Between Kallislahti and Pihlajalahti lies a chain of World War I fortifications; the Green Gold Cultural Route also reaches Kallislahti. These two themes give the trip different points of focus: a historic fortified landscape and a longer tourist road route. The Loikansaari holiday homes are located at Loikansaarentie 430, 58810 Kallislahti. When planning, you can first decide whether local history, the route, or the specific riverside facilities described here should be the deciding factor.
Putting the Green Gold Cultural Route in context
The Green Gold Cultural Route is an official 250-kilometre tourist route. It runs from Mäntyharju via Ristiina, Puumala, Sulkava, and Savonlinna to Punkaharju, and reaches Kallislahti. From Sulkava, it runs to Kallislahti, where it joins State Road 14. After Kallislahti, it follows this road for most of the way to the end, with a few detours. The route connects several places, while the fortification chain refers to the stretch between Kallislahti and Pihlajalahti.
An audio story about the road is available in the free Glopas app and can be listened to while travelling by car or bicycle. As digital services can change, check that the audio story is available before setting off.
A chain of World War I fortifications
The entire seven-kilometre-wide isthmus between Kallislahti and Pihlajalahti is equipped with field fortifications. The defensive line comprises several dozen individual fighting and communication trenches, as well as bunkers built near the old road to Imatra. A fighting trench was used for combat, while a communication trench linked individual sections of a position. The terms indicate that the line includes trenches with different functions.
On a hill south of State Road 14 in Kallislahti, where a landfill was formerly located, there are about 670 metres of excavated fighting and communication trenches, 130 metres of blasted trenches, and twelve bunker pits. The excavated section is therefore considerably longer than the blasted section. Some of these features have been damaged by construction work and the former landfill. The measurements of about 670 and 130 metres refer to the trenches on the hill, while seven kilometres refers to the width of the entire isthmus.
Loikansaari accommodation by the water
The Loikansaari holiday homes have a shallow sandy shore with a jetty and rowing boat. Each holiday home also has a separate wood-heated shore sauna with a changing room, and there is a fire pit in the private yard. Services include guided nature excursions, motorboat rental, and equipment rental. Confirm that guided excursions are available before booking; motorboat rental terms may change.
When deciding what to focus on during your trip, you can consider the local fortification history and the route of the longer cultural road separately, or take both themes into account.
Discover more destinations: Ihamaniemi, Kerimäki, Vuoriniemi, Lötjölä, Piojärvi, Oravi, Putikko, Sulkava
For the broader travel overview: Savonlinna.
