Theme Rooms
Theme Rooms
Themed rooms
The nature of Koli is brought from outside to inside in 11 themed rooms. In these rooms you can get to know the well-known and lesser-known natural sites of Koli. Is autumn Mäkrävaara or spring Tarhapuro your favorite, or would you rather get to know the summer at Iso-Korp or the winter at Räsävaara?
Check out all of our themed rooms below, as well as their wonderful sound worlds through the room-specific Soundcloud lists.
Theme room Ipatti
On the slopes of Ipatti, there are towering spruce and aspen trees that have not been cut down for at least a century. The oldest marked nature trail in Finland also passes through the national park's oldest forest. Generations before you have been using this trail since 1896 to get from the harbour to this plot of land.
Theme room Tarhapuro
In the midst of a lush forest, Tarhapuro waterfall is a magical sight with its rugged cliffs and impressive height differences. The water flows from a height of more than 15 meters and after a few meters of free fall it meanders down the cliffs and flows also to underground channels that the water streams have formed. At the bottom of the valley, the stream branches out into several parts and the creek seems to flow all around you.
Theme room Iso-Korppi
Sometimes something is in such a prominent place that its beauty goes unnoticed. Many people see the sandy islands of Lake Pielinen, an essential part of the Koli's national landscape, from the top of Ukko-Koli, but few experience them up close.
Theme room Ryläys
The Ryläys Stone Falls look as if a massive rock mass suddenly froze in place as it rolled down the slope. A stunning natural monument, the rockfall, was formed at the end of Ice Age when the rock collapsed and "rumbled" onto the melting ice.
Theme room Pirunkirkko
Pirunkirkko is a Z-shaped crevice cave located along Rantatie road, 12 kilometres south of Koli. The cave is accessed by stairs and its opening is located on the right side of the stairs.
Theme room Mörkövaara
Mörkövaara (monster hill) is not at all as scary a place as its name might suggest, on the contrary. As you climb up the slope of Mörkövaara, the sunlight filtered through the treetops and the large ant nests along the path bring to mind a fairy tale world.
Theme room Ikolanaho
Ikolanaho is one of the culturally significant traditional meadows in Koli. The place served as a crofter's farm from the 1800s until the 1930s, after which it was used as pastureland and hay was harvested for winter feed for the cattle. The traditional mowing methods have been continued to maintain the rich vegetation to this day.
Theme room Myllykorpi
A century ago, the peat bogs between the hills of Koli were used by local farms. Peat was extracted from Myllykorpi's reed bog using a peat cutter, and then dried on poles and in barns. The reed was ripped into peat shreds which were used as animal bedding, and then further used to improve the soil in fields.
Theme room Kaiskunniemi
There's something fascinatingly mystical about Kaiskunniemi – like in so many places in Koli. It's part of a sandy ridge left by Ice Age, which peeks above the water's surface, sometimes as peninsulas, sometimes as islands, running parallel to the ridges. The center of the narrow cape brings an element of adventure to Kaiskunniemi. Sometimes you can cross it on dry land, while at other times, the area sinks beneath the surface, leaving behind a floating island disconnected from the peninsula. When the water level is just right, crossing the narrow land feels like walking on water.
Theme room Mäkrävaara
You may have visited Mäkrävaara without ever setting foot on Koli. The iconic views of Koli captured in Eero Järnefelt's classic painting "Autumn Landscape from Pielisjärvi" are from here, featuring the majestic peaks of Ukko-Koli and Akka-Koli, the highest in the national park. Mäkrävaara is also home to the famous crooked pine tree, which has become a national symbol and still poses for photographers on the slopes of the hill.
Theme room Räsävaara
Räsävaara offers a feeling of freedom brought by its open landscapes and unforgettable sunrises and sunsets, all year round. The observation tower rises over 300 meters above sea level and offers views of the national park's hills, Pielinen lake, and the Paalasmaa archipelago. The 18-meter wooden tower, which rises above the treetops, is impressive in itself - both as a sight and as a climbing experience.
Ylä-Kolintie 39
83960, Koli