Park or nature areaUsable guide

Hiidenportti National Park

National Park of Finland

Photo: viiviseppanen, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Hiidenportti National Park is in the region of Kainuu in northern Finland. It features the Hiidenportti gorge and old-growth forest. Close by is the Peurajärvi Recreational Area, which is a good family destination with easy trails and beaches suitable for children, and also is a fishing destination. The Teerisuo-Lososuo Mire Reserve is some 8 km away by the trails.

Sights and activities

From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.

Hiidenportti
See
A long gorge with vertical walls.
Details
Kovasinvaara
See
Hill with a deserted croft in the heritage landscape.
Details
Paistinvaara
See
Hill in old-growth forest protection area. The trail leads to the Kärnänkivi rock, brought here by the Ice Age.
Details
Murtovaara Talomuseo
See
Details

Where to eat, drink and stay

Sleep15 places

Camping

Porttilampi lean-to
Kitulanlampi lean-to
Iso Oravijärvi lean-to
Pitkä-Portti campfire site
Mäntyjärvi lean-to
Directions
southern shore of Mäntyjärvi

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Camping

Iso-Valkeinen kota2
Directions
western shore of Iso-Valkeinen
Iso-Valkeinen kota1
Directions
western shore of Iso-Valkeinen
Allaslahti lean-to
Sivakkajärvi campfire site
Peurajärvi/Kuusijärvi lean-to shelter
Possibly in bad shape or removed.
UKK trail
Campfire site. This should be near the crossing between Talonpojan Taival and the UKK trail. Valtimo is 6 km to the south.
Urpolampi lean-to
Kiurulampi campfire site
Teerisuo lean-to
Multisärkkä campfire place

Getting there and around

Getting there

The park is in the south-east corner of Sotkamo, at the border to Kuhmo and Valtimo (nowadays part of Nurmes). There is no public transport to the park, but taxis from those towns can be used (20–50 km).

Read in the guide

Getting around

No restrictions on getting around by foot, ski, canoe or rowing boat, as long as you do not damage the ground or disturb wildlife.

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Airports and nearby hotels

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Kajaani Airport

Kajaani · Regional · KAJ

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Read before you go to Hiidenportti National Park

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Finnish national parks

Finnish national parks are found in most parts of the country. In addition to national parks some other protected areas are presented below, as well as national hiking areas and the wilderness areas of Finnish Lapland.

Wikivoyage

Full travel guide

Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.

UnderstandThe national park is in Sotkamo. The area was transformed into a national park in 1982. Its characteristics are the swamps and lakes breaking the old-growth forest of the area.

Get inThe park is in the south-east corner of Sotkamo, at the border to Kuhmo and Valtimo (nowadays part of Nurmes). There is no public transport to the park, but taxis from those towns can be used (20–50 km).

Fees and permitsThere are no entrance or hiking fees, it is likewise free to use the parking areas and shelters.

Get aroundNo restrictions on getting around by foot, ski, canoe or rowing boat, as long as you do not damage the ground or disturb wildlife.

SeeThe booklet Hiidenportti Through the Ages gives information of the cultural history of the area.

DoThe main hiking trail leads from the Palolampi information point via the Kovasinvaara croft, by the Hiidenportti gorge to the lean-to shelter at Porttilampi/Porttilammit in the gorge, and continues via the Kitulanlampi…

BuyThere is nothing for sale in the park. Do your shopping before you leave Kuhmo, Sotkamo, Valtimo or Nurmes. The Kuhmo Visitor Centre Petola probably has some souvenirs.

EatYou can use the lean-to shelters and campfire sites to prepare or eat your meal by a campfire – unless there is a forest fire warning.

DrinkThere is a well at the Palolampi information point and another at the Mäntyjärvi lean-to shelter. The other water may not be potable.

SleepThere are cabins you can rent via Lomarengas by the eastern shore of Peurajärvi. There are also cabins in the surrounding areas.

Stay safeThe cliffs by the gorge can be slippery, watch your step.

Go next

Nurmes

Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Hiidenportti National Park" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "Hiidenportti National Park", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: viiviseppanen, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

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