Anttola between water and forest

Anttola brings together the lake scenery of Lake Saimaa and trails through forests and nature. The village lies on an isthmus between the lake sections of Vitjase and Luonteri. Hiking, cycling routes, boat trips and the history of the church offer different perspectives on the surrounding area. When planning your trip, you can focus on the water, outdoor activities or cultural discoveries.

Anttola at a glance

• Anttola lies on an isthmus between Vitjase and Luonteri, two parts of Lake Saimaa.
• Neitvuori is 184 metres high and is protected as a natural monument.
• The Rakokallio Nature Reserve is home to a fissure in the rock formed during the Ice Age, about ten metres deep and several dozen metres long.
• The Sydänmaa Hiking Trail is just over five kilometres long and passes through varied woodland.
• Hallavuori has trails that can be used on foot in summer and on skis in winter.

Lake scenery and geological features

Luonteri is part of Lake Saimaa and is mostly a protected nature area. You can explore the scenery by kayak or rowing boat; it is also possible to cycle around Luonteri. A kayaking trip through the Luonteri archipelago starts and ends at Anttola Harbour. It is offered seasonally, so plan it as a seasonal experience and confirm availability before booking.

Geological formations also shape the landscape on land. The Matinmäki drumlin ridge is a nationally valuable moraine formation. A nature trail around Matinmäki can be reached from the Anttolanhovi car park. In the Rakokallio Nature Reserve, you can see a fissure in the rock formed during the Ice Age. The fissure is about ten metres deep and several dozen metres long.

Neitvuori combines a prominent high point with protected natural status. The area has signposted nature trails of varying lengths and campfire sites. This lets you plan around a specific choice of trail rather than assuming there is one fixed route.

Hiking trails for different trip plans

The Sydänmaa Hiking Trail is just over five kilometres long and passes through varied woodland. A lean-to shelter and campfire site are located on the shore of Mäkilampi, where you can also swim. This trail therefore combines a hike with the option of spending time by the water.

A publicly accessible lean-to shelter stands by the Hallavuori recreational trail. It can be reached via Harmolantie, where visitor parking is available. The Hallavuori recreational trail starts in the centre of Anttola, behind the yard of Seurojentalo Koivula at Vanhanpappilantie 7. The Hallavuori recreational and cross-country skiing trail, which is just over three kilometres long, also starts from the Koivula yard. The trail can be used on foot in summer and on skis in winter.

Another option is the app-based MoBo orienteering course. It starts at the information board in the harbour and runs through the Hallavuori recreational area. Those interested in longer trails can find five routes of varying lengths in the Hiiden polut trail network. Together, they are about 60 kilometres long and include the Viiden vuoren reitti, which leads to Anttola. In Anttola, the hike can start at the car park next to Hiidenmaan tila at Neitvuorentie 660. The Viiden vuoren route connects trails in the Juva area with circular trails around Neitvuori in Anttola.

Harbour, cycling and experiences on the water

Anttola’s guest harbour has berths for small and large boats. It also has a Saimaa Geopark information board about the region’s geology and attractions. Sightseeing and charter cruises on the M/S Kuutti can start at the harbour; departure is subject to booking.

Cycling in Anttola also takes several forms. Luonteri can be circled by bicycle. There is also a dedicated cycling track, consisting of an approximately 70-metre wave track for both directions and an approximately 200-metre one-way loop through the forest, ridden counterclockwise. It was completed in summer 2024; use is subject to the local trail conditions at the time.

If you want to plan another leisure activity in addition to hiking and cycling, Anttola has a disc golf course with six baskets. The beach maintained by the City of Mikkeli is at Urheilutie 12. These locations complement the nature trails and boating opportunities with other places to visit during your stay.

Church and accommodation choices

Anttola’s wooden church is part of the nationally significant built cultural environment of the church hill. It was originally built in Juva in 1729 and moved to its present location over an ice road in 1869–1870. This gives a visit to the village a historical dimension in addition to its nature experiences.

When choosing accommodation, you can first consider what you want your stay to focus on: hiking, water activities, cycling or culture. The variety of themes makes it easier to tailor your search to the kind of trip you want, rather than planning around just one attraction. When choosing accommodation, consider whether you want hiking, water activities, cycling or culture to shape your stay. Anttola can be reached by car via Highway 62 from the direction of Mikkeli or Puumala.

Discover more destinations: Kosula, Kuhmo, Leppävirta, Ruokolahti, Heinävesi and Oravikoski.

Frequently asked questions about Anttola

What kind of landscape defines Anttola?

Anttola lies on an isthmus between the Lake Saimaa sections of Vitjase and Luonteri. Luonteri is mostly protected; Neitvuori, Matinmäki and the rock fissure at Rakokallio add distinctive natural and geological features.

What hiking opportunities are there?

The Sydänmaa Hiking Trail is just over five kilometres long. Hallavuori also has trails, including a recreational and cross-country skiing route that is just over three kilometres long; nature trails of varying lengths are signposted in the Neitvuori area.

Can Luonteri be explored by boat?

Yes. You can explore Luonteri’s nature by kayak or rowing boat. A kayaking trip through the archipelago starts and ends at Anttola Harbour; availability is seasonal.

What is there at Anttola Harbour?

The guest harbour has berths for small and large boats. A Saimaa Geopark information board provides information about the region’s geology and attractions. Sightseeing and charter cruises on the M/S Kuutti can start there, subject to booking.

Go to the main travel overview: Lake Saimaa.