Monastery Route Valamo - Lintula

The Monastery Route connects Finland's only Orthodox monasteries: the Valamo monk monastery and the Lintula convent. The route is 20 km long in one direction. The route features a variety of narrow paths and suitable transfer sections along gravel roads.

Every summer, a cross-carrying procession walks the Monastery Route from Valamo to Lintula. 

In North Karelia, Heinavesi, the Monastery Route offers a great overview of Eastern Finnish terrains. Besides narrow paths, you also walk on boardwalks and gravel roads.

Starting from the gate of Valamo monastery, it is important to look for the blue route markings. Also departing from the gate is a shorter Prayer Path, the orange markings of which partly coincide with and partly cross the Monastery Route. If you want an extra kilometer of narrow path at the beginning, you can follow the orange-marked route for the first two kilometers and then continue along the blue route.

Overall, the Monastery Route is a relatively clearly marked route. The blue route signs are supported by weathered wooden signposts. However, it is recommended to have a GPX file or route map with you in case any signpost is missed.

In the early section, you cross Juurikkasalmi, next to which there is a small boat ramp with campfire places. 

The cultural landscape changes into a narrow spruce forest path. About 4 km from the starting point, you can make a side trip to Monikkala Bay. There you find a modest campfire place.

After crossing Heinämäki hill and Kansalantie road, the route descends towards Varissuo and the most demanding terrain sections of the hike. The nearly 2 km long swamp section can be mostly traversed on boardwalks. The condition of the boardwalks varies. There are several resting benches along the swamp section, and it is recommended to stop and enjoy the atmosphere at leisure.

After Varissuo, the route goes through an old mossy spruce forest until reaching Taivalkota. The hut is owned and maintained by the Varistaipale village association. In the neat and spacious building, eight hikers can spend the night. 

The next kilometers from the hut to the Taivalahti canal pass quickly partly along gravel roads.

It is advisable to slow down in the canal area, as the canal and its surroundings have been listed as a nationally significant built cultural environment. The Taivalahti canal is part of the Heinavesi waterway, one of Finland's national landscapes.

Winding along small gravel roads, the route reaches the Paloki hydropower plant. Soon after the plant, the route goes into a more forested section and crosses a beautiful wooden footbridge, after which it is just over a versta (approx. 1.067 km) to Lintula monastery.