Trip Planner:   Europe  /  Finland  /  North Karelia  /  Koli National Park  /  Pielinen

Pielinen, Koli National Park

5.0
#1 of 7 in Nature in North Karelia
#Water Body, #Nature / Park
Pielinen is the fourth largest lake of Finland, with a drainage basin area of 12823km2 that is equally distributed between eastern Finland and Russia. The creation of the lake and its outlet is attributed to a post-glacial isostatic rebound, which resulted in uplift of the land. As is common in Finnish lakes, the water color of the lake is dark on account of the high proportion of bogs present in the catchment of the drainage basin that drains humic substances.Pielinen Lake is in the northernmost part of Karelia, which is the land of the Karelian peoples, a Northern European area of historical significance not only for Finland, but also for Russia and Sweden. Apart from the lake, several attractions on the shores of the lake are the Koli National Park known for its scenic beauty in summer and the winter sports of skiing, the whitewater rafting centre at Ruunaa Hiking Center, the active centres of Lieksa and Nurmes.
To visit Pielinen and get the most from your holiday in Koli National Park, create itinerary details personal to you using our Koli National Park trip builder site .
Source
map
Create an itinerary including Pielinen
Places to stay near Pielinen
Pielinen Reviews
Rate this attraction
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5
25 reviews
TripAdvisor
  • By iTo1t0 On February 5, 2018
    Pielinen is over 90 km long and 30 km wide and over 60 meter deep at its best. It has almost 1500 islands. At the top of Koli you get a nice view over the lake. Rent a kajak, canoe or I thing that an ...  more »
  • By Mikael K On November 7, 2017
    Being extremely deep to be a Finnish lake, Pielinen is also long, like 60 km and the whole water system is being more than 200 km long. You can sail to Pielinen from south coast of Finland actually. T...  more »
  • By Janne P On September 5, 2017
    Really loved the Paalasmaa and nearby islands..there is actually a ferry which takes you to the islands for free! Scenery is amazing..especially in summer when the sun doesn't set completely. Nearby K...  more »
View more on TripAdvisor »

Plan your trip to Koli National Park

  • Get a personalized plan

    A complete day-by-day itinerary
    based on your preferences

  • Customize it

    Refine your plan. We'll find the
    best routes and schedules

  • Book it

    Choose from the best hotels
    and activities. Up to 50% off

  • Manage it

    Everything in one place.
    Everyone on the same page.

Best things to do in Koli National Park

Popular
©
Ukko-Koli Hill
Koli National Park
Visit for: 3​h
Paateri
Lieksa
Visit for: 1​h
©
Pielisen Museum
Lieksa
Visit for: 1​h 30​min
Side Trips
©
New Valamo Monastery
Heinavesi
Visit for: 4​h
Botania - Botanical Garden and Tropical Butterfly Garden
Joensuu
Visit for: 1​h 30​min
Sculpture Susi Kosiomatkalla
Joensuu
Visit for: 1​h
Hidden Gems
©
Patvinsuon Kansallispuisto
Lieksa
Visit for: 8​h
Paha-Koli Hill
Koli National Park
Visit for: 3​h
©
Neitikoski Rapids
Lieksa
Visit for: 3​h
Trails
Herajarvi Hiking Trail
Koli National Park
Visit for: 4​h
Akka-Koli Hill
Koli National Park
Visit for: 3​h
Kasken Kierros Nature Trail
Koli National Park
Visit for: 1​h 30​min
Nature
Kolinuuron kierros Nature Trail
Koli National Park
Visit for: 1​h 30​min
Pirunkirkko
Koli National Park
Visit for: 1​h 30​min
©
Uhrihalkeama
Koli National Park
Visit for: 30​min
Nearby
©
Ukko-Koli
Koli National Park
Visit for: 2​h 30​min
Rasavaara Observation tower
Koli National Park
Visit for: 30​min
Tarhapuro Waterfall
Koli National Park
Visit for: 1​h 30​min
Don't Miss a Thing. See & Do More.

Plans to Pielinen by other users

21 days in Finland BY A USER FROM GERMANY May, outdoors, wildlife, popular PREFERENCES: May, outdoors, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 41 days in Finland BY A USER FROM HONG KONG December, popular PREFERENCES: December ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 16 days in Finland BY A USER FROM UNITED ARAB EMIRATES June, popular PREFERENCES: June ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 49 days in Finland BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM June, culture, outdoors, wildlife, hidden gems PREFERENCES: June, culture, outdoors, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Hidden gems PACE: Medium 37 days in Finland BY A USER FROM INDIA June, popular PREFERENCES: June ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 8 days in Finland BY A USER FROM SPAIN July, outdoors, relaxing, wildlife, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: July, outdoors, relaxing, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 15 days in Finland BY A USER FROM BELGIUM September, outdoors, relaxing, shopping, wildlife, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: September, outdoors, relaxing, shopping, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 30 days in Finland BY A USER FROM FINLAND June, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, museums, wildlife, hidden gems PREFERENCES: June, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, museums, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Hidden gems PACE: Medium 9 days in Kuopio BY A USER FROM FINLAND January, outdoors, popular PREFERENCES: January, outdoors ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 60 days in Finland BY A USER FROM FINLAND September, culture, outdoors, popular PREFERENCES: September, culture, outdoors ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 5 days in North Karelia BY A USER FROM FINLAND April, popular PREFERENCES: April ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 11 days in Finland BY A USER FROM INDIA July, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, slow & easy, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: July, outdoors, relaxing, romantic ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Slow & easy
View more plans