Check for Warnings
When wildfire 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.
- Current Hiking Conditions
- Public Transportation Connections 2024.
- The Wells of Repovesi are in Use Year Round.
- Using The Non-composting Toilets.
- Rental Huts
Public transportation connections during the summer season of 2024
(Published on May 6, 2024)
During the summer season, there are public transportation connections to Repovesi National Park. In the summer of 2024, you could reach the national park by both train and bus. Comprehensive instructions on how to get to Repovesi, whether by public transport, private car, or by water, can be found on the national park's Arrival page.
In 2024, some train services (via vr.fi) will also stop at Hillosensalmi from April 27th to October 26th:
- IC 63, departing from Helsinki at 8:19 AM and stopping at Hillosensalmi at 10:13 AM.
- IC 68, departing from Kuopio at 2:20 PM and stopping at Hillosensalmi at 4:42 PM.
From the train station, it's a 9 km journey to Lapinsalmi in the national park and approximately 3 km by water to Karhulahti. Lapinsalmi can be reached, for example, by local bus services 15, 15A, and 15B, as well as 5, which wait for arriving trains (via kouvola.digitransit.fi). Bus tickets do not need to be purchased in advance.
During the summer, buses 5, 15A, and 15 from Kouvola railway station provide access to Repovesi. From Mäntyharju station, there are canoeing, hiking, and mountain biking trails to Repovesi National Park.
Current Hiking Conditions
(Updated May 31 2024)
In this updating text, we will compile current issues for hiking in Repovesi National Park.
The Lapinsalmi Bridge is closed for hikers until further notice. The bridge was closed in January, after which preparations have been made for its repair or reinforcement. Repair work will begin during the spring. The goal is to have the bridge available for hikers by September.
The Lapinsalmi Bridge was closed because based on assessments, strong winds may cause damage to the bridge, and the safety of the bridge cannot currently be fully guaranteed. The bridge is closed until the supporting structures can be reinforced.
Ketunlossi pull ferry has been put into operation. However, the ferry easily gets congested and in case of a malfunction, it takes a long time before help arrives. If you are in a hurry, we recommend starting your journey from Saarijärvi or Tervajärvi.
During peak times, there is also a free crossing boat with a driver that operates over Lapinsalmi. The boat travels between the pier at the Lapinsalmi parking area and the pier at the Lapinsalmi campfire site.
The crossing boat operates over Lapinsalmi from June 1 to August 31, 2024, according to the following schedule:
June: Saturday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm
July: Every day from 10 am to 6 pm
August: Saturday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm
Hiking in Repovesi takes place in summer conditions. Rocks, roots on the trails, and wooden structures can be slippery after rain. We recommend that hikers in Repovesi wear sturdy, non-slip footwear such as hiking or trekking shoes.
All wells are in use. Water is drinkable without boilling. Water of Kuutinkanava well has high levels of iron, which makes water quite unpleasant to use. It is safe to drink though.
Rental huts
In Repovesi National Park, there are rental cottages and rental campfire huts that available for booking through the Metsähallitus Eräluvat online store. The online store will undergo renovations in 2024. Therefore, sales for the 2025 rental season will start exceptionally in November 2024.
You can find the rental calendars for 2024 and cottage presentations as usual at: nationalparks.fi/huts.
Please respect the privacy and peace of nature
(Updated November 6 2023)
There are plenty of cottages in the Repovesi area that are protected woth the law of domestic privacy. Rented cottages, tents, hammocks and other accommodations are also covered by the domestic privacy law. Give cottage dwellers and tired fellow hikers the opportunity to sleep and enjoy the peace of nature.
When moving on water, keep a distance of least 50 metres from the beaches belonging to these cottages. This way everyone can enjoy the magnificent views of the lake in peace.
In the map, the private cottagess and beaches belonging to cottages have been marked in red. Map (pdf 3,2 Mb, julkaisut.metsa.fi).
Wells of Repovesi are in Use
(Updated October 6 2023)
In October 2023, the water from the Kuutinkanava well was found to smell and taste strongly of iron. The color of the water is also brownish. Water is still drinkable, but not necessarily very pleasant, so we recommend filling the drinking bottles from other wells or using a water filter.
All wells in Repovesi National Park are in use. According to research results (2021) water in wells of Repovesi is drinkable and no boiling is required.
Water in wells of Määkijä, Lojukoski and Kuutinkanava may have slight color and odour nuisances. You will find more accurate information on the info boards by the wells. Water in Valkjärvi well has strong color and odour nuisances, so we recommend to take drinking water from other wells.
Remember to wash your dishes and yourself at least 5 metres away from wells and water bodies like lakes!
Never Throw Anything Down the Olhava Hill
(Updated 8th August 2023)
Olhava hill is an amazing landscape and also one of Finland's best climbing cliffs.
When you’re at the top of Olhava, remember that there may be people climbing the rock wall below you. NEVER throw anything off the cliff. A rock or any other object dropped or thrown off the top of the cliff may cause irreversible and serious damage.
All Toilets are Non-composting Toilets
(Updated November 15 2023)
All toilets in Repovesi national park there are non-composting which don't have to be emptied so frequently. The content is used for soil improvement. Visitors should bear in mind two factors so that the toilets will have good ventilation and the smell will be minimized:
1) Please, close the toilet lid when you leave
2) Don't put anything else than toilet paper in the toilet, not even biodegradable waste
