Koli National Park (Kolin kansallispuisto)

Location: North Karelia  Map

Area: 30 km2

Official site

Koli National Park (Fin. Kolin kansallispuisto) is a national park in Eastern Finland in the province of North Karelia, founded in 1991, is managed by the Finnish Forestry Authority (Fin. Metsähallitus). The park is located on the western shore of Lake Pielinen (Finn. Pielinen), in the municipalities of Joensuu, Lieksa and Kontiolahti. The area of the park is 30 km². The park is famous for the Koli Fell (Finnish Koli), which is its picturesque landscape center and the highest point in the mountain range of Eastern Finland. Its height is 347 meters above sea level and 253 meters above the surface of Lake Pielinen. Other peaks of this chain are Akka-Koli (339 m), Paha-Koli (334 m), Ipatti (314 m), Mäkrä (313 m), Paimenenvaara (276 m), Jauholanvaara and Vesivaara. The natural views of Koli are included in the list of Finnish national landscapes.

 

History

Archaeological finds show that people in Koli were engaged in hunting and gathering already in the Stone Age. Subsequent traces of human presence are found only in the 17th century. The area was used for slash-and-burn agriculture, mainly rye, which in the 17th century was Finland's main grain and export. The inhabitants were also engaged in fishing, hunting and cattle breeding.

Permanent residents on the territory of the current national park appeared only in the middle of the 18th century, and already at the end of the 18th century the idea of developing tourism in the village of Koli was put forward. Visitors were first accommodated in village houses, but in 1896 the Finnish Tourist Association began to take care of the further resettlement of guests, their comfort and coziness. The annual number of visitors in the 19th century averaged about 500 people per year. In 1907, the Finnish state bought the lands of the future national park, and tourism development opportunities increased dramatically. Since 1914, a water transport connection has been organized between Vuonislahti (fin. Vuonislahti) and Koli by boat. In 1924, according to the statistics of railway transport in Koli, the passenger traffic amounted to 6,000 tourists. According to guest books for 1925, 1643 tourists visited Koli. After 10 years, the number of tourists increased to 2310. In 1930, the construction of a serpentine mountain road with a car park at the end was completed. At the end of 1930, a ski slope was created, which led to a sharp increase in the number of tourists.

During the Second World War and in the 1950s, the tourist use of the Koli territory was suspended, but already in the 1960s, an influx of a large number of tourists began to be observed again, and the Finnish state had big plans for the development of tourism. In the 1970s, due to the energy crisis, the level of tourism in Koli again fell, but in the 1980s, regional tourism gained a second wind, and significant investments were made in infrastructure development, which led to an increase in the annual number of visitors to 100 thousand people. In 1991, Koli was given the official status of a national park.

 

Geology

The Koli mountain range was formed 1.8 billion years ago. It consists of two parts. The first part is composed of a granite-gneiss basement more than 3 billion years old. The second part is from Karelian shale, which formed a billion years later. The lower part of the shales is quartzites. In the earth's crust and on its surface there is a constant movement, which is the cause of the change in relief. A long geological process laid the foundation for today's national landscape.

Local rocks, called Kolinvaara, consist mostly of quartz and are relics of the Karelids. There is a ridge in the Koli National Park, the peaks of which are visible above the water surface in the form of a chain of islands Hiekkasaari (Fin. Hiekkasaari), Välisaari (Fin. Välisaari), Pieni-Korppi (Fin. Pieni-Korppi), Iso-Korppi (Fin. Iso- Korppi) and Laitosaari (fin. Laitosaari). The ridge was formed as a result of mineral deposition by the melt waters of the glacier. Karelian folded mountains were smoothed out under the influence of water, air and temperature. The high peaks of the mountain range are formed by hard quartzites. Mineral composition of white quartzite: 85-95% silicon dioxide, 5-15% mica and kyanite.

On the southern edge of the national park is a Z-shaped 34-meter narrow cave, better known as the "Church of the Devil" (Finn. Pirunkirkko). The ancient Karelians believed that this is where the devil's dwelling is located, and he could be seen here, going deep into the cave.

Features of the relief and picturesque views of Lake Pielinen and the islands from the peaks make Koli Park an attractive object for panoramic landscape photography.

 

Flora

The vegetation of the national park is rich and varied. The slopes of the mountain range are covered with forests in which lush grass grows. In the forests there are huge spruces, aspens, pines and birches. In some forest corners of the national park, where the microclimatic and soil conditions are most favorable, lindens, rare for these parts, grow surrounded by coniferous and small-leaved tree species that are common here. In forests rich in herbs, there is a rare herbaceous calypso plant with a vanilla scent. Forests are usually covered with snow already from mid-November to mid-May. On the hills of the eastern shore of Lake Pielinen, a spruce forest grows, in which the most powerful snow cover is observed, which is a feature of the Koli National Park. Pine forests grow on the hillsides of the western shore. In the spruce forest, there is a thorny wild rose, which is common in North Karelia. Orchids from the orchid family also grow in the park. In forest communities, the perennial fern crescentic fern is widespread. Meadow plants can be admired in summer, from July to August.

 

Fauna

The flora and climate of the national park is perfect for animal habitats. Flying squirrels, martens, ermines, voles, hares, lynxes, elks and bears live in mixed forests. There are also rare species such as the black shrew, wood lemming and the endangered crested newt. In the northern part of the park, birds are common: capercaillie, black grouse, hazel grouse, osprey, bluetails and clovers. There are vendace, whitefish, pike and perch in the lake. The Koli National Park is home to invertebrates such as the flat beetle Aradus laeviusculus and the snail Bulgarica cana, which live only in Koli in Finland. It is also home to over 717 different species of butterflies.

 

Climate

Since the park is characterized by a sharp drop in altitude, there are quite pronounced climatic differences on its territory. In summer, the moisture that rises from Lake Pielinen condenses in the form of fog or rain on the eastern slope of the mountains. As you go up the mountains, the temperature drops. The forest cover in Koli is continuous and is found even on the peaks, despite the cool climate.

 

Tourist infrastructure

Tourists have been resting in Koli for more than a century (the first lodge for guests was built in 1896): apartments and cottages (2300 units) Ukko-Koli and Loma-Koli are of high quality and comfortable for living.

Alpine skiing and snowboarding
Currently, there are two ski resorts in the Koli Park: Loma-Koli (fin. Loma-Koli) for family skiing and Ukko-Koli (fin. Ukko-Koli) for lovers of extreme descent and experienced skiers. Ukko-Koli has three ski lifts and six ski slopes, some of which are considered the highest in Finland. The largest elevation difference is 230 meters, and the length of the ski slopes reaches 1.5 km. Loma Koli has four ski lifts and six ski slopes. The greatest height difference is 145 meters there, and the length of the slope is 1 km. Two slopes are for snowboarders. There are also snow castles for children. About 140,000 tourists visit the park every year.

Snowshoes
In "Koli" there are several routes of different length and complexity that can be covered on snowshoes.

Ski trips
There are more than 50 km of ski trails in the park, 22 of them are illuminated.

SPA-rest
At the Koli Relax Spa, saunas with panoramic views, hydromassages, spa treatments, a light and sound pool with Sibelius melodies and warm outdoor baths are available for visitors.

horseback riding
All year round, Koli organizes excursion horseback riding along several routes and training in riding Icelandic horses.

Fishing
In the lake in the park, you can fish with a fishing rod or engage in ice fishing. For other types of fishing, a license is required.

Picnic
The park is equipped with special areas for picnics and campfires with firewood and dry closets.

Berries and mushrooms
All the gifts of nature - blueberries, lingonberries, cranberries, raspberries and other berries, as well as mushrooms - can be freely picked in the national park.

Biking
The park has cycling routes of various difficulty levels.

Alloys
For a water trip on Lake Pielinen, canoes, kayaks and kayaks are suitable. Parking lots are equipped along the water routes. From May 15 to July 17, during the bird nesting period, traffic on the lakes is limited.

 

Hiking routes

In "Koli" there are more than 80 km of hiking trails of various difficulty levels. The length of the routes is from 1.5 to 61 km. You can explore the trails on your own or with a guide from the Ukko Visitor Center.

Huippujen kierros mountain trail
The length is 1.4 km. Fascinating route to the peaks of Ukko-Koli, Akka-Koli and Paha-Koli with steep climbs and stunning views. The trail starts from the visitor center Ukko and can be covered with snowshoes in winter.

Kasken kierros forest trail
The length is 3 km. A beautiful forest route along the lake, laid among centuries-old trees, ferns and orchids.

Route Herajärven kierros
The length is 30-61 km. A multi-day scenic route around the lake leads from groves with murmuring streams to rocks and ancient forests.

 

Attractions

Peaks "Koli": Ukko-Koli (Ukko-Koli), Akka-Koli (Akka-Koli) and Paha-Koli (Paha-Koli), which offer magnificent panoramic views.
The ancient farms of Ollila and Mattila are located on flower meadows, which are preserved only by slash-and-burn agriculture and mowing. Here you can get to know the pets better.
The “Church of the Devil” Pirunkirkko is a 33-meter Z-shaped cave, covered with many mystical legends, located along the Rantatie coast road, 12 km south of the village of Koli.
Crack in the rock "Uhrihalkeama" Uhrihalkeama. There are many legends about the spirit that lives in the sacrificial crevice. They say that coins were thrown here for centuries to appease the spirit, and one young girl gave all her wealth in exchange for girlish happiness.
Cafe-restaurant Alamaja in the port of Koli is famous for the best local cuisine. In its building there is an exhibition dedicated to the culture and traditions of fishing on Lake Pielinen.
Kolin Ryynänen is a cozy cafe with homemade food in the center of Koli village, close to the park, which also houses the artist's residence and museum.
Natural expositions and photo exhibitions are held all year round at the Ukko Visitor Center. There is also an information point and a souvenir shop.

 

Accommodations

In a tent
The park has special sites with a fire pit and a dry closet, where you can stay with tents for a few days.

In the hut
On the territory of the park there are forest huts where you can spend the night for a small fee.

In a cottage or hotel
In the vicinity of the national park there are hotels and cottages for rent.

 

Rules for staying in the national park

Campfires
Lighting a fire in the park is allowed only in specially designated places. There are braziers, firewood is prepared.

Garbage
You can't leave trash in the park. Combustible waste can be burned in a fire, food waste can be thrown into the dry closet, other garbage can be taken to special containers located at the entrance to the park.

Animals
Pets can only be walked in the park on a leash.

Vehicles
The national park does not travel by car. Cars are left in the parking lots located at the entrances to the park.