Kolovesi National Park Trails

Nature and Hiking Trails

In the National Park there is a Nature Trail and are two Hiking Trails, where you can find out about the forest ecosystems of the area.

Two hikers on wooden footbridges in an autumn forest.

Starting Points for Trails

Nahkiaissalo Nature Trail and Hirviniemi Hiking Trail are in the south-east part of the Park, in Selkälahti area. The trails are on the mainland, so they are easily accessible also by car. The trails have the same starting point. Coming from Enonkoski, the trails are about 8 km after the ferry at Hanhivirta. From the sign "Kolovesi kansallispuisto Nahkiaissalo" it is a couple of kilometres to the parking area, which is the starting and ending point of the trails. Boaters can start the trails from the camping site at Lohilahti Bay.

Before "Kolovesi kansallispuisto Nahkiaissalo" sign there is a brown and white sign "Kolovesi kansallispuisto Käkövesi", about 3,5 km after the Hanhivirta ferry. If you turn there, you will end up at Käkövesi boat launching place instead of the trails.

Landscape photograph from a high cliff. A summery lake landscape can be seen behind the pine that grow on the rocky slope.

Mäntysalo Trail is in the northern end of Mäntysalo Island. The starting point of the trail, and the mooring place are on the shore of Mäntysalo Island opposite the northern end of Pitkäsaari Island. Because of its location, the Nature Trail is also accessible to motor boaters.

Easy Trails

A wide and level trail runs through a bright old-growth forest.
On the approach to Hirviniemi campsite, hikers are surrounded by a spectacular old-growth forest. Photo: Tiina Linsén.
A flat forest road with dense forest on both sides.
The first section of the accessible nature trail leading to Hirviniemi runs along a forest road. Photo: Tiina Linsén.
Two cars in a parking area on the edge of the forest. There is an information board at the far end of the parking area.
Visitors to Hirviniemi and Nahkiaissalo trails are served by a spacious and flat parking area. Photo: Tiina Linsén.
A wide and levelled path leads through the forest. A wooden platform, a picnic table and a log building can be seen along the trail. A lake can be glimpsed behind some trees.
Hirviniemi campsite has a versatile range of service structures, in which accessibility has been considered throughout. Photo: Tiina Linsén.
A wide dock with hand rails on the access ramp and around a recess for canoes.
Accessible canoe piers can be found in Hirviniemi and Kirkkoranta. Photo: Tiina Linsén.
A log building reached by a ramp with handrails in the middle of the forest.
The accessible toilet in Hirviniemi is bright thanks to transparent plastic sheeting on the roof. Photo: Tiina Linsén.

Hirviniemi trail, demanding accessible nature trail, 1.6 km/direction

In the snow-free season. No winter maintenance.                     
Hiking time 1h/direction.
Demanding accessible nature trail.

The 1.6-kilometre trail of Hirviniemi leads through forests of many types and ages to Hirviniemi campsite. Hikers return the same way. There are accessible service structures at the campsite, which can also be reached from Kirkkoranta accessible canoe pier. For the first section of approx. 900 metres, the trail runs along a forest road. The final section of around 700 metres follows a hardened and widened path through a majestic old-growth forest near the lake shore. As the trail contains steep sections, it is advisable for wheelchair users to bring an assistant.

Starting point

Address: Nahkiaissalo parking area. Nahkiaissalontie, Savonlinna. 
Coordinates: WGS84 - lat: 62° 12.922' lon: 28° 55.367', ETRS-TM35FIN - P: 6899656 I: 599988

The parking area is flat and spacious. There are no designated accessible parking spaces in the parking area. Please note that Nahkiaissalo nature trail, which is not accessible, starts from the same parking area but leads to the opposite direction.
Map of Hirviniemi trail (excursionmap.fi)

Hiking structures

The boards with information about the National Park in the parking area are easy to reach. 

trail leads to Hirviniemi campsite, which can be used freely.  Getting around along the gently sloping surface covered in rock dust is easy, and accessibility has been addressed in many ways in the structures. The campsite has an accessible canoe pier, several platforms for tents (one of which is accessible), two dry toilets (one of which is accessible), two campfire sites (one of which is accessible) and a picnic table open at the ends. The route to the firewood shed is also accessible, even if the actual shed is not at the moment. When hikers reach the campsite, the accessible structures are the first ones they come to.

There are several seats for taking a rest along the trail from the parking area to Hirviniemi. 

Trail description
The trail is marked with orange circles. 

The trail starts from the opposite side of the parking area at a sign that reads Hirviniemi 1.6 km. The dry toilet at a distance of 50 metres is not accessible. 

On the trail section that follows a forest road (900 m), the centre of the road is higher than the wheel tracks. The road is around 2.3 metres wide. On this 900-metre stretch, there is a downhill section of approx. 200 metres at the very beginning of the trail, and a climb approx. 60 metres in length after a bend to the left. The maximum longitudinal slope at these sections is around 8% to 9%. The trail is rough in places. The forest road section ends at a turning point, where you can take a rest at a picnic table with open ends.
The 700-metre section from the turning point onwards is covered with rock dust. It is around 1.2 to 1.5 metres wide. The trail is rough in places, and there is erosion caused by rain, especially on the edges. The trail contains several steep uphill and downhill sections with longitudinal inclination exceeding 20% in places. However, the longest uphill sections also have flatter areas and seats for resting. As the trail reaches Hirviniemi it mostly goes downhill, with some steep stretches. 

Hirviniemi campsite can also be reached from Kirkkoranta by paddling. Both sites have an accessible canoe pier. The paddling distance is around 2.5 kilometres one way.

Other Trails

Hiking Trails

There are two Trails in the National Park, where you can find out about the forest ecosystems of the area.

Starting Points for Trails

Nahkiaissalo Nature Trail is in the south-east part of the Park, in Selkälahti area. The trail is on the mainland, so it is easily accessible also by car. Coming from Enonkoski, the trail is about 8 km after the ferry at Hanhivirta. From the sign "Kolovesi kansallispuisto Nahkiaissalo" it is a couple of kilometres to the parking area, which is the starting and ending point of the trail. Boaters can start the trail from the camping site at Lohilahti Bay.

Before "Kolovesi kansallispuisto Nahkiaissalo" sign there is a brown and white sign "Kolovesi kansallispuisto Käkövesi", about 3,5 km after the Hanhivirta ferry. If you turn there, you will end up at Käkövesi boat launching place.



Mäntysalo Trail is in the northern end of Mäntysalo Island. The starting point of the trail, and the mooring place are on the shore of Mäntysalo Island opposite the northern end of Pitkäsaari Island. Because of its location, the Nature Trail is also accessible to motor boaters.

Nature Trails

  • Nahkiaissalo Nature Trail, 3,3 km, is in difficult terrain. The trail is marked with orange circles. On this trail you can learn about old-growth forests and their flora and fauna. The terrain changes from steep slopes to damp hollows. This circular trail takes about 2 hours.
    • Services: At Lohilahti Bay camping site there are a campfire site, a dry toilet, and a place where it is possible to swim in the lake. There is no official swimming spot in the area.
    • Sights: Before and after the camping site at Lohilahti Bay, there are places with beautiful scenery. Also by the side of the trail there is an impression where a tar-burning pit used to be.

Hiking Trails

  • Mäntysalo Trail, 3,8 km, is in really difficult and varied terrain. The trail is marked with orange circles. When after the short section in the beginning the trail is separated into two, it is recommended to choose the path on the left hand side. From the trail it is possible to admire the forests of Kolovesi, which vary from old-growth mixed-wood forests in their natural state to cultivated forests. It is advisable to have at least 2 hours for hiking this trail.
    • Services and sights: There are two places where hikers can stop for a break and to look at the beautiful lake scenery. When hiking to the direction recommended, the first one of these place is at about half way.

Check for Warnings

When forest and grass fire warnings (en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi) are in effect, fire is only allowed at covered campfire sites that have a flue. A fire can be also lit in fireplaces at wilderness and other huts. Always use extreme caution when handling fire. The one who lights a fire is always responsible for its safe use. Please note, that making fire at these campfire sites can be banned locally. 

Gathering at the campfire sites increases the risk of coronavirus infection. Guidelines concerning coronavirus COVID-19.