Cross-Country Skiing

Paljakka and its environs have a network of almost a hundred kilometres of top standard cross-country skiing trails traversing hilly landscapes.

Some of the trails travel very close to the Paljakka Strict Nature Reserve among primeval forests. Skiers of the trails value the tranquillity and rugged characteristics of nature.

The 3.4 km illuminated first snowfall trail is located on the slopes of Paljakka, close to the premises of the Forest Research Institute. The first snowfall trail relies on natural snowfall that the area receives up to a few weeks earlier than other areas, and there is also usually much more snow.

More maintained trails covering nearly 60 kilometres can be found close to the Puolanka parish village.

Download the Paljakka cross-country skiing trail map from here

Puolanka and Paljakka trails

Parish village area

Honkavaara illuminated  5 km (medium difficulty)
Honkavaara illuminated  3 km (medium difficulty)
Honkavaara 10 km (medium difficulty)
Pyssylampi trail  23 km  (easy)
Urheilukenttä trail illuminated 3 km (easy)
Honkavaara-Urheilukenttä connecting trail (lake trail)  7 km (easy)

Paljakka area 
Metla First Snowfall trail illuminated 3.4 km (medium difficulty)
Connecting trail (slope centre – Metla) 9 km (medium difficulty)
Paljakka illuminated 6.5 km (medium difficulty)
Hepovaara trail 12 km (medium difficulty)
Väyrylänkoulu trail illuminated 2.4 km (easy)
Pahkavaara trail  13 km  (easy)
Rakennusjärvi trail 6.5 km (medium difficulty)
Latvavaara trail to Pirunkirkko 16 km (difficult)

The traditional and skating techniques are suitable for all trails.

Cross-country skiing maps are sold at Paljakka Info tel. +358 8 755 120.

The dates for the opening of the Paljakka First Snowfall trail over the past few years were as follows:
2008    1 November
2007    6 November
2006  24 October
2005  16 November
2004  27 October
2003    7 November
2002  29 October

After opening, the trail is in use through to May.