Virolahti: Coast, Nature and the Salpalinja

The nearly 1,200-kilometre-long Salpalinja begins on the coast of the Gulf of Finland near Virolahti and reaches all the way to the Arctic Ocean. Around the municipality, this broad historical perspective meets nature watching, hiking trails and traces of earlier defensive structures. Virolahti can thus be explored through a range of interests—from migratory birds and heath forest to military history museums and old road connections.

Gulf of Finland and National Park

The Eastern Gulf of Finland National Park was established in 1982 in the municipalities of Pyhtää, Kotka, Vehkalahti and Virolahti; it is managed by Metsähallitus. In spring, visitors can observe millions of Arctic migratory birds passing through the area. At this time of year, bird migration offers a different perspective on the surroundings than the historical themes of the Salpalinja.

Most of the national park is difficult to access. It is therefore particularly suitable for boaters and physically fit hikers. Anyone including the park in their travel plans should take this local condition into account.

The Salpalinja and Virolahti Bunker Museum

The Virolahti Bunker Museum was established in 1980 as a military history museum. It provides information about the construction of the Salpalinja defensive line in 1940–1941 and 1944 and is part of a wartime defensive position. 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. Check the current opening hours before visiting.

Electric fat bikes can be rented at the museum to explore nearby hiking and cycling trails around the museum and the Salpalinja. As availability may change, confirm it with the museum before travelling. Another overnight experience offered there is a stay in a restored spherical bunker; check availability for this in advance as well.

Two hiking trails with different characters

The 43-kilometre Salpapolku is a linear hiking trail that starts in Virolahti and follows the Salpalinja through the areas of Virolahti and Miehikkälä. Erämaan polku offers a different kind of route: it passes through easy heath forest terrain with little elevation change, is suitable for people with average physical fitness, and can be cycled in its entirety by mountain bike. Adult supervision is recommended for children.

Nine information boards along Erämaan polku cover, among other things, the Erämaa workers’ village, using a map from the 1940s. They tell the story of the barracks, the fortification workers and the members of Lotta Svärd who were responsible for catering. The trail also passes several reinforced-concrete bunkers and Matsun taukopaikka, a rest stop connected to Salpapolku. There is a barbecue shelter and a dry toilet there.

Quarry, imperial era and historic roads

The old Pyterlahden louhos quarry is located in 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 the columns of St Isaac’s Cathedral. The history of a local quarry is thus connected with buildings in various locations around St Petersburg.

The historic amusement park Keisarin huvipuisto was located in Huovarinniemi in Vilkkilä, in Vatimenpohja, on land leased by the Russian court from the municipality of Virolahti. Its attractions 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 arrived in his motorboat. The park opened to visitors in summer 2021. A restoration project from 2019 to 2022 prepared both Keisarin huvipuisto and Pyterlahden louhos for public tourist use and hiking.

The 35.2-kilometre Museotie runs from Haminan Tallinmäki to Virojoki in Virolahti and is part of the Great Coastal Road, the Kuninkaantie. Its route still follows an alignment shown on 18th-century maps. The road is described as scenic, winding and hilly. Groups can also book a bunker picnic, which ends with a meal or coffee in an authentic concrete bunker. In the Harju area, the Hevosajoneuvomuseo Kiessi in Ravijoki displays around 100 horse-drawn vehicles, from ploughs and other work implements to Ajelurilla vehicles and racing carts.

Discover more destinations: Mankala, Kuusankoski, Kouvola, Veikkola, Hamina, Länsikylä, Kotka, Rekola.

For the broader travel overview: Kymenlaakso.