Frozen Saimaa offers an unique experience of tour skating on safe and well maintained routes. Take your pick from several different routes in Linnansaari National Park or the Finnish national landscape of Punkaharju. Stop for a fire side snack and a cup of something warm along the way and enjoy the stunning scenery and fresh air at your own pace. Learn more about the route options and holiday packages on offer below!
Lake Saimaa has one of the longest ice skating routes in Finland. It leads you through Linnansaari National Park and a gorgeous pine ridge area of Punkaharju. Saimaa is a unique area in many ways. For example it is the habitant area of endangered Saimaa ringed seal.
Linnansaari Winter Trail in Linnansaari National Park
Beautiful Linnansaari Winter Trail in Rantasalmi (from SaimaaHoliday Oravi, trough Linnansaari National Park to Spa&Hotel Resort Järvisydän). There are fire places along the route and a cafeteria on Linnansaari.
Routes: from 5 km ca. 20 km.
Distances:
Oravi – Linnansaari 5 km
Oravi – Pikkulappi 15 km
Oravi – Kaarnetsaari 18 km
Oravi – Järvisydän 19 km
Järvisydän – Kaarnetsaari 3 km
Järvisydän – Pikkulappi 4 km
Järvisydän – Linnansaari 14 km
Järvisydän – Oravi 19 km
Nordic skating tracks of Punkaharju
Fantastic tour skating track network offers one of the longest ice tracks in Finland and has suitable, short routes for families and beginners, but also long routes for experienced skaters. The track starts from the shore of Holiday Resort Harjun Portti and runs past the shores of Kruunupuisto. There starting point is 100m away from the restaurant and equipment rental. 15 km of skating tracks, consisting of 3 different routes.
Distances:
Track to Haataansaari with a nice campfire spot 7 km
Track to the southside of spahotel Kruunupuisto, to Siplahti bay 8 km
Track to Kaarnalahti 2 km
Special features: Waffle café along the skating route
Linnansaari Winter Trail and pancakes
The most beautiful ice trail in Finland, from Oravi through Linnansaari National Park to Rantasalmi, or vice versa. The total length of the prepared route is 20-40 km depending on the weather conditions. The route is open for skaters, kick sparks, skiers and walkers. There are fire places along the route and a cafeteria on Linnansaari (open during winter peak season).
Services
Linnansaari island: cafeteria (opening hours are announced in the journal), fire place, cooking shelter, outdoor toilet.
PikkuLappi island: fire place, outdoor toilet
There are resting places and maps along the route. The routes are prepared and our route masters measure the thickness of the ice. Available also guided trips.
Several route options
Oravi – Linnansaari 5 km
Oravi – Pikkulappi 15 km
Oravi – Järvisydän 18 km
Starting point Oravi: guided trips and additional info
Järvisydän – Kaarnetsaari 2,5 km
Järvisydän – Pikkulappi 4 km
Järvisydän – Linnansaari 13 km
Järvisydän – Oravi 18 km
Starting point Järvisydän: guided trips and additional info
Luxurious accomodation nearby Linnansaari National Park
Hotel & Spa Resort Järvisydän
Winter holiday on a resort in Lake Saimaa
Welcome to enjoy a winter holiday filled with activities amidst the scenic beauty of Linnansaari National Park, and relax in the historical charm of our resort.
At Järvisydän, you can choose from a variety of accommodation options. For those seeking a more private getaway, we recommend our exclusive adults-only Kuru Resort, located just 800 meters from Järvisydän.
We offer excellent restaurant services, convenient transfer options, and a wide range of activities – whether guided or through equipment rentals. Don’t miss our unique Lake Spa, a true crown jewel of Finland.
SaimaaHoliday Oravi
Linnansaari Winter hiking trail – A unique experience in Lake Saimaa Finland
Enjoy the winter activities and beautiful nature in Linnansaari National Park. Linnansaari winter hiking trail runs from Oravi, trough Linnansaari National Park to Järvisydän. From Oravi to Linnansaari ca. 5km as the total lenght of the trail is ca. 20km. The route is open for skaters, kick sparks, skiers and walkers. There is also sleigh transfers between Oravi and Järvisydän.
There are fire places along the route and a cafeteria on Linnansaari (open during winter peak season). On Linnansaari island you can find marked snow shoe trails.
Please note that the entire route between Oravi and Järvisydän will be open by late January, once the ice has frozen safely. Winters and weather conditions vary, which can affect the route’s condition. Always check the up-to-date information in the route journal where you can also check the cafe opening hours.
In SaimaaHoliday Oravi you can book guided tours, rent equipments, cottages and villas.
Inkeritalo waffle café in Kruunupuisto
The Punkaharju ice skating route conveniently connects the services of Punkaharju for easy access. You can start your journey either from Kruunupuisto or Harjun Portti and enjoy seamless access to the services of both locations.
Kruunupuisto offers a range of accommodation, wellness services, including a newly renovated spa, various rehabilitative activities, and Day Spa treatments for a touch of indulgence.
During the local winter holiday season (weeks 8-10), the charming Inkeritalo Café serves visitors on the ice, offering delicious waffles and refreshments for the whole family.
Services
In Punkaharju Snowshoeing Park you have eight magnificent and clearly marked snowshoe trails suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Also guided tours are available.
Holiday Resort Harjun Portti
Punkaharju is renowned for its rich history, stunning Nature Reserve, and the iconic scenic road winding through the ridge. In winter, the area transforms into a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, featuring one of Finland’s longest Nordic skating tracks. This 17 km route on the frozen Lake Saimaa is maintained daily for an exceptional skating experience.
The track includes four different routes, one of which circles the beautiful Valkialampi Pond. Along the way, skaters can enjoy a campfire spot, and during winter holiday weeks 8-10, a cozy waffle café adds a delightful touch to the journey.
An English route diary on our website provides weekly updates about track conditions. The skating season typically begins around New Year and continues until mid or late March, depending on the weather.
In Punkaharju resort we offer cottages with own sauna and they are located close by lake Saimaa. We rent equipments for skiing, ice skating and cyckling. Also restaurant services and public sauna shifts with winter swimming option.
Several route options
Routes lenght:
Track to Haataansaari with a nice campfire spot 7 km
Track to the southside of spahotel Kruunupuisto, to Siplahti bay 8 km
Track to Kaarnalahti 2 km
Special features: Waffle café along the skating route
Transportation and additional info
The Saimaa area is conveniently located and has great transport connections, so your journey will be pleasant, whether you choose to come by air, rail or road.
By plane
Arriving to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport is easy and fast from any direction. Lake Saimaa area is located around 300 km from Helsinki. Coming to the region of Saimaa from Helsinki is easy by bus or train connection as well as with rental car. You can hop on a train directly from the Airport station. Ask more detailed information, as bus and train connections from the holiday resort.
You can also take a domestic flight from Helsinki to Savonlinna airport, the flight takes just 55 minutes.
By bus
Flexible bus connections are available daily, no matter in which direction you are travelling from.
See the timetables on Matkahuolto, Expressbus, Savonlinja and Onnibus.
