Hiidenportti National Park Trails 

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.

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.  

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Connecting Trails

• From the crossroads to Urpovaara there is a marked trail leading to the Teeri-Lososuo Mire Reserve in the area of town Kuhmo.
• In its southeast Hiidenportti National Park shares its border with the Metsähallitus Peurajärvi recreational area (eraluvat.fi). There is a trail leading  to Peurajärvi area from the Käärmesärkkä parking area.