Discover Tohmajärvi: River, Trails and History

In Tohmajärvi, river landscapes meet varied trails and a rich history. The Jänisjoki connects paddling routes with fishing spots, while hiking trails range from easy loops to challenging trails. Churches, museums and historical traces add to the natural experience—a mix that can help guide you as you plan your trip and choose a suitable base.

Tohmajärvi at a glance

• The Jänisjoki and the connected lakes offer a total of about 200 kilometres of paddling routes.
• The Pekan Trail is 7.5 kilometres long and challenging; it is suitable for mountain biking and trail running.
• The 3-kilometre Piilovaara Trail is easy and also suitable for beginners.
• Completed in 1756, the church is considered the oldest wooden church in North Karelia.
• Since 1974, Potsipäivät has been celebrated as a community festival during the week after Midsummer.

By the Jänisjoki: Paddling, Fishing and Riverside Breaks

The Jänisjoki flows through Tohmajärvi and shapes the experience by the water. Together with the connected lakes, the paddling routes total about 200 kilometres. This gives you room to plan a trip centred on the water landscape itself. Anglers will find numerous rapids and places with strong currents along the river. There are rest areas on the banks for anyone exploring the outdoors.

This offers two different perspectives on the same river: on the water, the route through the river and lakes takes centre stage; from the banks, currents and places to rest are part of the natural experience. Which of these aspects matters more to you may also influence what you look for in a hotel as a base. This does not imply anything about a particular accommodation or its distance from the waterways.

Trails for Different Excursions

Those looking for a challenging sporting trail will find the 7.5-kilometre Pekan Trail, a route for mountain biking and trail running. It can be travelled in either direction; the elevation gain and loss is 265 metres. At Hernevaara, there is a rest area with a picnic table and a lovely view towards Tohmajärvi. The Piilovaara Trail offers a different focus: it is 3 kilometres long, easy, can be travelled in either direction and is also suitable for beginners. Its elevation gain and loss is 101 metres. The two trails can therefore be distinguished by activity, length and stated difficulty.

Other routes offer their own experiences. The approximately 7.9-kilometre Akanpolku circles Lake Siikajärvi and runs mostly along easy village roads. There is a fire pit at the lake’s swimming beach. The Sorpanpolku is about 11 kilometres long when walked separately and runs through the southern villages of Tohmajärvi; it is suitable for hiking and mountain biking.

On the approximately 6-kilometre Kemie Nature Trail, nature and protected landscapes come together: the route passes the nationally valuable Jalajanvaara grove and the Oravaara nature reserves. The approximately 6-kilometre Aconitum Loop has 16 information boards. It takes its name from the rare northern wolfsbane (Aconitum septentrionale), the municipal flower of Tohmajärvi. The different focuses—trail activities, a lakeside loop, or information about nature and culture—can help you choose a route without suggesting that every trail offers the same experience.

Several trails can also be combined in your itinerary: the Pekan Trail, Piilovaara Trail and Kirkkoniemi Trail, at 7.5, 3 and 5 kilometres respectively, can be linked into a single loop. The Kemie Nature Trail and Aconitum Loop are other standalone options. For snowmobile routes, the season matters: Tohmajärvi has dozens of well-maintained and marked routes that are part of the Keski-Karjala network and include connections towards Ilomantsi and Joensuu. Using them is a seasonal winter experience.

Church, Museum and Traces of History

Tohmajärvi Church was completed in 1756 and is the oldest wooden church in North Karelia. The Dolgorukin earthworks on the slope of Kemie represent another historical period: they date from the Finnish War of 1808–1809 and stretched for more than a kilometre. Together with the historical sites and monuments along the Runon ja Rajan tie, these places reveal different chapters of the area’s past.

The Runon ja Rajan tie is part of Via Karelia and is considered Finland’s oldest tourist road. Its 1,080-kilometre route runs along Finland’s eastern border, from the Gulf of Finland to Lapland; Tohmajärvi is one of its stages. The road provides a wider context for a trip, while the local historical sites and monuments turn the focus to Tohmajärvi itself.

The museum area at Kirkkotie 14 includes the Nyman Local History and Pharmacy Museum, Maiju Lassila’s local history barn, several other buildings and a farmhouse with a café. The municipal museum is housed in a two-storey carriage shed or storehouse belonging to Gabriel Wallenius. The building was moved from the Jouhkola farm to Kemie in 1961. The Nyman Local History and Pharmacy Museum focuses on the pharmacy and local history museums; the Nyman House and its grounds host permanent and temporary exhibitions. Opening times may vary by season.

The Maiju Lassila Cultural Route passes 18 cultural sites, offering insight into the life of Algot Tietäväinen and the first decades of the municipality of Tohmajärvi, founded in 1868. Those interested in the connection between local history and literature can find a different perspective here than by visiting the museum buildings. Potsipäivät adds a living tradition: the community festival has been celebrated since 1974 during the week after Midsummer and takes its name from the pig mentioned in Maiju Lassila’s book “Tulitikkuja lainaamassa”. The exact dates vary each year.

Choose Your Base According to Your Plans

Tohmajärvi suits a trip where you can give different emphasis to nature, activity and culture. For a water-focused trip, the paddling routes and fishing opportunities on the Jänisjoki are useful points of reference. If you are planning to hike or mountain bike, you can compare trails by length, difficulty and character; for cultural interests, there are also the church, museums, historic road and cultural route. Snowmobile routes and the 18 holes at the disc golf course by Tohmajärvi Sports Hall add to the range of activities.

It makes most sense to look for a hotel in the context of your own plans: consider whether water, a particular trail, culture or a mix of these is the main focus of your trip. The places and routes mentioned offer guidance at the destination level, but do not provide information about the location, amenities or availability of individual accommodations. Discover more destinations: Polvijärvi, Karhunmäki, Vanhahovi, Rääkkylä, Tolosenmäki, Kontiolahti, Juuka and Elomäki.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tohmajärvi

What does the Jänisjoki offer for a nature getaway?

The river and connected lakes offer a total of about 200 kilometres of paddling routes. The Jänisjoki also has numerous rapids and places with strong currents for anglers, as well as rest areas on its banks.

How do the Pekan Trail and Piilovaara Trail differ?

At 7.5 kilometres, the Pekan Trail is longer and described as challenging; it is designed for mountain biking and trail running. The 3-kilometre Piilovaara Trail is easy and also suitable for beginners. Both trails can be travelled in either direction.

What can you discover in the museum area at Kirkkotie 14?

The area includes, among other places, the Nyman Local History and Pharmacy Museum and Maiju Lassila’s local history barn. The Nyman House and its grounds offer permanent and temporary exhibitions; opening times may vary by season.

When does Potsipäivät take place?

The community festival has been celebrated since 1974 during the week after Midsummer. The exact dates vary from year to year. The tradition takes its name from a pig mentioned in Maiju Lassila’s book “Tulitikkuja lainaamassa”.

What snowmobile routes are there in Tohmajärvi?

Tohmajärvi has dozens of well-maintained and marked snowmobile routes as part of the Keski-Karjala route network. They include connections towards Ilomantsi and Joensuu; using them is a seasonal winter activity.

For the broader travel overview: North Karelia.