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Vilkaharju East

—•Hiking Trails

2.9 km

Route

Toivotuksenlahden laavu

0.2 km|Free

Campfire SpotsLaavu, lisäksi wc ja huoltorakennus.

Description

Visit Sulkava – Vilkaharjun luontopolku+

Description

Vilkaharju East is a hiking segment of about 2.9 km on the Vilkaharju esker in Sulkava, South Savo. It forms the eastern arm of the two-part Vilkaharju nature trail in a Saimaa UNESCO Global Geopark setting of ridge forest, glacial landforms, and rocky Saimaa shoreline a few kilometres from the church village. Visit Sulkava describes the full nature trail as two marked loops you can walk separately: a shorter arm of about 3.1 km and a longer arm of about 3.6 km along the lake, past one of Finland’s largest glacial erratics, an old tar pit, Second World War Salpa Line tank obstacles, and Toivotuksenlahden laavu with a fireplace. This eastern line follows that Saimaa shore section: soon after setting out you reach Toivotuksenlahden laavu on the bay, with views toward Sulkava church village and the rowing stadium across the water. The Toivotuksenlahden laavu page lists a service building and dry toilet for hikers, and access by boat in summer or across the ice in winter from Alanteen. The ridge has been protected since 1978; open fires outside maintained fireplaces, camping, and similar overnight stays are not allowed on the reserve land—use the fireplaces at maintained stops such as Toivotuksenlahden laavu and nearby Hopeasaaren grillikota when you combine loops. You can link this arm with Vilkaharju West, Hopeasaaren lenkki, or Vilkaharju MTB for a longer day, or pick up Kolmen lossin kierros from the same trail network. Parastasuomessa’s walk report by Päivi Auvinen highlights storm-sculpted forest, well-kept yellow markings, and information boards on geology and local history, and mentions wet ground in places on the eastern side after weather. Luontopolkumies describes the shore arm climbing from the bay past large erratics, viewpoints over Saimaa, and renewed trail boards by 2020.

Length & route

The trail is about 2.9 km. Visit Sulkava quotes the longer Saimaa-shore arm of the same nature-trail pair at about 3.6 km including Toivotuksenlahti and the erratic; small differences against mapped GPX are normal. The shorter arm of the same system is about 3.1 km. You can walk the two arms separately or combine them with Vilkaharju West and other local loops.

Getting there

By car from Sulkava church village, follow Vilkaharjuntie about 3 km, turn right and continue on Vekarantie about 1.6 km; the nature-trail parking and start are on the left. Visitor listings use Vekarantie 250, 58700 Sulkava. You can also reach the Vilkaharju trails from Sulkava centre via Yhdyspolku KK-VH along Kuumienkivientie near the apartment building, marked with red and yellow dots. Visit Sulkava states you can approach Toivotuksenlahden laavu by water via Alanteen in summer or across the ice in winter.

Good to know

Vilkaharju has been a nature reserve since 1978; open fires, camping, and camping-style stays are prohibited on the reserve—follow Visit Sulkava and City of Sulkava for rules. Use only maintained fireplaces. Luontopolkumies notes a few wet stretches on the eastern side after rain; sturdy footwear helps.

History

Anti-tank obstacles from the Second World War Salpa Line are visible along the Vilkaharju esker; Visit Sulkava links this heritage to broader Salpa Line interpretation in the area. The esker landscape itself formed in a subglacial tunnel valley and emerged from the ice about 11,400 years ago.

Managed by

Sulkava

Official Maintenance

Trail info

You can walk the marked nature trail in either direction; many people complete the eastern shore arm as an out-and-back or as part of a larger loop with Vilkaharju West.

Route direction

Recreation Area

Lake

Yellow paint marks on trees on the main Vilkaharju nature trail; the Yhdyspolku connector from Sulkava uses red and yellow dots.

Route Signs

Open / Good Condition

Visit Sulkava – Vilkaharjun luontopolku+

Activities allowed

Hike / Walk

Activity

Terrain & conditions

2.9 km

Distance

About 45–75 minutes walking at an easy pace; longer if you stop at Toivotuksenlahden laavu, Hopeasaaren grillikota, or viewpoints.

Est. Time

Duckboards / Dirt

Surface

Single Track

Route Type

Light Traffic

Traffic

Partial Shade

Shade

Location

61.78224°N, 28.42929°E

Approximate location

FinlandCountry

South SavoRegion

SulkavaCity

Hiking TrailsCategory

Explore nearby

Connector trail KK-VH (Yhdyspolku)

373 m

Free

Hopeasaari East

302 m

Free

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Answers to your questions

Our data was researched from Sulkava, 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 Sulkava Hiking TrailsVilkaharju East

Vilkaharju East2.9 km

Route

Toivotuksenlahden laavu

0.2 km|Free

Campfire SpotsLaavu, lisäksi wc ja huoltorakennus.

Description

Visit Sulkava – Vilkaharjun luontopolku+

Description

Length & route

Getting there

Good to know

History

Managed by

Sulkava

Official Maintenance

Trail info

Location

You can walk the marked nature trail in either direction; many people complete the eastern shore arm as an out-and-back or as part of a larger loop with Vilkaharju West.

Route direction

Recreation Area

Lake

Yellow paint marks on trees on the main Vilkaharju nature trail; the Yhdyspolku connector from Sulkava uses red and yellow dots.

Route Signs

Open / Good Condition

Visit Sulkava – Vilkaharjun luontopolku+