfire site where the traveler can admire the greenery of the gorge from above at the end of the trip.
Safety
There may be shadow areas in mobile network coverage in the area, so we recommend being prepared with a paper map or GPS route track.
Location & Parking
Continue from Juuan ABC towards Nurmes, drive 19 km and turn left onto Tervavaarantie. Drive along Tervavaarantie for 8 km and turn right onto the forest road. Drive one kilometer and leave the car on the left side of the road. The Porttilouhi route starts from here, at the place indicated by the guide sign.
Tools and equipment
Appropriate outdoor clothing and sturdy shoes with which you can walk safely in the forest.