Unforgettable holiday memories and experiences near Koli
In North Karelia You will find possibilities for unique nature tours in the waters, on islands, in forests and peaceful villages, exploring local life. There are small towns around the Lake Pielinen with good variety of services, cultural attractions and shopping opportunities. On a group tour we can focus on one destination or take a tour around Pielinen Karelia, even to the Kainuu region, depending on the group’s wishes and the length of the holiday.
We offer our customers wonderful nature experiences, space and silence amidst blue lakes and beautiful hill landscapes. North Karelian people are known for their hospitality and friendly service. These values are important to all us in Samimatkat – also in our everyday life.
Our dream is to create unforgettable nature and culture experiences for our customers and the opportunity for them to get to know the distinctive culture of our home region. Let’s plan together Your group’s dream vacation, either an active vacation or a quiet and peaceful vacation as our guest in North Karelia.
The Finnish national landscape Koli
Koli is the highest point of Southern Finland, where rugged wilderness and magnificent Lake Pielinen meet. Koli offers hiking opportunities both on the waters and in the rugged landscapes of the national park. In addition, Koli has a nature center and its exhibitions, a landscape lift and versatile services in the area. In Koli it is possible to go hiking in cultural landscapes, go horseback riding and enjoy Finnish sauna.
Nature tourism destinations in Lieksa
The most important nature tourism area of Lieksa is Ruunaa. In the Ruunaa area You can fish, take part in rapids trips, hike in rapids landscapes and wilderness close to Russia. In Lieksa there is also the artist’s home Paateri, which is the Eva Ryynänen museum, and also Paateri’s Church and Gallery Café. Artist Eva Ryynänen drew plenty of ideas from the surrounding nature for her wooden sculptures.
The historic wooden quarters Puu-Juuka and the magnificent Paalasmaa archipelago
The day tour destination from Koli is Juuka, famous for its hill landscapes, Lake Pielinen, Paalasmaa archipelago and the internationally known Tulikivi and NunnaUuni soapstone stoves. In Juuka you can find wooden quarters PuuJuuka, Kotakylä tepee village and huskyfarm or we can go shopping in the shops of the village. Along the way, in Stone Village Kivikylä, there is a soapstone stove exhibition, a restaurant, the Koli brewery’s beer shop and Stone Center Kivikeskus with its special shops in a cosy river environment along the Highway 6.
Bomba Karelian Village and wooden quarters Puu-Nurmes
The most spectacular sights of the town of Nurmes, located at the Northern end of Lake Pielinen, are PuuNurmes, located on a ridge between two lakes, with its magnificent wooden house blocks, Bomba house and Karelian village near the Bomba spa, and various nature tourism possibilities. For more information about the Bomba area, visit site bomba.fi.
Our neighbour in Kainuu region – the wilderness town Kuhmo
In the middle of stunning scenery, Kuhmo offers unforgettable wilderness magic, cultural attractions, local delicacies and refreshing tourist services. Our accommodation Kalevala hotel offers a relaxing holiday in the peace of nature on the shores of beautiful Lake Lammasjärvi. Discover Kuhmo!