Eight stops along the Puumala Art Path connect art and geology: they explain the geological stories behind landscape paintings. The path thus draws the eye from the image to the landforms depicted in it. Elsewhere in South Savo, too, you can explore the region through its nature, trails and cultural history.
Saimaa Landscapes and Trails
The Saimaa ringed seal lives in the waters of Lake Saimaa and is one of the world’s most endangered seals. The Saimaa Geopark lies partly in South Savo and includes, among other areas, Juva, Mikkeli, Puumala and Sulkava. Its themes include significant natural sites, hiking trails and historic cultural sites.
At 184 metres, Neitvuori is one of the highest hills in South Savo; its summit is 110 metres above the surface of Lake Saimaa. A hike leads up steep slopes and offers views of the Luonteri archipelago and Lake Saimaa. The Norppapolku trail near Puumala offers another way to experience the landscape on foot: 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.
The Norppapolku trail passes through sandy bays and along rocky shoreline cliffs. Other features mentioned include a viewpoint, a beach, a guest harbour, a swimming spot and a campfire site. Saimaa Geopark information boards explain the region’s geological history. The different loops offer a practical choice of route length; trail conditions and access may change, so it is worth checking the latest information before setting out.
Rock Art and Forest Culture
The Astuvansalmi rock paintings are located in Ristiina, Mikkeli, and are a rock art site in the Saimaa Geopark. The site includes a total of 65 paintings dating from 3000 to 2500 BC. It is considered the largest known collection of rock paintings in Northern Europe. In summer, visitors can see the paintings on boat trips that also depart from Ristiina. As these trips are seasonal, check the latest schedules before travelling.
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. At many stops, visitors can explore the surrounding nature on foot or by bicycle. The route’s audio story links turning points in local forest culture with folk tales about forest mysticism from the archives of the Finnish Literature Society. Alongside the landscape experience, it also focuses on stories and cultural interpretations of the forest.
Castles, Museums and Events
Construction of Olavinlinna Castle began in 1475 as a fortification to protect the strategically important region of Savonia. Today, the castle offers guided and themed tours about the history of Savonlinna. These also explore stories about knights, castle maidens, the black ram and secret tunnels. The Savonlinna Opera Festival is an international cultural event held at Olavinlinna. It takes place regularly; the programme changes from year to year. If a particular tour or event is important for your plans, check dates and availability in advance.
Lusto, Finland’s national forest museum, is located in Punkaharju. Riihisaari hosts permanent exhibitions of the Savonlinna Museum and offers public events throughout the year. The two venues have different focuses: Lusto is devoted to the forest museum, while Riihisaari brings together museum exhibitions and events in Savonlinna. For specific events, it is worth checking the relevant dates.
Regional Cuisine in Mikkeli
South Savo’s culinary identity includes lake fish, expertise in organic production and locally produced foods bearing the D.O. Saimaa seal. In Mikkeli, Tertti Manor combines the atmosphere of a historic manor house with a Saimaa gastronomy experience and seasonal local produce. It also offers an extensive tasting tour. At the Kenkävero lunch restaurant, visitors can sample produce from the garden. The Kenkävero garden on the shore of Lake Saimaa features peonies as well as hundreds of traditional perennials, herbs and other plants. In addition, Saimaa Gastronomy in the Mikkeli area is a network of four restaurants offering high-quality dishes made with local ingredients. The region’s cuisine therefore ranges from individual tasting experiences to a network that works with local ingredients.
Discover more destinations: Pieksämäki, Savonlinna, Mikkeli, Hirvensalmi, Lake Saimaa, Päijät-Häme, Southwest Finland, Eastern Uusimaa.
For the main travel overview: Finland.
