Karjalankallion laavu (the lean-to of Karelia Cliffs) is a nice, easy to reach fire-pit and viewing point near the Punkaharju Arboretum. The arboretum hosts among other things Finland's tallest tree.
While there was no beach, it was possible to go the water quite easily, at least if you have good swimming shoes to keep your feet stable on the smooth rock face sloping down to the water. A bit further on there are rocks under the water, but still walkable if you are careful.
Water was wonderful and clear, as always in this area. Very soft, too, having been used to swimming pool water.
The coordinates of my swimming spot were N 61.817097 E 29.332400. and the lean-to itself is at N 61.816699 E 29.332082. You can drive to a near-by parking lot, maybe 500 meters from the lean-to. The location and more information about the arboretum can be found here.
The shoreline:
The view from the lean-to:
I was in Punkaharju for a health rehabilitation course. This included heavy exercise, like taking a nap under a sleeping bag on a terrace:
The tallest tree:
This article has also been published at Planetswimmer.com here. Read the full series of sauna and swimming stories from planetswimmer.com and saunablogger.cool, or all blog articles from Blogspot. Photos and text (c) 2026 by Jari Arkko. All rights reserved.
This article was originally published in the Planetskier Blogspot article series.
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