Koli National Park is located in North Karelia, in eastern Finland. This national park is best known for it’s hills and breathtaking views. The view from the top of Ukko-Koli hill to Lake Pielinen is one of the best known landscapes in Finland. And is therefore also a very popular tourist attraction. Koli is one of the Finland’s national landscapes and has been inspiring both artists and tourists who have captured this amazing view in numerous paintings and photographs.
Facts About Koli National Park
- Location North Karelia Region
- Established 1991
- Area 29 km²
- 260 000 visits/year (2021)
Things to See in Koli National Park
As Koli is known for it’s hills, visiting Koli National Park requires a bit of climbing to. But let me assure, it will be worth it. The views from the peaks are amazing!
The best known of the Koli’s many hills is the Ukko-Koli. From the peak of Ukko-Koli opens up a amazing view to Lake Pielinen. The peak of Ukko-Koli reaches 354 metres above sea level and is 253 metres above the surface of Lake Pielinen. Ukko-Koli isn’t the only hill at Koli. There are also many others peaks worth visiting. For example Paha-Koli, Akka-Koli, Vesivaara and Mäkrävaara.
Although the breathtaking views are the best of Koli, they aren’t the only reason to visit. There is a Koli Nature Center Ukko, which is located close by the peak of Ukko-Koli hill. Koli National Park is located on the shores of beautiful Lake Pielinen, which is the fourth largest lake in Finland. And as this this a national park, it perhaps goes without saying that Koli has also many hiking trails to enjoy.
One of which is the Sataman polku (Koli harbour) nature trail. If you like climbing, this is the one for you. It is known to be the oldest marked nature trail in Finland and takes you from the shores of Pielinen up to the peak of Ukko-Koli.
Other interesting places to visit are the small waterfall called Tarhapuro, 33 metre long Z-shaped boulder cave named Pirunkirkko (Devil’s Church) and an ancient sacrificial site named Uhrihalkeama (Sacrifice Cleft).
Places to Visit in Koli
- Breathtaking views from the peaks of the hills Ukko-Koli, Akka-Koli, Paha-Koli, Vesivaara, Mäkrävaara, Paimenenvaara, Jauholanvaara, Hirvivaara
- Koli Nature Center Ukko
- Tarhapuro waterfall
- Uhrihalkeama (Sacrifice Cleft) ancient sacrificial site
- Pirunkirkko (Devil’s Church) boulder cave
- Lake Pielinen
- Sataman polku (Koli harbour) nature trail
For more info visit Koli National Park website