Nature trail to the Räsävaara observation tower

Highlights of the route include the 18-meter-high Räsävaara observation tower and Eero Järnefelt's painting site, the place where he painted his famous Metsälampi painting. The path starts from the Räsävaara road parking lot; there are two paths up – one is an easy maintenance road and the other a natural hiking trail. The distance from the parking lot to the Räsävaara summit is about 400 meters.

At the start of the route, there is the Räsävaara lean-to shelter and campfire site as well as an outdoor toilet. In winter, the route is suitable for snowshoeing.

The tower is not maintained during winter, so the stairs can be snowy and possibly icy in winter, but it is passable year-round at your own risk.

Access to the route's starting point from the village of Koli is by driving along Kolintie (504) towards Ahmovaara for 1.5 km, then turn right onto Räsävaara road. At the intersection, there is a brown sign directing towards Räsävaara. After the turn, drive straight for 3 kilometers until you reach the Räsävaara lean-to shelter. There is a small parking lot here where you can leave your car.

There is free parking available at the start of the route.

The route starts from the parking lot, next to which there is also a lean-to shelter, a campfire site, and an outdoor toilet. At the beginning, the route splits into two; you can start by climbing either the more technical trail or the easier maintenance road route. The wider route climbs towards the observation tower following the eastern side of Räsävaara, and immediately offers a beautiful valley view towards the village of Koli. The route passes through a young birch forest for a short distance before the view opens up again on the right side. The forest changes to an old spruce forest, in the middle of which stands the observation tower.

The other route, a narrower path to the summit, challenges you immediately at the start with a fairly steep climb, after which you reach Eero Järnefelt's painting site. You can take a moment to rest at the birthplace of the Metsälampi artwork, from where the path continues towards the observation tower.

Good outdoor footwear and weather-appropriate clothing.