Trail Running
|Joensuu
The best needle trails of the Lykyn Trails
There are dozens of needle trails crisscrossing the terrain of Lykynlampi, of which the best marked routes have been collected for this route tip. The route consists of the Lykynvaara, Lykynlampi, and Mertalampi Trails.
Description
The trail running route starts from the Lykynlampi outdoor lodge going south along the Lykynvaara Trail that circles Lykynlampi, which is the most versatile and rugged route of the Lykyn Trails. Along the 4 km, there are steep hills, deciduous forest atmosphere, and woodland terrain. Looking toward the Höytiäinen canal from Lykynvaara, the runner glimpses rugged landscape views.
The beginning is gentle woodland before the steep climbs and descents and views of the Lykynvaara Trail. The stretch of the route along the shore of Lykynlampi gives a special flavor, where the nature is lush and deciduous forest-like. From the red-marked Lykynvaara Trail, the route detours to follow other colored routes; see the route instructions for more details.
The Lykynlampi outdoor center is located around the small Lykynlampi. The Lykynlampi trail system includes four marked routes, one of which is accessible. The Lykynlampi Lykyn Trails offer trail experiences for trail runners of all levels.
The Jaama Trail and the Connector Trail that starts from the Lykynlampi outdoor lodge link the Lykyn Trails to the Joensuu region’s network of over 200 km of marked routes: Utranharju's Harjunpolut, Liperi’s Kinttupolut, and Kontiolahti’s Kontionpolut trail system. From Kontiolahti’s routes, you can continue along the Kolinpolku all the way to Koli! Explore the routes as much as you want and can.
Location & Parking
There is plenty of free parking space next to the Lykynlampi outdoor lodge.
Directions
Follow the marked routes of the Lykyn Trails as follows:
Start from in front of the Lykynlampi outdoor lodge along the red Lykynvaara Trail heading south. Follow the red route until you reach the intersection of the blue Lykynlampi Trail (turn right). Then follow the Lykynlampi Trail (cross the asphalt road), the purple Connector Trail, the yellow Mertalampi Trail, then on the way back the purple Connector Trail, the blue Lykynlampi Trail, briefly the green accessible route in front of the Lykynlampi lodge, the blue-red route, the green accessible route, and finally again the blue-red route.