The visitor and nature center (named Ukko) of Koli National Park is situated next to Break Sokos Hotel Koli, the municipality of Lieksa.

They have the very good nature exhibition which tells about natural and cultural heritage of Koli hills. Did you know that there have been 10-kilometer high mountains here (higher than Mount Everest)? Did you know that people lived in Koli and obtained food by hunting and gathering as early as in the Stone Age (8000 - 1500 B.C.)?

They also have nice multivision and slideshow presentations about Koli's natural landscape. Entry to the 15-20-minute presentation in the auditorium is included in the entrance fee.

Several hiking trails start off the courtyard of the visitor center. Some of them are very short and some of them are long (Herajärvi Circle Trail 60 kilometers, recommended hiking for three days). One of the short trails (only 0.3 kilometers) leads to the Ukko-Koli lookout point. This is "the must" for every visitor, I think. If you want to have a bit longer trail, I recommend Mäkränkierros Circle Trail (Ukko-Koli - Mäkränaho - Purolanaho - Mäkrä - Ikolanaho - Mäkränaho - Ukko-Koli). It is 7.5 kilometers and takes about three hours.

I recommend that you buy the hiking map of Koli from Koli Nature Center Ukko. They also answer all your questions about Koli. They can recommend the best route (by hiking or by car) to get to Tarhapuro Waterfall, Pirunkirkko Cave etc.

Remember to see the ancient sacrificial site (a 15-meter deep crack in the middle of a rock) named Uhrihalkeama only 100 meters from the door of Koli Nature Centre Ukko, in the immediate vicinity of the northern side of Break Sokos Hotel Koli.

So Koli Nature Center Ukko tells you all important information about Koli Area and Koli National Park. It is also the best starting point for many interesting hiking trails.

It is a good idea to leave your car in the parking place which is situated below the hill, because parking in front of the nature center is allowed only for 15 minutes. Then you can choose between the steps and the free funicular railcar (a kind of lift) to get from the parking place to the nature center. If you haven't an own car, public transportation is also available (e.g. Koli-Joensuu-Koli shuttle taxis).

Interesting permanent exibition that tells about the nature and history of Koli. They also have art exibitions, a souvenir shop and a small cafeteria. Customer service officers gives you all the information you may need when visiting Koli. They also have free WiFi for guests to use.