Top Parks & Nature Attractions in Lieksa, Finland
Nature & Parks in Lieksa
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Nature & Parks
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6 places sorted by traveller favourites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
National Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas
Biking Trails • Hiking Trails
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What travellers are saying
- Chris B4 contributionsWe spent three nights in photography hides in two different locations. We saw wolverines on all three nights, wolves on two and bears on one.
Eero' and Sini were so knowledgeable and welcoming, showing clearly how much they cared for the animals. We have had amazing wildlife experiences all over the world and this is without doubt one of the best.Written 31 July 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Mikael KCopenhagen, Denmark273 contributionsSeptember October is being the best time to visit to see fat already sleepy bears preparing for their winter hive, gathering a special kind of mosses to their sleeping comfort- a bears den is more elaborate and comfy than you think, seeing one makes you understand how skillfully they are made. After all- day eating in summer bears are calm in the September October and not so fierce. Patvinsuo, Patvi Marshes, has another attraction too. Cranes migrating, you have to get migration routes updates to be there in right time, the cranes follow the ancient path and use landmarks like Koli, Lake Pielinen and an ancient meteor crater to navigate. This is optional for the first time movers, they learn the route for life. Seeing cranes arrive in the springtime, or depart in the autumn in vast formations, it is majestic sight. And you can always pick cloudberries and cranberries at the marshes.Written 7 November 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- JariJKKouvola, Finland6Â 853 contributionsNeitikoski Rapids are situated in Ruunaa Hiking Area, 30 kilometers from the city center of Lieksa and 100 kilometers from Koli National Park.
We took a taxi from Lieksa to Neitikoski Rapids (55-60 euros in one direction). The parking place of Neitikoski (Neitikosken pysäköintialue on maps) soon after Ruunaan retkeilykeskus (Ruunaa Hiking Centre), at the end of Neitikoskentie road, is the best place to stop. From the parking place you can walk to Neitikoski Rapids or choose other trails, e.g. Närelenkki nature trail (2 kilometers) or longer hiking trails (circle trails of 22-31 kilometers or even 133 kilometers of hiking to Patvinsuo National Park). VisitKarelia (read separate Tripadvisor reviews) describes these possibilities in detail.
The path to Neitikoski Rapids is only 0.6 kilometers (in one direction) and it is accessible even with prams, pushchairs and wheelchairs. The accessible dry toilet is situated next to the parking place but remember to take your own toilet papers with you. There are free campfire sites (free firewood available) and viewing platforms on the route. There isn't any entrance fee to Neitikoski Rapids.
We visited Neitikoski Rapids in August 2018, after three exceptionally hot and dry summer months. However, there was still plenty of water in the rapids. Views were gorgeous! You seldom see as great view so easily! I think that this is "the must" for every visitor in Lieksa, Eastern Finland.
We saw many white water kayakers and fishers here. There are fishing possibilities even for wheelchair users and you may even catch salmons or trouts. However, you have to pay the national fisheries management fee (at the online store or via the phone service) and buy the local fishing permit (from Ruunaa Hiking Centre or via the phone service).
You can ask white water rafting trips from Ruunaan matkailu or Ruunaan retkeilyskeskus. It is possible to raft down several rapids in a big wooden boat with a boat driver or wilder in a rubber raft.
Ruunaan retkeilykeskus (Ruunaa Hiking Center) next to Neitikoski Rapids offers all services you need: a cafeteria, a restaurant (good breakfast and lunch buffets), toilets, accommodation possibilities (even some accessible cottages) and a rental (bikes, fatbikes, rowing boats, canoes, fishing equipment, snowshoes). They also have a small shop (souvenirs, trekking clothes, fishing equipment etc. but no food). Read separate Tripadvisor reviews about Ruunaan retkeilykeskus.
This is a very interesting place. There is so much to do here and views are extremely wonderful. I love this place and I recommend it for everybody!Written 13 August 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Aysan Durukan TolvanenVantaa, Finland8 contributionsVery big area in a beautiful landscape. Animals seemd happy and were very friendly also, many let us to caddle. Nice lake to swim and you can fish with a little price. You can grill along the lake, remember to take "makkara" to grill. We loved the place and for sure come back sometime. Very entertaining for children.Written 4 July 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- JariJKKouvola, Finland6Â 853 contributionsVisit Karelia Outdoors lists recreational trails in North Karelia. Some of those trails are situated in Koli National Park and some in other parts in North Karelia. They describe many hiking and trekking possibilities.
We enjoyed Koskikierros Trail in Ruunaa Hiking Area, which is located 30 kilometers from the city center of Lieksa and 100 kilometers from Koli National Park. We started our hike from the parking place of Neitikoski Rapids, next to Ruunaan retkeilykeskus (Ruunaa Hiking Centre). Read separate Tripadvisor reviews about Neitikoski Rapids and Ruunaan retkeilykeskus.
The parking place is the starting point of many circle trails: the accessible Neitikoski trail (1.2 kilometers), Närelenkki nature trail (2 kilometers, information boards only in Finnish), Neitijärven kierros trail (22 kilometers, at least 7 hours), Koskikierros trail (31 kilometers, 1-2 days) and Karhunpolku trail (133 kilometers). Karhunpolku isn't a circle trail. It goes from Ruunaa Hiking Area to Patvinsuo National Park. You can also combine parts of these trails because there are many crossing points. It is a good idea to buy a hiking map from Ruunaan retkeilykeskus.
There are many campfire sites, lean-to shelters and dry toilets along these routes. Firewood is available but you have to bring your own toilet papers with you. In three points you may cross a river or a strait yourself by free rowing-boats which are available from spring to late autumn. Otherwise you have to walk much longer to find bridges. Other routes are small paths but from Mutikaisenkari to the starting point of Huuhkajanvaara trail you have to walk along a graveled road (2.6 kilometers).
The highlights of Neitijärven kierros trail and Koskikierros trail are several rapids (Neitikoski Rapids 0.6 kilometers from the main route), the suspension bridge of Haapavitja and the observation tower of Huuhkajanvaara. Huuhkajanvaara Hill is the highest point of Ruunaa Hiking Area and there is a wooden observation on the top of the hill. The observation tower is free and it is always open. The view is marvelous.
Notice that if you don't want to walk to Huuhkajanvaara, it is possible to get quite near by car. The observation tower is situated only 0.8 kilometers from a small road which goes to the parking place of Mutikaisenkari (Mutikaisenkarin pysäköintialue on maps). From the parking place it is over 3.5 kilometers to the observation tower but when driving along the road you see a wooden sign "Huuhkajanvaara 0.8" (the arrow to the left) just before Neitijärven kämpät cottages. Notice that the path to Huuhkanvaara is quite steep.
We had an extremely nice summer day on Koskikierros Trail. We ate campfire sausages in Saunaniemi. After the long day it was wonderful to take a rest and stay overnight in a cabin in Ruunaan retkeilykeskus (Ruunaa Hiking Centre). What an experience!Written 13 August 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
