Activities in Lakeland & The East
-
Ruka Fell
There are 28 downhill ski slopes and 18 lifts on Ruka fell. The vertical drop is 201m and the longest run is 1300m - not bad averages at all for Finland, where hills are small and slope gently. Ruka also boasts cross-country trails totalling 250km. There are special areas for snowboarders.
The ski season runs from early November to mid-May, depending on snowfalls. During holiday periods such as Christmas, February and Easter, it seems that almost the entire population of Finland can be seen on Ruka's slopes.
Rates are slightly lower in the shoulder seasons. Alpine skis, including poles and boots, are available for rent and ski lessons are available in all disciplines.
reviewed
-
A
Lake Cruises
During summer there are daily departures for several different types of lake cruises. Standard two-hour cruises from the harbour depart hourly from 11:00 to 18:00. Special theme cruises include dinner and dancing, wine tasting or a trip to a local berry farm. There are also canal cruises and a monastery cruise to Valamo.
There are cruises to Rauhalahti tourist centre Tuesday to Saturday in summer (and Sunday in July); the best one is the smoke-sauna cruise on Tuesday and Thursday at 17:45 and 20:30.
Tickets for all cruises are available at the passenger harbour. Schedules are available at the harbour or from the tourist office.
reviewed
-
B
Rauhalahti
Rauhalahti is an estate converted into a year-round family park. The whole area is full of activities for families including boating, cycling, tennis and minigolf in summer, and skating, ice-fishing, snowmobile safaris and a snow castle in winter. You can rent bikes (per day from €10), rowing boats, canoes, in-line skates and even Icelandic ponies for gentle trail rides. Take bus 7 from the town centre or a ferry from the passenger harbour in summer (adult/child return €12/6, 30 minutes, five daily Monday to Saturday from early June to early August). There’s also a variety of accommodation here.
reviewed
-
C
Vuoksen Kalastuspuisto
Vuoksen Kalastuspuisto is a stocked salmon pond on Varpasaari in Mansikkala. As well as the guaranteed catch of pike or salmon from the ponds, you can also purchase licences (per day/week €6/10) for the surrounding waters as fish suitable for smoking can be caught in the river here. They also rent bikes (per day €12), row boats and kayaks (per day 30), plus there’s a good traditional sauna (per group €115). Accommodation is comfy camping for fisherfolk with basic tent sites and good-sized cabins.
reviewed
-
D
Jätkänkämppä Smoke Sauna
Jätkänkämppä Smoke Sauna is by the lakeside near Rauhalahti resort south of town. The 60-person, mixed sauna is heated 24 hours in advance with a large wood fire (ie there’s no sauna stove). Guests are given towels to wear, but bring a swimsuit for a dip in the lake. Sweat it out for a while, cool off in the lake, then repeat the process several times – devoted sauna-goers do so even when the lake is covered with ice. Then buy a beer and relax, looking over the lake in Nordic peace.
reviewed
-
Ruunaan Koskikierros
Around the river system, and over two beautiful suspension bridges, runs Ruunaan Koskikierros, a marked 29km loop along good pitkospuu paths. If you have more time, there are another 20km of side trips you can take. If you start at the Naarajoki bridge, you will have to walk 5km along the Bear's Trail to reach the Ruunaan koskikierros trail. Another 3.3km brings you to the Neitikoski, where you'll find commercial services. Neitikoski also has road access and a parking area.
reviewed
-
Karelia Expert
Nurmes offers a well-organized schedule of tours with daily departures - dog-sledding, snowmobiling, ice-fishing and cross-country skiing from January to the end of March, and canoeing, rapids-shooting (at Ruunaa) and farmhouse tours from June to the end of August.
Contact Karelia Expert for an updated schedule, pricing information and other details. Bookings at least 24 hours in advance are often required for the tours.
reviewed
-
Ruunaa
Ruunaa, just 30km northeast of Lieksa, is an outdoorsy mecca east of Lake Pielinen. It boasts 38km of waterways with six whitewater rapids, plus unpolluted wilderness, excellent trekking paths and good fishing. Designated camp sites (with fire rings) are also provided and maintained. Keep your eyes peeled as the area is home to otters, deer and, sometimes, bears.
reviewed
-
E
Saimaan Matkaverkko
Saimaan Matkaverkko runs cruises to Vyborg and Petersburg with boat/bus combinations to mix up your trip. They can also organise a ‘cruise visa’ for EU citizens (€35) if you can provide them with a copy of your passport at least a week before departure (booking significantly in advance is advisable, as these cruises are heavily subscribed).
reviewed
-
Ruka fell
Busy Ruka fell boasts 31 downhill ski slopes, dedicated snowboard areas, a vertical drop of 201m and a longest run of 1300m, as well as the bonus of well over 200 skiable days per year: the season normally runs from mid-October to early June. Ruka also boasts cross-country trails totalling an impressive 500km.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
F
M/S Lake Star Lake Cruises
In summer, the Savonlinna passenger harbour is one of the busiest in Finland. There are a number of scenic cruises to choose from, with dozens of daily departures during the high season. M/S Lake Star offers one-hour scenic cruises in the Savonlinna area with six departures daily from June to the end of August.
reviewed
-
G
Walking Tours
There are walking tours of the fortress daily from late May to mid-September, leaving from the Pusupuisto kiosk opposite the Patria hotel at 14:30. They last an hour, with children free. The tours are in Finnish and English. Some of the tours last a little longer, and have added narrative elements.
reviewed
-
Saimaa Risteilyt Cruises
Saimaa Risteilyt Cruises at the harbour offers two-hour cruises aboard the 95-passenger M/S El Faro, either around the archipelago or down the Saimaa Canal. Canal cruises depart daily at noon, with an additional 15:00 cruise and a 18:00 archipelago cruise from early June to late August.
reviewed
-
H
S/S Punkaharju Lake Cruises
In summer, the Savonlinna passenger harbour is one of the busiest in Finland. There are a number of scenic cruises to choose from, with dozens of daily departures during the high season. S/S Punkaharju offers four to five lake cruises daily from late May to late August.
reviewed
-
M/S Vinkeri II
In summer there are scenic cruises on the Pielisjoki, a centuries-old trading route. The M/S Vinkeri II has day and evening cruises on Mondays to Fridays from early June to early August, departing from the passenger harbour south of Suvantosilta bridge.
reviewed
-
I
MS Ieva Lake Cruises
In summer, the Savonlinna passenger harbour is one of the busiest in Finland. There are a number of scenic cruises to choose from, with dozens of daily departures during the high season. MS leva offers five to seven one-hour guided lake cruises daily.
reviewed
-
Freshwater Fishing
The area around Mikkeli is excellent for freshwater fishing - its many lakes teem with perch, salmon and trout, and ice-fishing is popular in winter. The tourist office can help with information, fishing permits, guides and equipment rental.
reviewed
-
Peltohermanni Winery
At Peltohermanni Winery, you can also take part in a tasting. It’s cheapest to buy liqueurs (from €10 a bottle) but you’ll need to track down an Alko (liquor shop) if you want stronger stuff.
reviewed
-
J
Walking & Cycling Trails
At Puijo Hill, there are also mountain-biking and walking tracks, including a marked nature trail. During winter there are cross-country ski trails and equipment rentals are available.
reviewed
-
K
Beach Sauna
There's a public beach sauna at Myllysaari, just east of the harbour area. Hours for women are 16:00 to 20:00 Wednesday and Friday, and the same hours Tuesday and Thursday for men.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Cycling
The area around Savonlinna, with its quiet country lanes and gently sloping hills, is terrific for bicycle touring. Bikes can be carried on board local ferries for a small fee.
reviewed
-
Karhunpolku
The Karhunpolku, a longer trekking route, passes through Ruunaa. You can find it just 50m north of the Naarajoki bridge. The path is marked with round orange symbols on trees.
reviewed
-
Saimaa Ferries
In summer there are scenic cruises on the Pielisjoki, a centuries-old trading route. You can book and check timetables with Saimaa Ferries or the city tourist office.
reviewed
-
L
Karelia Lines Lake Cruises
Karelia Lines Lake Cruises has two-hour cruises on Lake Saimaa aboard the spacious MS Camilla at noon and 18:00 from Monday to Saturday, June to late August.
reviewed
-
Karelia Expert
Karelia Expert in Lieksa can line you up with an operator for a boat trip through the rapids. Transport can also be arranged from Lieksa if you book a tour.
reviewed
