summeractivities

Day-Activities Summer 2011

Hiking-trip way north on Karhunpolku

We start the day with a short transfer by car to the lakes Änäkäinen, where we start our hiking-trip way north. We follow the Karhunplku (Bear’s Trail) first along the shore of the lakes, then through forests and easy hills. After 6 km we reach Laklaniemi, a nice wind shelter and fireplace, where we can make a first stop. Our way continues afterwards following the river Jongunjoki and through light forest-areas. We reach the Valama-forests, an EU-protected area where bear prints are often seen. Having crossed this deep jungle-like forest, we reach the small wilderness cabin after about 12 kilometres. Here we have our lunch break, make fire and relax for a while. The last part of our hike seems rather short after that break, we reach Aittokoski after 5 more km. From there we get a car-transfer back to Eräkeskus.

Duration: incl. transfers 5 – 7 hours

Included: German and English speaking guide, transfers, lunch

This hiking-trip is suitable only for experienced hikers. If wished so, the total distance can be reduced also from about 24 km to 18 km. good, waterproof hiking-boots are necessary.

Hiking-trip way south on Karhunpolku

A short car-transfer after breakfast to the Lakes Änäkäinen, 7 km away from Eräkeskus. We visit first the re-built trenches from winter-war 1938. Here an important part of Finnish history took place. Then we start our hiking-trip way south on the famous Karhunpolku-trail. We have lunch at the Jynkänlampi-fireplace and enjoy a roasted sausage. Then we hike further south, a few ups and downs through the typical finnish landscape, until after 14 km we reach Lake Suuri Piilonen. Here we make an open fire again,enjoy the view on the lake without any buildings at all and wait for the car bringing us back to Eräkeskus.

Duration: incl. transfer 4 – 6 hours

included: German and English speaking guide, transfers, lunch

This hiking trip is suitable for everybody. Good hiking-shoes are necessary.

Hiking-trip around the Jongunjoki-Area of Karelia

This hiking trip is combining the Karhunplku-trail with 2 shorter, more unknown hiking-trails, can be shortened or lengthened according to clients wishes and leads you around the most beautiful areas nearby Eräkeskus.

We start after breakfast directly from the lodge. Following a nice old forest road we reach Lake Puuruu and cross the little bridge and reach the unknown Unielmen-Polku-trail. Following this trail, we cross River Hähnijoki and reach Karhunpolku. We make a lunchbreak with open fire and turn then into the old Church-trail Kirkko-Polku leading us back to Eräkeskus. The total distance from this hiking trip will be 18 – 26 km, there are several possibilities to shorten or lengthen the trip.

Duration: 4 – 7 hours

inclusive: German and English speaking guide, lunch

This hiking trip is suitable for everbody as the distance will be adapted to clients wishes. Good hikingshoes are necessary.

Paddling-tour on River Jongunjoki

We load the canoes on the trailer and have very short transfer to Viitakoski, where we start our paddling-tour. We follow all the way the river Jongunjoki, which gives his name to the whole area. During the trip we see many different kind of landscapes: forests, farming areas, grassland, swamps, maybe we see a beaver as many of them build their homes along Jongunjoki. Although Jongunjoki is a river, there is mostly standing or very slowly floating water. After about 16 km we reach the village of Nurmijärvi, where the river ends into Lake Nurmijärvi. On the opposite end of the lake, after having crossed this big lake, we reach our base Eräkeskus again. There are no fire-places along River Jongunjoki, so our lunch will be a cold one prepared ourselves from breakfast-buffet.Duration: incl. Transfer 3 – 5 hours

Included: German and English speaking guide, canoe, paddles. Live-vests, transfer, pick nick-lunch

This tour is suitable for everybody as it is similar like lake-paddling and there are no difficult parts.

Paddling-tour on River Lieksanjoki

We start after breakfast and water our canoes at the Eräkeskus-raft. First we paddle all over Lake Nurmijärvi before we reach the waste river- and lake-system of River Lieksanjoki. Along our paddle route, there are many nice finnish log-houses and maybe you start dreaming about your own summercottage in this beautiful area. River Lieksanjoki has almost no current and so the paddling is as easy as on a lake. There are always wide open areas like lakes, then more narrow parts like a real river. When we reach Lake Sauvonjärvi we stop for lunch at a nice fireplace. Then we continue until Lake Hämeenjärvi, where the transfer-car is waiting for us. We load the canoes and drive back to Eräkeskus.

Duration: incl. transfers 3 – 5 hours

Included: German and English speaking guide, transfers, lunch, canoe, paddles, live-vest

This tour is suitable for everybody as it is similar like lake-paddling and there are no difficult parts.

Paddling-tour on River Hähnijoki

We load the canoes on our trailer and drive about 20 km to the Lake Nyytilampi. We have to carry the canoes about 50 meters, then we start our paddling tour. We paddle across this little lake and then reach soon the river Hähnijoki, with its first passage with current, sandy parts and rocks just below the water line. All the way following the river Hähnijoki is very diversified. Narrow parts with current, wide ares similar to lakes, often we have to paddle around trees that were fallen across the river and blocking its way. The river is always searching for a new way and looks different every time we paddle there. We have a break with open fire during the day and enjoy the silence. Where Hähnijoki has it’s end and enters into River Jongunjoki, we end our trip. We load the canoes back on the trailer at Viitakoski and get a car-transfer back to Eräkeskus.

Duration: incl. transfers 4 – 6 hours

Inclusive: German and English speaking guide, canoe, paddle, live-vest, transfer, lunch

This tour is suitable for more experienced paddlers. If you have never been sitting in a canoe, we recommend you to book the easier tour on River Jongunjoki or Lieksanjoki first.

CrossCountry-Biking in the Puuruu-area

East of Eräkeskus is the big lake Puuruu, behind this is a real paradise for cross-country-bikers. Lots of sandy roads, small hiking trails, single-trails with best possibilities for bikers. We decide together with the guests, how “difficult” the bike tour can be. According to their capabilities, we make a bike-tour for everyone, for inexperienced or only little experienced bikers or then a “hard-core-tour” for the real enthusiasts! On route we can make a fire and take our lunch. If it’s hot, there is always a lake nearby to have a quick refreshing. It’s very possible also that we find traces of elks or even catch a glance of one.

Duration: 3 – 5 hours

Included: German and English speaking guide, 24-gear-bike, bike-helmet, lunch

Fishing trip to the Lakes Änäkäinen

At late afternoon we drive by car to the Lakes Änäkäinen, 7 km away, a small nature resort with 3 lakes, several nice fireplaces, protected by the Finnish Forest Government. Trouts are put out hever every year, pike and perch can be catched as well. Together with the guide, we walk around the lakes and try out the different places, techniques and baits. A rowing boat is at disposal as well. When it gets darker, we make a fire and taste our fresh fish. Tasty garnishing was taken with us from Eräkeskus to make sure it is an unforgettable evening.

Duration: 5 – 6 hours

Inlcuded: German and English speaking guide, transfers, fishing equipment and several baits, license, rowing boat and dinner

Wild Live in North-Carelia / Overnight-program

North-Carelia has the biggest population of brown bears, wolves, lynxes and wolverines in whole Scandinavia. Come with us to see these wild carnivores in our wildlife-station, about 70 km away from Eräkeskus. We drive there by car in the afternoon, before the animals start their normal evening-wanderings. Get installed in the observation-station, comfortably equipped with beds and toilet. We stay in the observation-cabin for the whole night until next morning. You never know, when an animal passes by, following his normal routine, searching for food in “his” area, not even knowing, that human beings are observing them. Of course the most important during the whole night, is to be as silent as possible. Experience the unforgettable feeling of seeing a bear or any other big carnivore from only about 30 m distance, completely safe, hidden in the cabin. Hot and cold drinks as well as snacks are available the whole time. Sleeping bags are available as well for those who want to sleep for a few hours.

Duration: 14 – 16 hours

Included: German and English speaking guide, transfers, snacks und drinks

Special excursions for families with children

Especially for families with kids we organize 2 different activities during which we adjust length and difficulty only to the capabilities of the children.

Hiking around Lake Änäkäinen

By car we drive to the starting place of our hiking tour, the protected lake- and forest-area of Änäkäinen (only 7 km away from Eräkeskus). The area around the 3 small lakes is dominated by old pine-trees, swamps and sandy hills. The National Forestry-Department takes care of the area which is today protected by EU-law. Hiking paths lead us around the lakes; depending on the capabilities of the children we walk around only one or 2 or all 3 of the lakes. Our lunch we prepare on the open fire in one of the typical Finish fire-places and wind-shelters.

Included: transfers, lunch on open fire, German and English speaking guide

Padlingtour on Lake Puuruu

We get our full equipment at Eräkeskus and a short introduction into canoeing-technique. Then we start our paddling tour on Lake Nurmijärvi, following its shore-line into Lake Naapuri. There we have to carry the canoes for about 20 m to enter finally the Lake Puuruu. This lake is a beautiful labyrinth of islands, half-islands, small sandy beaches and lonely bays. Around the lake (3 km long and maximum 3 km wide) there is only pure wilderness of forest and swamps and about a dozen of lonely situated holiday-cottages. We paddle from one island to the next, stop wherever we want to and make fire to prepare our lunch. Of course a refreshing bath is also possible!

Including: canoes, paddles, live-vests, lunch, German and English speaking guide

Family-special: if you stay for 7 nights at the Eräkesksus-Guesthouse for minimum 3 persons (of which minimum 1 child under 15 years), then we offer you one of the above described family-excursions for free. Families are warmly welcome at Eräkeskus!

In cooperation with other activity-operators we can offer you additional activities. Eräkeskus is acting for those trips only as agent, not as operator.

Riding with Icelandic Horses or Finnish Horses
Rafting in Ruunaa with traditional wooden boats or rubberboats
Trip to the Russian Border

Ask for details and rates. These programs can be booked on spot.

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Hiking Trips

Paddling Trips

Biketour

Fishing

Bearwatching

Family Excursions

Rafting

Russian Border

Summer-Rates 2011

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