North Karelia has really beautiful nature, there are a lot national parks and hiking routes. Most of them are located in Lieksa region. Places where I have taken these photos: - Koli national park and the surrounding area - Ruunaa nature reserve - Patvinsuo national park - Pieni Ritojärvi nature reserve - Pirunkirkko cave (near Koli national park) - Lakeshore route of Koli / Lake Pielinen - Hattusaari island North Karelia (Pohjois-Karjala in Finnish) is one of the most beautiful regions in Finland, as if it was "Lapland in miniature". As for landscapes, woods, lakes and high hills (vaara) are predominating sceneries. Lake Pielinen is fourth largest lake of Finland. In fact the large Karelia region is divided among eastern Finland and Russia. North- and South Karelia are the regions on Finland's side. Karelia has rich folklore and the roots of Kalevala, the national epic book of Finland are there. Most of Finnish-Karelian myths and stories deal with nature and animals, people, their feelings and way of living. Roots of some well-known Finnish bands are in North Karelia, too. Värttinä, the most known Finnish folk/world music band is originally from Rääkkylä, near Joensuu. And Kitee is known as a hometown of Nightwish.