Activities
Ice fishing, skiing, rides on an e-fatbike, snowmobile trails and sauna. Winter in Kovero calls you outdoors.Fishing by motorboat, swimming, cycling and the yard sauna. Summer in Kovero follows the rhythm of the lake.
Ice fishing with live sonar
Ice fishing is the guesthouse's own experience on Lake Koverojärvi. You sit by the ice hole just as anglers always have, but the live sonar screen shows the fish, your lure and everything happening under the ice in real time. The trip suits beginners and experienced anglers alike.
Gear and basic instruction are included. A guide can stay with you for the whole trip if you wish, and after the instruction you can rent the gear to fish on your own. Day trips to lakes such as Loitimo, Höytiäinen or Koitere are arranged separately.
- Duration
- 2 hours on Lake Koverojärvi
- Group
- 1-5 people
- Included
- live sonar, gear and basic instruction
- Guide
- for the whole trip if you wish
- Price
- agreed by group size and date
- Fishing permit
- not needed: ice fishing with one rod is free
Fishing trip by motorboat
In summer we go fishing by motorboat with a guide. The guide takes you to the fishing spots, and the sonar shows where the fish are. The fishing gear is ready, so you do not need your own boat or rods.
Besides Lake Koverojärvi there are other good fishing lakes nearby, such as Loitimo, Höytiäinen and Koitere. Day trips to them are arranged separately. Guests can also use the house rowing boat and life jackets.
- Included
- motorboat, sonar, fishing gear and a guide
- Lakes
- Koverojärvi, day trips to Loitimo, Höytiäinen and Koitere
- Price
- agreed by group size and length of the trip
- Fisheries management fee
- lure anglers aged 18-69: €6 per day or €16 per 7 days (2026)
Skiing and snowshoeing
A lit ski track runs along the hillside about 500 m from the guesthouse. In late winter a track is also made on the ice of Lake Lastujärvi in Kovero.
You can use the house skis and boots if you did not bring your own, and three pairs of snowshoes are available. Ilomantsi has competition ski tracks and a lit skating rink, and the Mustavaara ski resort is 31 km away.
- Lit ski track
- about 500 m from the guesthouse
- Late winter
- a track on the ice of Lake Lastujärvi
- To borrow
- skis, boots and 3 pairs of snowshoes
- Downhill skiing
- Mustavaara 31 km
E-fatbike
The wide tyres of the e-fatbike handle snowy roads too, and the electric assist helps on the climbs.
It costs €40 for four hours, and you can split the time, for example over two days. Winter offer: stay at least two nights between 1 October and 30 April and the bike is free.
- Price
- €40 / 4 hours
- Splitting the time
- for example over two days
- Winter offer
- 1 Oct to 30 Apr, 2 nights or more: the bike is free
- Bikes
- 2 FittNord e-fatbikes: for riders 150-165 cm and 165-185 cm
Snowmobile trails
The guesthouse is at a junction of snowmobile trails. From the yard you can ride straight off towards Tohmajärvi, Ilomantsi and Joensuu.
There is room in the yard for cars and trailers. Up-to-date routes are on the North Karelia snowmobile trail website.
- Start
- straight from the guesthouse yard
- Directions
- Tohmajärvi, Ilomantsi and Joensuu
- Parking
- for cars and trailers in the yard
Sauna after a frosty day
The indoor sauna costs €8 per hour, paid on site. The two-room apartment has its own sauna and shower.
In summer the wood-heated yard sauna is also heated for guests on request.
- Indoor sauna
- €8 / hour, paid on site
- Two-room apartment
- its own sauna
- Yard sauna
- in summer, on request
Tuulastus: night fishing
Tuulastus is an old Finnish way of fishing: on summer nights, after dark, you fish from a boat by lantern light. The light shows the fish in the shallow water near the shore.
The tuulastus trip is new at the guesthouse. Ask us about suitable evenings and the price, and we will arrange the trip with you.
- When
- in summer, after dark
- How
- from a boat by lantern light
- Price
- agreed separately
Beach and rowing boat
The village's well-kept beach is on the shore of Lake Koverojärvi, about 300 m from the edge of the guesthouse grounds. Guests can use the house rowing boat.
There are four children's life jackets and two for adults.
- Beach
- Lake Koverojärvi, about 300 m
- Rowing boat
- for guests
- Life jackets
- 4 children's and 2 adults'
Cycling and e-fatbike
Guests can borrow four bicycles, and helmets are available too. The lobby has brochures about hiking spots in Tuupovaara and Ilomantsi.
For longer rides you can rent the e-fatbike, which costs €40 for four hours. Tuupovaara is 8 km away and Ilomantsi 28 km.
- Bicycles
- 4 to borrow, helmets available
- E-fatbike
- €40 / 4 hours
- Terrain
- gravel and paved roads, heath terrain and forest paths
- Distances
- Tuupovaara 8 km, Ilomantsi 28 km
Lean-to and campfire
There is a lean-to with a campfire spot in the guesthouse yard. It is in use from spring to autumn, so you can spend summer evenings by the fire.
- Where
- in the guesthouse yard
- In use
- spring to autumn
Yard sauna
In summer the wood-heated yard sauna is heated for guests on request. The price is agreed separately.
The guesthouse also has an indoor sauna at €8 per hour, and the two-room apartment has its own sauna.
- Heating
- wood
- When
- in summer, on request
- Price
- agreed separately
A night on a sailboat
The sailboat Helena in the yard is available to guests from 1 June to 31 August. It has berths for four.
The first person pays €30 and each additional person €20 per night, children aged 7-15 €10. You can shower in the guesthouse, and pets are not allowed on the boat.
- Season
- 1 June to 31 August
- Berths
- 4
- Price
- 1st person €30/night, others €20/night
- Pets
- not on the boat
The village and sights
Next door at Koverontie 6 is an old threshing barn called Runoriihi. It hosts concerts and poetry readings in summer and a flea market in July.
The Kovero Orthodox chapel and the Salpa Line fortifications at Hömmönkangas are nearby too. People have lived in Kovero for more than 500 years, and Joensuu city centre is 46 km away.
- Runoriihi
- next door, Koverontie 6
- Events
- concerts in summer, flea market in July
- Nearby
- Orthodox chapel and the Salpa Line
- Distances
- Joensuu 46 km, Ilomantsi 28 km, Tuupovaara 8 km
For children
There is a play corner in the guesthouse lobby. The yard has swings, a sandbox and space to play football and badminton.
Children aged 0-6 stay free, and children aged 7-15 pay a child price. In winter Ilomantsi has a lit skating rink and competition ski tracks, and the Mustavaara ski resort is 31 km away.
- Indoors
- play corner in the lobby
- In the yard
- swings, sandbox, football and badminton
- Children 0-6
- stay free
- Nearby in winter
- skating rink in Ilomantsi, Mustavaara 31 km
Field hospital exhibition
The Kovero school buildings served as a field hospital during the Winter War and the Continuation War. The exhibition in the outbuilding tells true stories of the wounded who were treated at the hospital.
It has a collection of more than 400 non-fiction books, front-line maps, hospital equipment and Outi Piiroinen's sculpture of a soldier who lost his leg in the war. The exhibition opened in the old cowshed in October 2018 and is open by arrangement.
- Open
- by arrangement
- Collection
- 400+ books, front-line maps and hospital equipment
- Opened
- October 2018
Questions about activities
Do I need a fishing permit for ice fishing?
No. Ice fishing with one rod is covered by general fishing rights and is free for everyone.
How many people can join the ice fishing trip?
The trip takes 1-5 people. It lasts two hours and takes place on Lake Koverojärvi.
Can I book ice fishing together with my stay?
Yes. Choose your accommodation in the booking form and add ice fishing as an extra. The time of the trip is agreed when the booking is confirmed.
Can I borrow skis and snowshoes at the guesthouse?
Yes. You can use the house skis and boots if you did not bring your own, and there are three pairs of snowshoes. The lit ski track is about 500 m away.
How much does the e-fatbike cost?
It costs €40 for four hours, and you can split the time over two days. Stay at least two nights between 1 October and 30 April and the bike is free.
Can I ride from the guesthouse straight onto the snowmobile trails?
Yes. The guesthouse is at a junction of snowmobile trails, and from the yard you can ride towards Tohmajärvi, Ilomantsi and Joensuu. There is room in the yard for cars and trailers.
How much does the sauna cost?
The indoor sauna costs €8 per hour, paid on site. The two-room apartment has its own sauna, and in summer the wood-heated yard sauna is heated on request.
Do I need my own gear for the fishing trip?
No. The trip includes a motorboat, sonar, fishing gear and a guide.
Do I need a fishing permit in summer?
Fishing with a simple rod and line is free. Lure anglers aged 18-69 need the fisheries management fee, which in 2026 is €6 per day or €16 for seven days. We help with permits on site.
What is tuulastus?
Tuulastus is an old Finnish way of fishing in the dark: the shallow water is lit with a lantern from a boat. At Koveron Majatalo tuulastus trips run in summer after dark.
How far is the beach from the guesthouse?
The beach on Lake Koverojärvi is about 300 m from the edge of the grounds. Guests can use the house rowing boat and life jackets.
Can I borrow a bicycle at the guesthouse?
Yes. The guesthouse has four bicycles to borrow and helmets. The e-fatbike costs €40 for four hours.
Is there a campfire spot at the guesthouse?
Yes. There is a lean-to with a campfire in the yard, in use in spring, summer and autumn.
Can I stay overnight on the sailboat?
Yes. The sailboat Helena is used for accommodation in the yard from 1 June to 31 August and has berths for four. The first person pays €30 and each additional person €20 per night.
What is there to see in Kovero?
Next door is Runoriihi, with concerts in summer and a flea market in July. The Kovero Orthodox chapel and the Salpa Line at Hömmönkangas are nearby too.
Is the guesthouse suitable for families with children?
Yes. There is a play corner in the lobby, swings and a sandbox in the yard, and children aged 0-6 stay free.
When is the field hospital exhibition open?
The exhibition is open by arrangement. You can add a visit to your booking as an extra or arrange it by phone.
All activities
Everything at a glance. Filter by season or topic.
Ice fishing
Live sonar and all the gear included. 2 hours on Lake Koverojärvi, 1-5 people. Guide if needed.
Read more
Fishing trip by motorboat
Motorboat, sonar, fishing gear and a guide. Price agreed separately.
See photos
Tuulastus: night fishing
New: on summer nights, after dark, you fish from a boat by lantern light. An old Finnish tradition. Ask us about dates and price.
See photosE-fatbike
€40 / 4 hours. Winter offer: stay at least two nights between 1 October and 30 April and the bike is free.
Read moreSkiing and snowshoeing
Lit ski track about 500 m away, and in late winter a track on the ice of Lake Lastujärvi. Three pairs of snowshoes to borrow.
Read moreSnowmobile trails
The guesthouse is at a junction of snowmobile trails, with routes towards Tohmajärvi, Ilomantsi and Joensuu.
Trail map
Mustavaara ski resort
31 km from the guesthouse.
Beach and rowing boat
The beach on Lake Koverojärvi is about 300 m away. Borrow the house rowing boat and life jackets.
See the photoSailboat Helena
Sleep on the sailboat in the yard, 1 June to 31 August.
See photosLean-to and campfire
The lean-to with a campfire in the yard is in use in spring, summer and autumn.
See the photoYard sauna
In summer the wood-heated yard sauna is heated for guests on request.
See the photoGuesthouse sauna
Indoor sauna €8/hour. The two-room apartment has its own sauna.
Rooms and pricesChildren's play area
Play corner in the lobby. Swings, a sandbox and room for football and badminton in the yard. In winter Ilomantsi has a lit skating rink and competition ski tracks.
See photosField hospital exhibition
An exhibition in the old cowshed, open by arrangement.
See photosRunoriihi
The old threshing barn next door hosts concerts and poetry readings in summer. Flea market in July.
See the photo
Salpa Line at Hömmönkangas
Photos in the Kovero gallery.
See photos
Kovero Orthodox chapel
Photos in the Kovero gallery.
See the photo
Hiking spots in Tuupovaara and Ilomantsi
Brochures in the lobby and information in the rooms.
Book your stay and activities together
Ask about a fishing trip or the bike when you book.