Lahti Region

Day 1

ARRIVAL IN HELSINKI, FINLAND
Many of the destinations in the UNESCO Global Geoparks are easily reachable with your own car. The journey from Helsinki to Lahti, where this itinerary starts, takes about 1h 10min by car or 1h by train.

CAR HIRES
Car hire from Helsinki Airport: Europcar & Hertz.
Car Hire from Lahti: Europcar & Hertz.

ARRIVAL IN LAHTI – SALPAUSSELKÄ GEOPARK

Lahti, the main city in Salpausselkä Geopark, can be easily reached from the international airport. The city offers a perfect blend of stunning nature and vibrant culture. With its picturesque lakes, green areas and modern urban vibe, the city is an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts and culture seekers alike. Stay the night in the city centre, at Sokos Hotel Lahden Seurahuone or GreenStar Hotel Lahti. Savour local delicacies at one of the city’s restaurants.

Lahti Region

Day 2

LAHTI SPORTS CENTRE & HÄRÄNSILMÄ KETTLE POND
> Drive 1,5km / 5min
Visit Lahti Sports Centre with its iconic skijumping towers at the Salpausselkä ridge. Adore stunning views over the lakeside city from the highest tower. Explore the recreational forest area and visit the beautiful Häränsilmä kettle pond.

HOLLOLA, TIIRISMAA HILL & PIRUNPESÄ GORGE
> Drive 8,5km / 15min
Visit Tiirismaa to see Pirunpesä (Devil’s nest) on your way to the old village of Hollola. Pirunpesä is an impressive gorge cutting into the quartzite rock in Tiirismaa. Walk to Pirunpesä along a marked forest trail (850 m one-way).

OLD VILLAGE OF HOLLOLA (HOLLOLA KK) & KAPATUOSIA HILL FORT
> Drive 12km / 15min
Hollola village is a nationally valuable cultural heritage site. At the foot of the Kapatuosia hill lies the grand medieval stone church of Hollola. From viewing tower at the top of the hill opens a beautiful view over the lake and forests.

ASIKKALA, OLD VÄÄKSY VILLAGE & VÄÄKSY CANAL
> Drive 33 km / 35min
Vääksy is a picturesque village located along the Vääksy Canal. The Vääksy Canal, completed in 1871, connects the lakes Vesijärvi and Päijänne. Stroll along the canalside and watch the boats passing through the locks. Päijännetalo visitor centre offers local products and interesting exhibitions.

ASIKKALA, PULKKILANHARJU ESKER – PÄIJÄNNE NATIONAL PARK
> Drive 15,5km / 15min
Drive along Finland’s most scenic route on the unique Pulkkilanharju esker running across the vast Lake Päijänne. Stop to enjoy the wonderful sceneries. There is also a 4-km-long nature trail to explore.

SYSMÄ TOWN CENTRE & SUOPELTO
> Drive 28,5km / 25min
Drive through the centre of Sysmä, stop to make use of the services or visit the nationally valuable cultural heritage site around the medieval church. Stay the night by the Lake Päijänne in Suopelto at Ilola Inn, a boutique hotel in a beautifully renovated 138-year-old wooden building, located 7km from Sysmä centre.

Lahti Region

Day 3

SYSMÄ, PÄIJÄTSALO ISLAND & VIEWING TOWER
> Drive 4km / 10min
The rocky island of Päijätsalo on the eastern shore of Lake Päijänne, accessible via a bridge, belongs partly to the Päijänne National Park. Along the 4-km hiking trail, there is an over 120-year-old viewing tower at the hilltop, offering a magnificent view over the lake.

SYSMÄ, ONKINIEMI ROCKING BOULDER
> Drive 33km / 30min
On the way to Heinola, stop to see the Onkiniemi “moving rock”, a large erratic boulder standing on rock smoothed by the continental ice sheet, situated along the highway.

HEINOLA CITY CENTRE & NATIONAL URBAN PARK
> Drive 26km / 25min
Stroll along the enchanting riverside in the National Urban Park and enjoy lunch at one of the cosy restaurants. Dip in the clear water at Kylpylänranta beach.

HEINOLA, VIERUMÄKI RESORT & LEMMENHARJU NATURE TRAIL
> Drive 15km / 20min
Vierumäki Resort & Sport Institute of Finland offers beautiful nature and a wide range of activities. Lemmenharju Nature Trail runs along steep-sided ridges and the shores of clear-watered little lakes. Accommodation at Hotel Fennada – a luxury stay above the picturesque Lake Valkjärvi.

Lahti Region

Day 4

After breakfast drive towards the city of Mikkeli. Its time to explore Saimaa Geopark

MIKKELI, URPOLA NATURE CENTRE
> Drive 107km / 1h20min
Urpola nature center, located in Mikkeli’s oldest residential building from 1782, is a Saimaa Geopark natural and cultural site and visitor center.

MIKKELI, NAISVUORI
> Drive 2,5km / 10min
Mikkeli’s Naisvuori, a 120-metre-high rocky mountain in the city centre, and its observation tower are one of Mikkeli’s most popular attractions.

MIKKELI, KENKÄVERO, LUNCH
> Drive 2km / 5min
Kenkävero, a stunning tourist attraction, features restored buildings, exhibitions, handicrafts, gardens, workshops, and a daily restaurant serving daily food throughout the year.

MIKKELI, NEITVUORI
> Drive 37km / 40min
Neitvuori is a well-known lookout point with a magnificent view of Lake Saimaa from the top.

PUUMALA, LIETVESI
> Drive 69,5km / 1h
Lietvesi Landscape Road is one of the most photographed landscapes in Finland.

PUUMALA, PISTOHIEKKA, ACCOMMODATION
> Drive 16,5km / 15min
Pistohiekka is a fine natural site with a long tradition in Puumala.

Lake Saimaa Region

Day 5

PUUMALA, LIEHTALANNIEMI
> 28km / 45min, NOTE! ferry on the road
The Liehtalanniemi Museum and Nature Reserve, situated in a sheltered cove on Niinisaari.

RUOKOLAHTI, KOLMIKÖYTINEN ROCK PAINTING
> Drive 72,5km / 1h 20min
The Kolmiköytinen rock painting is one of the most spectacular rock paintings in South Karelia. Located 3.5-4.5 m above the water level.

RUOKOLAHTI CHURCH HILL
> Drive 15km / 15min
Ruokolahti Church Hill is located in a beautiful location right on the shores of Lake Saimaa.

IMATRA
> Drive 21,5km / 20min

RIMPSU-REETAN ANKKURI, LUNCH
Rimpsu-Reetan Ankkuri is a cozy restaurant and café situated in Imatra harbor.
LAMMASSAARI
Lammassaari is a beautiful ridge island in the Ukonniemi outdoor recreation area in Imatra.
IMATRA, VISITOR CENTRE
The visitor centre offers a wealth of information on geology and the development history of the Saimaa region.
IMATRA, IMATRANKOSKI RAPIDS
Imatrankoski rapids was formed about 5,700 years ago, when flowing waters of River Vuoksi eroded a channel into the fractured bedrock.
IMATRA, VALTIONHOTELLI, ACCOMMODATION
Imatra Valtionhotelli (State Hotel) is a unique attraction and hotel.

Lake Saimaa Region

Day 6

LAPPEENRANTA, SAIMAA CANAL
> Drive 39km / 35min
The Saimaa Canal connect Saimaa and the Gulf of Finland. The Canal was completed in 1856 and is 42,9 km long.

LAPPEENRANTA, FORTRESS & HARBOR
> Drive 7,5km / 15min
Lappeenranta Fortress, a historic district with a rich history dating back to the Russian era, now houses private residences, handicraft workshops, and cultural and business premises.

LAPPEENRANTA, RAKUUNAMÄKI
> Drive 1,5km / 5min
Rakuunamäki is the best-preserved barracks area in Europe, purpose-built for the cavalry. The Lappeenranta Lakeside route (Rantaraitti) runs along the shore of Rakuunamäki.

LAPPEENRANTA, HOTEL RAKUUNA, ACCOMODATION
Hotel is located in central Lappeenranta, on the historic Rakuunamäki.

Lake Saimaa Region

Day 7

LAPPEENRANTA

Drive to Helsinki airport or return the rental car to the Lappeenranta office and take a train to airport.

HELSINKI AIRPORT
> by car: 220km / 2h25min // by train: 2h15min

Return your rental car to Helsinki Airport.

You will find further information via this link:
https://visitlahti.fi/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/kiertomatkatuote-en-29_final.pdf