Pirunkirkko, North Karelia, Finland
4.0 (14 reviews) Spent 1-2 hours Ranking #8 in Koli National Park Caverns & Caves
Great attraction with kids
Pirunkirkko is a 33-metre-long Z-shaped boulder cave to which several mystical stories are connected. Pirunkirkko is located along Rantatie Road, 12 km south of Koli. There is a path with many steps from the parking area (located by the road) to the cave. It is easy to turn off from the Herajarven kierros Trail to Pirunkirkko along the Ennallistajan polku Trail (Nature Restoration Trail).
Address
Rantatie, Koli National Park 83960 Finland
Mobile
Website
http://www.nationalparks.fi/kolinp/sights
Current local date and time now
Friday, May 10, 2024, 3:44
User Ratings
4.0 based on (14 reviews)
Excellent
43%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
14%
Terrible
0%
Reviews
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4JariJK 5:00 PM Oct 30, 2015
Caves (33 and 127 meters), shamans and wizards
Devil's Church (Pirunkirkko in Finnish) exemplifies the unique geological heritage of Koli. It is the 33-meter long Z-shaped cave with a roof formed from boulders. According to local legends it was believed that the Devil had a temple at the back of the cave. The Devil's Church is surrounded by an abundance of folklore concerning shamans and wizards. Also the famous Finnish artist Eero Järnefelt visited the cave in 1896. The Devil's Church is situated only 200 meters from the small parking place after a deep upward slope along the Rantatie road (a bit over 10 kilometers from the village of Koli). It is clearly marked on the hiking map of Koli. You can visit the cave freely without any guide but it is a good idea to have a torch or a flashlight with you. But be aware because there may be cavities and portholes. So you have to see where you step. Our teenagers loved this place! If you want to have a longer cave adventure you can book a private guide from KoliActiv (address Rantatie 12, Harbour restaurant Alamaja, Koli). So you may crawl and creep in a 127-meter long cave (only for teenagers and adults, age limit about 11 years). The price is about 30-40 euros per person (minimum charge about 150 euros) and it includes guiding, safety helmets, knee pads etc. This cave adventure is possible in winter, too. Notice also that there is a nice hiking route which starts on the other side of the Rantatie road. Walk at least 1.5-2 kilometers to Jauholanvaara Hill. It is a very beautiful viewpoint.
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3TeWe 5:00 PM Jul 9, 2021
A bit disappointing
Nothing special actually, just a rock formation in the forest. It is about five minutes by walking from the parking lot and it takes a couple of minutes to see.
