FIELD TRIP 6: Geocycling trip

Learn about Finnish educational services and enjoy the beautiful nature around Lake Saimaa on this unique and easy-going cycling tour that takes you along the shoreline from the city centre to the University campus and back to the harbor.

😘Fortress and “Pusupuisto, Kissing park”
As a popular tourist destination with the museums, cafés, an orthodox church and craftsmen`s workshops. Along the fortress, you find also 1.8 km long nature and culture trail. Pusupuisto (“kissing park”) is the oldest park in Lappeenranta.

🏘️Rakuunamäki lakeside route
Built in the late 1880s, Rakuunamäki is the best-preserved barrack area in Europe, purpose-built for the cavalry. Nowadays in the area, you can find the local brewery company Tuju Taproom, Rakuunamäki event space, á la carte restaurant “Sotkunen kellari” and Hotel Rakuuna.

🚴Huhtiniemi lakeside route
Huhtiniemi is a neighbourhood in Lappeenranta that is not only accessible by a road but also an idyllic lakeside route from both the university and the city centre.

📝Sammontalo operating school unit
Sammonlahti school is located in Sammontalo in Sammonlahti. It is the longest operating basic school in Finland and has a certificate in being a school of sustainable development.

👩‍🎓LUT University campus
LUT university campus combines both LUT University of Technology and LAB University of Applied Sciences. The campus started its activity in 1969 when it opened in the district of Skinnarila.

🐟Skinnarila beach
On the beach we enjoyed local food cooked over a campfire, by LAB students and hop on the traditional church boat together.

🏝Naurissaari
A diverse nature site, Naurissaari is a beautiful island in a natural state, with several Salpa Line bunkers, trenches, dugouts and firing stations. A network of paths runs around the island which allows for lots of exploration.

🐻Karhusaari
Karhusaari, which means bear island, is a year-round island getaway just outside of the city of Lappeenranta. Its often referred to as an oasis in the middle of the city.

#saimaageopark #egnconference2026 #europeangeoparknetwork #fieldtrip #geocycling ...

FIELD TRIP 5: Discovering the Islands of Lake Saimaa

Embark on an unforgettable voyage across the sparkling waters of Lake Saimaa! Admire the labyrinth of breathtaking islands on this versatile lake cruise, where you’ll dive into rich local culture, marvel at fascinating ancient geology, and encounter living natural wonders.

🌱Salpausselkä
We will travel along the First Salpausselkä, crossing the Saimaa Canal and the Vuoksi river, the tributary of the Saimaa watershed. The First Salpausselkä ice marginal formation consists of glaciofluvial deposits, sand and gravel ridges, and end moraine walls kilometres in lenght.

🗾Kyläniemi
The journey to Kyläniemi passes through the valuable Utula landscape area. The landscape opens up from Toinen Salpausselka over the fields to Lake Saimaa. The arable areas were created when the glacier`s meltwater carried fine soil away from coarse soil, layering the current farmland. From the Kyläniemi pier we continue our journey by cruise ship to the Saimaa islands.

⛪️Ilkonsaaret
An island of captivating contrasts, consisting of two dramatic rocky ridges steeped in history and spirituality. Take a peaceful stroll to discover the beautifully crafted, traditional Orthodox tsasounas (wooden/stone prayer chapels) hidden amidst the tranquil nature.

🏝️Satamosaari
A true boater`s paradise situated along the scenic route between Lappeenranta and Imatra. This ridge island invites you to unwind with its inviting harbor, cozy campfire sites and authentic lakeside saunas. The island`s nature strongly reflects the traces of the Ice Age.

🚢Imatra Harbour and Lammassaari
Towards the end of the trip, we disembark from the ship at the port of Imatra, where we pass one of the great year-round outdoor recreation destinations of the Saimaa Geopark: Lammassaari.

Lammassaari tells a geological story in three time levels: the coastal cliffs are 1.9 billion years old, the island itself was stratified over 12,000 years ago, and the third time level is formed by the ancient beaches surrounding the island.

#egnconference2026 #saimaageopark #fieldtrip #europeangeoparksnetwork #islandtrip ...

Mikkelin Water Week kerää tänäkin vuonna Saimaalle kansainvälisiä vieraita 💦

Tiistaina Mikkelissä vierailivat Marokon vesiasioita käsittelevä ministeri ja suurlähettiläs delekaatioineen. Vierailun aikana he tutustuivat Etelä-Savon maakuntajohtaja @heiniutunen kanssa Geopark toimintaan Urpolan visitor centerissa.

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Mikkeli Water Week attracts international visitors to Lake Saimaa again this year 💦

On Tuesday, the Moroccan Minister of Water Affairs and Ambassador visited Mikkeli with their delegation. During the visit, they got to know the Geopark operations at the Urpola visitor center with the Governor of South Savo, @heiniutunen

#mikkeli #saimaageopark #unescoglobalgeoparks #unescoglobalgeoparksnetwork #mikkeliwaterweek @europeangeoparksnetwork @visitmikkeli @mikkelinkaupunki ...

FIELD TRIP 4: DEFENSE LINE AND HISTORY

Explore the military and cultural history of South-Eastern Finland on a journey through the Saimaa region. From the historic Lappeenranta Fortress and the defensive structures of Kärnäkoski Fortress to the traditional atmosphere of Olkkolan Hovi Manor and the World War II Salpa Line bunkers in Rutola, discover the stories that shaped the region’s past.

🏰 Lappeenranta Fortress
Step into history at the Lappeenranta Fortress, built in the 1720s as part of Sweden’s eastern defence system. Explore museums, the oldest Orthodox church in Finland, historic buildings from the Swedish and Russian eras, and charming cafés like Majurska Café and Kehruuhuone within this unique cultural area overlooking Lake Saimaa.

🛡️ Kärnäkoski Fortress
Explore Kärnäkoski Fortress, a historic bastion fortress built in the 1790s as part of Russia’s defence system for St Petersburg. Surrounded by peaceful lakeside scenery, the area features fortress ruins, a hill fortification, remains of an old barge harbour beneath the clear water, and the historic Kärnäkoski mill.

🏡 Olkkola Manor
Experience the charm of Olkkola Manor, a historic countryside estate built in 1906 and surrounded by peaceful Finnish scenery. Enjoy authentic local cuisine and traditional manor atmosphere before visiting the nearby Savitaipale Church, a beautiful example of 18th-century Finnish wooden church architecture.

🪖 Salpa Line Bunkers (Rutola)
Discover the Salpa Line Bunkers in Rutola, part of Finland’s largest World War II defence project built to protect the eastern border. Explore reinforced concrete bunkers, trenches, and anti-tank obstacles along the 3.5 km Rutola village trail while learning about the area’s military history and past sawmill activity.

#saimaageopark #egnconference2026 #fieldtrips #europeangeoparksnetwork #saimaahistory ...

FIELD TRIP 3: SAIMAA CULTURE

Experience the rich cultural and historical heritage of the Saimaa region. From the waterways of the Saimaa Canal and the iconic Imatrankoski to the traditional landscapes of Sulkava and Juva, discover local history, wooden boatbuilding traditions, and the unique culture that shapes the Saimaa area.

🚢 Saimaa Canal
A historic 43 km waterway connecting Lake Saimaa to the Gulf of Finland since 1856. In a trip you can see the scenic canal route, the locks of Mustola and Mälkiä, and the Saimaa Canal Museum, where historic buildings and exhibitions bring the canal’s fascinating history to life.

🌊 Imatrankoski & Vuoksi River
Explore the famous Imatrankoski rapids, one of Finland’s national landscapes and a popular attraction since the 1700s. Surrounded by the historic Kruununpuisto Park with its giant’s kettles, rock carving and the iconic Imatra State Hotel at the riverside.

⛪ Ruokolahti Church Hill
See the landscapes of Ruokolahti Church, which once inspired artists and explore the landmarks in the church hill area, such as Simo Häyhä`s grave, the bell tower dating back to 1752, and the Winter War air battle memorial.

🏡 Liehtalanniemi
Step back in time at Liehtalanniemi, a historic farm and museum area on the shores of Lake Saimaa. Explore traditional island life from the early 1900s, discover the story of Jalmari Reponen, and enjoy protected forests, historic buildings, scenic nature trails, and peaceful lakeside surroundings.

🚣 Sulkava
Discover Sulkava’s rich wooden boatbuilding and rowing traditions in the heart of the Saimaa region. See the historic Sulkava Church and 1770 belfry, explore the memorial of the Russo-Swedish War, and stroll through the charming Uitonrinteen wooden village with its well-preserved traditional buildings.

🏡 Pattoi Heritage Farm
Explore Pattoi Heritage Farm, a well-preserved 19th-century peasant farm offering a glimpse into traditional rural life in the Saimaa region. Discover historic farm buildings, traces of the slash-and-burn era and the beautiful stone Church of Juva.

#saimaageopark #egnconference2026 #fieldtrips #culturetrip #europeangeoparksnetwork @europeangeoparksnetwork ...

FIELD TRIP2: STONE AGE

Travel back in time and explore the prehistoric history of the Saimaa region. We travel by bus through the historical sites of Taipalsaari, seeing the rural landscape of Lake Saimaa all the way to its shores. During the trip, we will see Astuvansalmi rock paintings, cultural landscapes of Urpola Manor and fascinating heritage of Finland’s Stone Age past in Rovastinoja.

This trip is part of the INACS project activities. @inacs.project

🎨 Astuvansalmi Rock Paintings
Discover the Astuvansalmi rock paintings, the largest prehistoric rock art site in the Nordic countries and one of the highlights of the Saimaa Geopark. Featuring around 80 ancient paintings of elk, humans, and boats created 4,500–6,000 years ago, the site offers a fascinating glimpse into Stone Age beliefs and life along ancient Lake Saimaa.

🏡 Urpola Manor
Enjoy lunch at the historic Urpola Manor, a beautiful Art Nouveau manor house from the early 1900s. Nearby there is the Urpola Nature Centre and its interactive Saimaa Geopark exhibits and you can visit green nature trails, in the wonderful estuary landscape.

🔥 Rovastinoja
Step into prehistoric life at Rovastinoja, where a reconstructed Stone Age peat hut and scenic campfire area bring ancient traditions to life. Surrounded by the beautiful landscapes of Lake Kuolimo, the area`s diverse nature trails, cycling routes and shallow, fine sandy beaches offer to visitors a glimpse into the local geology and forest landscapes shaped by the Ice Age.

#saimaageopark #fieldtrips #stoneage #egnconference2026 @europeangeoparksnetwork ...