Savitaipale on Lake Kuolimo

Savitaipale lies on the shore of the clear Lake Kuolimo, at the inner edge of the Salpausselkä Ridge. Water, rural landscapes and a distinctive ridge shape the town and its surroundings. Visitors planning a trip can choose from cycling tours, nature watching and cultural and historical attractions to focus on different interests.

Getting oriented for your stay

The centre of Savitaipale lies directly on Highway 13. Lappeenranta is 37 kilometres away; the city has a railway station and an airport. This information provides a first point of reference for planning your trip.

Cycling routes for different abilities

The 28-kilometre Savitaipale mountain bike route is a multi-use trail for cycling, walking and cross-country skiing. It comprises two loops: the Hullasmäki loop is 10 kilometres long and rated easy, while the Rovastinoja loop is 18 kilometres long and rated moderate. Together, the two lengths make up the total distance of the route. When planning your tour, the lengths and ratings give you a concrete basis for comparing the two loops.

The Savitaipale tour passes through rural landscapes. Its route includes both paved roads and gravel tracks. At Orrai, a mountain bike route is rated challenging; it takes nearly three hours and goes around the Luotolahdenvuori Nature Reserve. This means there are different types of tour descriptions to consider: alongside the loops with specified difficulty ratings, there is this challenging tour with a stated duration. When planning your day, you can consider which route and time commitment suit your plans.

Ridges, rapids and winter wildlife

The northern edge of the Salpausselkä Ridge reaches heights of up to 40 metres in places near Savitaipale. Partakoski, within the municipality, presents a different kind of landscape: the stretch of rapids is almost a kilometre long and consists of three fast-flowing sections. Water flows naturally from Lake Kuolimo to Lake Saimaa. In winter, you can often spot a dipper wintering there along the rapids. Partakoski is therefore shaped not only by the watercourse, but also offers a specific reason to observe nature carefully in winter.

Churches, museums and history

The present-day church of Savitaipale was completed in 1924 and designed by Josef Stenbäck. Its exterior is clad in Rapakivi granite, quarried a few kilometres away at Lavikanlahti. In summer, the church serves as a roadside church. At the Hakamäki Museum, a 14-metre-high observation tower built in 2008 offers views of Lake Kuolimo. The museum’s cottage depicts a typical South Karelian farmhouse; textiles from Savitaipale are on display in the chamber.

In the municipality, a monument at the intersection of Ratasalontie and Partakoskentie in Kärnäkoski commemorates those who fell in the battles of Partakoski and Kärnäkoski. Also in the municipality, the Europaeus Museum displays rare books, photographs and archaeological objects. Kärnäkoski Bastion Fortress was completed in 1793; its area is classified as a nationally significant cultural and historical environment and landscape area. The Church Building Museum displays the work of well-known church builders from Savitaipale: Juhana and Matti Salonen, and Taavetti Rahikainen.

A route connected with prehistory is also among the municipality’s discovery opportunities. The “Jääkauden jäljet – kivikauden ihminen” route is 11.5 kilometres long. At the Rovastinoja rest area stands a replica of a Stone Age dwelling, made as faithful to the original as possible; it is explicitly not a reconstruction in the strict sense.

Sauna on the lakeshore

Olkkolan Hovi offers three saunas on the lakeshore that can be used year-round. In winter, it is also possible to swim in the lake there. This offers a different focus from cycling tours, museums and historical sites: if you would like to plan some relaxation by the water during your stay, you can include it as a separate activity.

For the broader travel overview: Lappeenranta.