Volokinpolku hiking trail across the wilderness of Sonkajärvi
Savonia University of Applied Sciences Verified partner Explorers Choice
Start the Volokinpolku trail from the Ruukin tupa in Jyrkänkosken Ruukki. There you can easily combine hiking with fishing or canoeing, order transfers or enjoy nice accommodation.
Volokinpolku trail is squiggling around sandbars and lakesides, through a small canyon and beautiful forest. Along the trail you will find resting places where you can make a fire, have a break and enjoy the nature. A wilderness cabin is also free for use for over-night stay. Over 100 geocaches are hidden along the trail.
You can also find a bird watching tower and many lean-to shelters and small ponds on the way. At times the trail climbs up to the hills or descends deep into the cool gorges.
There is a spectacular viewpoint on Jyrkän Holinmäki hill. The Uuranholi Gorge and the wilderness cabin on the shore of Jussinlampi offer wilderness atmosphere. The Susi-Kervinen pond, where the route ends, has a nice lean-to.
Author’s recommendation
Rest stops
Museum of Ironworks and the Café Ruukin tupa at Jyrkän RuukkiSafety information
- The route is well marked and safe, but general caution on steep slopes and stairs is necessary. Stairs and duckboards are slippery in wet weather.
- The skill to read a map is required.
- There are a lot of forest roads in the area that allow you to stop the route at several points. The necessary transportation and rental services must be agreed in advance. At Ruukin tupa, you can get local tips on the route and various accommodation, transportation and rental services.
- It is not allowed to make a fire even at campfire sites when forest fire warning is in effect. Check warnings of the Finnish Meteorological Institute: https://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/warnings
Tips and hints
The wood and waste of Volokinpolku hiking trail breakpoints is managed between 15 May to 30 September.Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
Jyrkän Ruukki - Kangaslammin Särkät (Kangaslampi Eskers), 4,5 km
Volokinpolku trail starts from the village of Jyrkkä, behind the Jyrkän Ruukki museum and cafe. You will find the start of the trail near the lower course of rapids at the shore of Jyrkänkoski. After the rapid you will first walk to the shore of lake Haapajärvi. The trail follows the road for a short distance and continues on the other side of the road. Kangaslampi Eskers has a lean-to, fireplace, an outhouse and a pier. There you can take a dip in the cool water of the small pond. The distance from Jyrkän Ruukki to the Kangaslampi Eskers is 4.5 km.
Kangaslammin Särkät (Kangaslampi eskers) - Salminen, 4 km:
From the Kangaslammin Särkät (Kangaslampi eskers) you pass through a landscape of varied sand ridges, marshes and small ponds. There is a lean-to, a campfire, and an outhouse on the shore of Lake Salminen.
Salminen - Hankalampi Bird Tower - Ipo-Kiusala, 7 km:
The distance from Lake Salminen to the Ipo-Kiusala lean-to is 7 km. Be prepared to travel across vast swamps. The trail is partly facilitated with duckboards. About 1,5 km before the Ipo-Kiusala lean-to, there is (115 metres long) connection path to Hankalampi Bird Tower, which is a nationally important bird watching spot.
Ipo-Kiusala - Kirkkokangas - Holinmäki vantage point, 4 km
Walk 3 km from the Ipo-Kiusala lean-to to the Kirkkokangas campfire site. Here you can rest before the steep climb up to the vantage point of Holinmäki Hill. There is a 1 km distance between Kirkkokangas campfire site and Holinmäki Hill. There you can enjoy the magnificent view over Lake Haajaistenjärvi.
Extra loop to Uuranlahti via Koplukka 3 km:
- On the way to Holinmäki Hill (Crossing from the path between Kirkkokangas and Holinmäki Hill) you can make an extra loop to Koplukka, the hand-pulled small ferry, which will take you to the other side of Holinpuro stream, and Uuranlahti lean-to.
- Connecting path through Koplukka to the Uuranlahti lean-to is 1.5 km from the path between Kirkkokangas and Holinmäki. There is a lean-to, an outhouse and campfire site at Uuranlahti, on the shore of Lake Haajaistenjärvi.
- You will find the path to the Koplukka and Uuranlahti by walking for about 800 meters from the Kirkkokangas campfire site towards Holinmäki.
Holinmäki Hill Vantage Point - Uuranholi Gorge and lean-to, 3 km:
From Holinmäki, the path follows the Holinpuro stream, which starts from the bottom of the Gulf of Uuranlahti, and eventually reaches the Uuranholi Gorge. Above is a bench and a viewing platform. Stairs descend to the bottom of the gorge, where the trail continues south along the duckboards. During periods of high water, eg in the spring, boardwalks are submerged and offer the opportunity to walk barefoot in the cool water of the gorge.
Uuranholi Gorge - Jussinlampi Wilderness Hut 1,5 km:
The distance between Uuranholi Gorge and Jussinlampi Wilderness Hut is 1.5 km. The Jussinlampi Wilderness Hut is an open place for rest and overnight. It cannot be booked and those who have come earlier must give place to the next arrivals. Therefore, hikers always have to have a tent or other shelter with them.
Jussinlampi Wilderness Hut - Särkkä-Kervinen Lean-to - Susi-Kervinen Lean-to, 5.5 km:
The distance between Jussinlampi Wilderness Hut and Särkkä-Kervinen lean-to is 3 km and between Särkkä-Kervinen lean-to and Susi-Kervinen lean-to 2.5 km. One of the most beautiful sections of the trail begins from Särkkä-Kervinen. It runs along the sandy barriers between the two lakes, Itä-Kervinen and Särkkä-Kervinen. The route ends at the Susi-Kervinen lean-to. There is a campfire site and an outhouse.
Note
Public transport
No public transport.Getting there
Driving directions from Kuopio-Kajaani road (Vt 5/E63): Turn from Vt 5/ E 63 road to Poromäentie road (road number 5962) and drive 25 km to the east.Parking
There is a parking lot In Jyrkänkosken Ruukki, (Museum of Ironworks and Ruukintupa) at the address Jyrkäntie 1881, Sonkajärvi.Coordinates
Author’s map recommendations
Map of Volokinpolku hiking trail:
https://www.sonkajarvi.fi/loader.aspx?id=980780e1-7b90-40af-9481-c5b740b19e06
Equipment
Include a map, regular clothing, changing clothes and a first aid kit. Possibly also overnight equipment. It is good to have hiking shoes because the terrain is challenging: there are plenty of rocks and wetlands. In case of forest fire warning it is good to have portable stove with you.
If you stay overnight in the wilderness cabin you shoud have your own sleeping bag and cutlery and camping cookware. Please note, that it is not possible to book the wilderness cabin in advance, and that the ones who came in earlier, should give space for the ones who arrive later, so that everyone can have a rest in the cabin. So if you intend to stay overnight along the hike, you might need a tent or other shelter.
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- 17 Waypoints
- 17 Waypoints
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