Punkaharju Ridge

Punkaharju is a narrow esker, a ridge of pine-covered gravel left by the glaciers, threading between the waters of Lake Saimaa so that in places lake lies on both sides at once. Protected since the 1840s, one of the oldest protected landscapes in the country, it has drawn travellers since imperial times.

Background

The esker runs 7.5 kilometres between Puruvesi and Pihlajavesi, two lakes of the Saimaa system, and is 10 metres wide at its narrowest, rising 31 metres above mean water level. The protected area covers 679 hectares and is one of the Finnish national landscapes. Czar Alexander I visited in 1802 and asked that it be preserved, and protection began in 1843, initially as a state park and afterwards as a national park. It is now a nature reserve within Natura 2000. Magnus von Wright painted View from Punkaharju in 1865. Cars cross by National Road 14 or the older scenic route 4792, the Harjutie, which won a 2017 public vote for Road of the Century with 42% of the votes.

Source: Wikipedia, "Punkaharju (esker)"

Highlights

• The ridge road and path - the narrow crest with water on both sides, walkable and cyclable.
• The old pines - tall protected pinewood along the esker.
• Lake views - Saimaa opening on either side from the crest.
• Lusto forest museum - the Finnish forest museum at the ridge's edge.

When to go

Summer for the greenery and lake swimming; autumn for the pines against turning birch. It is an easy, gentle visit in any warm-season weather.

Practical notes

It is a gentle, subtle landscape, a lovely ridge and lake views rather than a dramatic sight, so temper expectations. The main road runs along it, so the quietest experience is on the parallel walking and cycling path. Best combined with nearby Savonlinna.

Nearby

Savonlinna and its castle are minutes away; the Lusto forest museum and Kerimaki's huge wooden church are close.

Key facts