Älänne Area – Hiking Trails, Sandy Beaches & Nature in Lapinlahti and Rautavaara, Finland
The Älänne area extends over the borderland of two neighbouring municipalities, Lapinlahti and Rautavaara. This scenic destination in the wild is especially known for its long beautiful sandy beaches along lake shores. The nature there features eskers, mires and lake landscapes that are characteristic of North Savo.
The landscape is dominated by Lake Älänne that consists of two bodies of water partly separated by a long esker formation. A long river, Tiilikanjoki, flows into the northern end of the lake and out of the southern end.
The landforms and soil of the Älänne area date back to the last Ice Age, which ended around 10,000 years ago, when the eskers were formed. Glacial meltwaters carved channels into the terrain and deposited materials into ridges that remain there today.
Hiking Trails and Swimming Areas
In the Älänne area, there are three marked trails, two of which are circular routes.
The 6.2 km long Huuhkajankierros Trail starts and ends at the Vongankoski rest area. The 8.6 km long shoreline trail runs from Vongankoski via Näätähiekka to Haatainniemi.
On the Rautavaara side, the Rouskunhiekka rest area serves as the starting and ending point of the 3.3 km long Kaivannonkierto Trail and also includes a swimming area. Kaivannonkierto Trail map at the Luontoon.fi >
