Pogostan kierros is a 91-kilometre circular hiking trail skirting around the pogosta of Ilomantsi along old hiking trails and the new Kulkijan polku Trail. The word pogosta refers to the village center of Ilomantsi but also stands for a parish or an old taxation area.

Pogostan kierros consists of several different hiking trails. The Susitaival Trail leads you from Möhkö to the Särkkäjärvi wilderness hut. Kulkijan polku Trail connects the Susitaival and Taitajan taival trails leading you from Lake Särkkäjärvi to Kallioniemi. The Taitajan taival Trail leads you as far as Petkeljärvi, from where the Rajan polku Trail takes you back to the village of Möhkö. The old trails Susitaival, Taitajan taival and Rajan polku are primarily designed for hiking. The new Kulkijan polku Trail, completed in the spring of 2015, has been designed to cater for the needs of cross-country bikers as well.

The Pogostan kierros Trail runs along magnificent esker ridges, goes through quiet backwoods and occasionally pops into a village. There are lean-to shelters, campfire sites, wilderness huts and different types of accommodation along the trail. Information boards along the trail tell you about the area’s local history, culture and nature. The trail is signposted and marked with orange paint dots. Possible starting points for Pogostan kierros are the Petkeljärvi National Park, the village of Möhkö or the village of Parppeinvaara in Ilomantsi, from where you can find a 7 km connecting trail leading to Pogostan kierros and Taitajan taival.

Instructions for Hikers:

• Please note that there are areas without mobile phone coverage along Pogostan kierros.
• Making a fire is allowed only at designated campfire sites. If there is a forest fire warning in effect making a fire is strictly forbidden everywhere.
• You should always take a map and a compass with you.
• Take plenty of drinking water with you.
• You can buy food and other supplies from the Ilomantsi village center.

The national emergency number is 112

Please respect your hosts and other hikers by cleaning up after yourself!