Best lakes around Juuka, a municipality in North Karelia, Finland, offers access to Lake Pielinen, one of Finland's largest lakes, alongside several smaller bodies of water. The region features diverse nature, including hill landscapes, primeval forests, and archipelagos. Its lakes are suitable for various outdoor activities.
Last updated: May 13, 2026
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Take a refreshing dip in the crystal-clear waters of Lake Pielinen or simply relax on the sandy beach and listen to the gentle lapping of waves. Likolahti beach and campfire site is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy a picnic.
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On hot days, hikers can take a refreshing dip in the lake. You should always have bathing suits in your luggage.
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Koli's old Alamaja was located on this site before. It was one of the three first tourist cabins, along with Ylämaja and Mattila farms. Accessibility was ensured by a telephone, which was still a rarity at the time. Alamaja was built in 1911 as a private summer house, but was soon bought by Metsähallitus to use as a lodge for tourists. When the road to Yla-Koli parking lot was completed in 1933, the number of visitors arriving via the harbor gradually decreased. The old Alamaja was abandoned in the 1960s and the new Alamaja was built in 2004 at its current location on the shore of Lake Pielinen. The Sataman Polku trail continues left from this intersection. The path to the right leads to Mattila farm.
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Nice campsite with sandy beach at Pielinen. The undivided pitches are scattered in the pine forest on the shore. Great starting point for hikes in the area 👍
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After or before climbing, a short bath is really good gut
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Here it is pleasant bathing. There are only pleasant sandy beaches with some big rocks. It goes very shallow into the water, you can run without problems 100m far and it is not over 120cm deep
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The lakes around Juuka are set amidst diverse natural landscapes, including majestic hill scenery, primeval forests, and archipelagos. Lake Pielinen, for instance, is known for its pure, unspoilt nature and picturesque hills like Koli. Lake Höytiäinen offers clear waters and a varied environment with numerous islands, while Polvijärvi provides a tranquil forest setting surrounded by uplands.
For swimming and relaxation, you can visit several spots. Likolahti swimming beach and campfire site on Lake Pielinen offers clear waters and a sandy area for picnics. Sandy Beach Bay is known for its shallow, sandy waters, ideal for bathing. Another great option is the Swimming Spot at Lake Pielinen, where hikers can take a refreshing dip.
Yes, the region offers excellent fishing. Lake Pielinen is renowned for abundant stocks of large pike, zander, landlocked salmon, and brown trout. Lake Höytiäinen also provides versatile fishing, popular for perch, grayling, pike, zander, and trout, with fly-fishing being a recognized activity.
Beyond swimming and fishing, the lakes around Juuka are great for various outdoor activities. You can explore the area through gravel biking, running, and cycling. For instance, there are routes like the 'Koli Shoreline Ride' for gravel biking, 'Koli Vertical Attack' for running, and the 'View of Lake Pielinen – Koli Nature Centre Ukko loop' for cycling. You can find more details in the Gravel biking around Juuka, Running Trails around Juuka, and Cycling around Juuka guides.
Many spots around Juuka's lakes are family-friendly. Likolahti swimming beach and campfire site and Sandy Beach Bay are ideal for families due to their shallow waters and sandy shores. The Visit Koli Campsite on Lake Pielinen also offers a sandy beach and is suitable for families.
The Koli hills, particularly Ukko-Koli, offer breathtaking vistas of Lake Pielinen and its archipelagos. The Sandy Beach Bay is also noted as a viewpoint, providing pleasant views of the lake.
Lake Pielinen is Finland's fourth-largest lake, celebrated for its perfectly pure, unspoilt nature, and majestic hill scenery, including the Koli hills. It's a prime destination for fishing, especially for pike, zander, landlocked salmon, and brown trout, and features the scenic Paalasmaa archipelago.
Lake Höytiäinen, located near Juuka, is the second-largest lake in the North Karelia region. It's known for its clear, deep waters and diverse fishing opportunities, including zander, salmon, and trout. The lake also has a unique history related to a drainage attempt in 1859, which shaped its current landscape and diverse islands.
Yes, the Kolin Alamaja Lakeside Restaurant & Activity Center is located on the shore of Lake Pielinen, offering a place to relax and enjoy the scenery. Additionally, the Likolahti swimming beach and campfire site and the Swimming Spot at Lake Pielinen also offer facilities for visitors.
Polvijärvi is a tranquil forest lake situated in the western part of Juuka. It offers a peaceful natural environment, surrounded by uplands, making it an ideal spot for those seeking quiet reflection and immersion in Finnish forest nature away from larger crowds.
Visitors particularly enjoy the opportunity to take refreshing dips in the crystal-clear waters, relax on sandy beaches, and listen to the gentle lapping of waves. The shallow, sandy waters of places like Sandy Beach Bay are often highlighted for pleasant bathing experiences.


Still not found your perfect lake around Juuka? Check out the guides of these regions to see even more beautiful places.