Hiidenkierros 5 km, Hiidenportti National Park, Sotkamo - Vuokatti

The route is marked in the terrain with violet markings.

The route starts at the Palolampi guidance point, which includes a campfire site, a cooking shelter, a well, and the Palolampi rental cottage. From Palolampi, the route heads towards the Hiidenportti canyon landscape, which is followed for about one and a half kilometers initially. After this, the canyon is crossed via stairs and the route continues to the Porttilampi lean-to, which offers an excellent place for a snack break. From the lean-to, you return a kilometer back to the canyon, where a trail branches off to Kovasinvaara. First, you dive into an old forest, which near Kovasinvaara changes into a slash-and-burn birch forest. There are no buildings on Kovasinvaara, but the meadows and the stone piles in their midst tell of the area's habitation. From Kovasinvaara, the journey continues back to Palolampi.

The entire Hiidenkierros is 5 km long, but if you skip the visit to the Porttilampi lean-to, the route is shortened to 3 km. The route is also suitable for children, but it is not passable with strollers. The 3 km route requires about two hours, and the 5 km route with a snack break takes about four hours.

The Hiidenkierros is marked on trees and guide signs with violet paint markings.

Clothing suitable for the weather. Sturdy sneakers or hiking boots.

Stairs in poor condition (on the 10.5 km route also watch out for poorly maintained boardwalks)

A rope handrail by the edge of the canyon warns to be cautious when moving on the route.

The canyon’s edge cliffs may be slippery. Exercise caution in the area.

The trails traverse occasionally difficult terrain.

Bring a water bottle and snacks, as there are no cafe or shop services in the national park area.

It is also advisable to bring a first aid kit.

If you get into an emergency on your trip, such as getting lost, injured, or noticing a forest fire, call 112 and make an emergency notification.

Palolampi parking area, Hiidenportintie 86, 88600 Sotkamo Coordinates of the Palolampi guidance point:
ETRS-TM35FIN N: 7087669m E: 597967m, WGS84 lat: 63° 54.1433' lon: 28° 59.7725'

Drinking water: There is a well at the Palolampi guidance point. The well water is tested approximately every two years. The well water can be drunk and used without boiling. Waste management: Biodegradable waste should be placed in the toilet or compost bin, and small amounts of clean paper and cardboard can be used as tinder. All other waste should be carried out of nature in your own backpack. There are recycling points at the Palolampi and Urpovaara parking areas. See Guidelines for litter-free hiking. Toilets: The national park has dry toilets at every campfire site and lean-to. Dry toilets are located next to the Palolampi parking area. Overnight stays: Camping is allowed in the national park near the lean-tos and campfire sites as well as near the Palolampi guidance point. Note! There is no overnight accommodation at the Palolampi rental cottage. The park's lean-tos are located at Porttilampi, Kitulanlampi, Oravijärvi, and Allaslahti. To the southeast of Hiidenportti, at the border of Nurmes and Sotkamo, is the Peurajärvi recreational area, which has two routes: Mäntyjärvi loop and Iso-Valkeinen loop.

The Hiidenportti canyon with its vertical rock walls is the most famous attraction of the national park.