Hiking & outdoor recreationLength2.2 km
The trail, presumed to be the oldest signposted trail in Finland, leads you through the footprints of artists inspired by Karelianism and the first visitors to enjoy the most iconic landscapes of Koli.
The area/trail is not safe to use during the winter
Remember to bring a trash bag
No dry toiletAn indoor toilet in the Koli Nature Centre Ukko and Break Sokos Hotel Koli.
Contact information
Starting point is at Koli Harbour parking area 1, Rantatie 12, Koli Lieksa and Koli Harbour parking area 2, Rantatie 6, Koli, Lieksa. During high season, the parking areas in the harbour may be full, in which case you can park a little further away in the Ukko-Koli slopes parking area, address Rantatie 27, Koli, Lieksa.
The trail is marked with purple circles on signposts at trail junctions. The signposts have been numbered and the numbers correspond to the numbering of the Koli service and trail map (1:20,000).
The trail starts in the Koli harbour next to the Alamaja harbour restaurant and ascends steeply up the Ipatinvaara slope. Turn left at the junction 44 through the herb-rich forests on the slope and cross a small rivulet.
The trail gradually climbs through birch-dominated forest — the oldest in the Koli National Park — and old slash-and-burn sites until the seating area and downhill skiing slopes of Ipatti. There are benches set at scenic viewpoints and along the trail for resting. The trail runs through the ski slope, after which it turns right at the junction 37. Soon you will arrive at the steepest ascend of the trail which leads to Upper Yard, passing the Uhrihalkeama sacrificial crevice.
The trail crosses Upper Yard to the junction 65 on the south side of the yard, left of the Koli Nature Centre Ukko, where you start the last, steep ascend to the iconic viewing spot of Ukko-Koli. This is a one-way trail. If you want to return to the trailhead, you must backtrack.