Hiking & Mountain Biking

Paths starting from Ruunaa Outdoor Centre

The recommended starting point is at the P4 car park (see “venue”). The paths overlap a lot, so there are more possibilities than what’s listed in this page. Ruunaa Outdoor Centre rents fatbikes for 15€/h, 30€/5h, or 50€/24h.

Some routes include crossing a river using a boat. You need to first row one boat across the river, then tow another one to leave it on the shore from where you left, and finally cross again, so that there will always be one boat on each side. If done alone, this should take approx. 30 minutes.

Neitijärven kierros (hike or bike) 25 km – Easy-medium. Part of Koskikierros, mostly circling Neitijärvi. There is an observation tower on the top of a steep uphill, and a boat crossing at Aironiemi. Marked with green, recommeded to go clockwise. www.luontoon.fi/en/trails/neitijarvenkierros-trail-lieksa-176934-en

Koskikierros (hike or bike) 34 km –  Easy-medium. Circles the whole Ruunaa hiking area. There is an observation tower on the top of a steep uphill. No boat crossings. Marked with yellow circles, recommended to go clockwise. www.luontoon.fi/en/trails/koskikierros-trail-lieksa-21333-en

Karttulenkki biking route (36 km) – Medium, with some more demanding, but short parts (ascends; gravel and roots) Parts of the route utilize roads used by cars as well. No painted markings, but there are metallic signs at crossings. Bringing a map is highly recommended. Recommended to go counter-clockwise. www.outdooractive.com/en/route/gravel-bike/north-karelia/ruunaa-karttulenkki-42-km/806016649/ , www.luontoon.fi/en/trails/karttulenkki-lieksa-195140-en

Variation of Koskikierros (hike or bike) 10,2 km  – Easy-medium. There will be a boat crossing. No specific colour marking, since this is a path formed from parts of different routes. The path starts from P3 on the area map, to where you can walk following the path from the end of the asphalt road above the cabins. Go towards Naukulahti (just straight), then Airovirta (not until the very end), then to Naukuniemi, where there is a boat crossing. From there circle back towards Valkamolahti. www.outdooractive.com/en/route/hiking-trail/north-karelia/hiking-round-trip-around-neitijaervi-from-ruunaan-retkeilykeskus-ruunaa/810379940/#dmdtab=oax-tab1

Paths nearby

Siikakosken lenkki (hike or bike) 4,7 km – Easy-medium. Includes duckboards. Leaves form Siikakoski parking 1 (Siikakoski pysäköintialue 1), approx. 5 km from Ruunaan Matkailu. Marked with purple, recommended to go counter-clockwise. www.luontoon.fi/en/trails/siikakosken-lenkki-trail-lieksa-174769-en

Vastuuniemen / Murroojärven kierto (hike or bike) 10,3 km. Easy-medium. There is a boat crossing at Vastuuniemi. Starts from Siikakoski parking 1 (Siikakoski pysäköintialue 1), approx. 5 km from Ruunaan Matkailu. Marked with black, recommended to go counter-clockwise. www.luontoon.fi/en/trails/vastuuniemenkierros-trail-lieksa-174770-en

Hiking path of Reposuo 11,4 km – Easy. This route through Reposuo – The Bog of the Fox – is found on the way from Lieksa centre to Ruunaa. The path is mainly on duckboards. www.luontoon.fi/en/trails/reposuo-retkeilyreitti-lieksa-21945-en

Ruunaa scenic biking route 26,3 km – Medium. There will be some duckboards along the way. This route leaves from Ruunaan Matkailu (check “accommodation”). www.outdooractive.com/en/route/mountain-biking/north-karelia/scenic-route-mountain-biking-in-ruunaa/60323877/

General etiquette & some tips

• Please mind forest fire alarms. If one is active during the area, it is strictly forbidden to make open fire. You can only make fire in walled fireplaces that have a chimney. Check the alarm situation at https://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/warnings Lieksa is situated in Pohjois-Karjala region.
• Only make fire on designated spots. Always make sure the fire is fully extinguished before you leave.
• The toilets don’t generally have toilet paper, so bring your own!
• In Finland you have ”freedom to roam” basically anywhere in nature, excluding other people’s yards and cultivated fields. This freedom extends to hiking, biking, boating, kayaking and swimming. www.luontoon.fi/en/articles/everymans-rights
• Beware of unpredictable weather conditions, wet / boggy terrain and insects.
• Do not litter 🙂

Links

A map of some possible routes on the area, with descriptions www.outdooractive.com/en/map/#area=*&bm=osm%3Asummer&caml=82y,51httn,ah8q2a,0,0&sc=1&zc=11.47414,30.48423,63.36223

Map of the area’s paths and amenities, with general information on the front page. www.luontoon.fi/en/destinations/ruunaa-hiking-area

Another map service, with more geographical information: Search ”Ruunaan retkeilyalue” to see the whole area, or use a name of an individual path. retkikartta.fi/

Fishing

Even if Lunarloop or McNasty doesn’t spin every time, there’s no need for despair. Right next to the competition venue, the Neitikoski area in Ruunaa offers excellent opportunities to relax by fishing – and the water levels right now look great for this activity. Instead of a loop, you might score huge bonuses by catching the biggest rainbow trout of your life!

The river naturally contains perch, pike, zander, and even trout. In addition, large numbers of catch-sized rainbow trout weighing 1–2 kilograms are stocked in the area frequently, almost on a weekly basis.

To fish in the area, you need two separate permits. First, you must pay the Finnish state fisheries management fee. In addition, you need to purchase a lure fishing permit for the Ruunaa rapids area.

The fisheries management fee is the easiest to pay online. All relevant information and prices can be found here:
www.eraluvat.fi/en/fishing/fisheries-management-fee

The local lure fishing permit can be purchased at the Ruunaa Outdoor Centre. The staff can also provide good tips on productive fishing spots in the area, and they can help you get in touch with a professional fishing guide operating locally, Risto Lytsy.

During the competition week, an old hobby paddler named Heltola can also be found around the area. He knows the local fishing spots and effective lures well. You can find this fellow by asking the Finnish competition organizers. If you need more detailed advice on fishing, equipment, or related topics, you can also contact him in advance by email at: kaihelto@hotmail.com

Here is also the official fishing spot page of the permit seller for the area:
www.eraluvat.fi/en/areas/7525-ruunaa-rapids-527