Outdoor Activities
The unique urban nature of Varkaus combined with the lake scenery of Lake Saimaa offers memorable outdoor activities. Go for an afternoon walk or even a longer hike!
Bird towers
Ruokojärven lintutorni
The distance from the centre of Varkaus is about 5 km. The distance from the car park (at the end of the forest road) to the tower is about 0.3 km. The path is partly a longitudinal path. Due to the poor condition of the forest road, it is recommended to park your car at the junction of Kiertotie and Teollisuuskatu, which is about 2 km from the bird tower. The tower is 6 metres high and can accommodate about 15 people at a time. There is a cosy shelter in front of the tower.
Location of the bird tower
See here Timo Heinonen's photos from the autumn migration monitoring event on 25 September 2011 at Ruokojärven lintutorni.
Mulan lintutorni
A path leads to the bird tower on the eastern shore of Lake Mulajärvi from the Museum of Mechanical Music, a distance of about 200 m, and is also suitable for people with reduced mobility. From the tower you can see, for example, a collared heron and a ruddy egret, which nest nearby.
Location of the bird tower
Outdoor Routes And Nature Trails
POPULAR OUTDOOR ROUTES AND NATURE TRAILS
Heinämäki Outdoor Trail
Heinämäki Outdoor Trail starts right from the centre of Varkaus at the Huruslahti end of Rajakatu. The route follows the shores to Vattuvuori and from there on to Heinämäki via the Honkapirtti outdoor hut. The Heinämäki Trail is 15 km long, well marked and well lit all the way to Honkapirtti. You can cycle, hike or ski around the trail.
Härkämäki Nature Trail
Härkämäki Observatory on the Kangaslampi site is a nature trail about 1300 m long with science-themed tasks. Härkämäki's terrain is a great place for hiking during the thaw or snowshoeing in winter.
Kotkanpolku Nature Trail
The 7 km Kotkanpolku nature trail in Joroinen runs through the partly protected Kotkatharju terrain. Visiting this nature trail is a truly wonderful experience all year round, as each season brings its own colour and scent to the landscape.
Kämäri and Ämmäkoski Nature and Outdoor Area
Located near the centre of Varkaus, between Ämmäkoski and Taipale canal area, Kämäri Island offers an outdoor recreation experience in a unique rapids environment. Here, nature, culture and the city live in harmony.
The wooden bridges on Kämäri provide access to two rapids, Kattilakoski and Linnakoski. The guided and easy Kämäri nature trail allows you to enjoy the green nature and the rapids in all seasons. The trail leads through deciduous groves to the rapids, over wooden bridges and joins an illuminated outdoor trail near the beach.
The new bridges at Kämäri were built in 2021 to connect green corridors and provide a variety of access routes along the rapids. These bridges provide access over two rapids, Kattilakoski and Linnakoski.
A spacious Leijonalaavu is located alongside the waterways and bridges. In addition, Finland's largest fish ladder and spawning area has been built in the area.
The winter-maintained trail is about 700 metres long. The outdoor trail is about 2.5 km long. The nature and outdoor recreation area is accessed via guided routes from the Uimahalli Ilopisara and Navitas properties at Wredenkatu 2, 78250 Varkaus and from the Kämärin jääurheilukeskus at Rehnströminkatu 10, 78250 Varkaus. There is plenty of parking space at the starting points of both routes.
Canoeing Routes
Varkaus' diverse waterways offer excellent opportunities for canoeing. Alternatives include the Soisalon kierto or the Varkaus-Leppävirta-Suonenjoki route. There are good landing places along both routes.
Orinoro Gorge
The Orinoro Gorge on the island of Soisalo in Mustinmäki, Leppävirta, is a popular family destination that will leave no one indifferent. The Orinoro Gorge is about 100 m long and at its maximum depth of almost 20 m. A spring bubbles at the bottom of the gorge and snow and ice remain there until June. Visitors can choose between a 3 km and a 7 km hiking trail.
Peis Training and Nature Trail
The 4.3 km Peis Training and Nature trail on Mount Joenmäki in Harjuranta runs close to the Harjurannan luontokirkko and the lean-to, making it easy to stop off at these sites while walking. The nature trail has steep ascents and descents, so some of the terrain is difficult to negotiate.
MAPS OF OUTSIDE TRAILS:
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Outdoor Houses And Lean-Tos
The Honkapirtti in Varkaus is owned by Varkauden Latu and is available for rent for events. It is located a couple of kilometres from road 5 towards Sorsakoski on the banks of Osmajoki and has a nice lakeside sauna.
From the Honkapirtti-Heinämäki hiking trail towards Sorsakoski is the Suojalan laavu, which is an ideal stopover for hiking and skiing.
Watch a video of the renovated Honkapirti here!
Peisin Laavu
Peisin Laavu, run by the Harjurannan Kyläyhdistys, is located on Joenmäenvuori, Harjuranta, about 15 km from the centre of Varkaus. The lodge has a magnificent view, as the Joenmäenvuori rises to 174 metres. There is also a beautiful nature church and a nature trail nearby.
For more information, see Harjurannan Kyläyhdistys ry
There is no winter maintenance on the road leading to the clearing and the nature church.