Repovesi National Park Trails

Hiking Trails

Repovesi National Park is a popular hiking destination. There are 40 km of trails of various difficulty. Many of the trails are quite demanding, because of changes in altitude. There are stairs and duckboards in places, which are the most difficult to traverse. Hikers should reserve more time than usual for their trips.

Because the area is so vast, hikes of longer length than a few days are possible. Remember that the east and northeast part of the area is a restricted area for army use and therefore entering is not permitted in this area. The area is marked with blue-white paint, with bar gates and at some points with warning boards.

The old trail at Kuutinlahti Bay which leads across the rocky shoreline is no longer in use. Building new duckboards is expensive and it is under consideration. The new route through the area climbs up the cliff close the bridge near Kuutinkanava. There is an information board with a map at the trail crossing. From this new trail there is a beautiful view to the Kuutinlahti Bay.

The condition of trails, structures at campfire sites, information boards and signposts are continuously improved and updated and it is an on going process in Repovesi. Read more about new facilities.

Starting Points for Trails

Hikers can get on to the marked trails at any one of the park’s three entrances at Tervajärvi, Lapinsalmi or Saarijärvi.

There is information on boaters’ services at landing places.

Route and Hiking Tips

• Trails in Repovesi have been renewed 2005 - 2006.
• Take a look at the new Repovesi Outdoor Map 2006 (Genimap)
• The area’s trails are marked in the terrain with orange-yellow paint markings
• Katajavuoren kierros 2,5 km offers a great opportunity to get a quick overview of the national park
• Trail from Olhava to the north to Riutta has been altered
• From the Saarijärvi entrance it is about 3 km to the well-known Olhavanvuori Rock as well as the scenic look-out tower on Mustalamminvuori Hill and 2,5 km to Kirnuhuoko Cavern.
• The Tervajärvi entrance is the ideal point to enter to all area; by foot to Tervajärvi kierros Trail or by water canoeing.
• Kuutinkanava Canal is at the same distance from almost all the National Park’s entrances. Kuutinkanava Canal can be reached easily by boat.
• Day trips: If going on a day trip, it is often convenient to combine boating (water bus service, canoeing or boat rental) and hiking. You can row part of your route and walk the rest. Ask private tourist services for more tips. For more information on private tourist services in Repovesi area, look at
Services in Repovesi National Park or Oskari - Linnansaari Visitor Centre.
• Groups arriving by coach: We suggest that groups arrange to be picked up at a different parking area from the one they are arriving at. So the walk back and forth along the same trail can be avoided.
• The water bus stops at Mustalamminvuori Hill, Kuutinlahti Bay, Lapinsalmi Sound and Karhulahti Bay.

Other Trails

The Valkeala Recreation Route, which is 120 km long, leads through Repovesi National Park. The start / end points of the basic part of the route are in Municipal centre of Valkeala, at Utti and at Mouhu in the Municipality of Mäntyharju. At its north end the route has a portion called the Erätaival Trail, which is 40 km long. The route is marked with blue paint on stones and trees. For more information contact the Municipality of Valkeala (www.valkeala.fi). Metsähallitus manages the trails within Repovesi National Park. The trails leading up to the boundary of the National Park are managed by the Municipality of Valkeala (www.valkeala.fi). The route is quite demanding and we recommend it for those with hiking experience.

• Starting points for the Valkeala Recreation Route
• Starting points in the south are at Utti, at Lake Käyrälampi, at Jokela, at Paaskoski Cabin or at Valkealatalo community centre.
• Starting points in the north are at Repovesi National Park Parking Areas at Lapinsalmi, Saarijärvi and Tervajärvi, at Kuutinkolo, at Kirjokiven Kartano,
  at Orilampi and at Mouhu.
• Services: There are several places to have a meal, lodge and rest along the route at 5 to 10 km intervals. For more information on tourist enterprise from the
Valkeala website (www.valkeala.fi) or from the Municipality of Mäntyharju (www.mantyharju.fi, in Finnish).
• Maps: Part of the route can be seen on the northern Valkeala outdoor and hiking map (Pohjois-Valkealan ulkoilu- ja retkeilykartta (1:20 000)).

Cross-country Skiing Trails

The network of classic cross-country skiing trails in Repovesi National Park has been extended and improved. Now the mechanically made tracks can be kept in good condition even when there is only little snow. The longest circle trail leads along the eastern side of Lake Tervajärvi via Kirnukangas to Lake Saarijärvi or to Kuutinlahti Bay and Olhava. From Kuutinlahti the ski trail winds back in the direction of Lapinsalmi and towards Tervajärvi. There are ski trails of different lengths to choose from. They range from a few kilometres up to 20-km-long. The trails are not lit and the terrain on some of the trails is demanding.

Good starting points for the skiing trails are at Kirjokiven Kartano at the south end of the skiing trails, Orilampi Cottage and Holiday Centre at the west end of the trails and parking areas at the park entrances (Tervajärvi, Saarijärvi, Lapinsalmi). There are information boards at parking areas.
In late winter, it is pleasant to ski off trails on the ice of the lakes and enjoy the sunshine. Remember to keep off the restricted army area.

• Services: Stopping points such as campfire sites are marked on the new Repovesi Outdoor Map (2006). There is a wilderness cottage south to Lake Mustalampi.
• Sights: Kirnuhuoko Cavern is an interesting sight in winter as well. Warning: Although the icicles hanging on the side of the cliff and under it seem large and stable they may fall and be extremely dangerous. The canal structures at Kuutinkanava can be seen during winter as well.
• Maps: Repovesi Outdoor Map 1:20 000 (Genimap 2006).

Repovesi Wilderness Ski Event and Other Skiing Trails

• The Repovesi wilderness ski event is arranged annually during late winter.
• Outside the National Park there is a short lit skiing trail around Lake Orilampi. From Lake Orilampi the skiing trail leads to Helluntaivuori Hill in Voikoski Village.
• Repovesi Skiing Trails, pdf-file 1136 kB, in Finnish.

Boating and Canoeing Routes

Repovesi National Park is known for its serene and beautiful waterways. Most of the waters, except large open waters, are suited also for beginners with orienteering skills. In August, the Night of Lanterns (Soihtujen Yö) Canoeing Event is held at Repovesi.

There are no marked boating and canoeing routes within the National Park, but if you have Repoveden ulkoilukartta (Repovesi Outdoor Map) 1:20 000 or Repoveden kansallispuiston palvelukartta (service map), 1:25 000, those are good enough. Canoeing routes can be planned by using the maps on the information boards. Remember that the north and north-eastern part of the park is a restricted army area with no access. When boating please keep at a distance from birds’ nests and preserve their peace.

• Services in the National Park are marked on the area’s
map.
• Read about the area’s sights, equipment rental, boater’s services and guidance for boaters.

Long Canoeing Routes

Longer canoeing routes begin at Lapinsalmi Parking Area. There is a new route for taking canoes to the shore. New sturdy canoe piers have been built to make landing ashore easier at Karhulahti, Lapinsalmi, Kapiavesi, Kuutinkanava and on the Lake Terväjärvi side of the national park at the entrance. By crossing isthmuses visitors can canoe in all of the parks small lakes, including Tervajärvi or Valkjärvi (via Mustalammi). A trailer is useful when moving a canoe.

The circular Savonselkä Canoeing Route is located on the west-side of Repovesi National Park in Lake Vuohijärvi. This route leads from Voikoski Rapids through Lake Vuohijärvi to Siikakoski Rapids and on from there to the idyllic mill village at Verla (Unesco World Heritage Site). The route, which is 360 km long, has been hailed the world’s longest inland water canoe route. Through Hillosensalmi Sound canoeists can turn to the beautiful waters of Repovesi area. The Savonselkä Canoieng Route is marked and suits also for beginners. The route goes through backwoods as well as settled areas.

Biking Trails

Repovesi National Park’s roads, such as Kuismantie Road which leads through the park, are suited for cycling. The terrain is hilly, so cyclists must be fit. Cycling along the old forest roads is allowed unless there are no signs banning it.

• Services and sights: There are no actual tourist sights or campfire sites along the roads, but there are some a short hike from the road. You can swim at Lakes Valkjärvi and Tervajärvi.

Road 368 from Valkeala to Mäntyharju, which leads along the west boundary of the area, is part of a National Biking Trail number 15 (Mäntyharjun Mouhu-Orilampi-Selänpää-Jaala). It is easy to get from this trail to Repovesi National Park. Lake Orilampi is the end point of the Kymenlaakso Bike Trekking Trail.