DELICACIES FOR HIKERS Ilomantsi, North Karelia
Megrin Matkailu Come and enjoy the wilderness and tranquillity of Mekrijärvi’s landscape in Ilomantsi. The main building – built as a school for the village of Mekrijärvi in 1924 – and the additional buildings constructed in its vicinity offer a unique setting for visitors to Megri. The sight is located approximately 14 kilometres from the Ilomantsi town centre, and has also served as a research centre for the University of Joensuu (now University of Eastern Finland). From the main building, the authentic Ilomantsi lakeland landscape opens up towards Mekrijärvi, the marshland behind the lake, and the village of Ryökkylä. People were rowing over these waters centuries ago, and on these shores the famous rune singers of Mekrijärvi have shaped their songs – here is a place where history meets the present day! There is accommodation available for altogether up to 90 visitors, across three different buildings: Mäntylä, Leppälä and Haapala. The Megri saunas, three different kinds, are a perfect place to wash oneself, after a day of hiking. The Megri smoke sauna is spacious and atmospheric. The large sauna stove keeps the sauna hot enough for 10 hours at a time, and between sauna sessions one can take a dip in the adjacent lake. On the lake shore there are also two wood-heated saunas: the smaller is a traditional family sauna, and the bigger has space for up to 10 people.
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Hiking Destinations in Ilomantsi PETKELJÄRVI NATIONAL PARK
SUSITAIVAL TRAIL
The magnificent esker ridges of Petkeljärvi are a part of a long ridge formation, spreading from Lake Koitere all the way to Russian side of the border. nationalparks.fi/en/petkeljarvinp/nature
A nearly 100-kilometre hike from Möhkö to Patvinsuo over ridge land and rivers with rope-pulley ferries. pogostankierros.fi/susitaival
PATVINSUO NATIONAL PARK
A hiking trail completed in 2015, that combines Taitajan taival trail and Susitaival trail to a 24-kilometre long trail.
Patvinsuo is one of the most authentic wilderness areas among the Finnish National Parks. Its gem is the great lake of Suomunjärvi, with enchantingly beautiful shores. nationalparks.fi/en/patvinsuonp TAITAJAN TAIVAL TRAIL The oldest marked hiking trail in North Karelia, 31 kilometres, leads along the top of the row of ridges between Petkeljärvi and Putkelanharju. luontoon.fi/taitajantaival (in Finnish) POGOSTAN KIERROS CIRCULAR TRAIL A 91-kilometre circular hiking trail skirting around the pogosta of Ilomantsi along old hiking trails and the new Kulkijan polku trail. pogostankierros.fi/en/
KULKIJAN POLKU TRAIL
TAPION TAIVAL TRAIL A 20-kilometre trail in the river Koitajoki wilderness area, in the immediate proximity of Finland’s eastern border. luontoon.fi/tapiontaival (in Finnish) WATER EXCURSIONS AND CANOEING The river Koitajoki is a well-known destination for canoeing, and it is suitable for beginners, as well. koihu.com/en/what-to-do/canoeing/
Group Excursions THE RIDDLE OF THE SIMANA TRAIL A hike along the Simana trail, while trying to solve the Megri mysteries and enjoying some campfire coffee. Duration approx. 1.5 hours. For groups of 10-30 people. CANOE TRIP TO CAPE RISTINIEMI A canoe trip on lake Mekrijärvi and river Koitajoki, with a packed lunch enjoyed in cape Ristiniemi. Duration approx. 2 hours. For groups of 6-20 people. SNOWSHOE HIKE THROUGH THE MEGRI LANDSCAPE Get to know Megri’s beautiful environs on a snowshoe hike through marsh, forest and lake. And why not solve the cryptic riddles of the Simana trail as you go! Duration approx. 2-2.5 hours. For groups of 10-20 people. Ask for a quote for your group!
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Local from Ilomantsi The Karelia region has a rich tradition in food, because of the region’s location in-between two cultures and religions. Karelia has abundant offerings from the land, forest and waters. A central part of Karelian food is pies (or piiroot as they call them in Ilomantsi). Vatrushkas and Sultsinas are also traditional Karelian cuisines. The products of the Hermanni Winery in Ilomantsi are a great delicacy both for consuming on the spot or for taking home. Or how about a freshly baked rye bread made by Anita, Megri’s hostess?
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Pies and Vatrushkas If you are invited for a coffee in a village in Ilomantsi, it is most likely that you will find piiroot, pies or Karelian pies on the table. The name depends on the family and tradition. The key feature of an authentic pie is a thin and crispy crust. There is an old saying, that the pie’s crust should be so thin, that one could see seven churches through it. Ilomantsi has been baking pies (or piiroot) from the 17th century, and the area is known as the “pie centre” of Finland. In Restaurant Parppeinpirtti in Ilomantsi, the pies are made in front of the restaurant guests. You can also take part in a pie course and learn the secrets yourself. The crust of an authentic Ilomantsi Vatrushka is made from baked potatoes and flour. The Vatrushka is a half-moonshaped, closed pasty, with a rice filling. It is baked in a hot oven, until it has a nice colour. Then it is smeared with melted butter and eaten with a spread made of butter and hard boiled eggs. parppeinpirtti.fi
The Wines of Ilomantsi The Hermanni Winery was established in 1989. It is the oldest Finnish vineyard and the first producing sparkling wine. The Ilomantsi-based winery also contains a wine shop and a winetower. The Hermanni Winery is renowned for its rewarded, high-quality sparkling wines, wines, liqueurs and spirits, which are made of pure and natural Finnish berries. The wine shop with its wine and gift selection is open all year. The winery also offers pre-order tastings and introductory events for groups, for a fee. In the winetower’s wine bar Huippu, located 33 metres above ground, you can enjoy the scenic views, together with the Hermanni Winery products and some coffee, tea, soft drinks and self-made savory and sweet pastries. hermannin.fi
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Delicacies for Hikers Hiking is a great hobby. And the best part of hiking is, of course, a lunch break in the woods. Exercising in nature really increases your appetite and it’s nice to prepare your lunch by the campfire. Crepes baking nice and brown by the fire, while sipping your campfire coffee from a birch-carved kuksa cup in the middle of the forest, there’s really nothing quite like it. In the Mekrijärvi area, you can also easily buy the food for your hike from Megrin Matkailu. How about campfire-baked buns, crepes from a ready-made dough or delicious sandwiches?
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Tasty Campfire Crepes Bake your own crepes over the campfire. Crepes taste great outdoors, with just a pinch of sugar, or with a delicious jam made of berries from the clean Finnish nature. Recipe: 3 local eggs 6 dl milk from the farm 3 dl organic wheat flour, a proportion of barley flour can be used 1-2 tbsp. sugar 1 tsp. salt Beat the eggs in a bowl. Add milk. Add flours slowly while whisking thoroughly. Finally, add sugar and salt. Let rise for about half an hour. Heat the pan over the campfire and add butter. Bake the crepes nice and brown on both sides.
Campfire Coffee Coffee tastes especially good outdoors. Coffee made over the campfire and enjoyed in the nature has a special magic to it, be it summer or winter. Campfire coffee is, of course, served in a kuksa.
You can buy ready-made dough to-go in a glass jar from Megrin Matkailu!
Recipe: 1 l water 2 dl coarse ground coffee Place the pot over the campfire or other heat source, and bring the water to a boil. Remove the pot from the fire and add the coffee grounds. Put the pot back over the fire and let the coffee boil up once, but do not leave to boil. Add some (about 0.5 dl) cold water to the coffee and let sit for about five minutes. Pour the first drops to the ground (to cleanse the spout of the pot) and serve.
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Travel to Ilomantsi! www.visitkarelia.fi
Distances to Megrin Matkailu Ilomantsi .................................14 km Joensuu ................................... 85 km Kuopio .................................. 221 km Helsinki ................................ 506 km
Ilomantsi
Joensuu
PETROZAVODSK
Finland Norway SAINT PETERSBURG HELSINKI TALLINN
Sweden
Estonia
Latvia RIGA
Tel. +358 10 406 5211 info@megri.fi
Denmark
Lithuania
Yliopistontie 4 82900 Ilomantsi
VILNIUS
www.megri.fi
Poland WARSAW
Germany
BERLIN
Russia