Pogostan kierros, Ilomantsi

The Pogostan kierros is a route circling Pogosta, the Ilomantsi church village, following Taitajan taival, Rajan polku, Susitaival and Kulkijan polku. In the easternmost municipality of Finland, Ilomantsi, waters, mires, forests and ice age-shaped ridge landscapes offer a memorable experience. The route goes through magnificent ridge landscapes, quiet wilderness areas and occasionally through village scenery. This long circular route invites travelers to admire North Karelian nature. The route has a lot of easy terrain but steep ridge ascents and descents as well as rocky areas occasionally increase the difficulty level. 

Pogostan kierros is a long hiking and mountain biking trail, marked on the terrain with orange signs and guideposts. Along the route are several lean-tos, fire places and wilderness huts as well as tourism and accommodation services. All rest stops, tourist businesses and local routes can also be found on the map service. 

From Pogostan kierros, the journey can continue from Särkkäjärvi wilderness hut along Susitaival toward Patvinsuo, from where the journey continues as Karhunpolku through Ruunaa all the way to Telja. Together, these three routes form a hiking trail network of about 300 km. 

• Note that mobile phone reception may have dead zones.
• Emergency number: 112 (also download the free 112 Finland app to your phone).
• Carry first aid supplies with you.
• There are some very demanding sections on the route, such as steep climbs and descents, requiring special attention and which may be challenging with a heavy load. 
• Be careful - never leave a fire unattended. If you're the last to leave, make sure the fire is extinguished.
• Open fires are prohibited during forest fire warnings and in strong winds.

• You can start the journey for example from Möhkö, Petkeljärvi or Ilomantsi, from where a 7 km long connector route starts. 
• Check transport connections via Petkeljärvi: luontoon.fi/petkeljarvi

• You can reach Ilomantsi by bus from Joensuu (matkahuolto.fi). 

• Free parking

You can start the route for example from Petkeljärvi, Möhkö or from Ilomantsi at Parppeinvaara, from where a 7 km long connecting trail leads to the route. 

Taitajan taival 26 km (Road 522 Hatuntie - Petkeljärvi)

The route starts from Hatuntie, turning onto Ilolinnantie and following it until it turns diagonally left onto a trail. The trail is technically easy. The route reaches a gravel road, from where it continues straight onto a wide path. On the left is the Linnalampi lean-to shelter, from which you can admire stunning water views on the Koitajoki riverbank. The route continues as a wide path, turns left after a climb and then crosses Harjutie to the left. From here begins a narrow easy-to-walk trail in gently rolling terrain. On the trail is one steep sandy descent. After the trail, the route reaches Putkelantie and continues along the gravel road to a junction where it turns left onto Karvilantie. The route initially follows a gravel road. At a Y-junction, the route turns right toward the ridge. The ridge offers a needle-covered path occasionally in more technical terrain. Steep climbs and descents, rocky sections and some roots.

The Hiislamen lean-to shelter is at the intersection of Pogostan kierros and Ilomantsi connector route. The trail continues until it crosses a road. After crossing the road, the route continues through similar ridge landscapes, still offering climbs, descents and rocky terrain. After crossing Möhköntie the terrain becomes technically easier. From the Tetrijärvi lean-to shelter there are views of the lake. The route continues steeply up the ridge (this can be bypassed by following the trail turning right instead of the ridge climb). Sometimes the trail is wide and easy, sometimes a bit narrower and more technical. Occasionally there are rocky sections where caution is advised. From the Keltasilmä lean-to shelter there are again beautiful lake views in both directions. From the shelter, the route continues toward Petkeljärvi National Park mostly in easy terrain. The national park area offers magnificent old forest scenery and mostly easy or moderately difficult trails. The trail includes one more challenging rocky section. The route passes very close to Petkeljärvi nature cabin, where you can stop if you wish.

Rajan polku 14 km (Petkeljärvi - Möhkö) 

The route follows a gravel road for a while, then turns left onto a trail following Kuikka circuit. This trail is initially easy to walk but becomes rocky and more demanding as it ascends the ridge (this section can be bypassed by continuing straight on the gravel road instead of turning right onto the trail). The northern part of the trail can be underwater in shallow spots especially in spring along the shore of Petkejärvi. The route reaches a road, after which the trail turns right cutting across a trail to a parking lot and then to Möhköntie. The route continues on a paved road, then turns left onto Rajavaarantie gravel road. The gravel road offers rolling terrain, until the route returns to the same road. The route follows Möhköntie only briefly, turning left into the forest after a few dozen meters onto a narrow easy trail. The trail crosses a forest road and continues easily to a gravel road. The route continues on the gravel road and then turns right onto an easy-to-walk trail. After the trail section, the route reaches the gravel road again and continues to Möhköntie to the bridge crossing Koitajoki.

Southern part of Susitaipale 24 km (Möhkö - Särkkäjärvi wilderness hut)

Möhkö offers accommodation, cafe services and a museum among other things. After Möhkö, the journey continues along Susitaival, which runs through varied heath and bog forests offering occasionally stunning ridge scenery. The beginning of the route alternates between easy trails and gravel roads. From Möhköntie the route first turns left onto Jokivaarantie, then at the first intersection turns right, and continues further right onto a trail. The trail crosses Viinivaara road and gradually climbs uphill. The trail occasionally deviates onto a gravel road, which it follows before turning left. The trail is mostly easy. The route reaches Korkeakankaantie and then turns left. The route follows an easy trail and crosses a couple of mires on boardwalks. The route reaches a gravel road, follows it for a while, then turns left onto a trail again. This section begins with a trail followed by a rocky steep part, which can be a bit challenging especially with a heavy load. After this the route continues on boardwalks. The route follows roads and then turns left onto a wide trail. The route arrives at a road junction (from this junction you can optionally turn right to visit the Öykköstenvaaran war history area, which also has a sheltered fire place and toilet). The main route, however, turns left from the gravel road. The route turns right onto a trail and starts to climb toward the ridge. There are also more demanding rocky sections on the ridge, along with easy and moderately difficult trails. When walking along the narrow ridge, you can admire beautiful lake views. The trail continues through gently rolling ridge landscapes.

You can detour to the north at Pitkäjärvi wilderness hut by turning right toward the shore at the trail junction, while the main route climbs left upwards. The main route continues a little longer in ridge terrain and then descends steeply. The route continues on the trail and soon becomes a gravel road. At this point the route follows a road, turns left onto a road continuing to the turning place, from where the route continues onto a forest trail. The trail is easy or moderately difficult with crowberry bordering. The route crosses a road and arrives at Kontiovaaralle, where at the trail junction the route continues left, while the trail turning right leads to Kontiovaaran lean-to shelter. The route descends from Kontiovaara along a trail, crosses a gravel road and continues toward Kivilampi. The trail includes some boardwalk sections but is mostly easy walking. From Kivilampi the route crosses a boardwalk bridge and continues sometimes on a boardwalk trail. The route reaches Kivilammentie, where it turns right and then left from the junction onto a gravel road. The route continues on the gravel road curving finally right onto a road and then quickly left onto a trail toward the ridge. The climb onto the ridge is steep and sometimes sandy. The trail along the ridge is mostly easy to walk. The narrow ridge trail offers beautiful ridge scenery with mires and lakes beautifying the landscape on both sides. The route descends steeply from the ridge onto a clearcut, from which the trail continues through a sapling forest to the Särkkäjärvi wilderness hut.

The descent from the ridge is steep. After the descent, the route passes through wet terrain, so waterproof shoes may be needed. The Särkkäjärvi wilderness hut is located immediately after a somewhat steep small descent right on the shore of Särkkäjärvi.

Kulkijan polku 24 km (Särkkäjärvi wilderness hut - Hatuntie)

The Kulkijan polku connects the southern part of Susitaipale to Taitajan taival, mostly following gravel roads and easy trails. From Särkkäjärvi wilderness hut, the route continues as a gravel road and turns from the junction first right onto a gravel road and then left turning into a trail. From the forest, the route reaches a forest road and follows it right to Leppärinteentie. It then turns right and immediately left into the forest. The route goes through a birch grove, then turns right onto a wide trail continuing straight to Viinivaarantie. The route turns left and continues along Viinivaarantie until it turns right onto a forest road and shortly after, again right onto a grassy trail. The trail turns right onto a gravel road and continues until turning left onto Viinivaarantie. From Viinivaarantie, the route turns left onto Pyytallintie. This section is mainly downhill until the road climbs a bit to the turning place and then descends left. By the gravel road is the Kiieskankaan lean-to shelter. The journey continues on the gravel road until the route turns right onto a forest-like trail. From the end of the turning place starts a narrow trail bordered by crowberry. The route reaches a gravel road for a while, continuing left. The route follows the right edge of the turning place and turns right diagonally into the forest. This section is narrow trail. The trail turns left and opens to a straight trail descending gently crossing a small road and continuing straight. On this section are a few ditches crossed by a well-maintained small wooden slab. The journey continues in the forest for a while until it reaches a gravel road. The route follows the gravel road over Hatuntie onto a trail. The route continues along gravel roads until it turns right onto Hatuntie. By Hatuntie is the Kallioniemi war memorial. The route continues briefly along Hatuntie before turning onto Ilolinnantie, where the route continues as Taitajan taival.

• Map and/or GPX track on device (the route is marked in the terrain with orange paint marks)
• Weather appropriate clothing and equipment
• Fire making tools
• Sufficient drinks and snacks