Discover Virolahti: Gulf, Salpalinja and history

Virolahti brings together the coast of the Gulf of Finland and a distinctive military and cultural history. In spring, Arctic birds migrate over the national park; the Salpalinja, hiking trails and bunkers reveal other aspects of the region. There is also an old granite quarry, a historic road and the story of an imperial amusement park. When planning your trip, it is worth noting the differences: much of the national park is difficult to access, while the Erämaan polku passes through easy heath forest terrain. Nature, hiking and cultural history offer different ways to experience Virolahti.

Virolahti at a glance

• The Eastern Gulf of Finland National Park was established in 1982 with the involvement of the municipality of Virolahti and is managed by Metsähallitus.
• In spring, millions of Arctic migratory birds can be observed flying over the national park.
• The 43-kilometre Salpapolku is a linear hiking trail that follows the Salpalinja through the areas of Virolahti and Miehikkälä.
• The Erämaan polku passes through easy heath forest terrain with little elevation change; children should be accompanied by adults.
• The 35.2-kilometre Museotie connects Haminan Tallinmäki with Virojoki in Virolahti and is part of the Kuninkaantie.
• The Virolahti Bunker Museum was founded in 1980 as a military history museum and provides information about the construction of the Salpalinja.

The gulf, migratory birds and island villages

The Eastern Gulf of Finland National Park was established in 1982 in the municipalities of Pyhtää, Kotka, Vehkalahti and Virolahti, and is managed by Metsähallitus. The protected area also includes land in the municipality of Virolahti. In spring, millions of Arctic migratory birds can be seen flying over the area. This gives travellers with a particular interest in bird migration a clear seasonal focus for planning their trip.

The nature of the terrain is also worth bearing in mind: the national park is particularly suited to boaters and physically fit hikers, as much of the terrain is difficult to access. The region’s island villages come alive in summer. Spring migration and summer island life offer different nature experiences and cannot be combined into a single visit programme.

The Salpalinja and its bunker history

The nearly 1,200-kilometre Salpalinja starts on the coast of the Gulf of Finland near Virolahti and stretches as far as the Arctic Ocean. The Salpapolku makes part of this historic line accessible as a hiking trail: it is 43 kilometres long, follows a linear route and runs along the Salpalinja through the areas of Virolahti and Miehikkälä. The trail offers opportunities for outdoor activities and relaxation in nature. Its linear route clearly distinguishes it from the Erämaan polku, which is described as easier.

The Virolahti Bunker Museum was founded in 1980 as a military history museum and is part of a wartime defensive position. It provides information about the construction of the Salpalinja in 1940–1941 and 1944. The museum includes authentic bunkers, trenches and artillery positions, as well as exhibitions about the construction of the fortification system. During opening hours, visitors can browse local souvenirs in the museum shop and relax in the museum café.

Electric fat bikes can be rented at the museum to explore the nearby hiking and cycling trails around the museum and the Salpalinja. Availability may change, so it is best to treat the bikes as a possible addition to your trip rather than a fixed requirement. Another experience on offer is an overnight stay in a restored spherical bunker. This offer may also change, so it is better regarded as a special extra than as a given when planning accommodation. Groups can also book a bunker picnic, which ends with a meal or coffee in an authentic concrete bunker.

Trails with different levels of difficulty

The Erämaan polku offers a different way to explore the municipality’s natural and military history. The trail passes through easy heath forest terrain with little elevation change, is considered suitable for people with average physical fitness and can be ridden in its entirety by mountain bike. Children should be accompanied by adults. The requirements are therefore more clearly defined than for the mostly difficult-to-access terrain of the national park.

Nine information boards tell the story of the Erämaa labour village, its barracks and the fortification workers, among other things, using a map from the 1940s. The Lotta Svärd members responsible for catering are also featured. The trail passes several reinforced concrete bunkers and the Matsun taukopaikka rest stop, which is connected to the Salpapolku. There is a barbecue shelter and a dry toilet there. The combination of landscape, information boards and preserved structures makes the Erämaan polku a different historical experience from the longer Salpapolku.

Granite, historic roads and imperial traces

The old Pyterlahden louhos quarry is located at Hevonniemi in the village of Pyterlahti in Virolahti. Its red granite was used, among other things, for the monolith on Palace Square in St Petersburg, the Alexander Column and columns in St Isaac’s Cathedral. The story of the stone connects a location in the municipality with well-known buildings in St Petersburg and adds a very different story of regional work and craftsmanship to the military history themes.

The Museotie is another historic link. The 35.2-kilometre road runs from Haminan Tallinmäki to Virojoki in Virolahti and is part of the Great Coastal Road, the Kuninkaantie. It is described as scenic, winding and hilly. Its route still follows a course shown on maps from the 18th century. This makes it possible to appreciate the road both as a historic route and for its present-day landscape.

The historic amusement park Keisarin huvipuisto was located at Huovarinniemi in Vilkkilä, in Vatimenpohja, on land that the Russian court had leased from the municipality of Virolahti. The site included a tennis court, a mini-golf course, a hand-operated carousel and a swing for the emperor’s children. Every summer, a landing pier was built on the shore, where the emperor would arrive in his motorboat. The historic park opened to visitors in summer 2021. A restoration project from 2019 to 2022 prepared Pyterlahden louhos and Keisarin huvipuisto for general tourist access and hiking.

The Hevosajoneuvomuseo Kiessi is also located in the Harju area, in Ravijoki. It displays around 100 different horse-drawn vehicles and pieces of equipment: the collection ranges from ploughing equipment and other work tools to Ajelurilla vehicles and racing carts. The museum is open in summer when the Kiessi Café is open; visits can also be arranged by appointment.

Choose accommodation based on your travel interests

When looking for accommodation in Virolahti, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on: would you like to explore the nature of the Gulf of Finland, with its bird migration and island villages, or are you more interested in hiking trails, bunkers and regional history? The attractions described here differ in terrain, activity and subject matter, so choosing suitable accommodation starts with the experiences you want to shape your trip. You can also explore more destinations in Veikkola, Kannusjärvi, Mäntlahti, Mankala, Länsikylä, Hamina, Pyhtää and Jaala.

Frequently asked questions about Virolahti

When can you see Arctic migratory birds in the national park?

Bird migration is a springtime event. At this time of year, millions of Arctic migratory birds can be seen flying over the Eastern Gulf of Finland National Park.

How do the Salpapolku and Erämaan polku differ?

The Salpapolku is a 43-kilometre linear trail along the Salpalinja through the areas of Virolahti and Miehikkälä. The Erämaan polku passes through easy heath forest terrain with little elevation change, has nine information boards and can be ridden in its entirety by mountain bike. Children should be accompanied by adults on this trail.

What can visitors learn at the Virolahti Bunker Museum?

Founded in 1980, the military history museum provides information about the construction of the Salpalinja in 1940–1941 and 1944. The structures described include bunkers, trenches and artillery positions; during opening hours, visitors can also use the museum shop and café.

What historic attractions does Virolahti offer besides the Salpalinja?

Pyterlahden louhos is known for its red granite, which was used, among other things, in buildings in St Petersburg. The Museotie is part of the Kuninkaantie and follows a route shown on maps as far back as the 18th century. Keisarin huvipuisto recalls the municipality’s imperial history.

Can you stay overnight at the Virolahti Bunker Museum?

An overnight stay in a restored spherical bunker is offered as an experience. As this offer may change, it should be planned as a special addition to your trip rather than as guaranteed accommodation.

For the overview of the wider region: Kymenlaakso.