Hiking and Kayaking Routes in Savonranta
Explore Savonranta and its beautiful surroundings on foot or by kayak. From short walks through the village to peaceful forest trails and scenic paddling routes, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the natural beauty of Finnish Lakeland.
Below you will find a selection of routes with detailed maps, descriptions and practical information to help you plan your next outdoor adventure.
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Hiking and Kayaking Routes in Savonranta
Vuokala Walking Tour
Vuokala’s walking tour is a great way to get to know Savonranta village and its history. The route takes you to experience the beautiful milieu and landscapes of Savonranta village. Vuokala walking tour takes you around Savonranta’s beautiful village center. On the way you’ll get to know the history of the village while admiring the beautiful village milieu created over the years. Along the way, you will find 20 Vuokala signboards that tell about the history of the buildings on the way and help you understand the beautiful layered nature of the city center. The tour takes you along easily accessible roads. On the way, you can shop at a local flea market or stop to take pictures of the all-year-round open Vuokala rapids. Author’s recommendation You should allow time for the trip so that you have time to stop at the local shops. Restaurants and shops as well as the local flea market are located conveniantly along the way. Summertime there are exhibitions at Savonrantatalo (Savonranta House) and the Vuokala mill. The mill also has a handycraft shop. The route crosses the Vuokala rapids twice.
Distance: 2.5 km Duration: 0:35 h Ascent: 28 m Descent: 28 m Highest point: 98 m Lowest point: 79 m Safety information As a rule, the route runs along sidewalks or the edge of the road, so it is easy to walk. The tour leads to Sampola via wooden stairs, but the yard can also be reached by road.
Start Savonranta guest marina Coordinates: DD: 62.170233, 29.209744 DMS: 62°10’12.8″N 29°12’35.1″E UTM: 35V 615078 6895107 Destination: Savonranta guest marina Turn-by-turn directions: It’s best to start the Vuokala walking tour from the Savonranta guest marina. Here you can leave your car when taking the tour. In wintertime, you can start the route directly from Sampola, because the yard of the guest marina is not plowed regularly. You can leave the car, for example, in the yard of the local supermarket, Sale. The walking route leads to Sampola along wooden stairs. In winter, the yard can be accessed via the road from the Monnisaarentie intersection. The tour goes from Sampola to the village along quiet dirt roads. Please pay attention to traffic when walking on the roads. In the village center, the road turns into a pavement. From the church yard, the route leads back to the pavement along a nice path shaded by trees.
Public transport There are no busses to Savonranta, so the easiest way to reach Savonranta is with a car.
Parking The signpost for the starting point can be found at the guest marina of Savonranta. At summertime a parking lot is available for visitors. Wintertime the parking lot is not always ploughed. You can then leave your car in the yard of the local store (Sale) from where it is only a short walk to the guest marina. Linnosaari is availabe by car also in the winter. You can nearly reach Torikivi by car. The last 100 meters is available only by foot.
Coordinates DD: 62.170209, 29.209767
DMS: 62°10’12.8″N 29°12’35.2″E UTM: 35V 615079 6895104
Timo’s Strech | The nature trails of Säimen
Timo’s Strech is a wonderful nature trail where you can enjoy a varied forest landscape and beautiful rock formations. There is a well-equipped hut along the way. The Säimene mill museum is also located along the beautiful route. Timo’s Strech is part of the nature trails of Säimen in Savonranta. The three-kilometer-long nature trail runs through natural terrain and contains some steep steps in rocky terrain. The route is therefore not suitable for people with reduced mobility. The route can be taken in either direction. There are a couple of wooden bridges to help cross the creeks. You can easily stay on the route by following the blue route markers. Author’s recommendation Around halfway to the trail, there is a wonderful lakeside hut called Eräkämmen laavu, which is a great place for a small stop and snacks.
Distance: 2.8 km Duration: 0:45 h Ascent: 24 m Descent: 26 m Highest point: 111 m Lowest point: 82 m Safety information The path runs through natural terrain and there is no clear path visible the whole way. The best way to stay on the route is to follow the blue markings (spray paint markers and ribbons). The trail is moderately difficult, as the terrain is rocky and the trail has small climbs and steep steps. The route is not suitable for people with reduced mobility. Tips and suggestions Timo’s Strech is one of the four nature trails in Säimen. The shortest routes are 2.5-3 kilometers long, but the longest route is up to 7 kilometers.
Start Coordinates: DD: 62.259060, 29.212174 DMS: 62°15’32.6″N 29°12’43.8″E UTM: 35V 614866 6905003 Turn-by-turn directions: The route starts at the dead end of Koivulantie, where there is also a waste sorting point. You can leave your car in the parking lot next to the waste sorting point. You can also walk the route in the other direction, in which case you can leave the car in the yard of the Säimen mill museum. The starting point of the trail is easy to find by the nature trail sign and the green mailbox. The beginning of the trail is an easy going forest road, from which the route soon turns into a forest path. There are a few water crossings on the way, which can be crossed by wooden bridges. Some of the bridges are long trees, which can be slippery, especially in rainy weather. The first half of the route is rocky and there are steep steps and a couple of small climbs on the way. The hut Eräkämmen is located about halfway and is a great resting place. The hut is well equipped and there is also firewood for a campfire. The terrain in the last half of the trail is easier, although you should be careful with your steps, because the forest is in a natural state and there may be branches and roots on the trail. After the hut Eräkämmen, the trail goes along the shore of pond Haapalampi for a while. The actual nature trail ends at the intersection of Sönkäntie, but the journey back to the car is beautiful, just remember that there is also car traffic on the roads. Along the way, you can stop for example in the mill’s beautiful yard and wade through the rapids. There is also a swimming pier behind the mill where you can take a refreshing swim.
Parking The trail starts at the end of Koivulantie, where you can also find a waste sorting point. You can leave your car in the parking lot next to the waste sorting point. If you go around the route the other direction, you can leave the car in the yard of the Säimen mill museum. There is plenty of parking space for several cars at the back of the mill. The starting point of the trail is easy to find and is intentifiable from a sign and a mailbox, where you can find maps of the nature trails. Coordinates DD: 62.259060, 29.212174 DMS: 62°15’32.6″N 29°12’43.8″E UTM: 35V 614866 6905003
Round the Cape | Nature trails of Säimen
The Nature trail Round the Cape is a beautiful trail that runs through a pure Finnish forrest. Along the trail you can admire the varied forest landscape and the beautiful shores of Lake Kangasjärvi. Round the cape trail is part of the nature trails in Säimen, Savonranta. The trail is about three kilometers long. It runs through natural terrain and therefore requires attention from the hiker. The route does not have big climbs, but due to the bumpy and rooty terrain, it is not suitable for people with reduced mobility. The route goes along the beautiful Kangasjärvi beach and offers wonderful scenery. The route can be taken in either direction. A couple of wooden bridges are on the way at the wettest crossings. You can easily stay on the route by following the orange route markers. Author’s recommendation Lemmenkallio, or the love rock, located about in the middle of the route, is a nice stop by the water. The rock is steep, but there are beautiful views of Kangasjärvi.
Distance: 3 km Duration: 0:45 h Ascent: 11 m Descent: 14 m Highest point: 99 m Lowest point: 85 m Safety information The route is somewhat challenging in nature, so it is not recommended for people with reduced mobility. The path runs through very varied, natural terrain. There are a lot of deep pits and big roots on the trail, so it’s good to pay attention to where you step. After rain, roots and bridges can be slippery. Tips and suggestions Round the Cape is one of the four nature trails in Säimen. The shortest routes are 2.5-3 kilometers long, but the longest route is up to 7 kilometers.
Start Coordinates: DD: 62.265215, 29.199388 DMS: 62°15’54.8″N 29°11’57.8″E UTM: 35V 614179 6905666 Turn-by-turn directions: The trail starts at Sönkäntie 54. The starting point is easy to find by the nature trail sign and a mailbox, where you can find maps of the nature trails. The beginning of the trail is an easy going dirt road. After a while the trail turns left to a small field, crossing which is probably the most challenging part of the route. There is no path in the field, but by following the orange or red markings, you can easily find the edge of the forest, where you can find a clear path. Orange route markings (spray marks on tree trunks and orange ribbons on the trail) tell you where the trail goes. In the forest, the path is clear and you can stay on the trail by following the path. About halfway through, the path turns into a quiet forest road. The route can be taken in either direction. You can leave the car in the yard of the Säimen mill museum, from where it is only about 500 meters to the starting point of the route.
Parking You can leave your car in the yard of the Säimen mill museum. There is plenty of parking space for several cars at the back of the mill. It is only a short walk from the mill to the start of the trail. The starting point of the trail is easy to find and intentifiable from a sign and a mailbox, where you can find maps of the nature trails. Coordinates DD: 62.265215, 29.199388 DMS: 62°15’54.8″N 29°11’57.8″E UTM: 35V 614179 6905666
The route map is available for free in the mailbox.
Trail to Diabolic Mysteries
Come along with the chronicler, the oracle and the keeper of ancient wisdom, the Healer of Savonranta who will lead you to places of might and to the devilish stories behind them.
The trail to Diabolic Mysteries is a mobile tour that brings the intangible cultural heritage to life through animated stories. The trail is available throughout the year, and it is meant to introduce the traveler to mighty places in Savonranta, some of which are not yet familiar. These places are associated with mysticism and stories that have already been partly forgotten. Now we have the change to hear these stories told by an ancient orachle and healer, the original pohumummo of Savonranta. The trail is meant for people of all ages interested in tradition and stories. The animations are atmospheric, but not scary, so they are suitable for children.
Distance: 10.7 km
Duration: 0:10 h
Ascent: 56 m
Descent: 30 m
Highest point – 114 m
Lowest point – 77 m
Track types
Asphalt: 4.7 km Forested/wild trail: 1.2 km Road: 4.8 km
Safety information The trail goes along maintained road network, ecxept for Torikivi, where the last 100 meters require walking in the woods. Please mind the traffic when walking and cuycling on the roads. Due to walking in the woods, Torikivi is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Tips and suggestions Paasvesi devils themed cruises are organized in Savonranta in autumn. There you can learn more about the area and the stories. The ship cruises on Paasvesi. Maybe you will get to witness the light phenomena of the devils of Paasvesi yourself.
Cruises are organized by Blue Lake Cruises.
Start Savonranta guest marina
Coordinates: DD: 62.170209, 29.209767
DMS: 62°10’12.8″N 29°12’35.2″E UTM: 35V 615079 6895104
Destination: Torikivi in Hankavaara
Turn-by-turn directions The route starts from Savonranta guest marina, where you can find the information board with the QR-code to the Atla-platform. The locations are not necessary to visit in the given order. You can also choose the order yourself. Locations are available also in the winter. The parking lot of the guest marina is not regurarly ploughed but the animations is available from the walkway across. You might have to make your own path to the Torikivi in wintertime, but it is easily reachable e.g. with snowshoes.
Public transport There are no busses to Savonranta, so the easiest way to reach Savonranta is with a car.
Parking The signpost for the starting point can be found at the guest marina of Savonranta. At summertime a parking lot is available for visitors. Wintertime the parking lot is not always ploughed. You can then leave your car in the yard of the local store (Sale) from where it is only a short walk to the guest marina. Linnosaari is availabe by car also in the winter. You can nearly reach Torikivi by car. The last 100 meters is available only by foot.
Coordinates DD: 62.170209, 29.209767
DMS: 62°10’12.8″N 29°12’35.2″E UTM: 35V 615079 6895104
Nahkiaissalo Nature Trail, Kolovesi National Parks
The versatile nature trail of Nahkiaissalo takes you through demanding terrain and explores old forests and their species in the heart of Kolovesi National Park. In the Kolovesi National Park you can admire the wilderness of Saimaa, over 100 year-old forests and their flora and fauna. The 3.3-kilometer-long nature trail traverses through a difficult terrain, with bedrock and rocky terrain. This route takes you from steep slopes to damp hollows. There are also some beautiful scenery along the trail, they are before and after the camping site at Lohilahti Bay. Also by the side of the trail there is an impression where a tar-burning pit used to be. Along the nature trail is the Lohilahti Bay camping area, where you will find a campfire site, a dry toilet and a place where it is possible to swim in the lake. This circular trail takes around two hours, follow the orange route circle markings. The trail is located in the southeastern part of Kolovesi National Park, in the Selkälahti area. The trail is on the mainland, so it is easily accessible also by car.
Difficulty: moderate Distance: 3.5 km Duration: 1:01 h Ascent: 94 m Descent: 94 m Highest point: 166 m Lowest point: 80 m
Start Nahkiaissalo Trail Parking
Coordinates DD: 62.215362, 28.922677 DMS: 62°12’55.3″N 28°55’21.6″E UTM: 35V 599982 6899656
Turn-by-turn directions Nahkiaissalo Nature Trail is in the south-east part of the Park, in Selkälahti area. The trail is on the mainland and is accessible also by car. Coming from Enonkoski, the trail is about 8 km after the ferry at Hanhivirta. From the sign “Kolovesi kansallispuisto Nahkiaissalo” it is a couple of kilometres to the parking area, which is the starting and ending point of the trail. Boaters can start the trail from the camping site at Lohilahti Bay. Before “Nahkiaissalo” sign there is a sign “Käkövesi”, about 3,5 km after the Hanhivirta ferry. If you turn there, you will end up at Käkövesi boat launching place and not in Nahkiaissalo.
Directions Nahkiaissalo signpost in Kolovesi National Park is three kilometers from the car park, which is the start and end point of the trail. Boaters can take a tour of the Lohilahti camping area. Kolovesi National Park Directions and Maps Coordinates DD: 62.215362, 28.922677 DMS: 62°12’55.3″N 28°55’21.6″E UTM: 35V 599982 6899656
Enonvesi Tour
- Kayak / SUP
- Rock paintings
- Fireplace
A beginner friendly route that can be paddled with a kayak, canoe or a SUP board. Leaving by Olo’s peer in Matkolahti the route goes by the shoreline to the fireplace of Jouhivuori located in a beautiful bay. This is a great place to have break, eat your packed lunch and enjoy the views. On the way back you have the chance to see the ancient rock paintings of Kurtinvuori, which lie on the cliffs east of Matkolahti (the bay wherefrom the route begins).
Difficulty : moderate Distance: 7.2 km Duration: 1:10 h Ascent: 55 m Descent: 55 m Highest point: 95 m Lowest point: 62 m Safety information The route is mostly sheltered and strecthes out in the open are limited. Crossing back over towards the rock paintings calls for extra attentiveness. Be aware that during this crossing you’re less sheltered and more affacted by the weather.
Start Matkolahti / Olo’s peer
Coordinates DD: 62.149269, 28.921260 DMS: 62°08’57.4″N 28°55’16.5″E UTM: 35V 600127 6892293
Coordinates DD: 62.149269, 28.921260 DMS: 62°08’57.4″N 28°55’16.5″E UTM: 35V 600127 6892293
- Kayak / SUP-board / Canoe
- Life vest
- Extra clothing packed in a waterproof bag in case you get wet
- Regular sneakers are good shoes for kayaking
- Water and snacks
Be aware that it can be more windy on the lake. This is good to take into consideration when selecting your clothing.
Nature Trails Säimen (Savonranta) The walks shown below have as their starting point the Säimen mill museum located just north of the village of Savonranta. Maps are available at the startpoint in the letterbox, in the harbour restaurant and in the ‘Kirppis’ the 2nd hand shop. 
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