Koli National Park

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Koli National Park
IUCN Category II (National Park)
Map of Finland
Location	Eastern Finland
Coordinates	63°03′27″N 29°53′14″E / 63.0575, 29.88722
Area	30 km² (12 mi²)
Established	1991
Governing body	Metsähallitus

Koli National Park (Kolin kansallispuisto) is a national park in the municipalities of Eno, Lieksa and Kontiolahti, Eastern Finland. It is located in the forested hills on the eastern shore of lake Pielinen, and was established in 1991. Contrary to the other national parks in Finland, Koli National Park was governed by Finnish Forest Research Institute Metla until 2008 but is now governed by the Metsähallitus like the other national parks^[1].

Koli has lots to offer cultural heritage-wise. Former it was a sacrificial site. Later it was used for slash-and-burn agriculture. The aim of Koli National Park isn't to reserve wild nature but traditional agricultural heritage is cherished in Koli. Some fields are slashed, burnt and re-cultivated and hay is cut yearly. Traditional Finnish breeds of cows and sheep are grazing in the meadows of Koli.

1 Attractions
2 See also
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Attractions

An elevated view at Koli

The most well-known vantage point in the park is Ukko-Koli, with a grand view to the East, over the lake Pielinen. Near the top there's the Heritage Center Ukko and Hotel Koli. In the summer, two long scenery lifts are working in Koli.

There are also many caves in Koli area, e.g. the cave named Pirunkirkko. It is 34 meters (110 feet) long and 1–7 meters (3–20 feet) high.

Koli has inspired many painters and composers, e.g. Jean Sibelius, Juhani Aho and Eero Järnefelt. Eero Järnefelt painted together with A.W. Finch and Ilmari Aalto a large scenery about Koli in 1911. It can be seen in the restaurant of Helsinki railway station. Painters found Koli in the 19th century and after that Koli has been called one of the national sceneries of Finland.

Nowadays there are two ski resorts in Koli area: Loma-Koli for families and Ukko-Koli for more advanced downhill skiing. There are three ski lifts and six ski slopes in Ukko-Koli. The highest vertical drop is 230 meters (750 feet) and ski slopes are 800–1,500 meters (2,600–4,900 feet) long. There are four ski lifts and six ski slopes in Loma-Koli. The highest vertical drop is 145 meters (480 feet) and ski slopes are 530–1,050 meters (1,700–3,400) feet) long. Two of the slopes are streets for snowboarding. There are also snow castles for children.