Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
KARELIAN TREKS
North Karelia's best trekking routes form the
Karjalan Kierros
(Karelian Circuit;
www.vaellus.info
)
, a loop of 14 marked hiking trails (plus some canoe and cycling variants)
with a total length of more than 1000km between Ilomantsi and Lake Pielinen. The best
known are the Bear's Trail (not to be confused with the more famous Bear's Ring in Ou-
lanka National Park) and Wolf's Trail, which link up in Patvinsuo National Park. They're de-
scribed here from south to north but you can walk in either direction. On school days
only, a bus connects Ilomantsi and Möhkö village (€4.10, 25 minutes, one daily); other-
wise you'll need to arrange transport to the trailheads in advance.
Wilderness huts and lean-to shelters are scattered along the way, but it's advisable to
carry a tent. Equipment hire can be arranged with Karelia Expert. Much of the terrain is
fice for the Forest and Park Service, for information.
Wild Nordic
can book huts and cab-
ins along the trail.
See also
www.outdoors.fi
for extensive info on hiking in Finland.
SUSITAIVAL (WOLF'S TRAIL)
The 97km Wolf's Trail is a marked four- to six-day trek running north from Möhkö village
to the marshlands of Patvinsuo National Park. The terrain consists mostly of dry heath,
pine forest and swampy marshland, which can be wet underfoot - in places, you'll need
to haul yourself over water courses on a pulley-operated raft. This trail skirts the Russian
border in areas where many of the battles in the Winter and Continuation Wars were
fought. Early in the trek, at Lake Sysmä, you'll see a memorial and antitank gun. There are
five lean-to shelters and three wilderness cabins along the route, and farm or camping ac-
commodation is available in the village of Naarva. Around 100 bears and 50 wolves inhab-
it the area - the chances of running into one are slim but not impossible. If you do happen
to meet a bear or wolf in the wild, back away slowly in the direction you came from.
KARHUNPOLKU (BEAR'S TRAIL)
The Bear's Trail is a 133km marked trail of medium difficulty leading north from Patvinsuo
National Park near Lieksa, through a string of national parks and nature reserves along
the Russian border, including through the Ruunaa Recreation Area. This accessibility
means the trail can be walked, or even mountain-biked, in relatively short stages. The trail
