Explore Koli with a local

Silence, wind and the open waters of Lake Pielinen. A sailing boat moves almost silently under wind power, offering a completely different perspective on Koli. Whether you want to try sailing for the first time, spend a relaxed afternoon on the lake or learn the basics, you’re welcome on board.

Our scheduled summer sailing trips are published in the online booking calendar as dates are confirmed. Private sailing trips can be arranged for groups of three or more, or for two guests staying at Kolin Runo.

Good to know:

• Duration: 2–4 hours
• No previous sailing experience needed
• Recommended group size: 2–4 guests
• Maximum: 5 guests

Slow down and discover the flavours of the Finnish forest. Together we wander through the woods looking for seasonal berries and mushrooms, learning about edible species, local traditions and the changing seasons. Along the way we stop to prepare a small tasting over a camping stove using our freshly picked mushrooms.

Foraging experiences are available from July until late October, or until first  snow-falls. We recommend allowing at least three hours to enjoy the forest at an unhurried pace. The experience is suitable for families and solo travellers, and group sizes are usually kept below ten participants.

If you are staying at Kolin Runo, your foraging experience can also be combined with a dinner featuring the day’s harvest.

Experience the winter forest in a different way. Walking in thick woollen socks makes every step soft and slows your pace, allowing you to feel the shapes of the snow beneath your feet. It is a simple but surprisingly immersive way to experience the forest with all your senses.

The experience is available throughout the snowy season, usually from mid-December until mid-March. They are especially atmospheric in the fading light of a winter afternoon, for example on the Akka-Koli trails or the Village Trail.

Good to know

• Duration: 1–1.5 hours
• Available during the winter season (mid - December to mid-March)
• Woollen socks provided for up to 20 participants
• Larger groups are possible if participants bring their own woollen socks

Spend two unhurried days in Koli with your local host and guide. This package combines accommodation, local guiding and free time, giving you the chance to experience Koli beyond its famous views.

The package includes:

• Two nights’ accommodation with breakfast
• An evening by the fire, where you can roast your own bagel and settle into the relaxed rhythm of Koli
• A private guided walk to Koli’s viewpoints with your local guide

During the walk, we explore not only the landscape but also the stories, history and nature that have shaped it. The programme also leaves plenty of time to enjoy Koli at your own pace.

You're invited to stay a little longer in Koli and experience the place more like a local, together with your host as your guide. 

• 3-nights accommodation with breakfast and linen
• a home-cooked welcome dinner on the first evening
• private guided walk to Koli's viewpoints with your host
• a half-day Seasonal Nature Experience

The Seasonal Nature Experience reflects everyday outdoor life in Koli. Depending on the season and the weather, it may include sailing, berry and mushroom foraging, snowshoeing, skiing, ice fishing or simply spending time by the lake or in the forest as locals do.

With more time the experience deepens and between the shared moments there is time to wander. 

Looking for something different?

Not every experience is listed here. If you have something specific in mind, get in touch. Private experiences can be tailored to your interests, the season and the pace you’d like to explore Koli.

Planning for a larger group? Take a look at our Group Programmes for companies, schools, associations and tour groups.

Winter is the time  of quiet landscapes and softened contours.  Snow calms the forest and creates ideal conditions for snowshoeing in peaceful surroundings, searching for animal tracks in fresh snow, or walking to frozen waterfalls and ice formations. When conditions allow, the frozen lake offers possibilities for skating, skiing or even cycling. Light plays a special role in winter, when sunrise and sunset are easily reached and experienced as quiet transitions, carrying a distinct atmosphere

Spring brings gradual change and closer observation. Walks focus on the awakening forest and meadows, early growth and small details along the trails. Early flowers appear, including Daphne mezereum, whose delicate pink blooms feel like a brief, northern version of hanami. There may also be opportunities to identify and gather wild herbs, some of which can be tasted or used during the day, depending on the season and conditions.

 Summer offers variety and flexibility. Activities may include berry or mushroom foraging, swimming in open water, cycling on gravel roads, or learning traditional skills such as making a vasta, a traditional Finnish whisk made from birch branches, for the sauna. Long daylight hours allow unhurried movement and, if wished, outings during the light summer nights.

Autumn is a season of contrast and clarity. Colors deepen as the forest prepares for winter, and cooler air makes walking and cycling especially pleasant. Autumn outings may include visiting points of interest or gathering late-season mushrooms. As evenings grow darker, the sky opens for stargazing and, on lucky nights, the northern lights.