Things to do in the area

Up to the peaks and down into the valleys!

North Karelia and especially Koli is a paradise for nature lovers. Whether your sport is hiking, trail running, cycling or skiing, from our yard you have direct access to the paths, gravel roads and cross-country skiing trails to enjoy the breathtaking scenery and peace.

SWIMMING AND WATER ACTIVITIES

Lake Valkealampi, on the shore of which our holiday center is located, is a clean water lake where you can enjoy various water activities. In the summer, all our guests have free use of rowing boats, canoes, a two-person kayak and SUP boards. We have life jackets for even the smallest of the family.

The beach has a sandy bottom and deepens gently, so it is also suitable for those who are just learning to swim.

There is a separate swimming area marked for dogs on the beach.

In winter, the sauna opens into a pond that is kept open by a pump, providing a larger swimming area in temperatures below 20 degrees. Avanto is illuminated, access from the swimming ladder on the pier.

FISHING

A lucky fisherman might be put off and you will catch fresh fish for dinner! You can fish on the lake with a general fishing permit and ice fishing in winter. We recommend taking a boat and rowing a little further out into the lake, only worm fishing is allowed from the pier.

SKIING

Finland's longest continuous illuminated cross-country skiing trail starts from our yard, you can take it all the way to Koli village, Ukko-Koli and Käränkälampi in Loma-Koli. The illuminated cross-country skiing trail offers stunning views as well as fast descents and ascents. There are a few huts with bonfire places (with the woods) along cross-country skiing trail, the closest being Napakallio 3 km away and the next one is Ursan hut 7 km away from our yard.
A more easier option is the ice-track on our lake (a circular route approx. 2 km), the Ylemmäinen circuit (a circular route is approx. 10 km) and the forest track to Ahmovaara (one way approx. 10 km). The ice track operates as a children's track in winter, do you recognize the inhabitants of our forests along it?

In winter, you can rent fur-bottomed skis from us for both adults and children.

Below you will find more tips for the Koli tourist area!

Hiking

The Koli national park has approximately 60 km of versatile marked hiking routes.
There are paths for sightseeing as well as routes that are accessible for example with strollers.
The longest route is the national hiking destination of the year called the Herajärvi trail (30-61 km).
You can start hiking the Koli routes on the path that begins at our yard. The distance to the heart of the national park at Ukko-Koli is 13 km.
The closest fire pits can be found at the Napakallio shelter (3.2 km) and the Ursa hut (7.5 km).
You can purchase a Koli bicycle map at our reception desk

Take a look at Koli routes

Cycling

The criss-crossing paved and gravel roads as well as the ski tracks and some paths going around the Koli countryside are well-suited for riding your bicycle.
But make sure to reserve enough time - going is slower in the hilly terrain.
We sell Koli cycling maps at the reseption, price 5 €.
Koli Freetime is one of the accommodation locations along the 250 km long Pielisen Kierros biking route. See more of the Pielisen Kierros via the adjacent image link.

Take a look at cycling at Koli

Snowshoe hiking

Koli is excellent for snowshoe hiking thanks to the elevation differences, the thick snow, and the often rewarding crown snow landscapes.
Snowshoes allow moving even in deep snow, letting you find a new perspective onto nature in the winter.
You can try snowshoe hiking on your own or on guided tours.
There are marked snowshoe routes going around the Koli national park, of which you can learn more by visiting the Koli nature centre Ukko.

Take a look at snowshoe hiking at Koli

Cross-country skiing

The illuminated Koli ski track begins at our yard. The track is 25 km long in each direction.
The total length of the Koli ski track network is almost 100 km.
We also have a child-friendly “sauna ski track” (length about 1 km) in our yard and a maintenance room for ski equipment.
We take part in the maintenance of the Koli ski track network by paying the voluntary annual membership fee for the Koli ski track pool.
You can purchase a Koli ski track map at our reception desk.
Click the image to visit the Koli region ski track page.

Take a look at Koli ski tracks

Downhill skiing

Ukko-Koli features one of the oldest downhill slopes in the country as well some of the most demanding slopes in all of Southern and Central Finland.
The Koli slopes are memorable due to their amazing scenery and variable terrain features.
A slope map, a live camera, and slope service information can be seen on the koliski page.
Guests staying with us can keep their skis and snowboards in our ski maintenance room.

Take a look at Koli slopes Downhill skiing

To see and to do

The nature at Koli hides many peculiar sites to see and experience.
We have collected some of the natural wonders of the area behind the adjacent image link.
The list includes e.g. the Ryläys rockfall, the Räsävaara observation tower, crown snow forests, and the longest official ice road in Europe

Take a look at Koli natural sights To see and to do