Rokansaari island esker terrain

The Rokansaari esker island is part of a 150km long fragmented stretch of esker which begins in Pieksämäki and ends at the tip of Kyläniemi near Niittylahti-Härkkimyksenhiekka. The Rokansaari area emerged from underneath the continental ice sheet 11,500-11,400 years ago, when the area was lapped by the waters of the Saimaa ice lakes. Nowadays the Rokansaari landscape is dominated by kettle ponds and various shore features, such as beach banks and ridges formed during Saimaa’s various stages. Traces of human history left on the island include trenches dug into the sandy ground and a Stone-Age dwelling site.

The Rokansaari recreation area is owned by the Saimaa Association for Recreation Areas. Cottage renters have access to rowing boats for rowing on to the island. Others are not allowed to take rowing boats, even for a short visit to Rokansaari. On the shore of the excursion harbor you will find a Saimaa Geopark sign, which tells you about the area’s geology and island services, as well as visitor’s etiquette.

Three panels in the sign open up different contents on your mobile device (a series of panels beginning with the title “Discover the hidden treasures of Lake Saimaa”). You need the free Salmi AR app to view the content. Content includes pictures, videos, audio narration, and peepholes. You’ll find information about Suvorov’s time, wartime, and industrialization, and get to see what the area looked like 11,000 years ago and how the ancestors lived. The contents are currently available only in Finnish.

Image: Sanna Poutamo/ Saimaan virkistysalueyhdistys ry