Rutola old log-floating station

Saimaa Geopark's natural and cultural site Rutola old log-floating station started operating in the area in the late 19th century and was a major employer in the early decades of the 20th century. The Rutola log-floating station can be considered a monument to the technically pioneering logging system of its time. The logging system enabled the transfer of logs over the land area between Myllylampi and Kärjenlampi ponds. In total, by 1963, almost 100 million logs had been transported through Rutola, and it employed a maximum of 1,000 people a year.

Näe ja koe Kulttuurikohteet Rutola old log-floating station

A major employer at the turn of the 20th century

The approximately 110 km long log-floating route from Saimaa to Kymijoki, along which the Rutola logging station is located, is called the Valkeala route or Väliväylä. The route follows the passage of the ancient Saimaa’s outlet channel through Myllylampi, Kärjenlampi and Jänköjärvi to Kivijärvi. The Rutola area also has prehistoric settlements and fortifications belonging to the Salpa Line, a line of defense built during the Second World War, such as a concrete cave, and anti-tank defense boulders.

The Rutola old log-floating station is a nationally significant built cultural environment. More information about Rutola's surroundings can be found on the Finnish Heritage Agency’s website (in Finnish).

Image: Saimaa Geopark

Finnish Heritage Agency

Myllylampi 's ancient outlet signpost

Coordinates

Geographic coordinates

61.037843483, 28.032193160

GPS-devices

x= 555759 y= 6767442