April Showcase - Hiidenvuori

Originally posted on April 10 2020.


Hiidenvuori is a rocky hill on an island called Hiidensaari in the municipality of Iiitti about 40 km to the east of Lahti. The island is juts out into the river Kymi, which is the second largest river in Finland. The 120 km long Lake Päijänne discharges into the Gulf of Finland via the river Kymi. I will show you pictures I took during our hike to the top of Hiidenvuori about 60 m above the river.

IMG_3252.jpg

The end of the public road before the island

IMG_3253.jpg

This is not a lake. This is the river Kymi.

IMG_3254.jpg

You can see the island now.

IMG_3256.jpg

IMG_3257.jpg

The water is incredibly clear.

IMG_3263.jpg

The island is connected to the mainland by this short causeway.

IMG_3264.jpg

The river on the other side of the island.

IMG_3266.jpg

The road continues about 500 m until the middle of the island.

DSC_0825.jpg

This is where you leave your car.

DSC_0827.jpg

Information about the place

DSC_0828.jpg

There were many more decaying tree trunks in the forest than most people here are used to. Most forests in the south of the country are privately owned and put to an economic use.

DSC_0829.jpg

One of the tall rock faces

DSC_0830.jpg

DSC_0831.jpg

Easy street

DSC_0834.jpg

DSC_0836.jpg

Approaching the top

DSC_0837.jpg

The rock was made smooth by ice many kilometres thick.

I heard Sibelius' Karelia Suite in my head when looking at these views. It is highly recommended to listen to it.

DSC_0839.jpg

DSC_0840.jpg

DSC_0842.jpg

DSC_0843.jpg

DSC_0844.jpg

DSC_0852.jpg

DSC_0850.jpg

DSC_0855.jpg

DSC_0856.jpg

DSC_0862.jpg

My daughter climbing

DSC_0866.jpg

DSC_0868.jpg

I'm not sure what this factory is. It could be the fluting cardboard mill in Heinola. Could be one of the plants in Kuusankoski as well. It is no co-incidence that the factories are located along the river. The availability of wood was the main criteria why there have been pulp and paper mills along the river Kymi. Since the 1960's, the river has completely lost all logistical significance. There are too many rapids and it is too shallow and narrow in most places for any large ships. Roads, and railways to a smaller degree, are where the raw materials and products are moved these days.

IMG_3276.jpg

Patterns in the rock at the top.

DSC_0873.jpg

After taking photos and looking at the scenery for about half an hour we walked back. I took some shots of the details of the forest.

DSC_0878.jpg

DSC_0881.jpg

DSC_0882.jpg

IMG_3293.jpg

IMG_3294.jpg

IMG_3295.jpg

IMG_3299.jpg

IMG_3303.jpg

Back to the car. I hope you enjoyed this photowalk as much as I did. Cheers!