Koli National Park

Koli National Park, established in 1991, covers about 30 km² on the western shore of Lake Pielinen, Finland's fourth-largest lake. Its highest point, Ukko-Koli, rises to 347 m and is the highest peak in southern Finland. The hills are made largely of white quartzite, a remnant of the Karelian fold mountains, which are around 1.8 billion years old. The view over the lake is regarded as one of Finland's national landscapes and inspired artists such as Jean Sibelius and the painter Eero Järnefelt.

Koli is about 63 km from Joensuu; the recommended approach is the asphalted Kolintie (road 504). Car parks P1 to P3 on Ylä-Kolintie (road 5040) hold roughly 145 vehicles. From P1, a funicular or steps lead up to the Yläpiha courtyard and the Ukko Nature Centre. Motorhomes, caravans and coaches park at P3, behind P2. At weekends, during holidays and from June to August the car parks are often full; alternatives such as Ollila, Likolahti or Paimenenvaara are a 1–2 km walk from the Nature Centre. The park is visited all year round, including for skiing in winter.