Mannervaara: Border history on the eastern edge of Tuupovaara

Mannervaara lies between the Runon ja Rajan tie and the Finnish national border. At the site of a former shop, a piece of iron rod set in a concrete block stands by the roadside; it once carried the border markers of the former provinces of Viipuri and Kuopio. Other attractions in the Tuupovaara area include marked hiking trails and a water route on the Jänisjoki. The history of the village and the locally situated activities offer different ways to plan your stay.

Five points of reference for Mannervaara

• Mannervaara lies between the Runon ja Rajan tie and the Finnish national border.
• The village is one of the Pilkekylät on the eastern edge of Tuupovaara, along today’s Korpiseläntie and Pirttijärventie roads.
• At the site of the former shop, a piece of iron rod that once carried border markers stands by the roadside.
• The border established by the Treaty of Nystad also ran through this same spot.
• The Tuupovaara area has a marked hiking trail about 37 kilometres long, as well as a water route on the Jänisjoki.

A border marker and the history of the villages

The piece of iron rod is associated with a specific location: it stands by the roadside at the site of Mannervaara’s former shop, fixed in a concrete block. It once carried the border markers of the former provinces of Viipuri and Kuopio. At the same time, the border established by the Treaty of Nystad ran through this same spot. Two historical connections therefore meet in one place: the markers of the two provinces and the border set by the peace treaty. This makes Mannervaara a place where border history can be traced through a tangible detail.

The historical context extends beyond this one location. Hoilola, Saarivaara, Mannervaara, Ruhovaara and Saaroinen make up the Tynkä-Korpiselkä area. When peace was concluded, these villages remained on the Finnish side, having belonged to the municipality of Korpiselkä and the province of Viipuri. The local border point and the history of the five villages tell the story on different scales: one concerns an object at the site of a former shop, the other the affiliation of an entire group of villages. Anyone interested in local history can thus find both a specific point of reference and a broader historical context.

Location and historic routes

Mannervaara is one of the Pilkekylät villages on the eastern edge of Tuupovaara. The villages lie along today’s Korpiseläntie and Pirttijärventie roads. Mannervaara can also be placed in context by its location between the Runon ja Rajan tie and the Finnish national border. These points of reference describe the village’s present-day geographical setting; the former road routes, by contrast, offer a glimpse into another period.

The former shop stood at a crossroads of four roads leading to Ilomantsi, Värtsilä, Luutalahti and Ruhovaara. These four directions give the historic road network a distinct focal point. From there, the former significance of the area’s roads can also be understood, without conflating historic routes with present-day road conditions.

The road from Ruhovaara is among the oldest in the area. In the past, it crossed the then-existing border to Korpiselkä and continued from there to Sortavala and Tolvajärvi. Another historic route ran from Luutalahti via Eimisjärvi and Pirttijärvi to Maukkula and Ilomantsi. The two routes differed in their directions and destinations: the road from Ruhovaara crossed the then-existing border, while the route from Luutalahti passed through Eimisjärvi and Pirttijärvi. Together with the former crossroads at Mannervaara, they create a layered picture of historic routes in the area.

Hiking and water activities in the Tuupovaara area

In the Tuupovaara area, a signposted hiking trail about 37 kilometres long runs close to the national border, passing through Hoilola and Öllölä to the Vekarus recreation area and onward to the church village of Tuupovaara. Shepherd boy symbols and red markings indicate the route. Its approximate length, route through several villages and distinctive markings give it a character of its own among the region’s hiking options.

Vekaruskoski is in the Tuupovaara area, on the Paimenpojan polku hiking trail. The waterfall and its location along this trail are another local point of interest in nature. Together with the signposted route through Hoilola and Öllölä, they offer hikers two distinct options: a longer marked trail to the Vekarus recreation area and the church village of Tuupovaara, and the trail where Vekaruskoski is located.

Water touring on the Jänisjoki is also an option in the Tuupovaara area. The water route combines calm lake stretches, where church boat trips are possible, with challenging rapids for experienced paddlers. This contrast matters when choosing a water activity: church boat trips on calm stretches and challenging rapids suit different levels of paddling experience. The regional description therefore includes both tranquil waterways and stretches that require experience.

Which focus suits your accommodation search?

The hiking trail, Vekaruskoski and the water route on the Jänisjoki are located in the Tuupovaara area. You can choose your focus based on whether you mainly want to discover the village’s border history or also include regional hiking and water activities.

If the historic site is the deciding factor for your stay, Mannervaara is the specific point of reference. If you are planning your stay around hiking or paddling, the routes described and their regional settings are the relevant considerations when choosing where to go.

Discover more destinations: Vartiala, Liperi, Tolosenmäki, Polvijärvi, Ilomantsi, Kitee, Lieksa, Kesälahti.

Frequently asked questions about Mannervaara

Where is the border marker in Mannervaara?

The piece of iron rod stands by the roadside at the site of the former shop. It is fixed in a concrete block and once carried the border markers of the former provinces of Viipuri and Kuopio.

Which villages belong to the Tynkä-Korpiselkä area?

The so-called Tynkä-Korpiselkä area comprises Hoilola, Saarivaara, Mannervaara, Ruhovaara and Saaroinen. When peace was concluded, these villages remained on the Finnish side, having belonged to the municipality of Korpiselkä and the province of Viipuri.

Which hiking trails and natural attractions are described in the Tuupovaara area?

A signposted trail about 37 kilometres long runs close to the national border, passing through Hoilola and Öllölä to the Vekarus recreation area and onward to the church village of Tuupovaara. Vekaruskoski is also located along the Paimenpojan polku hiking trail.

What water activities does the water route on the Jänisjoki offer?

In the Tuupovaara area, the route includes calm lake stretches for church boat trips and challenging rapids for experienced paddlers. The two types of stretches differ considerably in character.

For the wider travel overview: North Karelia.