Puolanka: Trails, Water and Winter

Puolanka brings together trails with wide-open views, a winter sports centre in the church village and natural attractions nearby. When choosing accommodation, you can tailor your stay to whether you want to focus on hiking, winter activities, water or culture.

Puolanka at a glance

• The 3.4 km Mustikkavaara Trail starts near the church village and leads to sweeping views from the summit.
• The Pyssykulju Trail is 4 km long, with steep climbs and significant elevation changes.
• The Honkavaara cross-country skiing centre is in the church village and offers FIS-standard trails.
• Puutiokoski is about 4 km from the church village; the rapids are around 10 m wide.
• A 1.5 km geological nature trail runs by the Hepoköngäs waterfall.
• Puolanka Church was completed in 1954 and designed by Olavi Sortta.

Hikes for different ability levels

The Mustikkavaara Trail is a compact way to combine your stay with a hike and a summit destination. Its trailhead is very close to the church village, near the campsite. The 3.4 km route leads to Mustikkavaara, where wide-open views await at the top. This makes the hike easy to plan as a standalone activity focused on the trail and the views.

The Pyssykulju Trail has a different character: significant elevation changes and steep climbs make this 4 km hike more challenging. It is suitable for fit hikers and as a day trip for families with school-age children. There is a lean-to shelter and a swimming spot at the trailhead. The two routes differ mainly in their terrain and level of difficulty; distance alone does not tell you what to expect along the way.

Water and nature nearby

Fishing is the main draw at Puutiokoski. The rapids are on the upper reaches of the Keskijoki, about 4 km from the church village, and are around 10 m wide. The stretch is surrounded by forest; suitable fishing methods include light spinning tackle or fly fishing. Target species include grayling and trout. This gives anglers a clear idea of the type of water and fishing described here.

Hepoköngäs combines a waterfall with a geological nature trail. The waterfall is one of Finland’s highest natural waterfalls and the best-known attraction in the Hepoköngäs Nature Reserve, established in 1956. Accessible paths lead to the waterfall; above it are a lean-to shelter, a dry toilet and a viewpoint. Below it, another accessible path leads to a viewpoint. The 1.5 km nature trail runs by the waterfall and along the Heinijoki riverbank. Information boards explain how the Earth’s surface has developed.

Winter days and activities on the water

The Honkavaara cross-country skiing centre is in the church village. Its facilities include FIS-standard trails, changing rooms, showers, a ski-waxing room, a café and timing facilities. Snowshoeing is also possible on the grounds of the Honkavaara ski centre. If you are planning a trip around winter sports, there are two ways to enjoy the surroundings actively: on cross-country skis or on foot with snowshoes. Actual seasonal conditions may vary.

The boat harbour in the church village is another specific local leisure option. At Melatie 4, there is a boat ramp, a pier and boat berths available for rent. The municipal administration’s customer service can provide information about the berths; availability may change. The harbour adds a waterside option to the hiking and winter sports activities, without requiring any particular stay or excursion.

Church, churchyard and local culture

Puolanka Church was completed and opened in 1954. It was designed by chief architect Olavi Sortta. The church is in the municipality’s central settlement area and belongs to the Diocese of Kuopio and the Kajaani deanery. From early June to mid-August, it offers travellers a place to rest as a so-called roadside church; the exact arrangements may vary from year to year.

The old churchyard is located near the church. It is one of the oldest visible historic monuments in Puolanka and has not been in use for more than a hundred years. Together, the church and churchyard give cultural history a tangible place and a sense of time: on one hand, a building completed in the mid-20th century; on the other, a much older place of remembrance.

Local cultural life also includes the non-profit association Puolangan pessimistit ry. Its stated purpose is to promote, develop and preserve cultural life and cultural production in Puolanka, as well as Puolanka pessimism. This is a cultural point of reference for the municipality, but does not imply any specific programme of events for visitors.

Choosing the right focus for your stay

When choosing accommodation, it helps to decide first what you want to focus on: hiking at Mustikkavaara, the more challenging elevation changes on the Pyssykulju Trail, winter sports at Honkavaara or nearby natural attractions all lead to different day plans. Several of the activities described are in the church village; Puutiokoski and Hepoköngäs are nearby destinations. The Paljakka tourist centre is in the municipality of Puolanka, about a half-hour’s drive from the municipal centre. This approximate, route-dependent travel time is a useful point of reference if you are planning your stay around the municipality rather than just the church village.

Discover more destinations: Kajaani, Suomussalmi, Hossa, Vuokatti, Ruhtinansalmi, Paltamo, Vaala and Ristijärvi.

Frequently asked questions about Puolanka

Which hike is suitable for a shorter outing?

The Mustikkavaara Trail is 3.4 km long, starts near the church village and leads to a summit with sweeping views. By contrast, the 4 km Pyssykulju Trail has steep climbs and significant elevation changes.

Is the Pyssykulju Trail suitable for families?

It is suitable as a day trip for families with school-age children. The route is challenging; there is a lean-to shelter and a swimming spot at the trailhead.

What does Hepoköngäs offer besides the waterfall?

Accessible paths lead to the waterfall and viewpoints; there is also a lean-to shelter and a dry toilet above it. The 1.5 km geological nature trail runs by the waterfall and along the Heinijoki.

What activities are available in winter?

Honkavaara in the church village has FIS-standard trails; snowshoeing is also possible on the ski centre grounds. Seasonal conditions may vary.

Where can you get information about boat berths?

The municipal administration’s customer service can provide information about the berths available for rent at the boat harbour at Melatie 4. Berth availability may change.

For the broader travel overview: Kainuu.