Hiking & outdoor recreationLength25 km
The Neitijärven kierros is a shorter version of the Koskikierros. This route variation focuses on the northern parts of the hiking area. Adding a bit of spice and a slight increase in difficulty and atmosphere to the Neitijärven kierros is the crossing of Airovirta by rowboat. The crossing boats are available from May until the end of October. At the beginning and end of the season, information about the crossing boats can be checked on the Ruunaa Hiking Area's What's New page.
The Neitipuro Bridge along the Koskikierros Trail has been dismantled
The Neitipuro Bridge along the Koskikierros Trail and Neitijärven kierros Trail has been dismantled. A detour that completely avoids crossing the water will be marked in the terrain in the early summer of 2025. Until then, the routes are not passable.
Route marker in the terrain
The trail can only be used during the snow-free seasonThe crossing boats are available from May until to the end October.
Circle trail
The area/trail is not safe to use during the winter
Campfire site
Dry toilet
Camping permitted
Remember to bring a trash bag
Contact information
The route can be started from several points. The starting point for this route description is the Neitikoski parking area, approximately 400 meters from the Ruunaa Hiking Centre. The Vastuuniemen kierros hiking trail is marked with a dark green circle on the signposts. All hiking trails in Ruunaa are marked in the terrain with yellow paint markings.
Starting from the Neitikoski parking area, the first rest stop is the Lakkapää campfire site, 1.6 km from the start. After this, the route passes through young pine forest and reaches the riverbank about 2 km after the campfire site. Here, a smaller fishing trail branches off to the right, leading to the Miikkula campfire site, 0.2 km away. The main route continues upstream along the Lieksanjoki River, with the next rest stop being the Korpiniemi lean-to shelter, 0.5 km from the fishing trail junction.
From Korpiniemi, the route continues through ancient primeval forests for 1.2 km to the next campfire site. The huge anthills are a special feature of this area, with several mounds reaching up to 2 meters high. After the Haapavitja campfire site, 0.5 km further, the route turns to the Haapavitja suspension bridge. On the west bank of the river, about 100 meters from the suspension bridge, is the Haapaniska lean-to shelter. At the Haapavitja rapids, there is a suspension bridge crossing the rapids, offering a fine view of the surroundings.
After crossing the river, there is a junction. The route branching north from the junction continues as the Karhunpolku trail towards the Ruunaa nature reserve. About 200 meters north along the trail is the Kakkinen lean-to shelter. When following the Rapids Trail and the Neitijärvi Trail, the route turns downstream from the junction towards the Mustanpyörre campfire site, which is 0.8 km away.
The journey continues to the Mutikaisenkari campfire site, located 1 km away, near the Haapavitja east side parking area. From the campfire site, the route continues for 2 km along a forest road past the Neitijärvi rental huts and turns off the road 0.7 km after them. Then the route ascends towards the Huuhkajavaara lookout tower, which is about 0.8 km from the junction. The lookout tower offers a view to the northwest over Neitijärvi. From the lookout tower, the path continues for 0.8 km, then turns towards the Saunaniemi lean-to shelter at the tip of the peninsula, which is 100 meters to the right of the route. From the lean-to shelter, it is 0.8 km to the Neitijärvi parking area, where there is a swimming opportunity. There is no official beach in the area. From the parking area, the route continues for 2 km to the junction after Onkisuo, where the Neitijärven kierros diverges from the Koskikierros.
The Neitijärven kierros turns right towards Kattilaniemi after Onkisuo, 2 km from the Neitijärvi parking area. From the junction, it is 3.4 km to the Kattilaniemi lean-to shelter. From the lean-to, the route continues 0.4 km to the Airovirta water crossing point. On the opposite shore is the Airovirta campfire site. The rowing distance in one direction is about 120 meters. Crossing takes about half an hour when rowing alone, as you need to row across the river three times. First, row from the east bank to the west bank and tow the boat on the west bank. Return to the east bank and leave the second boat for the next crosser. Then row back to the west bank, from where the journey continues.
After crossing the river, the path continues along the highest ridge of Naukuniemi for 1.4 km and then turns right back towards the Ruunaa Hiking Centre, which is 2 km away. From the hiking center, it is about 0.4 km along the road back to the starting point at the Neitikoski parking area.