Discover Saimaa’s Hidden Gems by Hiking

A shelter in the ridge landscape along a mountain track

The Saimaanharju lean-to shelter is beautifully located near Saimaanharju School and the library. The shelter offers lovely views over Lake Suurlampi and, thanks to its good location, is easily accessible.

The fitness trail is easy to walk, but the shelter itself is situated on top of the ridge on a small hill, which can be reached on foot, by skis, or by bicycle. The Suurlampi fitness trail is a lit outdoor route of approximately one kilometre, suitable even for small children. The path around the lake is also accessible with a stroller.

The Municipality of Taipalsaari is responsible for maintaining the shelter and supplying firewood. Please note: In winter, the fitness trail is used as a cross-country ski track, so please do not walk on the ski tracks.

How to get there: You can reach the Saimaanharju shelter by car to the parking area, from where a path leads to the fitness trail. The walking distance is approximately 500 metres. The route is easy and relatively flat. The parking area is located at Taipalsaarentie 1045, 54915 Taipalsaari.

Facilities: Campfire site

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: You can reach the Pappilanniemi shelter by car via Pappilanniementie. From the end of the road, a path leads off to the right. The walking distance to the shelter is approximately 500 metres. The route is easy to walk and relatively flat. The parking area is located at Pappilanniementie 32, 54920 Taipalsaari. In winter, the shelter can also be easily accessed from the church village across the ice.

Facilities: Campfire site and woodshed

Campsite in the beautiful landscape of Lake Pien-Saimaa

Located in Riutanniemi, Haikkaanlahti in Taipalsaari, near the shores of Pien-Saimaa, the Riutta lean-to shelter serves a wide range of visitors. Thanks to its location, the shelter can be reached on foot, by bicycle, on skis, or by kayak. The marked Haikkaanlahti hiking trail also offers a great opportunity for a coffee break at the shelter.

In summer evenings, the setting sun casting its rays onto the shoreline rock in front of the shelter makes Riutanniemi an especially beautiful spot. The shelter is maintained by the Municipality of Taipalsaari.

How to get there: From the Taipalsaari village, head north along road 408. Turn left at the Vitsai junction onto Vitsaintie and continue for about 1.5 km. Then turn left again and continue for 500 metres (Heikkolantie). The shelter can be reached on foot via the blue-marked Haikkaanlahti trail.

The nearest parking area is located at Palostenmäentie 33, 54920 Taipalsaari. From the parking area, walk forward along the road until you see the blue trail markings. A path leading off to the right from the road takes you to the shelter (approx. 1 km). There are also other possible starting points to reach the shelter.

Facilities: Campfire site, woodshed, and dry toilet

Lean-to Shelter in the Forest

The charming Kuren lean-to shelter is located in the peace and quiet of the forest along the Haikkaanlahti hiking trail. The shelter is easy to reach when needed, but the trail also offers the opportunity for a longer day hike. It is well suited to visitors of all ages, from families with children to more experienced hikers. Renovated a couple of years ago, the shelter provides a pleasant rest stop along the trail.

How to get there: The nearest parking area is located at Savilahdentie 265, 54920 Taipalsaari. Clear signposts and a path lead from the parking area to the shelter. The route is marked in blue.

Facilities: Campfire site, firewood, and dry toilet

A shelter near a forest lake

Härkäjärvi Lean-to Shelter is located in the Pakkala forest area between Vehkataipale and Rehula, among a cluster of small forest lakes, near the woodland pond from which it takes its name. The shelter is easily accessible via well-maintained trails, which in winter also serve as cross-country ski tracks.

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.

How to get there: The parking area is located near the address Haikolantie 320 (for navigation systems). In summer, it is also likely possible to reach the shelter by canoe, as it is situated right at the end of Pien-Saimaa, next to a wetland area.

Facilities: campfire site, dry toilet.

A rest stop along the Väliväylä canoeing route

The Orjainsalmi rest area is located on the mainland on the Kantturaselkä waters of Pien-Saimaa, along the Väliväylä canoeing route, in Merenlahti, Taipalsaari, at the tip of Orjainniemi. The low and gently sloping shoreline rock makes landing by canoe easy.

The site lies along a historic log-floating route. From here, bundles of timber were floated to Rovonlahti (Rutola) and from there, via a transfer facility, onward toward Lake Kivijärvi and down the Kymijoki River to the coast. Log rafts were towed all the way from North Karelia. Log floating began in the 1890s and continued for about 70 years.

The northern tip of Orjainniemi, located north of the shelter, is a nature reserve featuring a rare natural small-leaved lime grove. Lime groves are a protected habitat type specifically defined under the Nature Conservation Act. Small-leaved lime trees also grow outside the protected area. Please do not damage the vegetation.

Maintenance is provided during the summer season from mid-May to early October. The rest area is maintained by the South Karelia Recreational Area Foundation.

Facilities: Campfire site, dry toilet, and woodshed.