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Koskensaari Nature Trail

—•Hiking Trails

2.7 km

Route

Description

City of Heinola – Koskensaarenpolku ja luontopolku+

Description

Koskensaari Nature Trail is an easy, family-friendly forest walk on Koskensaari, a leafy island in the Kymenvirta river in Heinola’s Jyrängö district, only a couple of kilometres from the city centre. The trail is about 2.7 km long and intended for walkers; it is the narrower inner nature path that threads through rocky woodland and short boardwalk sections, with information boards about local plants and birds along the way. For markings, grazing sheep in summer, gates on the path to the lean-to, and other up-to-date practical details, see the City of Heinola’s Koskensaarenpolku ja luontopolku page. Retkipaikka’s on-the-ground account by Luontopolkumies is worth reading for shoreline views, pacing, and how the two fire sites sit along the circuit. The National Urban Parks pages place Koskensaari in Heinola’s wider river-park story, including old saw and log-floating traces beside the present-day forest. From the Koskensaarentie parking area, you soon pass Tommolan uimapaikan ulkokuntoilulaite, then reach Jyrängön uimaranta and Jyrängön beachvolleykenttä on the Jyrängö shore—handy context if you combine a short swim or ball games with the walk. About 1.3 km into the route you come to Koskensaaren laavu, and a little farther on, Koskensaaren nuotiopaikka, both along the western side of the island—natural lunch stops with views toward the flowing water. The south tip of the island opens to broad river views; an Etelä-Suomen Sanomat walk feature from 2006 still highlights this corner as one of the most memorable parts of the circuit. The terrain is mostly gentle, with a short climb onto rock and roughly twenty metres of vertical range along the loop described by visitors. Heinola’s outdoor route network continues along the same river shores: the marked Maastopyöräreitti shares parts of the shoreline network, while longer hiking loops such as Läpiän lenkki and Korvenlammen Kierros visit many of the same Jyrängö–Koskensaari facilities from different directions, and Juustopolku (Heinola) passes nearby if you want to extend the day.

Length & route

The mapped hiking route is about 2.7 km. Heinola distinguishes this inner Koskensaaren luontopolku, for walkers only and marked with light paint spots counterclockwise, from the slightly longer outer Koskensaarenpolku (about 3.1 km) that circles the island with blue arrow markings and is also used by mountain bikers. Neither the nature trail nor the outer ring is maintained in winter. Educational signs along the nature trail describe local nature.

Getting there

Drive to Jyrängö and park along Koskensaarentie; there are several roadside parking areas with room for cars near the trailheads. The City of Heinola offers a printable PDF map of Koskensaarenpolku and luontopolku. From central Heinola the island is only a short drive or cycle along riverside roads.

Good to know

In summer, Finnish sheep graze about three quarters of the island inside a wire fence to care for the traditional wooded meadow landscape; four pedestrian passages stay open through the fence, and the gate on the road toward the lean-to must be closed after each use. Keep dogs on a leash and do not feed or pet the sheep. The island is also a valuable bird area; for example lesser spotted woodpecker and crested tit have nested here.

History

According to the National Urban Parks material, human influence on Koskensaari becomes visible from the late 1700s onward; the trail area still shows traces of an old saw-related cottage, stone rings linked to timber floating, and early 20th-century villas, alongside forest that has regained a near-natural character. Etelä-Suomen Sanomat’s 2006 walk article still noted a roughly century-old Norway maple and Heinola’s largest small-leaved lime on the island.

Managed by

Heinola

Official Maintenance

Trail info

Marked counterclockwise for the nature trail (light spots).

Route direction

Light paint spots (nature trail); outer Koskensaarenpolku uses blue arrows.

Route Signs

Dogs (On Leash)

Dogs

Open / Good Condition

City of Heinola – Koskensaarenpolku ja luontopolku

Activities allowed

Hike / Walk

Activity

Terrain & conditions

2.7 km

Distance

About 45–90 minutes on foot, depending on breaks; allow up to about 1.5 hours if you stop at the beaches or fire sites.

Est. Time

Duckboards / Dirt

Surface

Single Track

Route Type

Partial Shade

Shade

Retkipaikka – Koskensaaren luontopolku Heinolassa

Location

61.18978°N, 26.04596°E

Approximate location

FinlandCountry

Päijät-HämeRegion

HeinolaCity

JyrängöVillage

Hiking TrailsCategory

Explore nearby

Juustopolku (Heinola)

287 m

Free

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Answers to your questions

Our data was researched from Heinola, 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 Päijät-Häme Heinola Hiking TrailsKoskensaari Nature Trail