Monastery Hike Valamo - Lintula

The Monastery Hike connects Finland's only Orthodox monasteries: Valamo Monastery and Lintula Convent. The route is 20 km long one way. The route includes a variety of narrow paths and suitable transfer stretches along gravel roads.

Every summer, a cross-carrying procession walks the Monastery Hike route from Valamo to Lintula. 

In North Karelia, on the Monastery Hike in Heinävesi, you experience a great selection of Eastern Finnish terrains. In addition to narrow paths, you travel on both boardwalks and gravel roads.

When starting from the gate of Valamo Monastery, look for the blue route markings. A shorter Prayer Trail also starts from the gate, marked in orange, partly overlapping and partly intersecting with the Monastery Hike. If you want an additional kilometer of narrow path at the beginning, you can follow the orange-marked route for the first two kilometers, then continue along the blue route.  

Altogether, the Monastery Hike is a relatively clearly marked route. The blue route markers are supported by weathered wooden signposts. However, it is advisable to have a GPX file, terrain map, or route map with you in case any signposts are missed.

In the early meters, you cross Juurikkasalmi, where there is a small boat ramp with campfire sites nearby. 

The cultural landscape changes into a narrow spruce forest trail. About 4 km from the starting point you can make a side trip to Monikkala Bay. There, the traveler finds a modest campfire site.

After crossing Heinämäki hill and Kansalantie, the route descends towards Varissuo and the most demanding terrain sections of the hike. The nearly 2 km marsh section is mostly passable on boardwalks. The condition of the boardwalks varies, and in some places there are wet spots where shoes easily get wet. Several resting benches are available along the marsh section, offering a good opportunity to stop and enjoy the atmosphere.

After Varissuo, the route continues through an old mossy spruce forest until reaching Taivalkota. The kota is owned and maintained by the Varistaipale village association. The neat and spacious building can accommodate eight hikers overnight. 

The next kilometers from the kota to the Taivalahti canal proceed quickly partly along gravel roads.

In the canal area, slow down as the canal and its environment are listed nationally as a significant built cultural environment. The Taivalahti canal is part of the Heinävesi waterway route, which is one of Finland’s national landscapes.

Winding along small gravel roads, the route reaches Paloki hydropower plant. Shortly after the plant, the route dives into more forested sections and crosses a beautiful wooden footbridge, after which there is just over a Finnish mile to Lintula Convent.

• Download the 112 app to your phone
• Download the GPX file in advance or take a route map with you.
• A small first aid kit is recommended to carry

From Joensuu, go west on Kuopiontie about 26 km, then left onto Varkaudentie and Vallantie for about 35 km, then right onto Valamontie. Continue on Valamontie about 4 km and after crossing the Juurikkasalmi bridge, turn left to the Valamo Monastery parking area.

There is irregular bus service to Valamo from Joensuu. Some buses go about 4 km from Valamo. It is advisable to check bus schedules on the Matkahuolto website. 

Parking spaces are available at Valamo Monastery. 

The route has updated signs, with the sign color being blue. The route is relatively well marked, but just to be sure, it is advisable to have a gpx file and/or a route map with you.

• Weather-appropriate gear
• A jacket for stops
• Drinks and snacks
• Some parts on boardwalks are swampier terrain where shoes get wet easily.