Punkaharju Ridge
Punkaharju Ridge
4.5
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4.5
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Vale
Cagliari, Italy4,392 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
We discovered this place, reading our Paper Guide to Finland. We walked entirely this isthmus, which is nothing but a narrow road, covered with conifers and surrounded on the sides by the waters of Lake Saima, from here you can admire, the many islands covered with vegetation, the hills and bays, the landscape is enchanting. It is possible to walk along the many paths, but given the lack of time, we were content to see the place only by car, stopping occasionally in the rest areas, to take some pictures and admire the landscape.
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Written 28 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
virineja g
9 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Excellent trip, definetly worth the half hour drive from Savonlinna! Lots of parking stops and cafes along the way, next time we bring bicyces.
If you do not speak English: follow the sign to turn right here (photo). This is the way along the scenic route, the GSP just takes you along the regular road.
If you do not speak English: follow the sign to turn right here (photo). This is the way along the scenic route, the GSP just takes you along the regular road.
Written 22 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Misu
Helsinki, Finland99 contributions
I am biased because I am Finnish. But I think I have eye for the beauty of the Punkaharju area. It is worth of a car holiday, you can drive through the most beautiful lake district of Finland. Savonlinna is close, so you can choose a hotel in Punkaharju and visit the Opera Festival and concerts if you are ready to drive after the concerts.Otherwise, search for a hotel in Savonlinna and visit Punkaharju for a day trip or so.
I have stayed twice at the Punkaharjun Valtionhotelli: once at a cottage, and once at the hotel. It is located in a small hill with lake views. It is a very beautiful building, but nothing luxury, more with taste of history. The cottage is not too well equipped but you have to be prepared for that. At the hotel, even though the food was near to be good, the service was not at the level of a state hotel. My waitress would have been better for a cleaning job than for serving. Strange, but this is eastern Finland, close to the Russian border. The art centre Retretti is close to the hotel, and worth of visiting. It is inside a big rock , and every summer there are theme exhibitions.
The nature is above average, but for me, the service not.
I have stayed twice at the Punkaharjun Valtionhotelli: once at a cottage, and once at the hotel. It is located in a small hill with lake views. It is a very beautiful building, but nothing luxury, more with taste of history. The cottage is not too well equipped but you have to be prepared for that. At the hotel, even though the food was near to be good, the service was not at the level of a state hotel. My waitress would have been better for a cleaning job than for serving. Strange, but this is eastern Finland, close to the Russian border. The art centre Retretti is close to the hotel, and worth of visiting. It is inside a big rock , and every summer there are theme exhibitions.
The nature is above average, but for me, the service not.
Written 14 October 2005
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tomi Wickman
Helsinki, Finland2,929 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
A super beautiful route to drive through. A real gem with views over the lake. Many P-spots to park over night.
Written 28 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KelaTheFinn
Savonlinna, Finland39 contributions
Sept 2012
Go by train, get out at Retretti and walk over the ridge. If you come by car, stop and walk along the old road. Bicycles are also a good idea. Bring a picnic, and sit at one of the many tables along the old road. If you have a 'panorama' camera, this is the place to bring it.
Written 11 October 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Who Me
South Wales UK308 contributions
May 2013 • Couples
While Mother Nature's Trees with their leaves in Spring/Summer obscure the view of this road we had better views of the archipelago as we came towards this place from Kuhmo than when we got there.
Written 26 May 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leo L
Savonlinna, Finland22 contributions
Feb 2013
Punkaharju is a harju, a many kilometers lonh high hill, made during the Ice age. It was made by ice when it did return back and took the soil with it. It is a national scenery of Finland but watch out when you reach Punkaharju that you don`t drive along a new road n:o 14 all the way to Savonlinna or Parikkala. Follow the signs "Harjutie" so you can enjoy the beauty to see water everywhere around you.
Written 30 April 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rarisang
Melbourne, Australia427 contributions
Jul 2012 • Couples
We were so lucky to be taken here by a local Finn, keen to show us how stunningly lovely the eastern lake district of Finland is. It really is beautiful. You drive along a narrow ribbon of land between the lakes. The forests are full of silver birches, spruce, pine and wildflowers. The long summer days are wonderful here. While in Punkaharju, visit the amazing summer cave art gallery Retretti - high art underground.
Written 31 July 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Finntrainfan
Savonlinna, Finland100 contributions
Jun 2012
A place to spend a good day with circular walks past the Beaver Lake and the large Lake Pihlajavesi. Other attractions are the Kruunupuisto hotel (formerly used for TB patients), Valtionhotelli (State Hotel), Lusto (Forestry Museum) and Lusto railway station. So so much to see
Written 2 July 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erkki N
Finland884 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
Punkaharju offers some of the most beautiful scenery in Finland: here the concept "the land of thousands of lakes" really starts to make sense. The area can be experienced by driving breathtakingly long roads on ridges almost too narrow to contain them. This is probably best done by bicycle (or hiking), but car will suffice, as it did in our case. Be sure to take the old road, indicated as "Harjualue - Ridge area". There are places where you can stop and admire the scenery, small beaches for swimming, a nature center/museum (we did not visit this time) and several restaurants, many of them focusing on local cuisine, particularly fish. We quick-explored the area in 2,5 hours, but simply driving through gives one a glimpse of unique beauty and a more enthusiastic visitor should spend at least an entire day to really experience the area. A true must for anyone travelling in southeast Finland!
Written 23 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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