The Kontiovaara-Ulkkasärkät Scenic Route
A breathtaking esker road through national landscapes.
The Kontiovaara Scenic Route is a roughly 9-kilometer-long gravel esker road winding through some of Finland’s most beautiful national landscapes, about 18 kilometers from the center of Lieksa. If the scenery doesn’t completely captivate you, you can easily continue your trip at the end of the road, where a 5.5-km hiking trail begins at the Pieni Ritojärvi parking area, leading around Lake Ritojärvi.
Memorial to the victims of the Soviet partisans.
A memorial dedicated to the victims of the village of Kontiovaara, which fell victim to the partisans during World War II, can be found on Kontionvaara Road just before the Pieni Ritojärvi parking area. Unveiled in 1962, the monument commemorates both fallen soldiers and civilians who died in the attacks. Those heading to the Ritojärvi Loop can easily visit the monument while exploring the area.
