Ruunaa Hiking Area
Ruunaa
Rapids on the Lieksa River where you can float by wooden boat or inflatable raft; one of Finland's most popular whitewater spots.
Ruunaa lies on the Lieksa River, about 30 km east of Lieksa. Within roughly 30 km the river has six rapids, with a combined drop of over ten metres. In summer, several operators offer wooden boat or inflatable raft trips suited to ordinary visitors, and sometimes you can fish for trout while drifting downstream. At the main rapids, Neitikoski, there are natural cabins, a suspension bridge and a viewpoint over the fish ladder. A riverside trail of about 30 km allows short or overnight hikes. The area is free to enter, but rafting must be booked and paid for. It is about 130 km from Joensuu and is usually reached from Koli or Lieksa.
Opening hours
All day; rafting June–September
Nearby sights
- Patvinsuo National Park
- Pielinen Museum
- Paateri
- Koli Ski
- Lake Pielinen cruise & ice road
- Paha-Koli & Akka-Koli trails
- Ukko-Koli
- Parppeinvaara Rune Singer's Village, Ilomantsi