Anttola: Trails and waterside scenery on Lake Saimaa

Anttola lies on an isthmus between Vitjase and Luonteri, the two parts of Lake Saimaa. Luonteri itself is largely a protected natural area. The town’s location by the water, along with its hiking trails, forest areas and harbour, makes it a distinctive place to plan a visit.

Nature and trails around Anttola

Rakokallio Nature Reserve is home to a rock fissure formed during the Ice Age. It is about ten metres deep and several dozen metres long. Neitvuori is another natural landmark: it is 184 metres high and protected as a natural monument. Marked nature trails of varying lengths, with campfire sites, run through the area.

The Sydänmaa hiking trail is just over five kilometres long and passes through varied woodland. By the shore of Mäkilampi there is a lean-to shelter with a campfire site; you can also swim from the shore. The trail combines woodland sections with a stay by the lake.

The Hallavuori recreational and cross-country skiing trail is just over three kilometres long. It starts in the yard of Seurojentalo Koivula at Vanhanpappilantie 7; the Hallavuori recreational trail starts in the centre, behind the yard. In summer, you can walk the trail; in winter, you can ski it. There is a public lean-to shelter along the recreational trail, accessible via Harmolantie. Parking is available for visitors there.

Other trails offer different ways to explore the terrain. The nature trail around Matinmäki can be reached from the Anttolanhovi car park. Matinmäki is a nationally valuable drumlin ridge and a moraine formation. The Hiiden polut trail network comprises five routes of varying lengths, covering about 60 kilometres in total. It includes the Viiden vuoren reitti, which leads to Anttola and connects the trails in the Juva area with circular routes near Neitvuori in Anttola. In Anttola, you can start the Hiiden polut trails from the car park next to Hiidenmaan tila at Neitvuorentie 660.

For app-based orienteering, the MoBo orienteering course starts at the information board in the harbour and runs through the Hallavuori recreational area.

Water, cycling and activities in town

The cycling route in Anttola consists of an approximately 70-metre pump track that can be ridden in both directions, and an approximately 200-metre one-way circular trail through the forest that runs counterclockwise. It was completed in summer 2024; check local conditions before setting out. Luonteri can also be circled by bike.

On the water, you can explore Luonteri’s natural surroundings by kayak or rowing boat. A kayaking trip through the Luonteri archipelago starts and ends at Anttola harbour. Check seasonal availability before booking. Sightseeing cruises and charter trips on the M/S Kuutti can also start from the harbour; departures depend on bookings. The guest harbour has berths for both small and large boats.

At the harbour, you will also find a Saimaa Geopark information board about the region’s geology and attractions. If you are looking for an activity on land, Anttola has a six-basket disc golf course.

Church and getting there

Anttola’s wooden church was originally built in Juva in 1729 and moved to its current location over an ice road in 1869–1870. It is part of the nationally significant built cultural environment of Anttola Church Hill.

You can reach Anttola by car via Highway 62 from Mikkeli or Puumala. The beach maintained by the City of Mikkeli is at Urheilutie 12. Getting there, water activities, hiking trails and local history all offer practical starting points for planning your stay.

Discover more destinations: Kosula, Kuhmo, Heinävesi, Ruokolahti, Leppävirta, Oravikoski.

Back to the main travel overview: Saimaa Lakes.