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Vilkaharju West

—•Hiking Trails

3.4 km

Route

Hopeasaaren grillikota

0.7 km|Free

Campfire Spots

Toivotuksenlahden laavu

0.8 km|Free

Campfire SpotsLaavu, lisäksi wc ja huoltorakennus.

Description

Visit Sulkava – Vilkaharjun luontopolku+

Description

Vilkaharju West (Vilkaharju Läntinen) is a hiking loop of about 3.4 km on the Vilkaharju esker in Sulkava, South Savo. The trail sits in a Saimaa UNESCO Global Geopark landscape of ridge forest, glacial landforms, and Saimaa shoreline, a few kilometres west of the village centre. Visit Sulkava describes the Vilkaharju nature trail as a two-part marked route: a shorter arm of about 3.1 km and a longer arm of about 3.6 km that runs partly along Lake Saimaa’s rocky shore and passes Toivotuksenlahden laavu and a campfire spot. This western loop matches that longer shore-and-laavu side of the system; you can pair it with Vilkaharju itäinen for the other arm or stitch longer days via Hopeasaaren lenkki, Vilkaharju MTB, or Kolmen lossin kierros when you want more distance. Early on the loop you pass Hopeasaaren grillikota and Toivotuksenlahden laavu, where Visit Sulkava highlights a rest by the bay with a chance to swim in Saimaa in summer. The ridge area has been a nature reserve since 1978: open fires outside maintained spots, camping, and similar stays are not allowed on the reserve land itself. Use the fireplaces at the maintained stops along the trail. Terrain along the western section includes narrow forest path, some sandy track, and steeper short climbs toward cliff viewpoints over Saimaa and the Sulkava rowing race course area, as described in a walk-through on Out in the Nature. Information boards along the routes summarise local forest and history; the trail marking uses yellow paint on trees on the main nature trail, with the connecting path from Sulkava centre marked in red and yellow dots.

Length & route

The trail is about 3.4 km as one loop. Visit Sulkava gives the longer nature-trail arm as about 3.6 km including the Saimaa shore segment and Toivotuksenlahti; 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 for a longer day.

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. The address used in visitor material is Vekarantie 250, 58700 Sulkava. You can also reach the Vilkaharju trails from Sulkava centre via the Yhdyspolku connector along Kuumienkivientie near the apartment building, marked with red and yellow dots.

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 the maintained fireplaces at places such as Toivotuksenlahden laavu and Hopeasaaren grillikota.

History

Salpa Line anti-tank obstacles from the Second World War period are part of the story of the Vilkaharju esker; Visit Sulkava points visitors to the tank-barrier and Salpa Line memorial pages for that military heritage.

Managed by

Sulkava

Official Maintenance

Trail info

Walk the loop in either direction; many hikers follow the marked nature trail in the order shown on local maps.

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

3.4 km

Distance

About 1–1.5 hours walking at an easy pace; longer if you stop at Hopeasaaren grillikota, Toivotuksenlahden laavu, or viewpoints.

Est. Time

Dirt / Sand

Surface

Loop, Single Track

Route Type

Light Traffic

Traffic

Partial Shade

Shade

Location

61.78710°N, 28.42538°E

Approximate location

FinlandCountry

South SavoRegion

SulkavaCity

Hiking TrailsCategory

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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 West