Parikkala Map

In the vicinity of the Mikkolanniemi Action Center.

In the Oronmylly area, a 2-sided hut along the Aate-Pekka path. Rise from Koda to the Suurvuori viewpoint.

Along the Route of the Pöröpeikonpolku and Borders (E10). In the vicinity of the lean -to, a reservation sauna, which is available in advance for payment. Reservations: Parikkala skiing and boys, 050-465 2462.

Along the hiking trail and ski trail.

Along the slope of the stump

Along the route.

The trail is about 0.9 km in Parikkala, South Karelia, crossing Metsähallitus-managed Siikalahti, an overgrown bay of Lake Simpele that ranks among Finland’s richest inland bird wetlands and carries international Natura protection. For current rules, services, and seasonal advice, start from the Siikalahti Nature Reserve hiking pages on Luontoon.fi(1). GoSaimaa(4) sketches why the place draws naturalists: migrating waterfowl in spring and autumn, dense dawn and dusk birdsong in May and June, and interpretive boards with easy paths and boardwalks toward viewing structures. Begin from the Kasinniemi end at Siikalahti pysäköintialue. A dry toilet is available near the parking area; Siikalahti luontotupa sits a few hundred metres along with nature displays, and Siikalahden nuotiokatos and Kasinniemi keittokatos offer sheltered spots for a snack. Kasinniemen lintutorni and Kasinniemi luontotorni rise shortly afterward for views over reeds and pools, while Kasinniemi kaivo sits beside the path for water. Kasinniemi is a designated tent area—check the latest camping rules on Luontoon.fi(1) before pitching. About three quarters of a kilometre along, the dam-road cluster adds another angle: Patotie pysäköintialue, Siikalahden piilokoju, Patotie inva luontotorni, Siikalahti patotien lintulava, and the Ripekesaaren lintutorni, Ripekesaari luontotorni, and Siikalahti lintutorni group give several heights and hides toward open water and islets. Allow time to linger—Via Karelia(3) notes that on migration days a single watch can yield a long species list. Retkipaikka(2) describes an overnight visit from the photographer’s perspective: dusk chorus from marsh warblers, thrushes, and bitterns; boardwalks onto the forested islet and its tower; and Siikalahti luontotuva open round the clock from April through October for self-guided background on the reserve. The account is worth reading for timing tips and the feel of midsummer nights on the bay. The path ties into the wider Parikkala ”bird country” network: Siikalahden lintupolku (Siikalahti Bird Trail) shares the same birding facilities on the ground, Lintuinmaan pyöräilyreitti links longer cycling loops in the region, and Siikalahden retkilatu adds winter ski trail access when snow allows—confirm grooming on official channels.

E10 Border Trail (Rajojen reitti) is about 16.7 km on our map as one point-to-point section of the European E10 long-distance hiking route. It crosses Parikkala in South Karelia between the Pöröpeikon polku trail area in the south and the Oronmylly outdoor centre in the north. The line is remote forest walking on pine heaths and in deep spruce forest, with small clear ponds along the way. For printable north and south maps plus the route brochure, start from Visit Parikkala’s Rajojen reitti E10 page(1). The City of Parikkala hosts the same brochure PDF and describes the orange marking system used on its hiking network(2). The trail lies in Parikkala. Along the first kilometres you pass Pörölammen laavu ja varaussauna, where a reservable sauna sits beside the lean-to—useful if you began from Pöröpeikon polku. After about 3.8 km you reach Suur-Varpasen laavu in quiet woodland. Mid-route the forest is varied: Visit Parikkala notes stretches of dark spruce forest, open pine heath, and younger stands(1). Around 12 km from the start, Soininmäen kota offers a longer break; the same junction links to winter ski loops such as Latu Soininmäen lenkki. Near the northern end, Vironperän laavu sits close to the Oronmylly sports and course centre, where Kyynärpäänjoen polku, Aate-Pekan polku, and several ski circuits also meet—Oronmylly publishes its own overview of hiking and ski routes in the yard(3). The route follows a very old border alignment described by Visit Parikkala: the same line once reflected the Treaty of Teusina and Treaty of Nystad boundaries and today separates Parikkala from Punkaharju and the South Finland and East Finland sides of the regional map(1). Birdlife is a draw: forest species are abundant and Siberian jays sometimes approach camps(1). Allow most of a day for the full section; footing and signposting are aimed at experienced hikers used to unlit backcountry paths.

The trail is about 0.9 km as one walk between the Kasinniemi shore area and the Patotie end of Siikalahti. It is a short birdwatching path through Metsähallitus-managed Siikalahti Nature Reserve on the eastern bay of Lake Simpelejärvi. Parikkala lies in South Karelia. For reserve rules, seasonal tips, and the wider trail network, the Siikalahti Nature Reserve hiking and outdoor pages on Luontoon.fi are the best official starting point(1). Regional tourism on visitParikkala.fi highlights Siikalahti as the best-known stop in the Lintuinmaa birding area and points readers to the same reserve pages(2). From the Kasinniemi side you typically begin near Siikalahti pysäköintialue, with Kasinniemi käymälä P-alueella close by. A few hundred metres into the wetland fringe you reach Siikalahti luontotupa, Kasinniemi keittokatos, and Siikalahden nuotiokatos beside Kasinniemi—good places to read displays, sit out of the wind, and warm food at the fire shelter. Kasinniemi kaivo provides water nearby, and Kasinniemen lintutorni together with Kasinniemi luontotorni lift you above the reeds for open views. Toward the Patotie end, about 0.8 km along the walk, Patotie pysäköintialue gives an alternative road access; Patotie inva luontotorni and Siikalahti patotien lintulava are built for quieter watching at reedbed and open-water edges. Near the far end, Siikalahden piilokoju, Ripekesaari luontotorni, Siikalahti lintutorni, and Ripekesaaren lintutorni cluster where the bay opens—ideal for scanning migrants and marsh species. Dry toilets sit with the main parking rather than as separate named stops along the path. The habitat mosaic—reedbeds, wet meadows, groves, and shallow bays—supports a celebrated wetland bird community; spring and autumn migration and the summer night chorus are major draws(2)(3). In the same area you can continue on other marked lines when conditions allow: Siikalahti luontopolku follows a similar kilometre-scale nature loop on shared infrastructure, Siikalahden retkilatu extends the winter ski network past the same towers and shelters, and Lintuinmaan pyöräilyreitti ties Parikkala into a much longer regional cycling birding circuit for a full-day outing by bike(1).

Pöröpeikon polku is about 3.1 km as one walking line in Parikkala in South Karelia. It climbs rocky ridges, drops into dark spruce hollows, and passes Ice Age erratics—including a boulder poised on a cliff edge and another balanced on a tiny contact patch with the ground. Storms in 2010 left windthrow that is still visible where terrain makes forestry difficult. For printable maps and the route brochure, start from Visit Parikkala’s Pöröpeikon polku page(1). The City of Parikkala links the same brochure PDF from its hiking and ski trail hub and describes the orange marking used across the municipal trail network(2). The trail lies in Parikkala. About halfway, at roughly 1.4 km from the start, you reach Pörölammen laavu ja varaussauna beside little Pörölampi—a shaded lean-to with a fireplace and a reservable sauna run by Parikkalan latupiiat ja -pojat; arrange booking and key pickup before you hike(1). From this same shelter you can join the longer E10 hiking lines: Rajojen reitti E10 continues north toward Oronmylly, and Rautjärven retkeilyreitti E10 links toward Rautjärvi—both use this stop, so this short outing works well as a warm-up or finish for a longer day. Birdlife and mammals get plenty of mention in local copy: forest birds, game birds, owls, moose on the rocky hills, and occasional bear sign—bring binoculars and keep a sensible distance(1). Luontopolkumies walked the route counter-clockwise from Peruspohjantie parking, noted a stiff climb to Iso Pörönmäki with views toward Simpelejärvi, and describes a memorable Pöröpeikko figure and a small cave (“Pörön pesä”) near Sourumäki—worth watching for if you like named landmarks along the path(3). Via Karelia situates the trail in the wider Parikkala–Simpele 30 km hiking story and records that Pöröpeikon polku is Parikkala’s oldest signed nature trail, with a connector from Rautjärvi routes and parking by the lake at the start(4).

Mikkiksen Story Trail is about 13.7 km of signed hiking in the Mikkolanniemi recreation area east of Parikkala, in South Karelia. The municipality’s hiking network uses orange paint on trees and signposts; printable brochures match the outdoor recreation listings on the City of Parikkala’s pages(1). Visit Parikkala describes a short 3 km option and a longer circuit of roughly 12–15 km around Virtsalammen laavu, with story boards along the way on themes such as tar burning, smithies, a cup-marked stone, Pyhämäki, and the distinctive “snake spruce” by the path(2). For closures and PDF maps, the same Visit Parikkala page links a route map and brochure(2). The route begins from the Mikkolanniemi activity centre area off Mikkolanniementie. Very near the start you pass Mikkolanniemen pallokenttä and Mikkolanniemen lentopallokenttä by the address block, then almost immediately reach Tervakummun kota—about 170 m in—with a fireplace and one of the story boards on Finland’s tar regions and tar pits. Farther along, roughly 6.3 km from the start, Virtsalammen laavu offers a longer rest by the water. Between these points the terrain shifts through spruce and leafy forest, forest roads, and open views toward fields and small lakes in the Lake Ladoga Karelia landscape. In the same corridor, Mikkiksen latu follows the prepared ski line in winter and Mikkolanniemen hiihtoladut offers additional village-maintained ski options; when a track is groomed for skiing, walking on it is not allowed so skiers keep a clear lane(1). The long Lintuinmaan pyöräilyreitti cycling route passes nearby for riders linking wider South Karelia tours. Via Karelia describes the wider Mikkolanniemi–Uukuniemi outdoor corridor toward Uukuniemi, with Mikkiksen tarinapolku named among sights along that line(4). Retkipaikka published Luontopolkumies’ walk-through, which notes wet sections near Virtsalammen laavu, overgrown stretches, and nettles in summer—rubber boots and long trousers are practical on the longer round(3).

The Kirjavala canal trail is a short loop of about 2.1 km in Kirjavala village, Parikkala, South Karelia. It follows the banks of the historic Kirjavala canal on Kirjavalanjoki, between open fields and wooded shoreline. The trail is an easy way to combine a walk with one of the region’s most interesting 19th-century drainage projects: the canal was cut to lower the surface of Lake Suur-Rautjärvi and reclaim farmland. For up-to-date information on Parikkala’s hiking network, how routes are marked in the terrain, and downloadable route PDFs, use the City of Parikkala(1) outdoor recreation pages. Broader ideas for visiting the municipality — including other trails and services — are on visitParikkala.fi(2). The Kirjavala–Kesusmaa village pages describe the canal path as about two kilometres with fireplaces and viewpoints along the water(3). Along the way you can read the story of the canal on information boards (described in independent write-ups as starting near the village shop area). The canal banks were cleared in the early 2000s and a nature path with resting places was laid out beside the water, and Suomen kanavat / Tarmo Hurskainen’s canal notes summarise the engineering facts: permission to lower the lake was granted in 1834, the cut was made in 1835–1838, the first drawdown freed about 640 hectares of new fields, a deepening campaign in the 1920s–1931 added roughly another 661 hectares, and the channel has since been maintained as a recreational corridor with a walking route and rest spots(4). The Tarinaikkuna blog’s walk-through of the canal path adds local colour: the route is presented as beginning from the yard of Röksä village shop, with boards explaining the phases of digging — including how the parish secured permission, how the first lowering changed the shoreline, and how the difficult second deepening in the 1920s stretched over many years before completion in 1931(5). Parikkala marks its hiking routes in the terrain with orange paint around trees and guide posts(1). This loop suits walkers who want a compact cultural–nature outing off Highway 6 between Parikkala town and the Russian border area.

Rautjärvi E10 hiking trail is about 19.4 km as a point-to-point day hike on the European long-distance E10 corridor in Parikkala and Rautjärvi, South Karelia. Locally the long path is often called Rajojen reitti (the Borders Route): it runs through pine heaths and spruce forests along an old border line between South Karelia and South Savo. For this segment, trailhead context and the Simpele information board location are described on the Municipality of Rautjärvi outdoor pages(1). The wider story of the border line—old peace-treaty boundaries that today also separate Parikkala from Punkaharju and former provinces—is summarised for walkers on visitParikkala(2). Parikkala lies in lake-rich eastern Karelia; the route starts from the Simpele end of the chain and works toward Haukkavuori, the area’s best-known viewpoint. About 5 km from the start you pass Venäitlammen laavu, a lean-to for a break. Mid-route, around 13.8 km, Mäkilammen laavu – Rautjärvi offers another shelter beside forest ponds. Near the north-eastern part of the line, about 17.5 km from the start, Haukkavuoren laavu sits where the trail meets Retkeilyreitti Simpele-Haukkavuori; you can branch to Haukkavuoren luontopolku or continue along Simpele-Haukkavuori toward Simpele. Metsähallitus documents that connector on Luontoon.fi(4). At Haukkavuori, Retkipaikka describes the 171 m summit, the steep drop toward Sarajärvi, and the carved boundary markers linked to the Peace of Nystad—worth reading for the historical viewpoint detail(3). The same forest network links to Pöröpeikon polku (with Pörölammen laavu ja varaussauna), the long-distance Rautaesirippureitti Etelä-Karjala cycling route, and Rajojen reitti Ruokolahti (E10) for multi-day planners. Regional marking practice for these trails uses orange paint on trees and signposts in the countryside(5).

Etelä-Karjala is lake-rich border country where esker forests meet long shorelines. In Parikkala, Harjujen reitistö—marketed as Rantaraitti plus Sikoharju nature reserve—threads town-centre paths with Simpelejärvi views and the wooded ridge above Harjulinnan. For a printable PDF map, trailhead coordinates, and the split between the 1.5 km Rantaraitti shore walk and roughly 2 km of Sikoharju ridge loops, start with Visit Parikkala(1). The City of Parikkala explains orange paint rings on trees, directional posts, and field infoboards about plants, wildlife, and sights; the same page states Harjujen reitistö, Jääkausipolku, and Kyynärpäänjoenpolku also work for mountain biking(2). Retkipaikka's Parikkala collection is a worthwhile read if you are stitching together longer ridge outings such as Pöröpeikon polku or Mikkiksen tarinapolku on other days(3). The trail is about 7.1 km as one outing on our map. It is easy overall and stays close to services, not deep backcountry. From the Harjunlinnan urheilukenttä block you soon reach Saharannan beach volleyball courts and Rantapuiston uimaranta on Simpelejärvi—Visit Parikkala highlights spring and autumn migration when arctic geese move along the open north–south axis of the lake(1). Parikkalan ulkokuntosali, Leijona frisbeegolf, and Parikkala DiscGolfPark sit along the mid-route sports belt before the line swings toward Kirjola. There Parikkalahalli, Kirjolan koulun pallokenttä, and the surrounding neighbourhood gyms and rinks cluster around Kirjolan koulun liikuntasali—handy if you want to combine a walk with hall bookings or ice time. About four kilometres from the start, Likolammen rantauimala offers a lakeshore swim point where City of Parikkala also describes linked ski and running loops for winter crossover planning(2). On the Sikoharju side near the municipal offices, Visit Parikkala points to the Laatokan puolustajien memorial on the ridge crest(1). The route shares junctions with the South Karelia bike backbone Rautaesirippureitti Etelä-Karjala and Lintuinmaan pyöräilyreitti and brushes Siikalahden retkilatu winter skiing; Arkusjärven kuntorata and Arkusjärven valaistu latu tie into the disc-golf end of town(2). Read more on our pages for Rantapuiston uimaranta, Likolammen rantauimala, or Parikkalahalli when you need facility specifics.

Nuotiopaikka on Tarassiinlahden lintutornin läheisyydessä. Polttopuukatos ja esteetön käymälä.

Siikalahden tiedot Retkikartalle Metsähallituksen toimesta.

Tasainen maasto.

Rata suljettu klo 21-08 välisenä aikana. Jonkin verran korkeuseroja.

Toiminnanharjoittaja Kirjavalan erämiehet ry.

Toiminnanharjoittaja Parikkalan seudun ampujat. Pistoolirata 25 m (5 paikkaa), kiväärirata 100 m (5 paikkaa), pienoiskiväärirata 50 m, villikarjurata 50 m (5 paikkaa).

Lintutorni sijaitsee Pienen Rautjärven pohjoispäässä. Järvi on lintujensuojelun perusteella Natura2000-ohjelmassa. Tornin alatasanteelle on esteetön pääsy. Kohteessa ei ole tulipaikka - saman järven itärannalla n. 5 km päässä Tarassiinlahden lintutornin yhteydessä on huollettu nuotiopaikka.

Tornin juurella on kota ja tulipaikka. Vanhasta rajavartiotornista torni, ei suositelle korkeanpaikan kammoiselle.

Etelä-Karjalan virkistysaluesäätiön omistama retkikohde, jossa lintutorni, nuotiopaikka ja esteetön käymälä. Infotaulu ja P-paikka. Esteetön pääsy tornin alemmalle tasolle. Tarassiinlahden lintutorni on menestynyt Tornien taisto-kilpailuissa ollen paras sisämaan lintukohde.

HUOM! Siikalahden alueen omistaa ja ylläpitää Metsähallitus, joka vastaa julkaisusta Retkikartalla.

HUOM! Tiedot Siikalahden alueesta Retkikartalle menevät suoraan Metsähallitukselta.