Hiking & outdoor recreationLength32 km
The Ruunaa Koskikierros Circle Trail takes hikers sometimes upstream and sometimes downstream, from near Neitikoski up to Haapaniska and down to Murrookoski. The route winds past roaring rapids and over bridges. However, the hiker's shoes remain firmly on the ground or at least on the bridge deck. There are plenty of lean-to shelters and campfire sites along the circular route. At the starting point, you will find the services of the Ruunaa Hiking Centre. The route can also be halved by crossing the river by boat at Kattilaniemi or Vastuuniemi. The crossing boats are available until October 31st.
The Neitipuro Bridge along the Koskikierros Trail has been dismantled
The Neitipuro Bridge along the Koskikierros Trail and Neitijärven kierros Trail has been dismantled. A detour that completely avoids crossing the water will be marked in the terrain in the early summer of 2025. Until then, the routes are not passable.
Circle trail
The trail can only be used during the snow-free season
Camping permitted
Campfire site
Remember to bring a trash bag
Dry toilet
Contact information
The route can be started from several points. The starting point for this route description is the Neitikoski parking area, approximately 400 meters from the Ruunaa Hiking Centre.
Starting from the Neitikoski parking area, the first rest stop is the Lakkapää campfire site, 1.6 km from the start. After this, the route passes through young pine forest and reaches the riverbank about 2 km after the campfire site. Here, a smaller fishing trail branches off to the right, leading to the Miikkula campfire site, 0.2 km away. The main route continues upstream along the Lieksanjoki, with the next rest stop being the Korpiniemi lean-to shelter, 0.5 km from the fishing trail junction.
From Korpiniemi, the route continues through ancient primeval forests for 1.2 km to the next campfire site. The huge anthills are a special feature of this area, with several mounds reaching up to 2 meters high. After the Haapavitja campfire site, 0.5 km further, the route turns to the Haapavitja suspension bridge. On the west bank of the river, about 100 meters from the suspension bridge, is the Haapaniska lean-to. At the Haapavitja rapids, there is a suspension bridge crossing the rapids, offering a fine view of the surroundings.
After crossing the river, there is a junction. The route branching north from the junction continues as the Karhunpolku trail towards the Ruunaa nature reserve. About 200 meters north along the trail is the Kakkinen lean-to shelter. When following the Rapids Trail and the Neitijärvi Trail, the route turns downstream from the junction towards the Mustanpyörre campfire site, which is 0.8 km away.
The journey continues to the Mutikaisenkari campfire site, located 1 km away, near the Haapavitja east side parking area. From the campfire site, the route continues for 2 km along a forest road past the Neitijärvi rental cabins and turns off the road 0.7 km after them. Then the route ascends towards the Huuhkajavaara lookout tower, which is about 0.8 km from the junction. The lookout tower offers a view to the northwest over Neitijärvi. From the lookout tower, the path continues for 0.8 km, then turns towards the Saunaniemi lean-to at the tip of the peninsula, which is 100 meters to the right of the route. From the lean-to shelter, it is 0.8 km to the Neitijärvi parking area, where there is a swimming opportunity. There is no official beach in the area. From the parking area, the route continues for 2 km to the junction after Onkisuo, where the Neitijärvi Trail diverges from the Koskikierros.
The Koskikierros continues straight from the junction after Onkisuo, 2 km from the Neitijärvi parking area. After the junction, the route crosses open bogs on duckboards. 0.6 km away, on the right side of the route, is the Onkilampi lean-to shelter. The next junction is 1.3 km away, and from there, continue in the direction indicated by the Koskikierros to the left. 0.6 km from the previous junction, there is a junction where you can choose between two route options, as two paths lead to the next junction. The main route crosses pine heaths and is 0.7 km long, while the longer route option (marked in blue as a fishing trail) runs near the shores of Murroojärvi and Murrookoski for 1.4 km. On the longer route, 0.6 km from the junction, is the Murroonkangas campfire site.
After the paths merge, the Murroonsuvanto lean-to is 0.1 km away, below Murrookoski, 60 meters from the path. The next stop, the Murroopuro campfire site, is 0.5 km from the lean-to shelter. From the campfire site, you can choose either the fishing trail near the shore or the main path through the pine heaths. The fishing trail passes the Horka lean-to shelter, 0.7 km away, and leads to the Siikakoski suspension bridge. The main path is slightly longer, as it goes through a junction 1 km away and then continues 0.1 km to the Siikakoski suspension bridge. The Horka lean-to shelter is about 50 meters to the right of the main path.
Siikakoski is crossed via a suspension bridge, and the route turns to follow upstream again. 0.2 km away is the Siikakoski lean-to sheleter. The next stop, the Uittopato campfire site, is 0.3 km from the lean-to shelter, on a small island.
The path follows the banks of Siikakoski, and after a short stretch of calm water, you reach Murrookoski and the Murrookoski lean-to shelter on its shore, 0.8 km from the previous campfire site. From the lean-to shelter, the route continues towards Murroojärvi and arrives at the Niskalahti campfire site, 0.8 km away.
From the Niskalahti campfire site, 0.3 km away is a junction where you follow the Koskikierros to the right for 1.5 km to the next junction, where the Karhunpolku trail also joins the Koskikierros. Turn right at the junction, and then the route crosses the road leading to the Vastuuniemi boat crossing point, 0.7 km away.
After crossing the road, continue for 4.7 km to the next junction, from where it is 2.1 km to the Ruunaa hiking center. From the hiking center, the journey continues for 0.4 km along the road back to the starting point at the Neitikoski parking area.