PIRUNKIRKKO TRAIL 4,4 KM, HEINOLA
The Pirunkirkko area in Paistjärvi is a hidden treasure forhikers in Heinola. The Paistjärvi hiking area in the northeasternpart of Heinola provides a great setting for hikerswith its wilderness landscape and pristine lakes. ThePirunkirkko (“Devil’s Church”) rock formation is a breathtakingsight, even for seasoned nature lovers.
INFO
Lenght: 4,4 km
Trail markings: Yellow poles
Difficulty: Medium
Altitude difference: 58 m
Duration: 2-3 h
Starting point 1: Niinilampi parking, Pirunkirkko 60, Heinola, N61 18.005, E26 23.502
Starting point 2: Simonlampi parking, Kaijanniementie 244, Heinola, N61 18.877, E26 23.671
DESCRIPTION
The trail to Pirunkirkko starts from the Niinilampi parking area. The first section of the trail follows a forest road, from which it turns onto a path. The path passes through about 300 m of hilly forest terrain and leads to Lake Iso-Vuorttunen. The next 300 m section of the trail follows the shore of the lake, and the final section of 200 m leads through forest to the Pirunkirkko formation.This is a great place to have a break and enjoy the impressive view. There is a bench and a compost toilet at Pirunkirkko, but no campfire site. From Pirunkirkko, you can return to the starting point using the same route or continue on the circular trail towards the Simonlampi parking area.
The first section after Pirunkirkko is a 300-m path towards Lake Iso-Vuorttunen. This hilly section leads through beautiful, lichen-covered terrain. The most difficult incline is right after Pirunkirkko. After the wilderness and lake shore, the trail leads to the forest and onto the Simonlammi parking area, which is about 600 m ahead. The section from the lake to the parking area is easier and more level. North of the trail, there is a small pond called Simonlampi, surrounded by swamp. From the Simonlampi parking area, the trail continues 2.2 km along a forest road back to the Niinilampi parking area.
DIFFICULTY
The trail includes very hilly sections and varied terrain. Some of thestairs and duckboards of the trail have been repaired during autumn2016 to make it easier to pass the most difficult sections. The most challengingpart is the path west of Lake Iso-Vuorttunen; the other sectionsconsist of fairly even paths or forest roads.
GOOD TO KNOW
Apart from the Pirunkirkko Trail, there are other walking trails and campfiresites in the Paistjärvi area. See outdoors.fi for more information. Theonly campfire site along the Pirunkirkko Trail is next to the Niinilampiparking area. There are three toilets along the trail: at Niinilampi, Pirunkirkkoand the Simonlampi parking area.
HOW TO GET THERE
Paistjärvi is in a remote area that is only reachable by car. There are nopublic transportation connections.