During the ice age, formations similar to this 7km-long sand ridge were created all over Finland. Because it crosses a large lake, it’s always been an important travel route. Short sections of the original unsealed road along the ridgetop remain – once part of a route to Russia connecting the Olavinlinna and Vyborg (Viipuri) castles. The national parks website carries information about hiking on the ridge.
Punkaharju
The Finnish Lakeland
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
19.35 MILES
Built directly on rock in the middle of the lake (now accessed via bridges), this heavily restored 15th-century fortification was constructed as a…
5.22 MILES
'Lusto' is the Finnish word for a tree’s annual growth ring, and this well-curated and cleverly presented museum is all about forests and the growth of…
18.25 MILES
What looks like an ordinary roadside rest stop adjoins a woodland area with 256 surreal life-size sculptures of figures in yoga poses. They're the work of…
12.51 MILES
Kerimäki may be small (pop 5000), but its Lutheran church certainly isn't. Built in 1847, the building was designed to accommodate 5000 and is commonly…
19.51 MILES
On an island that was once a naval port, this museum housed in a handsome 16th-century granary recounts local history and the importance of water…
Nearby The Finnish Lakeland attractions
5.22 MILES
'Lusto' is the Finnish word for a tree’s annual growth ring, and this well-curated and cleverly presented museum is all about forests and the growth of…
12.51 MILES
Kerimäki may be small (pop 5000), but its Lutheran church certainly isn't. Built in 1847, the building was designed to accommodate 5000 and is commonly…
18.25 MILES
What looks like an ordinary roadside rest stop adjoins a woodland area with 256 surreal life-size sculptures of figures in yoga poses. They're the work of…
19.35 MILES
Built directly on rock in the middle of the lake (now accessed via bridges), this heavily restored 15th-century fortification was constructed as a…
19.51 MILES
On an island that was once a naval port, this museum housed in a handsome 16th-century granary recounts local history and the importance of water…