Lappeenranta Hiking Trails

The Ukonmäki nature trail is about 1 km as a loop through shoreline forest beside Lake Saimaa in Joutseno, which is part of Lappeenranta in South Karelia. It is an easy, mostly dry forest path with little elevation change. For municipal listings of nature trails and the wider forest recreation network, start with the City of Lappeenranta recreation areas and nature trails hub(1). The loop’s strength is varied greenery along the shore: the route passes about seventeen information boards on local plants, place names, and history. Boards explain, for example, that Likosenlahti is named after flax soaking, and that Pöyhiä sawmill operated in the area in the 1920s–1930s with its chimney still noted across the water(2). There are lake views in a few spots, a changing cubicle if a swim in Saimaa appeals, and a rest area at the eastern tip of Ukonniemi with a welcome sign and a small map showing the board locations(2). A detailed walk report on Retkipaikka found the boards plentiful and engaging and spent well under half an hour on foot without a long break—easy to combine with a harbour stop(2). In winter the maintained ski track Muukonsaaren latu runs in the same Joutseno shoreline area toward Muukonsaari; skiers reach facilities such as Muukonsaaren retkikeskus, Muukonsaaren grillikatos, and Muukonsaaren nuotiopaikka farther along that line. Boats to Muukonsaari are discussed from the Joutseno harbour address Poijutie 4 in regional geopark material(3). The island’s own nature trail and rocky shores are a separate walk, reached by water(3).

Lammassaari nature trail is about 3.8 km on Lammassaari, a ridge island in Lake Saimaa within Imatra’s Ukonniemi recreation area in South Karelia. Imatran kaupunki maintains the official web page for this trail with the brochure, QR-linked nature posts, and season tips(1). GoSaimaa situates the walk in the wider Saimaa holiday region and repeats practical basics such as the two rest spots (kota and laavu), the 31 numbered nature posts, and that camping or overnight stays are not allowed on the island(2). The island is part of the Saimaa UNESCO Global Geopark; Saimaa Geopark describes the delta landform, ancient shorelines, kettles including the prominent kettle near the western shore, veined gneiss boulders toward the north, and Stone Age shore sites from a higher Lake Saimaa phase—background that makes the signage and sea-facing benches easier to appreciate(3). Along the line you soon reach Lammassaaren laavu, then—after roughly a kilometre along beaches and bays—Ukonlinnan uimaranta, Ukonlinnan beach volleyball courts, and Ukonlinna cluster on Ukonlinna point, good for combining a swim or a pause with the hike. Farther along, about midway in distance, Lammassaaren kota sits on the western shore with a nearby kettle and lagoon-style inlet; this is the main sheltered stop named in the municipal text. The return leg uses higher ground inside the island; Imatran kaupunki notes steeper slopes there and recommends sturdy footwear even though the shore sections to nature post 18 are easy underfoot(1). You can also cut the walk short from post 18 toward the small-craft harbour and continue toward Imatra Spa if you prefer a flatter exit toward services(1)(2). In summer the trail network around Ukonniemi adds options without leaving the area: Lammassaaren rantapolku follows the shore as a walking line, Esteetön polku Lammassaaren laavulle is a very short barrier-free link toward the laavu, and Ukonniemen kevyenliikenteen raitti connects toward fitness stairs and an outdoor gym for cyclists or walkers linking facilities. Winter visitors often pair the island with nearby ski tracks that use the same laavu corner as a junction. Luontopolkumies walked the island clockwise in dry forest and shore heath, clocking about an hour and ten minutes for a hair over four kilometres on the watch, and highlights Saimaa views, several bench–fireplace combinations beside the water, suppa landforms, and numerous flycatchers along the May canopy—useful colour if you like a field-tested pace and marking hints (white rings, yellow–green bands, occasional orange stakes)(4).

Mikonsaari Nature Trail is a short forest and shore walk on Mikonsaari in Lappeenranta, South Karelia, on the Pien-Saimaa island maze west of the city. The trail is about 1.7 km end to end; visitor pages often round the same circuit to about 2 km and split it into two named sections, Lehtipolku and Havulenkki(1)(2). For the fullest trail description—markings, rest spots, and seasonal tips—start with Visit Lappeenranta’s Mikonsaari Nature Trail page(1). GoSaimaa’s Mikonsaari article covers the same basics for Lake Saimaa trip planning(2). Lemin Kirjava’s autumn walk adds ground-level detail on side paths, the spring, and the laavu area(3). From the parking area the route dives into mixed forest: older spruce and pine giving way to damp deciduous pockets, with interpretation on plants such as February daphne where posted(1). A lichen-covered shore cliff looks west over Pien-Saimaa; lower down, fireplaces and a Green Leaf–era laavu with a woodshed, benches, an outdoor dry toilet, and a large wooden dining group offer a proper break(1). You can walk the trail in either direction on red paint blazes and signs; one counter-clockwise reading follows a forest road first toward Niemisenselkä shore, then climbs back through mixed woods toward Mikonsaarentie(1)(2). Wet weather calls for boots, and the trail is family-friendly but not barrier-free(1)(2). The island is a popular paddling day-trip setting—kayak circuits such as Mikonsaaren kierros and Hirvisaaren kierros pass the Mikonsaari- veneenlaskupaikka boat launch on Pien-Saimaa, about 0.65 km along this footpath, and the wider Retkisatamien reitti network links harbours around the city. In winter, Lappeenrannan jääladut ski tracks run through the same waterside network; check current ice and grooming information separately from this summer walking trail. The City of Lappeenranta has also offered free rowing-boat hops across Pappilansalmi to link shoreline routes—see Visit Lappeenranta for booking rules if you plan to combine with Pappilanniemi or Taipalsaari cycling(1).

For up-to-date information on municipal trails, lit exercise paths, and winter routes around Joutseno, start with the City of Lappeenranta’s kuntopolut and hiking pages, which also note the winter trail network from Joutseno sports centre and the multifunction kota in the same area(1). Visit Lappeenranta’s hiking guide points to downloadable regional walking-trail PDFs(2). The South Karelia Hiking site adds ideas for trips across the rest of the province(3). The Joutseno–Tujula retkeilyreitti is about 5.2 km on our map as a point-to-point hiking line in the Joutseno district of Lappeenranta, South Karelia. It begins at the Himanmäki wilderness hut and heads toward the Tujula village area along forest paths typical of the Saimaa shoreline countryside. The stretch lines up with the same recreation network as the long Saimaa Canal cycling route toward Nuijamaa, the Ravattila ski-trail network, and the Yhdysladut Ahvenlammelle connection—useful if you are combining a short walk with cycling or skiing days in eastern South Karelia. Lappeenranta is the city that now includes Joutseno. Etelä-Karjala (South Karelia) is known for Lake Saimaa scenery, mixed forest, and many local trails described on the pages above.

The Pappilanniemi Nature Trail is a 1.7 km loop on Pappilanniemi peninsula in Lappeenranta, South Karelia, on Lake Saimaa beside the Kaukas mill area. Lappeenranta lies in South Karelia. For the fullest practical picture—lighting, accessibility, the 28.8 ha conservation setting, spring birdlife, and the free Pappilansalmi rowing-boat link across to the eastern shore—start with Visit Lappeenranta’s Pappilanniemi pages(1). Saimaa Geopark explains the Ice Age silokalliot shorelines and glacial wear visible along the northwest shores(2). Luontopolkumies describes fourteen large nature interpretation boards along the wide surfaced loop, optional unmarked spurs toward the peninsula tips with views over Saimaa, and a mix of easy fitness-track walking with rockier short branches toward the far points(3). The loop uses the same maintained corridor as Pappilanniemen kuntopolku for much of the way; in winter the line doubles as Pappilanniemen latu, and the wider Lappeenrannan jääladut ski network passes through the same lakeside system—treat lighting and grooming as separate from this summer hiking line and check current city information for snow season(1). The reserve combines dry pine forest, herb-rich deciduous woods, and alder mires; visitor material notes on the order of 350 vascular plant species in the protected patch(1). Sheepback bedrock on the northwest shore illustrates glacial smoothing; liverleaf and other spring ground flora draw visitors in early season(1)(2). Longer paddling routes such as Väliväylän reitti, Etelä-Karjalan osuus pass offshore nearby if you combine a harbour day with this shore walk; Ruohosaaren kierros and other kayak lines link beaches and laavus around the city islands on separate trips.

Rutola Village Trail is about 3.5 km of easy, themed walking through Rutola on the western side of Lappeenranta, where village roads and short forest sections open toward Lake Saimaa bays around Lapatonniemi. The Rutolan kyläpolku page on Luontoon.fi(1) is the trail’s national outdoor-services listing, and the City of Lappeenranta includes this walk among its popular near-town hiking and forestry recreation destinations(2). GoSaimaa summarizes how the themed boards and Salpa Line sights are laid out for visitors(3), and Näitä polkuja tallaan offers a long-form field walkthrough with photos of the sawmill ruins, shore views and bunker stops(4). The path is marked with blue posts and passes roughly six history-oriented information boards about the village, the lost sawmill settlement, and Finland’s Salpa Line fortifications, plus nature boards on plants, animals and fungi. Two Salpa bunkers can be explored from the outside or with a torch inside rough concrete passages; a rest spot in Salpa style lies near them. Camping next to the bunkers is prohibited. Sturdy footwear is advised, and a flashlight is useful inside the bunkers(3)(4). Along the mapped line, the route soon passes the Rutola ice rink area on Vanha Mikkelintie, then swings through woodland and former saw foundations before reaching lakefront views toward Sahalahti, Rovonlahti and Rutolanlahti on western Lake Saimaa, as described in local trip write-ups(4). In the last kilometres the trail approaches Myllylammi’s boat launch and finishes near Rutolan taukopaikka and Rutolan Melontalaituri, where the Väliväylän reitti, Etelä-Karjalan osuus paddling corridor meets the shore and the long Makumatka pyöräilyreitti bike route shares the same village corridor—handy if you combine walking with human-powered travel on water or quiet roads.

The Alajoki hiking trail is about 3.8 km of riverside walking in the Vainikkala–Rikkilä countryside near Lappeenranta, in South Karelia’s border lake district, following the small Alajoki stream through mixed forest. Myötävirtaan association built and maintains the signed section and publishes maps, photos and a printable brochure on its Vainikkala hiking page(1). The same site hosts a downloadable PDF trail sheet in Finnish and English for printing or offline use(4). GoSaimaa’s regional paddling overview ties the same river valley to a separate canoeing journey of roughly 19 km with five rapids best tackled in early summer when water levels are high, pointing paddlers toward the South Karelia outdoor database for detail(2). The City of Lappeenranta lists Vainikkala among its maintained fitness-trail areas and points hikers to per-site pages for the latest municipal outdoor upkeep contacts(3). Along the mapped walk you pass Kiekan taukopaikka after about 1.4 km—a riverside rest spot where a table-and-bench set was added in 2013—and Tuhkakankaan laavu farther along, both suited to campfire coffee or a sausage stop. Signage on the classic through-hike uses blue posts and paint blazes on trees, with extra pointers where optional paths branch off. If you are planning a longer outing than the signed trail alone, Myötävirtaan describes the wider Vainikkala–Melkkola corridor along Alajoki as three laavus, one rest area and a bird tower on Lake Kotijärvi in Simola, with an unmarked gap between Rikkilä and Simola where travel relies on everyman’s rights. Canoeists on Alajoen melontareitti use the same laavu stops for breaks; carrying around—not running—rapids in ordinary canoes is the documented safety approach(1)(2). Day hikers who only need the compact riverside loop get a clear snapshot of the stream, the lean-tos and the quiet border-area mood without committing to the full water route.

For how the Biotrail works, where the first information boards sit, and the project's overview videos, start with LUT University's Biotrail page(1). The City of Lappeenranta's fitness and hiking hub explains the wider outdoor network around the city, including lit trails and winter walking options elsewhere(2). Luontopolkumies (Retkipaikka) walked the route in Skinnarila and describes the lakeshore rest stop, marking colour, and practical pacing(3). Parkinmäki Nature Trail is a short biomimicry-themed walk of about 1.4 km in Skinnarila on the north side of Lappeenranta in South Karelia. LUT University developed the Biotrail as a campus-near project: boards along the path explain natural phenomena that have inspired or could inspire technical innovations, with linked videos for deeper context(1). The path leaves from Yliopistonkatu (formerly Skinnarilankatu) just past LUT and LAB, with the first board on the right side of the street(1). The walk threads mixed forest and Lake Saimaa shoreline on Parkinmäki, including a sandy beach that once served as a maintained swimming spot; the city withdrew regular beach maintenance in 2014, so treat it as a scenic break rather than a serviced city beach(3). Expect thinned pine and spruce, former shoreline features, and open views toward Lappeenranta across the water from the tip of the peninsula(3). Along the route you pass the Skinnarila campus sports cluster: near Lähiliikuntapaikka Lappeenranta, Skinnarilan padelkenttä, Skinnarilan ulkokuntosali, and III-vaiheen kuntosali (LUT), the trail sits in the same neighbourhood as everyday training facilities rather than deep backwoods. For a longer day on foot or skis, the route joins Rantaraitti, Lappeenranta for more lakeside walking on the city shoreline, and it meets Skinnarilan latu for winter tracks; Rantalatu Huhtiniemi-Sammonlahti-Skinnarila and Lappeenrannan jääladut add more ski options on the ice in season, while Ruohosaaren kierros is a separate kayaking circuit on Saimaa if you are planning water travel.

For current listings of local trails, lit routes, and seasonal maintenance in Joutseno and the wider city, start with the City of Lappeenranta’s exercise paths and hiking pages(1). Visit Lappeenranta’s hiking guide helps you place short walks in the wider Lake Saimaa and E10 context(2). The South Karelia Hiking site rounds out trip ideas elsewhere in the province(3). Kiukkaanlammen reitti is about 2.8 km as a hiking trail in Lappeenranta’s Joutseno area, South Karelia. It is not a loop. The path runs through forest and pond scenery toward Kiukkaanlammen laavu, which sits about 2.25 km from the start—natural pause point for a meal by the fire or a rest before returning or continuing. At the lean-to, the trail meets the Myllymäki–Katralampi circuit and the Joutseno centre–Myllymäki E10 corridor, so you can stitch this segment into longer day hikes toward Katralampi or Myllymäki. In winter, Kiukkaanlammen hiihtolatu follows the same shoreline as a groomed ski trail; check municipal pages for grooming and any detours(1). A Suomi.fi service listing for Kiukkaanlammen retkeilyreitti summarises the lean-to as a place for snacks or overnight use, open around the clock(4). Some municipal text refers to a longer Kiukkaanlampi recreation network in the same forest; the hiking segment on our map is about 2.8 km. Hito Hyvät Uutiset toured Lappeenranta’s lean-tos and calls Kiukkaanlammen laavu “Leijonalaavu”, noting esker and suppa terrain and quiet pond views in the Joutseno forests(5). Lappeenranta is the city that includes Joutseno. South Karelia is known for Lake Saimaa, mixed forest, and dense local trail networks.

Haukilahden reitti is about 5.6 km of hiking route in Lappeenranta, South Karelia, following the shoreline and forest edge around the Haukilahden inlet on Lake Saimaa. The City of Lappeenranta publishes individual pages for many of its maintained kuntopolut and hiking areas, and the Kuntopolut ja retkeily hub is the right place to check maintenance and any service notices that apply to city trails(1). Visit Lappeenranta’s hiker pages describe the wider Rantaraitti network, downloadable walking-trail PDFs for the Lappeenranta area, and links to the South Karelia hiking portal and route maps—useful background when you plan outings in the same lake landscape(2). The regional portal adds route ideas and practical guidance for moving in nature across South Karelia(3). This segment is a linear day hike rather than a loop. It briefly shares geometry with two long regional cycling routes, Lappeenranta-Imatra kaupungit rajalla -pyöräilyreitti and Kyläniemen kierros, so cyclists on those networks may cross the same short stretch; hikers here are simply enjoying Haukilahden’s woods and Saimaa views on foot.

For current trail listings, lit routes, and seasonal maintenance around Joutseno and the wider city, the City of Lappeenranta’s exercise paths and hiking hub is the right place to start(1). Visit Lappeenranta’s hiking guide highlights that more demanding hiking tours can follow the European E10 long-distance trail across South Karelia, with downloadable regional walking PDFs for planning(2). The South Karelia Hiking site rounds out ideas for trips elsewhere in the province(3). The Joutseno centre–Myllymäki E10 segment is about 7.7 km as a point-to-point hiking route in Lappeenranta’s Joutseno district, South Karelia. It forms part of the same long-distance corridor that Visit Lappeenranta names when describing E10 in the region. The trail is not a loop: it links central Joutseno with the Myllymäki outdoor and winter-sports area to the east. Near the beginning, the route passes Joutsenon kolmen sukupolven puisto and the Kolmen sukupolven lähiliikunta-alue at Välitie 6—a multi-generational outdoor exercise cluster the City of Lappeenranta maintains in its parks inventory(1). Early on you also skirt the dense cluster of school and sports-centre facilities around Penttiläntie—basketball and ball fields, ice rinks, and similar venues—useful context if you are combining a walk with local services. About halfway along the distance you reach Kiukkaanlammen laavu. The national service entry for Kiukkaanlammen retkeilyreitti states a roughly 6 km recreation route and a lean-to for meals or overnight stays, open around the clock(4). Näitä polkuja tallaan describes forest and pond scenery around the lean-to on esker and suppa terrain—worth reading for impressions of the middle section(5). The route finishes at Myllymäki, where downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, and other winter services are concentrated—Myllymäen laskettelukeskus and Myllymäen hiihtokeskus sit in the same neighbourhood (Myllymäentie area). Myllymäki is one of South Karelia’s better-known local ski hills, with lit slopes and cross-country loops in winter; summer visitors still use the area as a clear landmark at the eastern end of this walk. Lappeenranta is the city that includes Joutseno. South Karelia is known for Lake Saimaa, mixed forest, and a dense network of local trails and bike corridors that connect to the same recreation fabric.

The Myllymäki–Katralampi circuit is about 15.9 km of hiking in Joutseno, Lappeenranta, in the South Karelia lake-and-forest countryside. The City of Lappeenranta maintains outdoor routes in this area; for the Kiukkaanlampi section specifically, the Kiukkaanlammen retkeilyreitti service page describes a roughly 6 km stretch with a laavu where you can eat or stay overnight, open around the clock and free to use(1). The city’s Kuntopolut ja retkeily hub lists Myllymäki among its illuminated fitness-trail locations and links to maintenance contacts for the latest conditions(2). The regional visitors’ guide for Lappeenranta links to trail PDFs and broader outdoor resources for the city and surroundings(3). Näitä polkuja tallaan describes Katralammen laavu (sometimes called Sikalaavu) as a high perch with a view down to Katralampi, reached along blue-marked paths from the Myllymäki recreation side or other approaches, with a stiff final climb from the road(4). Along this route, the Myllymäki downhill and cross-country ski centres appear early as landmarks in the same outdoor complex. About 7.8 km from the start, Kiukkaanlammen laavu matches the city’s named Kiukkaanlammen retkeilyreitti segment and is a natural lunch or overnight stop. Near the end, Katralammen laavu sits close to the full mapped distance. The route passes Pappilankorven ampumarata (shooting range) near the start; treat this as a safety and access cue and follow any local restrictions. The same Myllymäki–Joutseno trail network links to Haukvuoren lenkki and the Joutseno centre–Myllymäki E10 connection, and shorter loops such as Kiukkaanlammen reitti branch from the Kiukkaanlampi area—useful if you want to shorten the day or combine with winter ski tracks when they are open. Allow most of a day in typical summer conditions, with time for laavu stops and photos. Check the city’s pages for the latest on maintenance and any local notices(1)(2).

The Niinimäki nature trail is a short loop of about 1.5 km in Lappeenranta, in South Karelia. It is one of the city’s shorter marked forest walks in built-up woodlands rather than a remote backcountry hike. Start with the City of Lappeenranta(1) pages on hiking areas and nature trails for maintenance context, parking near recreation routes, and the online map that layers ski tracks and other paths. Visit Lappeenranta(2) pulls together shore walks, islands, easy nature paths, and other outings around Lake Saimaa from the same city. The South Karelia hiking portal(3) lists routes and practical tips across the region and sits alongside the same recreation partnership network the city names on its forestry pages. Public sources rarely spell out every bend on this loop, so treat the city materials as the place to confirm approach roads, any seasonal closures, and how the trail sits next to wider paths. The round-trip distance matches a quick lunch-hour or after-work stroll rather than a full-day hike.

This route is about 17.5 km as a single point-to-point hiking line on Lake Saimaa, from Hinkanranta in Joutseno to the Imatran Kylpylä spa area in Imatra. It is one branch of the wider Joutseno hiking network that Via Karelia documents as part of the European E10 long-distance trail concept in South Karelia(1). The same regional programme explains how the branch leaves the Myllymäki-area network, crosses main road and rail, and reaches Hinkanranta’s lakeshore with a swimming beach, summer café, and sauna that does not need advance booking(1). From there the path continues through countryside toward Imatra, passing a lean-to at Lapinsuo and Valkamalahti beach before finishing at Imatran Kylpylä(1). For opening times and services at the beach, check our Hinkanranta place page; the City of Lappeenranta also lists Hinkanranta among its village beaches on Lake Saimaa(2). The wider Saimaa shore walking context—including signposted lakeside paths and rest places—is summarised on Visit Lappeenranta’s Rantaraitti pages(3). Along the first kilometres you pass Hinkanranta and Hinkanrannan lentopallokenttä at the water’s edge. About 11 km into the route the line comes close to Korvenkylän koulun lähiliikuntapaikka and the school’s indoor sports hall—useful landmarks if you need to orient near the village. Around 13–14 km the route passes Vipelen Tallin maneesi, Vipelen tallin kenttä, and Atreenalin Seikkailupuisto Saimaa, so families see adventure-park infrastructure beside the trail. Nearer Imatra, Rauhan pallokenttä, Ukonlinna, Ukonlinnan beach volleyball courts, and Ukonlinnan uimaranta cluster in the Ukonniemi lakeside sports area before the last stretch to Imatran Kylpylä, the spa’s bowling hall, gym spaces, and other services at Purjekuja. The long Imatra–Ruokolahti–Rautjärvi hiking route (about 89 km) starts from Imatran kylpylä and belongs to the same E10-related network, with orange paint and wooden signposts on many sections(4). If you are combining days on the E10, that source is the clearest regional overview of how Joutseno, Ruokolahti, Rautjärvi, and Parikkala links fit together(4). Near Ukonniemi, Malonsaari island’s short nature loop includes a campfire place without supplied firewood—bring your own if you plan a fire—per Retkipaikka’s Malonsaari article(5); the island is a common side trip in the same lake area rather than a required part of this 17.5 km segment. Lappeenranta and Imatra both lie in South Karelia. The route shares geometry with the long Lappeenranta–Imatra “cities on the border” cycling route where those networks overlap, so you may meet cyclists on shared sections.

Muukonsaari Nature Trail is a short loop on Muukonsaari, an island in Lake Saimaa off Pöyhiänniemi in the Joutseno area. Lappeenranta is the city and South Karelia is the region. The trail is about 0.6 km. South Karelia Recreation Area Foundation publishes current access details, walking distances to Muukonsaaren retkikeskus, and event dates on Ekvas(1). Luontoon.fi(2) lists Muukonsaaren retkikeskus as a Saimaa shoreline destination. The Lehmusniemi hazel grove at the north end of the island is part of the Muukonsaaren lehmusniemi Natura site; EUNIS(4) documents the protected grove habitats. Retkipaikka(3) describes the path as a marked nature loop beside the recreation centre in the northern reserve, with rocky lakeshore views toward open Saimaa and rich deciduous forest where hazel is a signature species. From the trailhead area near Muukonsaaren retkikeskus, you soon pass Muukonsaaren nuotiopaikka, a campfire spot a few minutes into the loop. The same cluster includes the retkikeskus buildings and services managed by the foundation: rentable sauna and meal facilities are separate from the free-to-use outdoor shelters, but the exact booking mix changes over time, so confirm on Ekvas(1). About 0.6 km along the loop you reach Muukonsaaren grillikatos, a roofed grill shelter that pairs well with a break before you close the circle back toward the shore. If you want to extend the day without leaving the island network, Muukonsaaren latu follows marked ski tracks past the same shelters in winter. Retkisatamien reitti is a long kayaking route through South Karelia’s harbour network that touches Muukonsaaren nuotiopaikka and Muukonsaaren retkikeskus as part of a wider water journey(1)(2).

For the official trail description and the latest maintenance notes for this exact route, start with the Haukvuoren lenkki page on Luontoon.fi(1), published by Metsähallitus. The same pages situate the walk in the Joutseno part of Lappeenranta, south of Lake Saimaa on the Salpausselkä ridge—good context if you are planning other outings in South Karelia. Haukvuoren lenkki is about 4.7 km end to end. It runs through the Myllymäki outdoor area: the path passes Myllymäen laskettelukeskus and Myllymäen hiihtokeskus (downhill and cross-country ski centres) and continues toward Haukvuoren laavu, a lean-to on a high rocky outcrop with open views—roughly 3.3 km from the Myllymäki access. The terrain mixes dry pine and spruce heath, occasional denser forest pockets, and short steeper climbs near the hill; waterproof footwear pays off after rain, as several independent walkers have noted(2)(3). The route shares trailheads and forest roads with longer circuits in the same network. If you want a full-day loop from Myllymäki, the Myllymäki–Katralampi circuit links other shelters and ponds on a much longer round trip; the Joutseno centre–Myllymäki E10 hiking line ties the ski area to central Joutseno. In winter, lit competition ski tracks and other ski routes also start from Myllymäki—check separate grooming information for skiing. Retkipaikka’s Haukvuori article gives a compact on-the-ground view of the blue-blazed path, the cliff-top lean-to, and the option to return via Vesikkola hunting lodge for a slightly longer loop(2). Luontopolkumies walked the full circular tour from the Myllymäki car park, describing side paths, Välivuori before the main summit, and typical round-trip distances a little over eight kilometres when the full loop is followed—useful detail if you are comparing pacing with guidebook figures(3).

Hämmäauteensuo nature trail 2 is about 3.9 km of hiking in Lappeenranta, South Karelia, through one of the city’s rare open mire patches. For visitor-facing detail on the boardwalk crossing, the lean-to, berry picking, and winter photos, Visit Lappeenranta keeps a dedicated Hämmäauteensuo mire trail page(1). Metsähallitus publishes the same trail entry on Luontoon.fi under the national outdoor map service naming used for imports(2). The City of Lappeenranta upgraded the approach with a wide, easy-going nature path finished in 2023 so the southern margin of the mire stays approachable for more visitors(3). Etelä-Saimaa reported local testers taking wheelchairs and strollers along the new stone-dust and boardwalk sections to Hämmäauteensuon laavu in late 2024(4). Almost immediately along the route you reach Hämmäauteensuon laavu, a popular picnic lean-to with a campfire grill, dry toilet, and illustrated nature boards facing the mire—read more on our page for that laavu. From the same shelter you can join Hämmäauteensuon luontopolku, the slightly longer sister footpath, or continue onto Suoluonto ja kalkki -pyöräilyreitti when you want a longer outing on wheels in the same landscape belt. Stay on the duckboards over peat whenever sources stress it: the mire is protected and fragile even though berry and mushroom picking remains permitted away from the most sensitive crossings.

The Hämmäauteensuo nature trail is an easy day hike through a raised bog and forest edge south of Lappeenranta in South Karelia. The area is a city-owned nature reserve of about 30 hectares, listed in the national bog protection programme, with an additional METSO forest block beside it. Visit Lappeenranta(1) describes access, the mire environment, and rules such as lighting campfires only at the designated grill at the lean-to. The trail is about 4.4 km. After roughly 3 km you reach Hämmäauteensuon laavu, a lean-to maintained by the South Karelia Recreation Area Foundation where you can pause at a fire ring; a dry toilet is available there. The route shares that stop with the Suoluonto ja kalkki -pyöräilyreitti cycling route and with the shorter Hämmäauteensuo nature trail 2 loop that Luontoon.fi(3) lists as a related hiking option in the same mire. Around the bog you move on duckboards and forest paths; the City of Lappeenranta(2) added a parallel accessible nature trail from the car park toward the lean-to, finished in late 2023, about 1.5 m wide with crushed stone, boardwalks on wet sections, benches, and clearer signage, while leaving narrower natural paths for those who prefer them. Luontopolkumies(4) walked a similar circuit in 2022 and describes a typical southern Finnish raised bog with open fen sections, numbered information points, and boardwalk stretches where ordinary shoes suffice in summer but waterproof footwear helps in wet seasons. Berry and mushroom picking are allowed in the reserve under general everyman’s rights, as summarised on the visitor pages(1).

Linnoituksen luontopolku is a short loop walk on the Lappeenranta fortress hill above Lake Saimaa. On our map the route is about 1 km as one continuous loop; it is the hiking entry for the same signed nature and culture circuit that Visit Lappeenranta markets as Linnoituksen luonto- ja kulttuuripolku, with eleven boards about building history, cultural heritage, and characteristic plants, plus QR codes and web links for longer texts in Finnish, English, and Russian(1). GoSaimaa notes the guided circuit opened in May 2020 and highlights the fortress as part of the Saimaa UNESCO Global Geopark(2). For closures, sign changes, and how the walk ties into the fortress mobile guide, start with Visit Lappeenranta(1) and the Tarinasoitin-based Fortress guide(4). Lappeenranta lies on a Saimaa peninsula that gained permanent settlement with the tar trade from the 1500s onward; the fortress works were completed in the 1790s as part of the wider border fortification system, and the embankments remain a rare, well-preserved Finnish fortress landscape(1). You can walk the circuit in either direction and read the boards in any order; some stretches follow rough ground on the ramparts, while the board locations are placed to keep access as easy as the terrain allows(1). Koiran kanssa reissussa describes a slow visit starting from the harbour, crossing the old fortress walls toward the west slope, then returning through Katariina Square and along the east ramparts with open views over the harbour—worth reading for on-the-ground pacing and picnic-friendly spots on warm days(3). The same central area links to longer city routes on our map: the lakeside Rantaraitti walking route and cycling loops such as Lappeenrannan kaupunkikierros pyöräilyreitti and Länsi-Saimaan linnoituskierros meet the fortress street network where visitors switch between walking and biking. Lappeenranta is the main city in South Karelia. Etelä-Karjala’s lake-and-forest outdoor network continues beyond the fortress in every direction if you want to combine this short visit with a longer day.

Saimaa Canal Trail is a short, easy cultural walk beside the Finnish section of the Saimaa Canal in Lappeenranta, between the Mälkiä and Mustola lock areas. On our map the route is about 2.6 km as one line along the towpath; Visit Lappeenranta describes the same signed circuit as roughly four kilometres end to end(1), and the English Visit page names the same cultural trail at about 1.5 km in one direction(4), so allow extra time if you explore both banks, read every board, or detour to the museum garden. For the latest on access, events, and how the walk connects to the wider shoreline network, start with Visit Lappeenranta(1). GoSaimaa situates the canal in South Karelia’s visitor offer and notes ongoing development work to improve services along the waterway(2). Saimaa Geopark presents the museum quarter and the cultural canal path as part of the UNESCO Global Geopark story, with mostly easy walking but stairs in places(3). The trail is best reached from the Saimaa Canal Museum near the Mälkiä lock (Sulkuvartijankatu 16). From the museum garden the path passes the Mälkiä lock and the smaller Pien-Mustola lock, then follows the canal bank toward Mustola. Along the way, boards explain the canal structures, landscape, vegetation, and water engineering; large information panels at both ends carry overview maps of the cultural trail and the Finnish side of the Saimaa Canal, with English material available at the museum when it is open(1). Near Mustola you cross the canal on a road bridge shared with motor traffic, so stay alert(1). The museum area itself is a Geopark-listed culture and nature site with exhibitions in the historic canal official’s house and summer café(3). The route ties into longer movement networks on our map: Rantaraitti, Lappeenranta, Saimaan kanavan sulkureitti pyöräillen, Lappeenranta-Imatra kaupungit rajalla -pyöräilyreitti, and Mustolan kuntorata meet or run alongside this corridor. About two kilometres along the line you pass Mustolan pallokenttä and Mustolan luistelukenttä—useful landmarks if you are orienting toward the lock end from sports facilities. Lappeenranta is the main city of South Karelia. The canal and lakeshore here are a natural continuation of a day that might also include fortress visits or boat trips elsewhere on Lake Saimaa.