The route is suitable for people of different age and physical condition. The exception is people for whom excessive physical strain is not recommended for medical reasons.
The trail is marked with signs, kilometer posts and ribbons on trees. There are information boards in three languages.
The trail starts from the road (8.2 km from the rangers’ station on Nuris river).
The first two kilometers the trail runs across mires. Then it crosses Palojoki river which flows from Kivakkalampi lake around Kivakka mountain and enters lake Pjaozero.
On the fourth kilometer after several steep ascents the trail crosses a stream. Here the summer hiking and winter snowmobile trails converge. Then the trail ascends a steep slope covered with pristine spruce forest. Some of the trees are 200 years and more.
On the slopes one can witness the vertical succession of vegetation from taiga to thin birch forest and to alpine tundra on the summit. Little ponds had formed in multiple tectonic fissures in the mountain slopes. On the eastern side of the fell there are many trees that have flag-like crowns with branches growing only on the western side thanks to predominant eastern wind.
Kivakka is the location of the greatest number of the sacred seita stones – the worship rocks of the ancient indigent Sami tribes.
Fierce gales blow in winter on the mountain slopes and the trees have to hide in fanciful snow coats of fantastic forms. Along the way one can often meet capercaillie and arctic grouse. Footprints of wolverine and hare can be seen in the snow.
Magnificent views open up from the summit over lake Pjaozero, never-freezing Kivakkakoski rapids and Nuorunen fell, which is the highest peak in Karelia (576.7 m).