Opportunities for enjoyment
Fishing at the lake
Fishing at the lake is a great way to spend your free time in nature and at the same time enjoy the peace and quiet and listen to the sounds of the northern wilderness. For example, the singing of swans under the midnight sun in the summer is unforgettable. The most common catches from the lake include pike, perch, or you can also catch crayfish in traps that you will find at the cottage.
Sauna with lake view
Enjoy the perfect relaxing atmosphere and beautiful views of the lake at sunset in the sauna with a lake view. The wood-burning stove ensures complete authenticity from the sauna experience. The view where the sun sets makes not only summer evenings absolutely magical.
Barbecue on the terrace or pier by the lake
On the terrace overlooking the lake, you can enjoy, for example, grilled meat and a pleasant atmosphere while grilling with family or friends. These activities can also be carried out on the wooden pier directly on the lake. We have recently built the so-called Gilli Kota - a glass hut by the lake, designed for barbecues in case of inclement weather.
Motorboat / boat rental
A boat trip on Lake Kivenkänä is another way to spend a pleasant day on the water, whether you want to be alone or with your loved ones. You can even sail all the way to the village bar!
Nature walks
Walking in nature is not only a pleasant way to relax, but also strengthens our health and brings us a lot of positive experiences. There are many interesting places to see in the area. You can collect wild berries or mushrooms, which are basically everywhere around.
Outdoor fireplace and seating
The outdoor fireplace and seating area is the ideal place for pleasant evenings in nature by a roaring fire and with your own catch from the lake, which you can prepare as you wish. The sunset from this place is unforgettable.
The area around Putkola Cottage offers a surprising number of places worth visiting. Nature and history lovers will appreciate Lusto – the Finnish Forestry Museum in Punkaharju, where you can learn all about Finnish forests and their culture.
Nearby you will also find the Kollaa & Simo Häyhä Museum, dedicated to the legendary Finnish sniper and the Winter War – a small, authentic museum with a very strong atmosphere.
In Imatra, it is worth stopping at the Imatra Art Museum with modern exhibitions and the Imatra Border Museum, which introduces the history of the border region and life in Karelia.
For a culinary experience, the popular Kuutamolaukan POP-UP pizzeria offers a delicious wood-fired pizza in the middle of the Finnish countryside in an atmospheric barn – an ideal stop after a trip.
Among the greatest natural attractions is Kummakivi, a balancing stone that has stood in place for thousands of years and has an almost supernatural feel.
For a cultural icon of Finland, head to Savonlinna – the majestic Olavinlinna Castle is one of the most beautiful medieval castles in the country and also offers museum exhibitions.
And for something truly unique, you can't miss Parikkala Sculpture Park, a surrealistic garden full of hundreds of concrete sculptures, which has no equal in Finland.
Imatrankoski – Finland's oldest tourist attraction
Just a few minutes from the center of Imatra, you'll find Imatrankoski, Finland's most famous rapids and the oldest tourist attraction in the entire country. They were created around 6,000 years ago when the waters of Saimaa burst through the Salpausselkä ridge. Today, the flow is regulated by a dam, but in the summer, the sluice gates are regularly opened and a rapids show is created – a mighty stream of water turns into a roaring river in a matter of minutes, accompanied by the music of Jean Sibelius. The best view is from Koskisilta or from the terrace of the iconic Imatran Valtionhotelli hotel. It is a short but very powerful experience that is worth seeing at least once.
And finally, the landscape around Putkola itself: Lake Saimaa, the largest lake in Finland, spreads out over a wide area and creates a typical Finnish scenery – thousands of islands, narrow straits, quiet bays and endless possibilities for water trips. It is a place where one can easily get lost in nature and find exactly the peace that makes one come to Karelia.