Iso-Valkeinen route, Peurajärvi Nurmes

On the Iso-Valkeinen route, part of the journey takes you along boardwalks through mire landscapes and across a wooden bridge over a dark-water wilderness lake. Later, the route changes to a bright ridge pine forest, whose lakes are clear-watered. There is a light sandy beach on the shore of the lake. From the Iso-Valkeinen route, you can optionally detour to the magical Paistinvaara old forest protected area, where the huge Kärnänkivi glacial erratic boulder defies gravity. The trip to Kärnänkivi and back to the route is 1.6 km.

Fish-rich, clear-watered lakes and bright ridge forests - these are the elements Peurajärvi is made of. You can choose your hiking route from two different ring routes, one circling Mäntyjärvi and the other circling Iso-Valkeinen lake.

Route highlights:

• Large glacial erratic Kärnänkivi
• Protected old forest area
• Clear-watered lakes
• Wooden bridges

• On rainy days, piers and boardwalks can be slippery.
• General emergency number: 112 (also download the free 112 Finland app to your phone).
• There may be areas without mobile coverage.
• Carry first aid supplies with you.
• Be careful - do not leave fires unattended. The last person to leave must ensure that the fire is extinguished. Open fires are prohibited during forest or grass fire warnings and in strong winds.

The Peurajärvi area is located on the border of Nurmes and Sotkamo. You drive to Peurajärvi via road 75 from Nurmes to Kuhmo and turn left from the road. Drive about 14 km and turn right to the Iso-Valkeinen parking area. The address is Porttijoentie 136, Nurmes.

Parking places for the Iso-Valkeinen parking area as well as for spots reserved next to the road at the northern end of Hakolampi, next to the Mäntyjärvi lean-to, and at the roadside pullout at Mäntyjokisuusa.

• The easiest way to start the route is from the Iso-Valkeinen information point.
• The Iso-Valkeinen route is travelled clockwise following orange circle markings. The route initially coincides with the Mäntyjärvi route for about a kilometer up to the Mäntyjärvi lean-to.
• From the Iso-Valkeinen route, a side trail leads to Kärnänkivi. From the junction, it is 800 meters to the rock along a partly demanding path. The trail goes over the top of Paistinvaara and through the untouched protected old forest area.

• Weather-appropriate clothing and equipment
• Sufficient drinking water and snacks
• Fire-making tools