Valamo wellness trail

Valamo Monastery now has a well-being trail, which is a 1.6-kilometer-long, clearly signposted and marked path for independent walking and quieting down in the immediate vicinity of the monastery. There are six signposts along the path, providing information about the history of the monastery, the teachings of the church and nature. The signs also include well-being exercises that can be carried out independently.

An example of the monastery's well-being trail is the Metso Well-being Trail concept, which focuses on the well-being effects of nature, developed in a joint project between Tapio Oy and the Finnish Forest Centre. In Valamo, the trail was implemented as a project related to the studies of nature instructor student Minna Koistinen.

The Valamo Well-being Trail combines quieting down with the health and well-being benefits of nature. According to research, 10 minutes of spending time in nature lowers blood pressure, 20 minutes in nature boosts mood, and 60 minutes in nature increases alertness.

A leisurely self-guided tour of the wellness trail takes just under an hour, while a guided tour takes a little more. You can get by on the trail with outdoor shoes and weather-appropriate gear.