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Mäntyharju–Repovesi hiking route

—•Hiking Trails

38.8 km

Route

Description

City of Mäntyharju – Mäntyharju–Repovesi hiking route+

Description

The Mäntyharju–Repovesi hiking route is a long point-to-point trail in South Savo that links Mäntyharju town with the edge of Repovesi National Park. The trail is about 38.8 km end to end. The City of Mäntyharju describes the full hiking option as roughly 33 km from Kisala to Riuttanvuori, with overall distances of about 33–50 km depending on southern variants toward the national park; Visit Mäntyharju highlights the same network as a Vuoden retkikohde award winner with services spaced along the way. The route is a janareitti (one-way spine): you can return by train from Hillosensalmi in season, as both the municipality and Metsähallitus explain for Repovesi access. From Kisala the first couple of kilometres follow a maintained ski-track base before the trail turns onto forest paths and forest roads; you share some sections with the parallel Maastopyöräilyreitti Mäntyharju-Repovesi (Mäntyharju), and the City of Mäntyharju asks faster users to yield to slower ones where hikers and cyclists meet. After Pitkäjärven laavu the main hiking line can branch: one option follows shared mountain-bike sections toward Matkoslammen laavu following blue paint marks on trees, while another runs west of Pitkäjärvi and via Mouhu toward Linkkumylly; markings are orange paint on trees for hikers and blue for the bike route where they overlap. The municipality notes limited drinking water between lakes—reliable wells at Linkkumylly and in the national park are important planning points. Along the Mäntyharju section, Uutelan laavu appears a few kilometres from Kisala, Sammalisen kota sits a little farther with a well (the city warns the well can run low in hot summers), and Pitkäjärven laavu lies before the main fork. About 21 km from the Kisala start, Matkoslammen laavu sits beside Matkoslampi; Retkipaikka describes a wood-fired wilderness sauna and a rowing boat by the water—popular for an overnight break. Farther south the trail enters Kouvola’s forests and connects toward Pitkälampi and Riuttanvuori before you continue on marked national-park trails. Omien polkujenkulkija recounts a midsummer hike that split the link into two long days, enjoyed the sauna at Matkoslampi, then joined Repovesi’s cliffs and lakes toward Lapinsalmi and Hillosensalmi for the train home—useful for pacing and for how urban edge, forest roads, and park scenery feel in sequence. The City of Mäntyharju flags the southern approach to Repovesi as the most demanding part, with steep rocky steps on Nuolilamminvuori and Pitkälammenvuori that can be slippery when wet. Carry enough water for warm days, check current train times for Hillosensalmi, and read the latest national-park rules on Luontoon.fi before you set out.

Length & route

The trail is about 38.8 km as one continuous hiking line. The City of Mäntyharju quotes about 33 km from Kisala to Riuttanvuori and about 33–50 km overall depending on southern route choices toward Repovesi. Terrain mixes forest paths, duckboards, forest roads, and rocky climbs on the southern approach. Omien polkujenkulkija notes stretches of forest road between more interesting forest and park sections when hiking the link in two long days.

Getting there

The main start is beside Monitoimihalli Kisala at Kyttäläntie 21, 52700 Mäntyharju; the City of Mäntyharju publishes coordinates near 61.4133, 26.8739 and parking at the Kisala sports area. The railway station is about 1 km away—you can walk via Citypatikkareitti toward Salmela and join the trail toward Uutelan laavu. Alternative starts include the station area and Immon polku near Taidekeskus Salmela. For return from Repovesi, summer trains to Hillosensalmi and connecting paths are described on Luontoon.fi for Repovesi.

Good to know

Maintenance is shared by the City of Mäntyharju, City of Kouvola, and Metsähallitus inside Repovesi. The route was recognised as Vuoden retkikohde in 2015. For equipment rental (kayaks, canoes, e-MTB in summer) and accommodation listings, Visit Mäntyharju links local operators. Contact the municipal sports facilities coordinator at +358 40 352 2658 for trail questions.

History

The City of Mäntyharju presents the trail as following historic cart tracks, old hunting paths, and long-shaped national landscapes between forest lakes; it received the Vuoden retkikohde award in 2015.

Itinerary

Example pacing using our kilometre marks from Kisala: Day 1 about 21 km to Matkoslammen laavu for sauna and lean-to; Day 2 about 18 km through Pitkälampi toward Riuttanvuori and into Repovesi for further days on park trails. Fit hikers may push farther in one day; others should plan water carefully on warm stretches.

Where to rent equipment

Kayak and canoe rental is available in Mäntyharju town near the station; see Visit Mäntyharju for operators.

Managed by

Mäntyharju

Official Maintenance

Trail info

Follow orange paint marks on trees for the hiking route; where the trail overlaps the mountain bike line, blue marks apply to cyclists. After Pitkäjärven laavu choose the eastern branch toward Matkoslammen laavu (blue cyclist marks along shared sections) or the western branch toward Linkkumylly and Mouhu as described on the municipal page.

Route direction

National Park

Area

Recreation Area

Lake

Orange paint on trees for the hiking route; blue paint where the shared mountain-bike branch is marked for cyclists.

Route Signs

Dogs (On Leash)

Dogs

Open / Good Condition

City of Mäntyharju – Mäntyharju–Repovesi hiking route

Activities allowed

Hike / Walk

Activity

Bike

Activity

Terrain & conditions

38.8 km

Distance

Typically one very long day for very fit hikers or two days with an overnight at Matkoslammen laavu or other shelters; Omien polkujenkulkija used two consecutive 20+ km days plus a third short day to Hillosensalmi.

Est. Time

Forest paths, duckboards, gravel and forest roads, rocky climbs on southern sections.

Surface

Point-to-Point, Single Track

Route Type

Light Traffic

Traffic

Partial Shade

Shade

City of Mäntyharju – Mäntyharju–Repovesi hiking route+

Location

61.28430°N, 26.82884°E

Approximate location

FinlandCountry

South SavoRegion

MäntyharjuCity

Hiking TrailsCategory

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Answers to your questions

Our data was researched from Mäntyharju, 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 Savo Mäntyharju Hiking TrailsMäntyharju–Repovesi hiking route