Koli: Summit Trails, Lake and Culture

Koli combines striking summits, views of Lake Pielinen and insights into the region’s culture. When planning your holiday, it makes a difference whether you want to focus on short hikes, longer routes, winter activities or cultural discoveries. The trails and visitor attractions offer different ways to explore, from a short summit trail to hikes with several overnight stays.

Summits and views

The Koli Scenic Lift travels over 770 metres; a one-way ride takes about eight minutes. The lift takes visitors directly to the courtyard of the Koli Nature Centre Ukko and Break Sokos Hotel Koli. From there, it is only a few hundred metres uphill to the summit of Ukko-Koli. During the summer season, the ride offers views of the landscapes of Koli and Lake Pielinen. The combination of a lift ride and the subsequent walk to the summit may be a factor in planning your day.

The 1.4-kilometre Huippujen kierros, also known as the Summit Trail, passes Ukko-Koli, Akka-Koli and Paha-Koli and leads to the highest point in southern Finland. The route brings several summit sites together on one trail. If you are planning a longer hike, the Koli Trail offers everything from short walks to multi-day hikes with several overnight stays in summer. This lets you choose between a short outing and a tour with overnight stays along the way.

Cultural landscapes and distinctive trails

The Beautiful Trio of Koli is a 3.5-kilometre route through the cultural landscape of the Mattila, Ollila and Turula farmsteads. In summer, the animals kept there also contribute to the landscape. The route can be reached from the car parks at Mattila, Turula and Ollila on Ylä-Kolintie 12, as well as from the car park at the Koli sports field. Another hiking option is the Ukko-Koli route: it starts at the Koli Nature Centre Ukko and leads to a freely accessible viewing platform overlooking Lake Pielinen. It is described as challenging and accessible.

Near Koli, the Koli Sculpture Garden covers about one hectare. Its areas are arranged according to the colours of the plants; the garden is also suitable for families with children. In Koli itself, the Koli Church, built in 1930, tells the story of the village’s construction history. It was designed by architect Veikko Kyander.

Nature, stories and winter

The permanent exhibition at the Koli Nature Centre Ukko covers the geology, nature and culture of Koli National Park. The centre also introduces Finland’s national landscape and the wilderness and traditional landscapes of eastern Finland, and provides hiking information about the national park and other protected areas in North Karelia. The two-hour Mythical Forest tour takes you through Koli’s ancient landscapes, accompanied by stories and myths. It starts and ends at the Nature Centre Ukko.

There are also different options in winter: the Koli Trail offers good conditions for skiing or snowshoeing. Koli Ski Resort has seven slopes. At 1,500 metres, Ipatin Kierto is the longest available run; the steepest black run is called Ukko-Koli. This information can help you weigh up hiking, summit experiences, culture and winter sports when choosing when to travel and a holiday apartment in Koli.

Discover more places: Tuupovaara, Vuonislahti, Ilomantsi, Rokua, Kontiolahti, Kesälahti, Liperi and Tohmajärvi.

Return to the main travel overview: North Karelia.