Etusivu Retkikohteet ja reitit

Lake Saimaa is the largest lake in Finland

South Karelia is a region of forests and lakes. Lake Saimaa is the largest lake in Finland and the fourth largest in Europe. The complete waterways system, of which Lake Saimaa forms a part, consists of a vast group of lakes in eastern Finland. The Lake Saimaa empties its waters, via River Vuoksi, into Lake Ladoga in Russian Karelia. The Saimaa Canal provides an important water link from Lake Saimaa down to the Baltic Sea.

Other large lakes in South Karelia are: Lake Simpelejärvi in the northern part of the region (Parikkala), Lake Kivijärvi in the western part (Luumäki-Lemi) and Lake Kuolimo in the municipalities of Savitaipale and Suomenniemi.

Signs of the Ice Age - versatile scenery

The Salpausselkä ridges were shaped during the final stages of the last Ice Age. The natural environment of the dividers consists of heathland forests which mainly feature pine trees. There are nice hiking trails following the Salpausselkä ridge, for example in Imatra and Lappeenranta. As a contrast to the rugged rocky islands of Saimaa and flat pinewoods, the region features lush deciduous woodlands reaching out from the Ladogian Karelia around Parikkala and Rautjärvi. You can also find wetlands in South Karelia, but not as much as in northern Finland.

Marked trails and interesting recreation areas

The diverse environment is a rewarding destination for excursions of various lengths. There are long hiking routes for fit, experienced hikers. For example, in Ruokolahti and Parikkala one can hike a distance of 90 km. You can also take a shorter route of 10 km's length for a day's outing in Savitaipale, Lappeenranta (Joutseno) or Taipalsaari. Short nature trails and campfire places are to be found on different sides of the region.

You can also enjoy the lovely sandy beaches of Lake Saimaa, for example, in Imatra, Lappeenranta, Ruokolahti and Taipalsaari. The water is very clean for swimming.

The best recreation areas are marked on the map. Click the symbols to see further information and photos. This information is only in Finnish. You can download hiking trails to your GPS device in the GPX format free of charge for non-commercial use.

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