Huuhanranta is listed as one of the most beautiful sandy beaches in the country and at 1.5 km long it is one of the largest on Lake Saimaa. Huuhanranta has also been called the “Saimaa Riviera”. The beach is fine sand and slowly deepening, you can wade up to 100 m from the beach. A barbecue shelter serves both daytime and camping cyclists.
Sarviniemi is the hub of the cycle routes, from where the Rasti ferry runs to Kyläniemi and Puumala. Sarviniemi has a cosy campfire shelter and an unobstructed viewpoint at the tip of the peninsula.
Rastinniemi, located on the eastern bank of Rastinvirta in Kyläniemi, is one of Saimaa’s finest hiking destinations. Rastinniemi is about 4 km from Kyläniemi harbour, 3 km of which is on a sandy road, but it’s worth cycling to get there. There are two campfire shelters for self-sufficient hikers, and there is plenty of shoreline on both sides of the peninsula.
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The Saimaa island route runs through Imatra and you can’t miss Finland’s oldest national landscape. The spectacular Imatrankoski and the castle hotel on its shore – Imatra’s Valtion Hotel, is a stunning destination on the Saimaa. The Kruununpuisto park in the area of the rapids is well worth a visit and it is worth paying attention not only to the noise of the rapids but also to the rocks and stones where famous Imatran visitors have carved their autographs in different eras. In summer, the Imatra rapids sparkle with public performances accompanied by music. Imatra also offers a wide range of restaurants, for information on these visit gosaimaa.com. And in general about Imatra’s attractions, rafting shows, etc. www.imatrainfo.fi
Visit Lappeenranta on the route, which in summer has a pleasant harbour with cafés and restaurants. You have to taste the famous hydrogen here! Less than three hours from Helsinki, Lappeenranta is stunning in summer. The city has been described as the Monaco of South Karelia, but you’ll have to spend a summer day in Lappeenranta to believe the description. While you’re there, stop by Lappeenranta’s historic fortress, which also serves as a picnic spot for many with its Saimaa views from the top of the hill. The fortress is crossed by a cobbled street with museums, cafés, shops and more.
Activities, cafés, accommodation and restaurants in Lappeenranta gosaimaa.com
Tourist information www.visitlappeenranta.fi
Taipalsaari Castle Hill is one of Finland’s many castle hills, built on a high hill as an ancient defensive fortress. Taipalsaari Castle Hill is a magnificent vantage point with breathtaking views of the Saimaa. The highest point of Linnavuori is more than 40 metres above the surface of Lake Saimaa. The distance from the centre of Lappeenranta to the castle is about six kilometres. Half of Taipalsaari is part of the Saimaa, which attracts outdoor enthusiasts with its great hiking trails and camping sites to enjoy the beautiful nature of Lake Saimaa.
If you combine the route with a tour of Savitaipalee, you can see stunning rural landscapes, Lake Kuolimojärvi, famous for its clear water, located right in the centre of Savitaipale, and the Kärnäkoski fortress, for example.
Along the Saimaa island route there are also several Saimaa UNESCO Global Geopark sites worth visiting. Saimaa Geopark received UNESCO Global Geopark status in spring 2021. 65 geosites in Saimaa UNESCO Geopark tell the story of the ancient times of Finland’s largest lake. With its cliffs and steep viewpoints, the visitor is transported back almost two billion years. Marginal formations, ridges, boulders and carbon clusters are reminders of the last Ice Age, which ended about 10 000 years ago.
More about these sites on the Saimaa Geopark website.
Ruokolahti is a town formerly known for the lion that visited it and nowadays for its fine cycling facilities. The municipality has Finland’s longest pump track, excellent cycling trails and Saimaa Bikepark. Ruokolahti’s renowned Geopark sites include Kummakivi and Ruokolahti Church Hill.
Places to stay and restaurants/cafés on the route: gosaimaa.com
Places to visit and ferries: www.ekvas.fi