Hiking & outdoor recreationLength0,7 km
Degree of difficultyEasy
Julunkivi, one of Finland's largest glacial erratics, is a popular sightseeing destination. Julunkivi stands 12.5 meters tall and has a circumference of nearly 60 meters. This magnificent boulder is located on the beautiful shore of Kalavesi. It is a traditional day trip destination during the summer, and few places can boast a campfire site situated right under a glacial erratic. The wilderness-like landscape is dominated by light pine forests on rocky terrain, small ponds, and lush depressions. The entire range of diverse landscapes can be seen along the short trail.
- Besides the massive Julunkivi, there are other glacial erratics in the area.
- Julunkivi is protected under the Nature Conservation Act.
- The area is predominantly covered by pine forest, rocky hills, and overgrown small ponds.
- Julunkivi is part of the Lohikoski Nature Reserve (area approximately 906 ha), established in 2019. Area 65 ha.
- The distance to Julunkivi from Lohilahti is 18 km and from Sulkava 48 km.
- From the village of Lohikoski, Julunkivi can be reached by paddling or rowing. The distance is about 10 km.
Route marker in the terrain
Contact information
From Lohilahti, drive south along the Sulkava - Imatra road (no. 438) for about 1.6 km and turn left towards Piojärvi. Drive approximately 7.5 km and turn left again. Continue for about 7.5 km. At the road junction, turn left and drive about 1.5 km to the starting point of the Julunkivi trail. You can park your car along the forest road near the trailhead. The roads leading to Julunkivi are not plowed during the winter.
There are no designated parking areas, but you can park your car along the forest road near the trailhead. A trail marked with blue paint leads from the forest road to Julunkivi.
Julunkivi Trail, 0.7 km, leads from the forest road to the glacial erratic Julunkivi. The trail passes through a wilderness-like protected area with old-growth forests. The terrain is easy to walk, except for the rocky slopes. At Julunkivi, there is a campfire site and a dry toilet.
From the village of Lohikoski, Julunkivi can be reached by paddling or rowing. The distance is about 10 km. The route from Lohikoski takes you to Lake Lohijärvi, from where a long and narrow strait, Nälkösalmi, leads to Kalavesi, where Julunkivi is located on the southern shore. There is no designated landing spot at the shore.