Ruunaa Visitor Centre is located in the village of Naarajoki near the
Russian border. At the Visitor Centre you can, for example, plan thrilling white
water rafting excursions, get information on the area’s versatile hiking trails
and see our exhibition on Ruunaa.
Ruunaa Visitor Centre is housed in the barn of an old forest ranger’s
estate. The estate was founded in 1861. The buildings there today were built
between 1938 and 1940.
Opening Hours in 2010
10.5. - 27.6. Mon - Sun
10 am - 5 pm
28.6. - 8.8. Mon - Sun
9 am -
6 pm
9.8. - 26.9. Mon - Sun
10 am - 5 pm
At other times by
appointment.
Exceptions:
Closed on Mid-Summer’s Eve 25.6.
Entrance
There is no entrance fee. If the Visitor Centre is not open and reserved for
your group there is a fee. Groups should make reservation in advance.
Contact Information
Address: Ruunaa Visitor Centre, Ruunaantie 129, 81750
Pankakoski, Finland
Tel. int. +358 205 64
5757
Fax: +358 205 64 5759
E-mail:
ruunaa(at)metsa.fi
The Visitor Centre is managed by Metsähallitus.
Directions
Ruunaa Visitor Centre is located right outside the Ruunaa Hiking Area in the
village of Naarajoki.
By Car
Ruunaa Hiking Area is about 30 km east of the town of Lieksa. Just south of
the centre of Lieksa there’s a turnoff onto road 522 to Ilomantsi. Drive 5 km
and then when you are east of Pankakoski turn onto Ruunaantie (road 5224).
Follow the signpost to Ruunaan luontotalo (Visitor Centre), which is 13 km away.
Roads to the Ruunaa Hiking Area (Siikakoski and Neitikoski) also turn off of
Ruunaantie (road 5224). From Lieksa it is 95 km to Joensuu, 190 km to Kuopio and
180 km to Kajaani.
By Public Transportation
- There is no public transportation to Ruunaa.
Coaches (www.matkahuolto.fi)
and trains (www.vr.fi) stop
in Lieksa.
- On Mondays and Fridays, the Kimppakyyti
transportation service (www.lieksa.fi, in Finnish) travels between Lieksa
and Ruunaa. Reservations: tel. int. +358 100 9984.
Services
- Information on the natural features and hiking possibilities of the
Ruunaa Hiking Area and the Ruunaa Nature
Reserve.
- We sell books, posters, maps and other products.
- Wild North fishing permits (
area
7525, www.villipohjola.fi, in Finnish), permits for the River Lieksajoki,
national fishing cards and lure fishing permits.
- Hiking Area boat dock reservations.
- Metsähallitus Naarajärvi trailer park place rentals.
- A short introduction to the centre, free of charge on request, longer
group tours for a fee.
- Information on local travel enterprise services; such as white water
rafting excursions.
- We accept payment by cash card and Visa and MasterCard.
- There is shore-side sauna, which visitors can rent. It must be reserved in
advance and visitors must heat it themselves. (NEW!)
Events
We arrange a variety of exhibitions and other nature-related events.
Permanent Exhibition
The Visitor Centre’s permanent exhibition tells about the Ruunaa Hiking Area
and Ruunaa Nature Reserve; their history and natural features. There is a
children’s section in the exhibition area. The exhibition area is accessible by
wheelchair.
Auditorium and AV Presentations
The auditorium at the visitor centre seats 50 persons and some of the seating
places fit wheelchairs. There is an impressive new multimedia presentation about
the hiking area being shown at the auditorium. The presentation is 9 minutes
long and is suitable for speakers of all language.
The Grounds
Outside of the Visitor Centre there is a playground with swings, a slide and
a seesaw.
Café and Restaurant Services
- A café is open during the summer, across the road from the Visitor Centre.
- There is a restaurant at Ruunaa Hiking Centre in Neitikoski.
- Open daily from 2.5. to 31.8.
- Seats 120.
Services for the Disabled
- The Visitor Centre is accessible by wheelchair. The exhibition space is
all on one floor. The building has a toilet for the disabled.
- The parking lot is right by the Visitor Centre.
Read more about our service
guarantee.
