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Deep blue lakes and green forests in Finnish Lakeland

Travelog · Finnish Lakeland · February 25, 2025
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  • Canoeing in Hossa
    Canoeing in Hossa
    Photo: Paula Aspholm, Parks & Wildlife Finland
After my successful journey through the national parks in Lapland, this time I wanted to explore Finnish Lakeland, perhaps the most typical landscape of Finland. I dreamed of deep blue lakes, dense green forests and adventures on foot and by canoe. And also this time I was not disappointed.

Finland in miniature: Leivonmäki National Park

Of course, Finnish Lakeland is big, but after a lot of research I had chosen some national parks that I wanted to explore. I started in the south, in Leivonmäki National Park not far from Jyväskylä.

The national park is regarded as a miniature version of Central Finland and so I already felt right in the middle of the Finnish adventure when I arrived: forests and mires, lakes and rapids and the ridges of the hills that were formed during the ice age, the so-called eskers. The most famous destination in the park is the Joutsniemi ridge. The 1.5 km long Esker ridge rises into Lake Rutajärvi and divides it into two basins. The view over the landscape is breathtaking.

A hidden jewel is the Rutajoki River. The Koskikaran Kierros Trail is an ideal way to explore it – clear water, foaming rapids and an impressive picture of Finnish nature.

In the middle of the water in the Linnansaari National Park

First it lead in easter direction, before my route would take me further north. The Linnansaari National Park was waiting for me. In the middle of Lake Saimaa, the largest lake in Finland, the Linnansaari is a real water national park. And so I reached it easily by boat. Here you can discover the peculiarity of Finnish Lakeland particularly well: a landscape of lakes and rivers and numerous islands and islets in the water. And with a little luck you can also see the rare Saimaa ringed seal, which is native here.

I enjoyed a great view from Linnavuori Rock. The high rock in the northwest of the main island of the park rises above the surroundings and offers a great view over one of the most beautiful landscapes of the lake district. Linnavuori means hill fortress by the way – even if no remains of castles or fortresses were found here, with its elevated location and protected shores it is an ideal defensive place.

Saimaa
Photo: Elina Enho, Parks & Wildlife Finland

Finland from above in Koli National Park

Who doesn't know it, the view from Ukkokoli, the highest hilltop of the Koli hills. Probably the most photographed view in Finland. If you think now, I don't have to go there, I know from the photos, you're wrong!
The view is fabulous. The typical image of Finland is confirmed here: My gaze wandered over the deep blue lakes and the densely overgrown green islands – that's exactly what I had imagined. And finally at that moment now I had arrived – in Finland, in Lakeland, in my time-out from the world.
Summit · Finnish Lakeland
Ukkokoli
Finnish Lakeland

Ukkokoli is the highest summit of the Koli Mountain at Lake Pielinen in Finland.

from Wiebke Hillen,   Outdooractive Editors
The Koli National Park generally convinces with its varied landscape. Gentle hills, old forests, colorful meadows and traces of slash-and-burn agriculture – every tour is varied. On the cliffs you can follow the tectonic shifting of the plates and the ice age can be seen in the huge boulders with ripples. Although the Koli Mountains are one of Finland's most visited natural attractions, you are far from mass tourism and can experience the lonely naturalness of Finland.
The hill and lake landscape of the Koli National Park
Photo: Iryna Zubenko, Metsähallitus - Parks & Wildlife Finland

Hiidenportti National Park: off into the wilderness

In the Hiidenportti National Park I came across the real wilderness of Finland. Ideal for those looking for peace and quiet, the park gives an impressive scenic impression: rough, beautiful mires and above all forests characterize the area. Two thirds of the region are larded with spruce and pine. The mires wind their way into the gorges.
Hiidenportti is known for the gorge of the same name, which of course I couldn't miss either. The valley is bordered by massive vertical walls and on the ground there are dark ponds with mossy shores. For one kilometer I crossed the impressive canyon on the Hiidenkierros Trail.
Hiking Trail · Hiidenportti Nationalpark
Hiidenkierros 5 km, Hiidenportti National Park, Sotkamo - Vuokatti
recommended route Difficulty T2 moderate
Distance 5.2 km
Duration 2:30 h
Ascent 63 m
Descent 62 m

In Hiidenportti National Park, near the Vuokatti tourist center, the Hiidenkierros circular route rewards the traveler with magnificent views of ...

from Arto Heikkinen,   Outdoors Kainuu

Further north to the Hossa National Park

The wilderness does not break off so far in the north of Finnish Lakeland and so I reached the last stop of my journey through the national parks of the lakeland: the Hossa National Park. There are 90 kilometers of marked trails, which I explored immediately. But I also discovered the magnificent landscape with its pine forests and hills, the rivers and crystal clear lakes from the canoe – after all, why are we on the lakes?
Julma-Ölkky Canyon Lake
Photo: Mari Limnell, Parks & Wildlife Finland
The Julma-Ölkky Canyon was particularly popular. The lake was formed in this valley which is several kilometers long and the rock walls rise up to 50 meters – impressive. The small rock painting in the center is also beautiful to look at. More impressive, however, are the Värikallio rock paintings: The largest prehistoric rock paintings in Finland were painted 3500 to 4500 years ago. They were really painted, not carved into the rock. The 61 individual figures show hunting scenes and shamanic rituals and were painted from the boat – or in winter from the ice. In front of the rock there is an extra platform to admire the paintings.
My trip to Finland was way too short. But once again I was fascinated by the unique and lonely nature of the country. And I can't say which region I like best, but I will definitely return to Finish Lakeland.
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Wiebke Hillen
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Maps and trails
Summit · Finnish Lakeland
Ukkokoli
Finnish Lakeland

Ukkokoli is the highest summit of the Koli Mountain at Lake Pielinen in Finland.

from Wiebke Hillen,   Outdooractive Editors
Hiking Trail · Hossa National Park
Värikallion kaarros Trail 8 km, Hossa National Park
recommended route Difficulty moderate
Distance 7.2 km
Duration 3:00 h
Ascent 48 m
Descent 48 m

Värikallion kaarros trail takes you to the most famous sight in Hossa. Thanks to the walking platform, you will be able to explore the historical ...

Metsähallitus
Hiking Trail · Hossa National Park
Ölökyn ähkäsy Trail around Julma-Ölkky 10 km, Hossa National Park
recommended route Difficulty difficult
Distance 9.6 km
Duration 5:00 h
Ascent 23 m
Descent 27 m

Julma-Ölkky is the name of the biggest canyon lake in Finland. Ölökyn ähkäsy trail is a demanding hike around the lake with plenty of ascents and ...

1
Metsähallitus
Mountain Biking · Hossa National Park
Sininen saavutus Mountain Biking Trail (IMBA EPICS) 50 km, Hossa National Park
recommended route Difficulty S2 difficult
Distance 49 km
Duration 4:30 h
Ascent 128 m
Descent 127 m

Showing the best parts of Hossa National Park, this trail is the only one in Finland with IMBA EPICS title, it has been selected among the best ...

3
from Veera Vihervaara,   Metsähallitus
Hiking Trail · Leivonmäki National Park
Harjujärvi accessible route, Leivonmäki National Park
recommended route Difficulty easy
Distance 1.3 km
Duration 1:00 h
Ascent 6 m
Descent 6 m

On the accessible route, you can enjoy beautiful lake views, pine forest, and swamp surroundings. The cooking shelter is pleasant both on sunny and ...

from Marjo Nevalainen,   Visit Jyväskylä Region
Hiking Trail · Leivonmäki National Park
Luupää route, Leivonmäki National Park
recommended route Difficulty
Distance 2.2 km
Duration 0:33 h
Ascent 10 m
Descent 10 m

The Luupää route, charming with its ridge, mire, and lake scenery, showcases the geology of Leivonmäki National Park. The nature trail is crowned ...

from Upe Nykänen,   Visit Jyväskylä Region
Hiking Trail · Leivonmäki National Park
Kirveslampi route, Leivonmäki National Park
recommended route Difficulty easy
Distance 1.9 km
Duration 1:00 h
Ascent 9 m
Descent 8 m

The Kirveslampi route, which runs on forest paths and bog boardwalks, is an easy-to-walk trail, whose scenic views from the nature observation ...

2
from Marjo Nevalainen,   Visit Jyväskylä Region
Hiking Trail · Hiidenportti Nationalpark
Hiidenkierros 5 km, Hiidenportti National Park, Sotkamo - Vuokatti
recommended route Difficulty T2 moderate
Distance 5.2 km
Duration 2:30 h
Ascent 63 m
Descent 62 m

In Hiidenportti National Park, near the Vuokatti tourist center, the Hiidenkierros circular route rewards the traveler with magnificent views of ...

from Arto Heikkinen,   Outdoors Kainuu
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Stories Finland Finnish Lakeland Deep blue lakes and green forests in Finnish Lakeland