Eco-Travel ECEAT Finland

Kolin Kajo is a log villa offering magnificent views across Lake Pielinen and the natural environment all around. The villa is an ideal base for holiday-making and hiking but also a meeting venue. Koli National Park with its stunning landscapes is only a 15 minutes’ drive away.

In this well-appointed villa built in 2014 your privacy will be guaranteed: the distance to the nearest neighbour is 3 km. The entire villa is rented out to a single group at a time.

The building has a large living room and 3 bedrooms with 10 beds in total. In the modern, well-equipped kitchen, a wood-burning baking oven sets the mood. The downstairs spa area has a sauna with an electric stove, a shower room and toilet, a dressing room and a utility room as well as a meeting room. From the sauna, convenient access is provided to the balcony for cooling down. There is a campfire site outside the villa.

The owners will meet you and guide you in using the villa. They can also provide you with information about the hiking, sports and recreational possibilities and other services in the area.

SURROUNDINGS AND ACTIVITIES

The villa is surrounded by a natural forest. The distance to Lake Pielinen is 3 km as the crow flies.
Versatile possibilities for excursions, hiking and sports activities are available nearby.

Activities at Kolin Kajo:

• signposted hiking trails, the nearest trailhead at 10 m from the villa.
• Räsävaara viewing tower at 3.5 km
• private bathing area in Lake Räsälampi at 200 m
• visitors may use the owner’s boat if they wish
• great areas for berry and mushroom picking in the forest
• outdoor games: disc golf, mölkky, darts
• in winter, 7 pairs of snowshoes, 2 kick sleighs and toboggans are available
• in peak winter season skiing tracks run right past the villa, at other times the distance to the nearest track is 5 km

In the local area:

• Koli Visitor Centre Ukko offers information about hiking trails as well as the culture and history of the area ()
• Koli tourist information website.
• Metsähallitus’ website, Koli area.
• rentals of equipment for activities (incl. bicycles, canoes/kayaks) and catering services (incl. party service) are available nearby
• tour skating along an ice road (7 km in each direction) and downhill skiing (at 6 km).
• guided nature excursions by Kolin Matkailu Oy, 5 km
• fishing in Lake Pielinen (visitors must purchase their own fishing permits).
• cultural destinations in Juuka: The old centre of Juuka village, Mill Museum and Local Heritage Museum, Finnish Stone Centre, Juuka wooden church. For more information, see the website of Juukaseura Association.
• local heritage trail

DIRECTIONS

The distance from Joensuu to Kolin Kajo is 75 km. The village of Koli is 5 km and Juuka 38 km away.

• Bus: the nearest stop is at Räsävaara viewing tower, 3.5 km
• Train: the closest railway station is in Joensuu, 75 km. From Joensuu railway station (or airport), take a taxi kolintaksi.fi or catch a bus from Joensuu to Ahmovaaraa, 60 km; from here, take a taxi to the destination, 15 km. You can also cycle this distance.
• Motorists/cyclists: Directions for motorists/cyclists etc.: enter the address Räsävaarantie 35, 83960 Koli in your navigator

OPENING TIMES AND PRICES

• Open: round the year, advance booking necessary.
• Prices: EUR 1,750/week, use of hot tub an additional EUR 250/week. Ask for our prices/check our website.
• Benefit for visitors using public transport and ECEAT members: visitors can be collected from the nearest bus stop (3.5 km). These visitors and cyclists are welcomed with a cup of coffee. We can turn the sauna on so it is ready for you as you arrive.

OUR ACTIONS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT:

• We use passive solar energy to capture geothermal heat.
• The villa was built with Finnish logs and painted with breathable glaze paints.
• We monitor electricity consumption (incl. the sauna and power point for vehicles).
• Wood-burning baking oven and air conditioning with heat recovery.
• The minimum rental period of 5 days reduces the burden on nature.
• Darkness measurements were carried out on the site in winter 2023/2024: we will introduce visitors to the results of these measurements and the impacts of outdoor lighting on the environment, and post them on our website.

CULTURAL ACTIONS:

• We inform visitors of local cultural events and destinations as well as craft and souvenir shops.
• We also embed links to tourism service companies on Kolin Kajo’s website.

FUTURE

• The company is involved in the LookUp project that continues until January 2025. The project includes:
  – darkness measurements and showcasing phenomena of the skies (stars and the moon)
  – cooperation with and links to local operators
  – also monitoring of natural conditions, rainfall and ice thickness on Lake Pielinen over time.