Activities
WHAT CAN YOU DO HERE?
Aktiviteetteja Hirsirannassa
Hirsirannassa päivää voi viettää monella tapaa. Meiltä vuokraat kätevästi Sup-laudan tai kajakin ja pääset nauttimaan Saimaalle päivästä.
Ruokolahden alueelta löytyy myös paljon nähtävää esim. Kummakivi. Päivän päätteeksi voi rentoutua saunalautalla saunoen ja kuunnella veden liplatusta. Kysäise respasta rohkeasti lisä infoa lähialueen nähtävyyksistä ja aktiviteettien vuokraamisesta. Neuvomme ja autamme mielellämme!
Hirsirannasta vuokrattavana
Kajakki
Vuokraa kajakki ja lähde melomaan Saimaalle.
Sup-lauta
Lähde suppailemaan Saimaalle Hirsirannan rannasta.
Saunalautta
Saimaan rannalla kelluva saunalautta, jossa voit rentoutua kuunnellen Saimaan liplatusta.
Saunalautta varattavissa kesäsesongilla
Kummakivi
Located about 40 kilometers from Hirsiranta, it takes approximately 40 minutes to get there.
Kummakivi is a massive glacial erratic boulder that sits on a flat bedrock almost defying gravity. The rock underneath resonates strangely when gently tapped from different sides. Over millennia, minerals washed away by rainwater from Kummakivi have formed a new layer on the rock.
Wooden Church and Bell Tower
It's just under 2 kilometers from Hirsiranta.
Ruokolahti church is an internally tapered cross church with a large semi-circular, bottom-curved central dome. The four-story, pointed-end tower is attached to the western cross arm. A gallery floor encircles the church hall, with pillars also supporting the dome. Among the wooden churches designed by Superintendent E.B. Lohrmann, Rääkkylä Church represents the same style as Ruokolahti Church.
Near the church is a monument dedicated to Albert Edelfelt's painting "Ruokolahden eukot Kirkonmäellä" (Women of Ruokolahti on Church Hill).
The bell tower, located in the middle of the old cemetery,described by Heikki Klemetti as a "Trans-Carpathian monstrum," is the oldest example of the Eastern Finnish bell tower style. The octagonal ground floor's exterior walls curve strongly outward at the top, with short corners with through joints. The shapes and structures of the recessed portals and side chamber doors have been preserved. The second floor walls and roof surfaces feature triangular shingle decorations. The bell chamber is square, but its tent roof is octagonally faceted. Lars Petersson noted that the tar treatment traditionally maintained on its exterior adds to the bell tower's sense of archaism and mystique.
In the old churchyard are the graves of heroes from the Civil War and the Continuation War. The memorial is designed by Ilmari Wirkkala, who also created the monument for the 200th anniversary of the old churches in 1952.
The church's immediate landscape also includes a two-story parish storehouse from 1861. The log-faced building has a prominently shaped, grand Empire-style roof list. Ruokolahti House is a reconstruction of a 19th-century peasant house.
Huuhanranta
Located 37 kilometers from Hirsiranta.
The 1.5km long, curved sandy beach of Huuhanrantais one of the longest on Saimaa, earning it the nickname “Saimaa Riviera.”
Huuhanranta is one of the destinations on the "Ancient Sea to Saimaa" route. It's a great spot for swimming and grilling sausages at the fire pit. You can drive directly to the beach.
Rock Paintings
Located about 15 kilometers from Hirsiranta, it takes approximately 15 minutes to get there.
Ruokolahti has two rock paintings. These paintings are about 5000 years old and were made with red ochre, or iron oxide.
The Kolmiköytinen rock painting in Savilahti was discovered in the summer of 1977. The red ochre of the painting is exceptionally well-preserved and vibrant in color. Animal blood and/or fat were used as a binder. In the Kolmiköytinen rock painting, at least nine figures are distinguishable: five humans, a moose, a snake, and two lines that apparently represent snakes. The Kolmiköytinen rock painting is about 15 km from Hirsiranta, a short 15-minute drive by car.
The second rock painting in Ruokolahti, located in Hausklappi at Lapinvuori is on an almost vertical rock face and is thought to have two overlapping figures. Identifying them is challenging as the painting is quite worn.
Lion Statues
It's approximately 3 kilometers from Hirsiranta to the center of Ruokolahti, where the largest statue is located.
The lion statues in Ruokolahti are a reminder of an adventure in the forests of Ruokolahti, which was the most closely followed event in the country during the summer of June and July 1992. The lion was first sighted by forestry supervisor Martti Auvinen on June 23 while marking trees in Ruokolahti. Two days later, the sighting was published in a local newspaper, sparking an incredible amount of news coverage and discussion about the lion.
It was later confirmed that a lion indeed visited the forests of Ruokolahti that summer. Predator researcher Erik. S. Nyholm visited the site and, based on footprint observations, confirmed the lion's presence in the natural environment of Ruokolahti. The lion did not threaten humans and left back across the border in the late summer, from where it presumably came.
It is not known whether the lion, suspected to have escaped from a circus and named Elvis, returned to the circus or started a proud life as a free lion on the vast steppes of Russia after its western adventure.
Today, three marble lion statues guarding the entrances to the town center and a statue on the edge of the market square commemorate Elvis, the lion.
Kemppilä's Myllykoski, Shelter, and Waterfall
It's a 35-kilometer journey from Hirsiranta.
Kemppilä's Myllykoski is a waterfall rapid located in the northern part of Ruokolahti, formed between Ihalanjärvi and Suuri Jukajärvi lakes. Over a 60-meter length, the water drops more than 17 meters. The waterfall was named after the Kemppilä Mill, a significant regional production facility and tax mill in the early 20th century. The mill has since been demolished, and the rapid now serves as a local attraction. It's easily accessible by car with parking near the top of the rapid.
Myllykoski's length makes it a uniquely diverse natural sight. Instead of one waterfall, it's more accurate to describe it as a series of rapids due to the distributed drop height. Although the entire site is impressive, especially during high water, the most magnificent waterfalls are located towards the end of the rapid near the shore of Jukajärvi.
Myllykoski splits into two main channels midway, where the southern one cascades as a wide waterfall from the steep cliffs of Jukajärvi into the lake. Such a large lake-ending waterfall is rare in Finland. Visitors can admire and photograph the waterfall fan from a dock on the lake, and the area is easily navigable due to the built bridges, stairs, and paths.
The northern branch The northern branch of Myllykoski forms its own waterfall, not visible from the dock. The water cascades down a cliff, between the ruins of a concrete power plant and the rock, dropping almost freely over 3 meters. The narrow width of the fall creates a forceful flow, making this cascade as magnificent as the previously described fan waterfall of the southern branch. The water then flows
about ten meters through the trees into the lake. Viewing this cascade requires more climbing compared to the southern branch, and the descending path is more challenging. However, both waterfalls are worth seeing and should definitely be visited.
The importance of Myllykoski is also highlighted by its historical role in the region. Besides grinding grains for nearby villages at Kemppilä Mill , there was also a shingle planer and sawmill. Logs were floated through the rapids to Saimaa and for industrial use until 1963. In the mid-20th century, a small power plant owned by the miller operated on the rapids, supplying electricity to nearby houses and aiding in the electrification of Ruokolahti. In honor of Myllykoski's value and memory, the Torsantaka-Jukajärvi village association has been working since 2015 to develop the site as an attraction and hiking destination, including a fire pit, shelter, toilet, and trail improvements.
Overall, Myllykoski is a great sight during spring, early summer, and rainy seasons. Its best features, besides the beautiful lake scenery and unique history, include several waterfalls and rapids. However, during the driest part of summer, the water flow might be minimal, which should be considered before visiting.
Saimaa Bikepark & Freeski Ski Resort
Located 3.5 kilometers from Hirsiranta.
In South Karelia, along the shores of Saimaa, the Saimaa Bikepark operates on the slopes of the Ruokolahti Freeski ski resort during the summer. Take the lift to the top and enjoy the sparkle of Saimaa and the beautiful natural trails!
Saimaa Bikepark offers trails for both beginners and experienced enduro and downhill cyclists. The trail designs have been undertaken by successful and experienced enduro riders from South Karelia. Currently, there are 16 enduro and DH trails, with ongoing efforts to continually develop easier trails.
The downhill center includes a bike rental service with a comprehensive selection of bikes and protective gear.
Freeski is located on Salosaari's Matikkalanmäki, with an elevation difference of about 70 meters (130 meters above sea level).
Freeski offers six illuminated and distinct slopes for skiing, the longest being about 500 meters. The slope area also includes street and snowpark areas. All slopes are mechanically maintained, catering to skiers of various skill levels. Returning to the top of the hill is easy, as two anchor lifts offer a comfortable ride back up.
In addition to skiing, Freeski also offers the opportunity for tobogganing!
Pumptrack Course
Located 3 kilometers from Hirsiranta.
Ruokolahti is home to Finland's largest pump track.
A pump track is a rolling, asphalt-surfaced course suitable for cycling, as well as skateboarding, scootering, and inline skating. The use of the track is free for everyone.
