Hiking Trail
|North Karelia
Pyylin path
The fascinatingly diverse and sometimes difficult to navigate Pyylin path partly runs through the Kolovesi National Park area, in the northwest corner of the park. Along the route marked with blue paint marks, there is a wilderness hut and a sauna.
Description
About 4 km long path starts from the parking area on Huutoniementie and proceeds the first few hundred meters along a gravel road. Moving clockwise, the signposts soon turn left onto a spruce forest path.
On the shore of Iso-Pyylin there is a hiker’s oasis: a wilderness hut, wood shed, campfire site, outhouse, sauna, and pier. While sitting at the campfire site, you can admire the rocky slope of Karkumäki rising on the opposite side of the water.
The rockiest sections of the route begin immediately after the wilderness hut. While the surface of Iso-Pyylin still glistens on the hiker’s left, the steep Pyylivuori rises on the right. Half a kilometre from the wilderness hut, you reach the border of Kolovesi National Park. The varied, rocky troll forest continues also within the national park. The route descends to the shore of Pieni Kolovesi, where the Pyylinoja camping area with campfire sites is located.
Hikers are further pampered by a beautiful wetland spot and a dim spruce forest before leaving the national park. After a short brushy section, you arrive at the shore of Ruokovirta.
The last kilometre is a relaxed walk along a quiet gravel road back to the starting point.
The route can also be accessed by water, in which case the most natural starting point is Pyylinoja located on the Kolovesi National Park side.
Safety
- It is recommended to download the 112 app
- The route is rocky and slippery when wet
- A small first aid kit is recommended
Location & Parking
About 20 km south from Heinävesi depending on the route choice. From Pyylintie 83 east to Huutoniementie, along which is about a 2 km distance to the starting point of the Pyylin path.
The location is not accessible by public transport.
There is a parking area at the starting point of the Pyylin path on Huutoniementie.
Directions
Recommended clockwise direction. From the parking lot at Huutoniementie 22, take the forest road to the left. It is recommended to download the GPX file of the route line or take a screenshot of the route in case any of the signposts are missed.
Tools and equipment
- Sturdy and moisture-resistant shoes (there are wet and rocky sections along the route)