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Karhonsaari nature trail

—•Hiking Trails

3.7 km

Route

Karhonsaaren laituri

1.9 km|Free

Boat RampsLaituri Karhonsaaren pohjoisosassa.

Karhonsaaren laavu

3.0 km|Free

Wilderness HutsThere are two separate nature reserves in Karhonsaari and a nature trail has also been built on the island. Wood species path. In 1875 P-Savo's first steam saw was established on the island. Saw dryer building. Equipmen...

Description

Kuopion kaupunki – Karhonsaari+

Description

Karhonsaari is a roughly fifty-hectare island in Lake Kallavesi off Ranta-Toivala, Kuopio. The trail on our map is about 3.7 km as one line and threads the arboretum shore, Karhonsaaren laituri on the north side, and Karhonsaaren laavu on the south, with Ranta-Toivalan rantautumispaikka along the way for paddlers. Kuopion kaupunki describes the island’s two main marked routes—a roughly two-kilometre tree-species loop you can start from information points on either shore, and a separate Karhonkierto loop of similar length through EU Natura primeval forest in the west—as well as the laavu, campfire spot, and boat access. Luontoliitto adds detail on the small pond and wetland you can circle on duckboards, seasonal Karhofest on the island, and winter ski access from Kelloniemi, with a strong warning not to cross Toivalansalmi on weak ice. SLL explains that KLYY’s locked rowboats at Ranta-Toivala were not in service when last updated, while the city’s free summer boat loan from Valtuustotalo customer service remains the practical option for many visitors. Expect an open-air arboretum with nearly a hundred trees and shrubs, some plantings from the early 1900s, giant larches, thujas, and rhododendrons around Midsummer. Reminders of North Savo’s first steam sawmill (1875–1910) and company villas in the north add historical colour. For building rentals, sauna, and event questions, Savo-Karelia Nature League material is the right place to dig deeper. In the same Ranta-Toivala countryside, Pökösenmäen patteripolku runs as a separate hiking line with its own history focus; it is only a few hundred metres away at closest approach if you are planning a longer day on the mainland before or after the island. Borrowing the city rowing boat in summer is free of charge, but reserve ahead if you want a specific day; the boat fits three people and life jackets are available from customer service. Crossing the strait takes on the order of ten to fifteen minutes by oar when conditions are calm.

Length & route

The trail is about 3.7 km end to end on our map, linking north and south shore access with Karhonsaaren laituri, Ranta-Toivalan rantautumispaikka, and Karhonsaaren laavu. Municipal copy usually presents the arboretum loop and Karhonkierto as two separate marked routes of about two kilometres each on the island.

Getting there

Reach the island by rowing boat from the end of Ranta-Toivalantie: reserve the city boat and collect the key from customer service at the City Council building, Suokatu 42, toll-free +358 800 918 511 or +358 17 185 044, on weekdays during listed hours; life jackets are available. Smaller craft can land by the deep water near Karhonsaaren laavu on the south shore; larger boats use Karhonsaaren laituri to the north. KLYY’s member boats at Ranta-Toivala were not in use when SLL last updated its notice—confirm current options before you plan around them. In winter, Luontoliitto warns against crossing Toivalansalmi on thin ice and notes a groomed ski connection from Kelloniemi toward the island when ice is safe. Ranta-Toivalan rantautumispaikka suits paddlers joining the shore route from the water.

Good to know

Karhonkierto is a separate marked loop through Natura forest on the west side of the island; combine it with the arboretum route if you want a longer visit than this route alone covers. Luontoliitto lists building and sauna rental pricing and stresses that winter rentals are not offered. Be cautious of open water and currents around the island in cold weather.

History

North Savo’s first steam sawmill operated on Karhonsaari from 1875 to 1910, employing more than two hundred people at its peak; the brick drying kiln is the main surviving mill structure. Villas in the north recall the island’s use as summer housing for forest-company staff, later passing to Savo-Karelia Nature League ownership together with the sauna and drying building.

Managed by

Kuopion kaupunki

Official Maintenance

Trail info

The arboretum route can be started from information points on either the north or south shore; Karhonkierto is a separate western loop. This mapped line is not a closed island circuit.

Route direction

Recreation Area

Lake

Marked Route

Route Signs

Kuopion kaupunki – Karhonsaari

Activities allowed

Hike / Walk

Activity

Terrain & conditions

3.7 km

Distance

Allow about one to two hours for the 3.7 km island walk at an easy pace with breaks, plus roughly ten to fifteen minutes each way for rowing when you use the city boat.

Est. Time

Forest paths and arboretum lanes on the island; Luontoliitto mentions duckboards beside the small pond and wetland in the south.

Surface

Point-to-Point, Single Track

Route Type

Partial Shade

Shade

Light Traffic

Traffic

Kuopion kaupunki – Karhonsaari+

Location

62.93254°N, 27.76162°E

Approximate location

FinlandCountry

North SavoRegion

KuopioCity

Ranta-ToivalaVillage

Hiking TrailsCategory

Explore nearby

Ranta-Toivalan rantautumispaikka

222 m

Free

Pökösenmäki battery trail

379 m

Free

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Answers to your questions

Our data was researched from Kuopion kaupunki, and other trusted sources, in March 2026. Our route / place GPX data comes from Metsähallitus / Lipas, last updated March 2026. Always check their official website for safety-critical updates.

Finland North Savo Kuopio Hiking TrailsKarhonsaari nature trail

Karhonsaari nature trail3.7 km

Route

Karhonsaaren laituri

1.9 km|Free

Boat RampsLaituri Karhonsaaren pohjoisosassa.

Karhonsaaren laavu

3.0 km|Free

Description

Kuopion kaupunki – Karhonsaari+

Description

Length & route

Getting there

Good to know

History

Managed by

Kuopion kaupunki

Official Maintenance

Trail info

Location

The arboretum route can be started from information points on either the north or south shore; Karhonkierto is a separate western loop. This mapped line is not a closed island circuit.

Route direction

Recreation Area

Lake

Marked Route

Route Signs

Kuopion kaupunki – Karhonsaari

Location

62.93254°N, 27.76162°E

Approximate location

FinlandCountry

North SavoRegion

KuopioCity

Ranta-ToivalaVillage

Hiking TrailsCategory

Activities allowed

Hike / Walk

Activity

Terrain & conditions

3.7 km

Distance

Allow about one to two hours for the 3.7 km island walk at an easy pace with breaks, plus roughly ten to fifteen minutes each way for rowing when you use the city boat.

Est. Time

Forest paths and arboretum lanes on the island; Luontoliitto mentions duckboards beside the small pond and wetland in the south.

Surface

Point-to-Point, Single Track

Route Type

Partial Shade

Shade

Light Traffic

Traffic

Kuopion kaupunki – Karhonsaari+