Kosula: Lakes, Kojanlahti and Hiking Trails

Kosula brings together the lake-dotted landscape of Etelä-Tuusniemi and places to visit in the village and its surroundings. By the water are the Kojanlahti recreational harbour and a designated swimming spot; marked hiking trails, natural attractions and seasonal offerings at Villa Rysseli add other highlights. You can plan your stay around water, nature and village life.

Landscape and orientation

Kosula is part of Etelä-Tuusniemi, an isthmus between Lake Suvasvesi and Lake Juojärvi. Nearby Kojanlahti is a traditional farming and forestry area with gravel ridges and sandy beaches. The village of Kosula lies on the main road towards Heinävesi. Kosula has good connections to the shores of Lake Juojärvi and Lake Suvasvesi. Palokki and the Lintula and Valamo monasteries are also accessible from Kosula.

Kojanlahti by the water

The Kojanlahti recreational harbour is located in Kosula at Kojanlahdentie 865 on Lake Juojärvi, west of Jäätsalo Island and near a 1.8-metre-deep channel. There is a designated swimming spot at the same address. The beach has a sandy bottom and clear water; the pier and swimming area are a popular summer meeting place.

Hiking trails and nature nearby

There are marked hiking trails in the Kosula area. Nearby are the impressive Seinävuori-Rotkolaakso Gorge and rapids rich in fish. Islands associated with historical stories are also part of Kosula’s surroundings. A large glacial erratic, Rosvokivi—the “Robber’s Stone”—stands in the middle of the forest on Luostaritie near the village of Kosula. A cruise to explore the clear waters is suggested as an excursion idea.

Villa Rysseli and seasonal offerings

Villa Rysseli is 200 metres from the recreational harbour. The building is a former village school, maintained and renovated by the village community. It hosts an art sales exhibition. Events and pop-up café days are held in summer. The seasonal café serves coffee and homemade savoury and sweet pastries on summer weekends. Villa Rysseli also has a children’s playground with a swing, sandbox and climbing frame, as well as an open fire-pit shelter; the café’s outdoor area includes a barbecue shelter. The school beach at Villa Rysseli is accessible via the Kojanlahti pier.

Village life in Kojanlahti

Since autumn 2015, the Kojanlahti school has served year-round as a shared village centre for several villages. Residents of southern Tuusniemi take part in adult education groups, village activities and sports there, and also hold events and private celebrations. The café at Villa Rysseli is seasonal; the Kojanlahti school, by contrast, serves year-round as a village centre for several villages.

For orientation, the highlights can be distinguished as follows: Kojanlahti brings together the harbour and swimming spot, hiking trails and natural attractions are in the area or nearby, and Villa Rysseli adds a former village school and seasonal offerings.

Discover more destinations: Anttola, Heinävesi, Oravikoski, Kuhmo, Leppävirta, Ruokolahti

Go to the main travel overview: Lake Saimaa.