Discover Saimaa’s Hidden Gems by Hiking

A shelter in the ridge landscape along a mountain track.

The Saimaanharju hut is located in a beautiful spot near the Saimaanharju school and library. The lodge offers beautiful views of the Suurlamm lake and is easily accessible thanks to its good location. The fitness trail is easy to follow, but the lodge is located on a small hill on top of the ridge, which can be accessed on foot, by skiing or cycling. The Great Pond fitness trail is a well-lit outdoor trail, about 1 km long, which even small children can follow. You can also get around the pond in a pushchair. The Taipalsaari municipality is responsible for the maintenance of the pavilion and firewood management. NOTE! In winter, the pavilion is equipped with cross-country skiing tracks, so please do not walk on the tracks.

Arrival. The walking distance is about 500m. The trail is easy and flat. The parking lot is located at Taipalsaarentie 1045, 54915 Taipalsaari.

Facilities: campfire site.

A shelter in the ridge landscape along a mountain track.

Beautiful shelter in the church village.

Taipalsaari’s newest lodge is located in an easily accessible location at the tip of Pappilanniemi, a short distance from Taipalsaari church village. It is easy to get to the shelter by foot, bike, skiing, hiking or even by car. In addition, the marina in Pappilanniemi also offers the possibility to arrive at the shelter by boat! Pappilanniemi offers a great setting for low-threshold hiking and is a great getaway from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

How to get there. From the Pappellénmäki pavilion, take the right turn to the pavilion. The trail is easy going and on flat terrain. The parking lot is located at Pappilanniementie 32, 54920 Taipalsaari. In winter, you can also easily reach the park from the church village via the ice road.

Facilities: fireplace and firewood shelter

Campsite in the beautiful landscape of Lake Piensaimaa.

Located in the Bay of Haikkaan in Taipalsaari, near the shores of Lake Pien-Saimaa, the Riutta Lava serves a wide range of visitors. Due to its location, it is possible to reach the shelter on foot, by bike, on skis or by kayak. The marked hiking trail in Haikkaanlahti also offers the opportunity to enjoy a coffee break at the lodge. The evening sun rays on the cliff in front of the lodge make Riutanniemi a wonderful place to be, especially on summer evenings. Taipalsaari municipality is responsible for the maintenance of the shelter.

How to get there: from Taipalsaari kirkonkylje north on road 408, turn left at the Vitsa junction onto Vitsaintie for about 1.5 km and then left for 500m (Heikkolantie). The lodge can be reached by walking along the Haikkaanlahti route marked in blue. The nearest parking lot is located at Palostenmäentie 33, 54920 Taipalsaari. From the P-park, walk along the road until you see the blue route signs. The path to the right from the road brings you to the lava (about 1 km). There are also other possible starting points to the shelter.

A hut in the forest

The delightful camping site, Kure’s hut, is located in the shelter of a forest along a quiet path on the Haikkaanlahti hiking trail. The lodge is easy to reach if necessary, but the trail also offers the possibility of a longer day trip. The hut is suitable for all ages, from families with children onwards. Refurbished a couple of years ago, the lodge offers a comfortable break on the hiking trail.

The nearest car park to the lava is at Savilahdentie 265, 54920 Taipalsaari. From the P-parking place there are clear directions and a path to the shelter. The route is marked in blue.

Facilities: campfire site, firewood and toilets

Facilities: campfire site, firewood shelter and latrine.

A shelter near a forest lake

The Härkäjärvi hut is located in the Pakkala fells between Vehkataipalee and Rehula, in a cluster of small forest lakes, near the forest pond of the same name. The lodge is easily accessible along well-travelled paths, which also serve as ski trails in winter. It is the most visited by skiers in winter, as it is located right on the Rehula-Vehkataipalee ski trail. In summer, the lodge is accessible by bike and on foot and is a good day trip destination. There is no rubbish bin at the lodge, so hikers must carry their own rubbish away. In addition to the rights of every man in the wilderness, it is important to remember the responsibilities of every man and to heed the warnings in force.

A shelter in a wetland

The Haikola hut at the end of the Karvajala wetland in Taipalsaari is a nice place for an autumn holiday trip. The well-maintained nature reserve is a short walk from the wetland, and the trip is spent watching the life of the wetland and the Taipalsaare countryside. A small bridge at the mouth of the wetland and fine paths make the shelter also partly accessible. Grab some lettuce batter for the thermos and a piece of frying fat.

How to get there.

Facilities: campfire site, latrine.