Älänne Area – Hiking Trails, Sandy Beaches & Nature in Lapinlahti and Rautavaara, Finland
The Älänne area is located within the municipalities of Lapinlahti and Rautavaara. This scenic and wilderness-like destination is especially known for its long, beautiful sandy beaches along the lake shores. Älänne forms a diverse and valuable natural area representing the characteristic eskers, mires and lake landscapes of North Savo.
The landscape is dominated by two large lakes, Älänne and Tiilikanselkä, separated by a long esker ridge valley. The area also includes part of the Tiilikanjoki River and the Huuhkaja esker and river valley landscape.
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. Meltwaters from the glacier carved channels into the terrain and deposited sorted materials into ridges. Since then, the landscape has been shaped mainly by water, wind and human activity.
Hiking Trails and Swimming Areas
There are three marked trails in the Älänne area, two of which are circular routes.
The 6.2 km Huuhkajankierros Trail starts and ends at the Vongankoski rest area. The 8.6 km shoreline trail runs from Vongankoski via Näätähiekka to Haatainniemi. Together, these form the Älänne Trail.
On the Rautavaara side, the Rouskunhiekka rest area serves as the starting and ending point of the 3.3 km Kaivannonkierto Trail and also includes a swimming area. Kaivannonkierto Trail map at the Luontoon.fi service >
