Ruunaa Hiking Area Voted Trekking Destination of the Year 2009

Ruunaa Hiking Area, located in Lieksa, has been voted best Trekking Destination 2009, collecting over one-fourth of given votes in this year’s competition.

Ruunaa Hiking Area, which was established in an area surrounding roaring rapids, is a nationally significant recreation spot, where visitors can choose from an assortment of activities including white water rafting, canoeing, fishing and hiking.

The Trekking Destination of the Year competition was now held for the fifth time. The objective of the competition is to improve the recognizability of different outdoor destinations and to help nature lovers find new hiking routes. This win by Ruunaa Hiking Area crowns the success enjoyed by Northern Karelia destinations in the Koli-Ruunaa region; the Herajärvi Circle Trail, which leads around Lake Herajävi on the edge of Koli National Park did after all win the competition in 2007.

Ruunaa Hiking Area is 3,100 hectares in size and was established in 1987 in the area surrounding the rafting route in the River Lieksanjoki. The Ruunaa Rapids are some the last remaining natural rapids in the southern part of the country. In addition to the rapids other typical features in the area include small hills, ridges, mires and small bodies of water.

A vast network of service structures has been built in the area, which supports the area’s outdoor recreation use. The network includes 50 km of trails marked for different levels of demand, two hanging bridges across the River Lieksanjoki, 12 lean-to shelters and 18 campfire sites. The area’s service structures were improved and renovated last during 2007-2008. Use of the services for people with disabilities and baby prams, for example, has been taken into account at many of the area’s sites.

It has been estimated that between 80,000 and 90,000 visitors visit Ruunaa yearly, primarily when there is no snow. Visitors to the area can get guidance at Ruunaa Visitor Centre, which also offers information on natural features and hiking services in Ruunaa Hiking Area and other recreational and protected areas in Northern Karelia. Several tourist enterprises operate in Ruunaa and many visitors take advantage of the services they offer.

More information:

Ruunaa Hiking Area
Ruunaa Visitor Centre
• Herajärvi Trail, the winner of the Trekking Destination of the Year 2007 is also located in Northern Karelia in Koli National Park