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Mikonsaari Nature Trail

—•Hiking Trails

1.7 km

Route

Mikonsaari- veneenlaskupaikka

0.7 km|Free

Boat RampsKohteessa ei ole enää tulentekopaikkaa.

Description

Visit Lappeenranta – Mikonsaaren luontopolku+

Description

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. For the fullest trail description—markings, rest spots, and seasonal tips—start with Visit Lappeenranta’s Mikonsaari Nature Trail page. GoSaimaa’s Mikonsaari article covers the same basics for Lake Saimaa trip planning. Lemin Kirjava’s autumn walk adds ground-level detail on side paths, the spring, and the laavu area. 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. 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. 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. Wet weather calls for boots, and the trail is family-friendly but not barrier-free. 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.

Length & route

The trail is about 1.7 km as one walking line; some visitor materials round to about 2 km and name two loop sections, Lehtipolku and Havulenkki, on the same island circuit. Terrain mixes forest road, shore rock, and short forest climbs; duckboards appear on wet stretches near the spring.

Getting there

By car from Highway 6, take Lauritsala past the Kaukaa mills toward Vehkataipale on road 4081. After Luukkaansalmi bridge turn left onto Mikonsaarentie; park at the trailhead lot on the right side of the road where the nature trail begins. Visit Lappeenranta lists a trailhead point at approximately 61.09208, 28.19572. On foot along the trail you reach the Mikonsaari- veneenlaskupaikka boat launch on Pien-Saimaa for paddlers joining Mikonsaaren kierros or other kayak lines.

Good to know

Trail use is free municipal outdoor access in line with Lappeenranta hiking-area guidance. The Pappilansalmi rowing-boat link is a separate free service with its own booking system for crossing only—confirm hours and availability on the Visit Lappeenranta page before planning a connection to Pappilanniemi or Taipalsaari routes. Winter ice routes and ski grooming are covered by other city pages, not this summer nature trail.

History

Local tradition holds that the island was named after a mother and son, Mikko, who escaped the 1741 Battle of Lappeenranta during the Lesser Wrath inside a tar barrel that washed ashore here.

Managed by

Lappeenranta

Official Maintenance

Trail info

Marked for either direction; one natural counter-clockwise reading follows the forest road toward Niemisenselkä first, then returns through mixed woods.

Route direction

Red paint blazes and trail signs.

Route Signs

Open / Good Condition

Visit Lappeenranta – Mikonsaaren luontopolku+

Activities allowed

Hike / Walk

Activity

Terrain & conditions

1.7 km

Distance

About 45–75 minutes at an easy pace with photo stops on a trail under 2 km.

Est. Time

Forest footpath and short forest-road sections; shore rock with some roots; duckboards near the spring in wet spots.

Surface

Single Track

Route Type

Partial Shade

Shade

Light Traffic

Traffic

2021

Renovation years

Visit Lappeenranta – Mikonsaaren luontopolku+

Location

61.09539°N, 28.19359°E

Approximate location

FinlandCountry

South KareliaRegion

LappeenrantaCity

Hiking TrailsCategory

Explore nearby

Retkisatamien reitti (excursion harbours route)

372 m

Free

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Answers to your questions

Our data was researched from Lappeenranta, 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 South Karelia Lappeenranta Hiking TrailsMikonsaari Nature Trail

Mikonsaari Nature Trail1.7 km

Route

Mikonsaari- veneenlaskupaikka

0.7 km|Free

Boat RampsKohteessa ei ole enää tulentekopaikkaa.

Description

Visit Lappeenranta – Mikonsaaren luontopolku+

Description

Length & route

Getting there

Good to know

History

Local tradition holds that the island was named after a mother and son, Mikko, who escaped the 1741 Battle of Lappeenranta during the Lesser Wrath inside a tar barrel that washed ashore here.

Managed by

Lappeenranta

Official Maintenance

Trail info

Location

Marked for either direction; one natural counter-clockwise reading follows the forest road toward Niemisenselkä first, then returns through mixed woods.

Route direction

Red paint blazes and trail signs.

Route Signs

Open / Good Condition

Visit Lappeenranta – Mikonsaaren luontopolku+