Experiences

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES AND INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCES IN SOUTH KARELIA

The untouched nature and clear waters of Rajamaat offer a magnificent setting for unforgettable experiences. Here you can enjoy diverse recreational opportunities in peace, far from crowds and the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

On this page you will find the best nature experiences in South Karelia and a variety of activities for every taste. Whether you are looking for active mountain biking, peaceful hiking, Birdwatching, or a guided fishing trip on Lake Saimaa, we have suitable programs for families with children, for couples, and for larger groups. Explore the offerings and plan your own adventure!

Photos: Markku "Marsa" Anttonen

For Adventurers For the whole family For couples

Kummakivi

Go marvel at a true natural wonder in Ruokolahti, where the enormous Kummakivi incredibly balances on top of a...
For those who enjoy For Adventurers For the whole family For couples For groups of friends

Kemppilän myllykoski

Head to Ruokolahti to marvel at nature's own display of power, where the freely flowing Kemppilän Myllykoski...
For Adventurers For couples For groups of friends

Paddling

Rajamaat's clear-water lakes and winding rivers invite you to experience the area's unique nature from a prime...
For Adventurers For couples

Kissankierros

Hidden in the forests of Ruokolahti, the seven-kilometer Kissankierros invites you to enjoy authentic dirt...
For those who enjoy For the whole family For couples For groups of friends

Birdwatching

Grab your binoculars and head to Parikkala, which conceals one of the most species-rich bird areas in all of...
For Adventurers For the whole family For couples For groups of friends

Harjujen reitistö

Parikkala's Harjujen Reitistö invites you to an authentic forest landscape, where you'll find flexible route...
For Adventurers For the whole family For couples

Cycling

Hop on your bike and start rolling through Rajamaat's wonderful rural and lake landscapes completely at your...
For the whole family For couples For nature lovers

Kitee Animal Park

Kitee Animal Park is Finland's fourth largest zoo, where you can walk along a pleasant two-kilometer scenic...
For those who enjoy For the whole family Child-friendly beach For groups of friends

Swimming beaches

Head to Rajamaat's clear-water lakes, where you'll find numerous safe and child-friendly swimming beaches for...
For the whole family For couples For those hungry for culture

Finnish Forest Museum Lusto

Experience the story of the Finnish forest in one of Finland's most magnificent national landscapes!
For those who enjoy For the whole family Child-friendly beach For couples For groups of friends

Huuhanranta

Head to Ruokolahti and experience the impressive 1.5-kilometer-long Huuhanranta, deservedly known as the...
For those who enjoy For Adventurers For the whole family

Geocaching

Embark on an addictive treasure hunt and discover Rajamaat's hidden gems through geocaching, perhaps with the...
For those who enjoy For Adventurers For the whole family For groups For couples For groups of friends

Lean-tos

Crown your excursion day by sitting by a fire at one of Rajamaat's numerous atmospheric lean-tos. Here you can...
For the whole family For groups For groups of friends

Disc Golf

Grab your discs and head to Rajamaat's diverse disc golf courses, where you can enjoy fun togetherness and...
For those who enjoy For the whole family For couples

Berry and mushroom picking

Head to Rajamaat's quiet and clean forests for a relaxing trip where you can gather nature's own superfoods....
For Adventurers For groups For groups of friends

Shooting sports

Gather your group and come test your accuracy in Simpele Hahlo's guided shooting experiences, completely...
For those who enjoy For Adventurers For the whole family For couples

Skiing

Put on your ski boots and head out to enjoy Rajamaat's endless snowdrifts and quiet forest landscapes in...
For Adventurers For the whole family For couples For groups of friends

Aate-Pekan polku

Aate-Pekan polku, located in Parikkala and just over three kilometers long, invites you to a refreshing day...
For Adventurers For the whole family For couples

Haukkavuori

Climb to the highest point in all of South Karelia, Simpele's Haukkavuori, where you can admire breathtaking...
For Adventurers For couples For groups of friends

Pöröpeikon polku

Embark on an adventure on Parikkala's Pöröpeikon polku, where the sporty terrain leads you to fascinating...
For Adventurers For the whole family For couples

Kummakivi

Go marvel at a true natural wonder in Ruokolahti, where the enormous Kummakivi incredibly balances on top of a...
For those who enjoy For Adventurers For the whole family For couples For groups of friends

Kemppilän myllykoski

Head to Ruokolahti to marvel at nature's own display of power, where the freely flowing Kemppilän Myllykoski...
For Adventurers For couples For groups of friends

Paddling

Rajamaat's clear-water lakes and winding rivers invite you to experience the area's unique nature from a prime...
For Adventurers For couples

Kissankierros

Hidden in the forests of Ruokolahti, the seven-kilometer Kissankierros invites you to enjoy authentic dirt...
For those who enjoy For the whole family For couples For groups of friends

Birdwatching

Grab your binoculars and head to Parikkala, which conceals one of the most species-rich bird areas in all of...
For Adventurers For the whole family For couples For groups of friends

Harjujen reitistö

Parikkala's Harjujen Reitistö invites you to an authentic forest landscape, where you'll find flexible route...
For Adventurers For the whole family For couples

Cycling

Hop on your bike and start rolling through Rajamaat's wonderful rural and lake landscapes completely at your...
For the whole family For couples For nature lovers

Kitee Animal Park

Kitee Animal Park is Finland's fourth largest zoo, where you can walk along a pleasant two-kilometer scenic...
For those who enjoy For the whole family Child-friendly beach For groups of friends

Swimming beaches

Head to Rajamaat's clear-water lakes, where you'll find numerous safe and child-friendly swimming beaches for...
For the whole family For couples For those hungry for culture

Finnish Forest Museum Lusto

Experience the story of the Finnish forest in one of Finland's most magnificent national landscapes!
For those who enjoy For the whole family Child-friendly beach For couples For groups of friends

Huuhanranta

Head to Ruokolahti and experience the impressive 1.5-kilometer-long Huuhanranta, deservedly known as the...
For those who enjoy For Adventurers For the whole family

Geocaching

Embark on an addictive treasure hunt and discover Rajamaat's hidden gems through geocaching, perhaps with the...
For those who enjoy For Adventurers For the whole family For groups For couples For groups of friends

Lean-tos

Crown your excursion day by sitting by a fire at one of Rajamaat's numerous atmospheric lean-tos. Here you can...
For the whole family For groups For groups of friends

Disc Golf

Grab your discs and head to Rajamaat's diverse disc golf courses, where you can enjoy fun togetherness and...
For those who enjoy For the whole family For couples

Berry and mushroom picking

Head to Rajamaat's quiet and clean forests for a relaxing trip where you can gather nature's own superfoods....
For Adventurers For groups For groups of friends

Shooting sports

Gather your group and come test your accuracy in Simpele Hahlo's guided shooting experiences, completely...
For those who enjoy For Adventurers For the whole family For couples

Skiing

Put on your ski boots and head out to enjoy Rajamaat's endless snowdrifts and quiet forest landscapes in...
For Adventurers For the whole family For couples For groups of friends

Aate-Pekan polku

Aate-Pekan polku, located in Parikkala and just over three kilometers long, invites you to a refreshing day...
For Adventurers For the whole family For couples

Haukkavuori

Climb to the highest point in all of South Karelia, Simpele's Haukkavuori, where you can admire breathtaking...
For Adventurers For couples For groups of friends

Pöröpeikon polku

Embark on an adventure on Parikkala's Pöröpeikon polku, where the sporty terrain leads you to fascinating...
For Adventurers For the whole family For couples

Kummakivi

Go marvel at a true natural wonder in Ruokolahti, where the enormous Kummakivi incredibly balances on top of a...
For those who enjoy For Adventurers For the whole family For couples For groups of friends

Kemppilän myllykoski

Head to Ruokolahti to marvel at nature's own display of power, where the freely flowing Kemppilän Myllykoski...
For Adventurers For couples For groups of friends

Paddling

Rajamaat's clear-water lakes and winding rivers invite you to experience the area's unique nature from a prime...
For Adventurers For couples

Kissankierros

Hidden in the forests of Ruokolahti, the seven-kilometer Kissankierros invites you to enjoy authentic dirt...
For those who enjoy For the whole family For couples For groups of friends

Birdwatching

Grab your binoculars and head to Parikkala, which conceals one of the most species-rich bird areas in all of...
For Adventurers For the whole family For couples For groups of friends

Harjujen reitistö

Parikkala's Harjujen Reitistö invites you to an authentic forest landscape, where you'll find flexible route...
For Adventurers For the whole family For couples

Cycling

Hop on your bike and start rolling through Rajamaat's wonderful rural and lake landscapes completely at your...
For the whole family For couples For nature lovers

Kitee Animal Park

Kitee Animal Park is Finland's fourth largest zoo, where you can walk along a pleasant two-kilometer scenic...
For those who enjoy For the whole family Child-friendly beach For groups of friends

Swimming beaches

Head to Rajamaat's clear-water lakes, where you'll find numerous safe and child-friendly swimming beaches for...
For the whole family For couples For those hungry for culture

Finnish Forest Museum Lusto

Experience the story of the Finnish forest in one of Finland's most magnificent national landscapes!
For those who enjoy For the whole family Child-friendly beach For couples For groups of friends

Huuhanranta

Head to Ruokolahti and experience the impressive 1.5-kilometer-long Huuhanranta, deservedly known as the...
For those who enjoy For Adventurers For the whole family

Geocaching

Embark on an addictive treasure hunt and discover Rajamaat's hidden gems through geocaching, perhaps with the...
For those who enjoy For Adventurers For the whole family For groups For couples For groups of friends

Lean-tos

Crown your excursion day by sitting by a fire at one of Rajamaat's numerous atmospheric lean-tos. Here you can...
For the whole family For groups For groups of friends

Disc Golf

Grab your discs and head to Rajamaat's diverse disc golf courses, where you can enjoy fun togetherness and...
For those who enjoy For the whole family For couples

Berry and mushroom picking

Head to Rajamaat's quiet and clean forests for a relaxing trip where you can gather nature's own superfoods....
For Adventurers For groups For groups of friends

Shooting sports

Gather your group and come test your accuracy in Simpele Hahlo's guided shooting experiences, completely...
For those who enjoy For Adventurers For the whole family For couples

Skiing

Put on your ski boots and head out to enjoy Rajamaat's endless snowdrifts and quiet forest landscapes in...
For Adventurers For the whole family For couples For groups of friends

Aate-Pekan polku

Aate-Pekan polku, located in Parikkala and just over three kilometers long, invites you to a refreshing day...
For Adventurers For the whole family For couples

Haukkavuori

Climb to the highest point in all of South Karelia, Simpele's Haukkavuori, where you can admire breathtaking...
For Adventurers For couples For groups of friends

Pöröpeikon polku

Embark on an adventure on Parikkala's Pöröpeikon polku, where the sporty terrain leads you to fascinating...

Paddling

In Rajamaat, you will find countless lakes, rivers, and routes where you can go paddling. For example, in Ruokolahti, you can explore the lake landscapes on a 110-kilometer long route. Read more about paddling from the links below.

Photo: Markku "Marsa" Anttonen

Paddling opportunities in Ruokolahti

Paddling opportunities in Parikkala

Birdwatching

Parikkala

Did you know that Parikkala, located in Rajamaat, is one of the most species-rich bird areas in Inland Finland? It is therefore an excellent place for birdwatching. Parikkala has nationally renowned bird areas, the most famous of which is certainly Siikalahti. So, get your binoculars and cameras ready and go birdwatching!

Photo: Markku "Marsa" Anttonen

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Cycling

Cycling is also a fun summer activity! In Rajamaat, you can cycle to your heart's content. For example, the Iron Curtain Trail (Rautaesirippureitti) running from Parikkala to Ruokolahti takes you through several places worth seeing! Read more from the links below:

Photo: Markku "Marsa" Anttonen

Cycling in Parikkala

Cycling in Rautjärvi

Cycling in Ruokolahti

Swimming beaches

One of the best things to do in summer is, of course, swimming, and Rajamaat has plenty of swimming beaches! Explore the swimming beach offerings of different municipalities below:

Photo: Markku "Marsa" Anttonen

Swimming beaches in Parikkala

Swimming beaches in Rautjärvi

Swimming beaches in Ruokolahti

Huuhanranta

Ruokolahti

Huuhanranta is also known as the "Riviera of Saimaa," as it is one of the longest open sand beaches on Lake Saimaa. You can arrive at the beach by car or even by canoe. At Huuhanranta, you will find various fire pits and, for example, a BBQ shelter, where you can grill sausages on beautiful summer days.

Photo: Arto Apila / South Karelia Recreation Area Foundation

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Geocaching

Geocaching is a fun way to explore nature, even with the whole family! Even the youngest family members will be excited about this treasure hunt in the heart of nature!

Photo: Markku "Marsa" Anttonen

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Lean-tos

Along the nature trails, you can sit down and rest your feet or even grill sausages at one of the many lean-to shelters found in Rajamaat. There are dozens of lean-to shelters along the trails, so you're sure to find a good spot to relax and enjoy nature!

Photo: Markku "Marsa" Anttonen

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Disc Golf

You can play disc golf in several different locations. You can find courses, for example, in Simpele, Parikkala, and Ruokolahti. Explore these from the links below:

Photo: Markku "Marsa" Anttonen

Parikkala Disc Golf Courses

Simpele Disc Golf Courses

Ruokolahti Disc Golf Courses

Berry and mushroom picking

The national autumn hobby of Finns is berry and mushroom picking. So it is also here in Rajamailla, where you can pick berries and mushrooms to your heart's content. However, remember your everyman's rights, so that cottage peace is not disturbed!

Photo: Markku "Marsa" Anttonen

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Shooting sports

Simpele

Simpeleen Hahlo ry is a shooting sports club operating in Rajamailla. The club organizes various introductory events where you can safely try shooting sports. The events are suitable for, for example, bachelor/bachelorette parties, for groups of friends, and well-being days for companies or associations.

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Bowling

Simpele

Do you feel like knocking down some pins? Simpele has a small, 2-lane bowling alley, run by Simpeleen Keilaajat ry. There's truly no end to things to do in Rajamailla!

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Skiing

In winter, Rajamailla has piles of snow! This, of course, means there are plenty of ski tracks! So, put on your ski boots, grab your skis, and head to the track!

Photo: Markku "Marsa" Anttonen

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