Kitee: Hiking Landscapes, Bird Area and Nightwish

Lakes, mires, ridges, cultural landscapes and forests make Kitee a varied destination for hiking and nature discoveries. There is also an internationally important wetland for birds, a zoo that is open year-round and an exhibition about the band Nightwish. On your trip, you can choose between different focuses, from nature and animal experiences to music history.

Hiking among lakes, mires and forests

In Kitee, you can hike by lakes, across mires, over ridges, through cultural landscapes and in the diverse forests of the Karelian deciduous forest centre. Each type of landscape gives a hike a different character: you can choose open waterscapes, mire areas or forest trails. Ridges and cultural landscapes are also among the possible sights. If you enjoy including different kinds of nature in your trip, Kitee offers an unusual range of options.

Many natural areas in Kitee are valuable for conservation and are part of Finland’s Natura 2000 network. One notable example is Päätyeenlahti, at the north-western corner of Lake Kiteenjärvi. The wetland is more than four kilometres long and internationally important for birds. Its lakeside location and importance as a bird area make it a distinct nature destination alongside the surrounding hiking landscapes.

Trails around Pajarinmäki

At Pajarinmäki, the lush Pajarin loop nature trail is about one kilometre long. The trail connects to the Hutsi Trail and Matinpolku. If you are planning an outing in this area, these names can help you see the trails as a connected network. The length of the Pajarin loop also gives you a concrete point of reference when choosing this nature trail.

The Pajari nature trail starts at the Hutsi Sports Centre. This starting point is a separate reference for planning your hike; take care not to confuse this trail with the Pajarin loop. You can therefore consider both the nature trail starting at the sports centre and the Pajarin loop nature trail at Pajarinmäki.

Animals and music history

KiteeZoo offers a two-kilometre visitor trail with scenic views and animals, and is open year-round. It is a specific activity for families who want to enjoy both animals and the surrounding area on an outing. Its year-round opening means KiteeZoo can be a stop on your trip regardless of the season.

The Nightwish Story exhibition reveals another side of Kitee: it displays instruments and stage props used by the band members on concert tours. Those interested in music and live performances will find a cultural highlight here that is quite different from hiking or visiting a zoo.

Waterfront location and choosing where to stay

Myllyniemi guest harbour is in Puhos, Kitee, on Lake Orivesi. The harbour has a water point, waste bins and a pump-out facility for holding tanks. These facilities cater to practical needs during a stay at the harbour. If access to water and a harbour stay are part of your trip, Myllyniemi is a specific place to consider as you explore Kitee.

When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday home, you could first consider which experiences matter most to you: hiking through different landscapes, visiting the Päätyeenlahti bird area, a visit to KiteeZoo, which is open year-round, the Nightwish Story, or a stay by the harbour. This lets you tailor your search to your travel interests without combining the different attractions into a single itinerary. Kitee brings together nature and cultural experiences, as well as specific trails and places that each appeal to different interests.

More places to discover: Tohmajärvi, Lieksa, Koli, Karhunmäki, Kesälahti, Tolosenmäki, Elomäki, Vartiala.

For the wider travel overview: North Karelia.