Hiidenportti National Park Trails 

A hiker with a back bag is going to the stairs leading upwards on a steep rocky terrain. Rope railings lead to the stairs, and there are wooden railings on both sides of the stairs.
Hiidenportti gorge. Photo: Sini Salmirinne.
Summer pine forest landscape. Wooden walkways go through the center.
Photo: Eeva Pulkkinen
A man stands in the rain at the end of a wooden footpath leading to the edge of a pond. There is forest on the other side of the pond.
Palolampi. Photo: Minna Koramo.
Two happy snowshoeing hikers next to signposts in the winter forest.
Palolampi. Photo: Harri Tarvainen.

Hiking Trails

There are almost 30 km of marked and duckboard covered trails in Hiidenportti National Park. The trais are best suited for hiking. Mountain biking is not forbidden, but the rocky terrain sets high demands for biking.

Hiidenportti can be reached also during winter time, but please note, that snowshoes, glide shoes or skis are essential for moving around the national park due to the thick layer of snow. In winter, there is no maintenance on the trails. Unbroken snow awaits for you to go skiing, snowshoeing or walking in snow.

Two hikers carrying backpacks while following a trail that goes along a riverbank.
Hiidenkierros. Photo: Harri Tarvainen.
A hiker stands in a vantage point on the edge of a gorge and looks at the landscape. Another hiker is ascending the stairs to the vantage point. In the background is a gorge with a pond at the bottom.
Hikers in the vantage point. Photo: Sini Salmirinne.
A gorge with water at the bottom. There is a forest around the gorge.
Pond at the bottom of the gorge. Photo: Harri Tarvainen.
A happy hiker stands with her hands upright on the edge of a gorge with snowshoes on her feet. There is snow on the ground and a snowy gorge landscape and trees in the background.
Snowshoeing. Photo: Harri Tarvainen.

Hiidenkierros Trail, 3 - 5 km / Circle Trail

The Hiidenkierros Trail leads you to the majestic Hiidenportti Gorge. The trail descends to the bottom of the gorge and ascends via steps to the other side of the cliffs.

Available when the ground is unfrozen. In winter with snow shoes. The road Hiidenportintie to the Palolampi parking place is ploughed in winter.
Travel time 2-4 h.
Category:  intermediate  demanding

Starting Point
Palolampi parking area.

Hiking Structures
Information point at Palolampi. There is campfire site, a cooking shelter and a well at the information point. In the turning point of the route there is a lean-to shelter at lake Porttilampi. In the field of Kovasinvaara there is an information board telling about life at the remote wilderness farm. 

Sights
Hiidenportti Gorge and Kovasinvaara. Marks of the human activities can also be seen along the trail, such as a base of a tar-burning pit. You can explore the cultural history of the area also with the help of the "Hiidenportti through the ages" -brochure.

Trail Description  
Marked with purple paint.

The marked trail leads from the Palolampi information point to the Hiidenportti Gorge. From there on the trail continues towards the Porttilampi lean-to shelter. This section runs along the edge of the gorge cliffs for about one kilometre. The trail is demanding, but it also offers the most rewarding views. The Porttilampi lean-to shelter offers a perfect place for a break and a snack.

From Porttilampi the Hiidenkierros Trail comes back the same trail for about one kilometer and continues towards the Kovasinvaara hill. There are no buildings left on the hill, but the meadows, birch forests and heaps of stones give you a glimpse of times gone by. The last section of the trail runs back to Palolampi. This section is somewhat demanding as in some places the descent to Palolampi is rather steep.

Please Note
The trail is rather demanding especially near the Hiidenportti gorge because of the rocky terrain. There are also some rather steep altitude differences along the Hiidenkierros Trail.

There is no designated direction for the Hiidenkierros Trail, but especially hikers with dogs are recommended to walk the trail clockwise, because it is easier for the dogs to climb the steep steps at the gorge upwards than downwards.  

Hikers walking along a trail, down a hill in a summer forest. The last hiker has a dog on a leash.
Hikers on the trail. Photo: Eeva Pulkkinen.
A hiker and a dog on a path passing through a meadow near signposts. In the background the forest.
Kovasinvaara. Photo: Harri Tarvainen.
Two hikers in front of the lean-to shelter. There is a camping stove on the table with a frying pan on top. Forest in the background.
Porttilampi lean-to shelter. Photo: Harri Tarvainen.
A happy hiker with a backpack on her back and sticks in her hand in a snowy forest.
Hiker on a snowy trail. Photo: Harri Tarvainen.

Kitulankierros Trail, 10.5 km / Circle Trail

Available when the ground is unfrozen. In winter with snow shoes or skis (no maintained winter trails). Travel time 5-7 h.
Category:   intermediate  demanding

Starting Point
Palolampi parking area.

Hiking Structures 
Palolampi information point, lean-to shelters by Lake Porttilampi and Lake Kitulanlampi.

Sights
Hiidenportti Gorge, Kovasinvaara and other sights of cultural-historical interest in the area.

Trail Description 
Marked with yellow paint

The Kitulankierros Trail starts from Palolampi and continues through Hiidenportti to Porttilampi along the same route as the Hiidenkierros Trail. It then continues through mires and forests towards lake Kitulanlampi. At Kitulanlampi you slip from the forest atmosphere to the scenery of cliffs and lakes. The Kitulanlampi lean-to shelter is situated at a very beautiful point at the tip of a long narrow cape. From Kitulanlampi the trail leads north-west through old-growth forest, passing the trail leading south to Allaslahti. 

For a few hundred meters the trail goes along the border of the national park, and in here the difference between a protected area and a managed forest is very clearly seen. After this the trail continues towards the gorge, but a bit before coming to the cliffs, the trail turns towards Kovasinvaara hill and its surprising meadows.

From Kovasinvaara the trail leads back to the Palolampi information point.

Please Note 
The Kitulankierros Trail is rather demanding especially near the Hiidenportti gorge because of the rocky terrain. There are also some rather steep altitude differences along the Kitulankierros Trail.

There is no designated direction for the trail, but especially hikers with dogs are recommended to walk the trail clockwise, because it is easier for the dogs to climb the steep steps at the gorge upwards than downwards.

Signposts along the path. Forest in the background.
Signposts. Kuva: Manne Martikainen.
A grassy riverside with dead trees. River and forest in the background.
Porttijoki. Photo: Manne Martikainen.
A dead tree with a scorch at the trunk. Forest and pond in the background.
Scorch at the trunk. Photo: Manne Martikainen.
Trail along the river. Around the forest.
Trail along the river. Photo: Manne Martikainen.

Other Trails

Other trails in Hiidenportti National Park are marked with orange paintings.

The main hiking trail leading through the National Park, 11,5 km

Symbol for Parking. Symbol for Fireplace. Symbol for Leant-to shelter. Symbol for Disposal toilet. Symbol for Hiking. Symbol for Hiking. Symbol for Snowshoeing. Symbol for Skiing. Symbol for sights and scenery. Symbol for Bird watching. Symbol for Pick berries and mushrooms.

Available when the ground is unfrozen. Travel time 5-7 h.
Category:  intermediate demanding

Starting Point
Palolampi information point and Käärmesärkkä parking area.

Hiking Structures 
There are lean-to shelters and campfire sites along the trail. Services depend on chosen route. 

Sights
Depending on your route Hiidenportti Gorge, Kovasinvaara or both.

Trail Description 

Marked with orange paint.

The trail follows the River Porttijoki, which begins from the Hiidenportti Gorge, to the south-eastern corner of the park to Käärmesärkkä parking area. From Käärmesärkkä there is a connection to Peurajärvi recreational area. The length of the trail from Hiidenportti Gorge to Käärmesärkkä is about 10 km.

Two hikers on a path surrounded by summer forest.
Trail from Urpovaara to Porttilampi. Kuva: Eeva Pulkkinen.
A pond with a path to the shore. Forest in the background.
Urpolampi. Photo: Manne Martikainen.
A large dead tree with a forest in the background.
Forest. Photo: Manne Martikainen.
Swamp. Forest in the background.
Swamp. Photo: Manne Martikainen.

The hiking trail beginning from the Urpovaara parking area, length depends on the route choice

Available when the ground is unfrozen. Travel time 3-7 h.
Category:  easy -   demanding

Starting Point
Urpovaara parking area. The forest road Perävaarantie is not ploughed in winter.

Hiking Structures 
Services depend on chosen route.

Sights
Huge spruce forests of the Urpovaara hill. Depending on the route Hiidenportti Gorge, Kovasinvaara or both.

Trail markings
Marked with orange paintings

Trail Description 
The trail leads through old spruce forests on the slopes of Urpovaara Hill. The distance from Urpovaara to Hiidenportti Gorge is 4,3 km.

A sign that reads Hiidenportti National Park. Lean-to shelter in the background. Around the forest.
Allaslahti lean-to shelter. Photo: Manne Martikainen.
Swamp with a plank trail. In the background a forest behind which the sun sets.
Photo: Manne Martikainen.
A lake with a forest in the background. In the foreground plants.
Photo: Manne Martikainen.
Swamp with a plank path. In the background forest and lake.
Photo: Manne Martikainen.

The trail leading from Hiidenportti Gorge to Allaslahti Bay, 6.7 km

Available when the ground is unfrozen. In winter on skis or snow shoes. Travel time 3-7 h.
Category:  easy -  demanding

Starting Point: The signed trail begins from the Kitulankierros Trail about 1,6 km from the Hiidenportti Gorge.

Hiking Structures 
Allaslahti lean-to shelter. Other services depend on which route visitors choose.

Sights
Hiidenportti Gorge

Trail markings
Marked with orange paint

Trail Description 
Trail is in the south part of the National Park leads through terrain typical of the National Park; mires and forest heaths. At Allaslahti Bay the trail connects with trail Talonpojan Taival, which leads to Valtimo.

Signposts. In the background swamp, forest and sun.
Photo: Manne Martikainen.
A pond in the swamp with a duckboards next to it. Forest in the background.
Photo: Manne Martikainen.
River. Lake and forest in the background.
Photo: Manne Martikainen.
A small wooden bridge that goes over the river.
Photo: Manne Martikainen.

Hiking Trails

There are almost 30 km of marked and duckboard covered trails in Hiidenportti National Park.

Two hikers carrying backpacks in front of some signs. One of the hikers is in the foreground, the other in the background.

Starting Points for Trails

Palolampi
The area's most popular starting point is Palolampi information point, which has an adjacent campfire site, a cooking shelter and a well, and a rental cabin for day use.

Urpovaara
There is a forest road named "Perävaarantie" leading to Urpovaara parking place from the road Kuhmo-Valtimo (no 5284). The road is not ploughed in winter. 

Käärmesärkkä
The Käärmesärkkä starting point is situated along the road Kuhmo-Valtimo (no 5284). The parking place is not ploughed in winter.

Circle Trails

Hiidenkierros Trail, 3 - 5 km / Circle Trail

    

Available when the ground is unfrozen. In winter with snow shoes. Travel time 2-4 h.
Category:  intermediate

 demanding

The Hiidenkierros Trail leads you to the majestic Hiidenportti Gorge. The trail descends to the bottom of the gorge and ascends via steps to the other side of the cliffs.

A group of hikers are grilling sausages at a campgire site surrounded by benches. In a background there is a table and two buildings.

Starting Point
Palolampi parking area.

Hiking Structures
Information point at Palolampi. There is campfire site, a cooking shelter and a well at the information point. In halfway of the route there is a lean-to shelter at Lake Porttilampi. In the grounds of Kovasinvaara there is an information board about the life in the remote wilderness farm. 

Sights
Hiidenportti Gorge and Kovasinvaara. Marks of the human activities can also be seen along the trail, such as a base of a tar-burning pit. You can explore the cultural history of the area also with the help of the "Hiidenportti through the ages" -brochure.

A photographer sits on a cliff atop a gorge, taking pictures of a summer valley. In the background you can see the other edge of the gorge, which is covered in mosses and trees.

Trail Description  
Marked with purple paint.

From Hiidenportti the trail continues towards the Porttilampi lean-to shelter. This section runs along the edge of the cliff for almost a kilometre. It is the most demanding section of both the trails, but also offers the most rewarding views.

From Porttilampi lean-to shelter you go back 1 km to Hiidenportti and turn towards the Kovasinvaara hill. There are no buildings left on the hill, but the meadow, birch forests and heaps of stones give you a glimpse of times gone by. The last section of the trail runs back to Palolampi. This section is somewhat demanding as the descent to Palolampi is rather steep.

Please Note
There are no significant altitude differences along the Hiidenkierros Trail, but the forest path is lumpy and also stony in places.

Please note that the stairs down to the valley are in some parts in bad condition.

Kitulankierros Trail, 10.5 km / Circle Trail

 

   

Available when the ground is unfrozen. Travel time 5-7 h.
Category:   intermediate  demanding

Hikers walking along a trail, down a hill in a summer forest. The last hiker has a dog on a leash.

Starting Point
Palolampi parking area.

Hiking Structures 
Palolampi information point, lean-to shelters by Lake Porttilampi and Lake Kitulanlampi.

Sights
Hiidenportti Gorge, Kovasinvaara and other sights of cultural-historical interest in the area.

Trail Description 
Marked with yellow paint

The Kitulankierros Trail starts from Palolampi and continues through Hiidenportti to Porttilampi. It then continues through mires towards the impressive spruce forests of the Urpovaara hill. At Kitulanlampi you slip from the forest atmosphere to the scenery of cliffs and lakes. There is also a lean-to shelter at the tip of a long cape. From there the trail returns to the old-growth forest. The flora and fauna of the old-growth forest is still alive and well here.

When the trail meets the path going towards Allaslahti, you are treading on a path used by the ancient inhabitants of Kovasinvaara. The trail continues to the Hiidenportti Gorge and returns through Kovasinvaara to Palolampi.

Please Note 
The Kitulankierros Trail is demanding in places.

Two hikers carrying backpacks while following a trail that goes along a riverbank.

Other Trails

Other trails in Hiidenportti National Park are marked with orange paintings.

The main hiking trail leading through the National Park, 11,5 km

     

Available when the ground is unfrozen. Travel time 5-7 h.
Category:  intermediate demanding

A man stands in the rain at the end of a wooden footpath leading to the edge of a pond. There is forest on the other side of the pond.

Starting Point
Palolampi information point and Käärmesärkkä parking area.

Hiking Structures 
There are lean-to shelters and campfire sites along the trail. Services depend on chosen route. 

Sights
Depending on your route Hiidenportti Gorge, Kovasinvaara or both.

Trail Description 

Marked with orange paint.

The trail follows the River Porttijoki bank to the southern boundary of the park and then on to Käärmesärkkä and to Peurajärvi recreational fishing area southeast of the National Park. The length of the trail from Hiidenportti Gorge to Käärmesärkkä is  about 10 km.

The hiking trail beginning from the Urpovaara parking area, length depends on the route choice

     

Available when the ground is unfrozen. Travel time 3-7 h.
Category:  easy -   demanding

Two hikers on a path surrounded by summer forest.

Starting Point
Urpovaara parking area. The forest road Perävaarantie is not ploughed in winter.

Hiking Structures 
Services depend on which route visitors choose.

Sights
Spruce forests. Depending on your route Hiidenportti Gorge, Kovasinvaara or both.

Trail markings
Marked with orange paint

Trail Description 
Trail leads through old spruce forests on the slopes of Urpovaara Hill. The distance from Urpovaara to Hiidenportti Gorge is 4,3 km.

The trail leading from Hiidenportti Gorge to Allaslahti Bay, 6,7 km

     

Available when the ground is unfrozen. In winter on skis or snow shoes. Travel time 3-7 h.
Category:  easy -  demanding

Starting Point: The signed trail begins from the Kitulankierros Trail about 1,6 km from the Hiidenportti Gorge.

Hiking Structures 
Allaslahti lean-to shelter. Other services depend on which route visitors choose.

Sights
Hiidenportti Gorge

Trail markings
Marked with orange paint

Trail Description 
Trail is in the south part of the National Park leads through terrain typical of the National Park; mires and dry forests. At Allaslahti Bay the trail connects with Talonpojan Taival, which is part of the Karelian Circuit (vaellus.info, in Finnish).

Connecting Trails

Parking Areas

Hiidenportintie 86, 88600 Sotkamo

  • From Sotkamo to Palolampi is about 45 km. Drive along the signposted road to the Palolampi information point from the Sotkamo–Kuhmo Road (no. 76) or from Kuhmo–Valtimo Road (no. 5284).
    No public transportation to the parking area.

Hiidenportti Brochure


Pdf 2.7 Mb (julkaisut.metsa.fi)

A hand holding a mobile phone showing Excursionmap.fi. Open the map of Hiidenportti in Excursionmap.fi.