South Savo: Saimaa Nature, Rock Art and Forest Culture

In South Savo, Saimaa nature, prehistoric rock art and Finnish forest culture come together. The waters of Saimaa are home to the Saimaa ringed seal, one of the most endangered seals in the world. Hiking trails, historic cultural sites and museums add different perspectives on the region to the nature experience. To plan your trip, you can start by considering whether you are most interested in landscapes, archaeology or culture.

South Savo between Saimaa and the ridges

The Saimaa Geopark brings together significant natural sites, hiking trails and historic cultural sites. It lies partly in South Savo and includes Juva, Mikkeli, Puumala and Sulkava, among other places. One of its distinctive landscape features is Neitvuori: at 184 metres, the hill is one of the highest in South Savo, and its summit is 110 metres above the surface of Lake Saimaa. A hiking trail climbs steep slopes and offers views of the Luonteri archipelago and the lake. If you plan to take this trail, bear the climbs in mind when planning your route.

Near Puumala, the Norppapolku trail passes sandy coves and follows shoreline cliffs. The 13-kilometre circular trail has three shorter loops: Kitulan lenkki is 3 kilometres long, Kaivannon kieppi 4 kilometres and Kotkatsaaren kierros 2.8 kilometres. Along the way, the trail includes a lookout point, a beach, a guest harbour, a swimming spot and a campfire site. Saimaa Geopark information boards explain the geological history of the region. As facilities and access conditions may change, check them before your visit.

Discover rock art and history

The Puumala Art Path links art and geology at eight stops. They explain the geological stories behind landscape paintings, bringing two subjects together along the route: the visible landscape and its geological origins.

Astuvansalmi in Ristiina, Mikkeli, is a major rock art site in the Saimaa Geopark. Its 65 rock paintings date from 3000 to 2500 BC and are considered the largest known collection of rock paintings in Northern Europe. In summer, visitors can view the paintings on boat trips, with departures also available from Ristiina. As the trips are seasonal, check availability before travelling.

Construction of Olavinlinna Castle began in 1475 as a fortification to protect the strategically important region of Savonia. Guided and themed tours explore the history of Savonlinna and stories of knights, castle maidens, the Black Ram and secret tunnels. The Savonlinna Opera Festival is an international cultural event held at the castle; its programme changes. Before your trip, check tour dates, availability and festival dates.

For further insights, visit the Muisti Centre of War and Peace, with its interactive exhibition on the effects of war from a human perspective, and Riihisaari. The Savonlinna Museum has permanent exhibitions there, and public events are held at Riihisaari throughout the year.

Forest culture and regional cuisine

The Green Gold Culture Road is an official 250-kilometre tourist route in South Savo. Its 16 stops introduce visitors to Finnish forest culture and history, as well as the relationship between people and the forest. An audio story connects turning points in local forest culture with folk tales about the mysticism of the forest, drawn from the archives of the Finnish Literature Society. At many stops, visitors can explore the surrounding nature on foot or by bicycle.

Regional cuisine is also part of what makes South Savo distinctive. It includes lake fish, expertise in organic production and locally produced foods bearing the D.O. Saimaa seal. Specific producers and products may change. In Mikkeli, Tertti Manor offers a Saimaa food experience in a historic manor house, featuring seasonal regional produce. The offering also includes an extensive tasting tour in a historic setting; services and operations may change, so check current options before planning a visit. At the Kenkävero lunch restaurant, visitors can sample produce from the garden. Kenkävero Garden features peonies as well as hundreds of traditional perennials, herbs and other plants on the shore of Lake Saimaa.

Choose the right hotel location

If you are looking for a hotel in South Savo, you can choose a location based on the themes of your stay, such as hiking, rock art, or forest and museum culture. Start with the destinations and activities that interest you, then plan your stay around the experiences you want to focus on.

Discover more destinations: Pieksämäki, Savonlinna, Mikkeli, Hirvensalmi, South Karelia, Ostrobothnia, Kymenlaakso, Pirkanmaa.

Return to the main travel overview: Finland.