Kymijoki River Outdoor Trail in Kouvola is a Must-see for Nature Lovers – Rent a bike from the train station and hit the path!
Article by Johanna Kleemola
In Commercial Collaboration with the ‘Elinvoimaa Kaakkois-Suomeen matkailuyhteistyöllä‘ Initiative*
The Kymijoki River Outdoor Trail around Kouvola city is approximately 25 kilometers long, passing through the city center along the Kymijoki River, leading to one stunning outdoor area after another. This trail offers numerous informative signs and plenty of rest stops. It is designed for both cycling and walking, with some sections where the two paths diverge. You can start the trail from multiple points, but for those coming from afar, the most convenient option is to arrive by train to Kouvola (about 1 h 30 min from Helsinki), rent a city bike at the train station, and start your journey right there!
Starting Point on the Map (Kouvola Travel Center/Train Station)
Loop Trail 25 km
Numerous Rest Stops
In October, a light drizzle covers Kouvola. Only a few people are moving around the station area, and a lone city bike waits for its rider in front of a bar. You wouldn’t immediately guess that this is the starting point for a dream outdoor trail with stunning views, boardwalks, and numerous fantastic rest stops. Let’s explore!
The Sääksniemi Loop is Suitable for Everyone
We set off as a family, heading north from the Travel Center (Matkakeskus/Kouvola train station) along Kauppalankatu street towards Sääksniemi. The urban environment and roadwork color the beginning of our journey, but soon a sign directs us into the forest.
The city life gives way to the tranquility of nature, and asphalt turns into a path adorned with autumn leaves. We continue along the winding trail, letting our tires roll on the soft ground. Water sparkles behind the trees, and rest stops invite us to take a break.
Although we’re just starting, we decide to rest and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Sääksniemi. There are two sets of tables, and even a beautiful dock by the river. Here, you can fish, and the area is accessible by boat. Fellow hikers pass us by, carrying baskets full of mushrooms. In Finland, you can forage for mushrooms in the forests for free, thanks to everyone’s right. The rainy autumn forest is at its best!
Along the long Kymijoki River Outdoor Trail, there are several sections that descend to the riverbank, which can also be explored as their own, smaller excursions. Many of the routes include a lot of stairs, but the Sääksniemi loop is accessible even with strollers, wheelchairs, or by cycling the entire way. This opportunity is worth taking advantage of.
Cultural Landscapes and City Services
From Sääksniemi, our journey continues towards the bridges of Kymin Ruukki ironworks and Kuusankoski village. We cycle smoothly along the bike path and stop to read the informative signs. The scavenger hunt included in the signs particularly excites our nine-year-old, and we cycle energetically towards new boards. We read about Kymin Ruukki ironworks and its factory, Rapakoski Bridge, Koskenranta villas, and many other sites.
Here and there, leaves tinged with autumn colors are visible, and gradually the cloud cover begins to break. You can make a short detour to the mill area from the main route, and on the Kuusankoski side, you can even stop by a store to grab some more snacks if needed.
The route proceeds to Ekholm Bridge on the north side of the Kymijoki River and about two kilometers later, crosses back to the south side via the next bridge. It’s essential to follow the signs carefully to avoid accidentally continuing on the wrong side of the river or getting lost.
The bridges are visible from afar and gleam in the flickering sun. Well-maintained planting areas delight, and the water spraying in the river captivates. Sometimes it rains, sometimes the sun shines. And the views just keep getting better.
By Bike, on Foot, or Both?
After the large bridges, we ride a short distance through a residential area, and soon arrive at a point where the cycling and walking paths diverge for the first time.
If you want to cycle smoothly along bike paths, it’s best to choose the route designed for cyclists. However, if you wish to see all the incredibly beautiful boardwalks, small bridges, and, for example, the riverside fireplaces, you should definitely take the routes intended for walkers.
At the beginning and end of the walking routes, there are bike-locking places, so you can explore the walking sections without your bike during your cycling trip. But cycling is also allowed on the walking routes.
If you plan to cycle the walking sections, be aware that the route includes long and steep stairs where you’ll need to walk your bike. But these are incredibly beautiful places, so it’s definitely worth it—if you have the skills and strength.
Rest Stops, Boardwalks, and Fairy-Tale Scenery
You can still easily reach the Rauhanharju ridge rest area by bike or, for example, with a stroller, and there’s even a parking area for cars nearby. Here, you can make a fire and admire the river flowing next to you. You can sit down and read about the surrounding grove’s vegetation. You can even arrive here by boat.
When you leave the rest area and walk along the riverside walking route, you’ll experience even more stunning natural beauty and fantastic boardwalk-like sections.
Our children eagerly cycle onto the wooden path. They skillfully navigate through the magical forest and enjoy the extra challenge provided by the boardwalk. We courteously make way for oncoming traffic and appreciate the surroundings.
Along the route, there are viewing benches, and from time to time, boats appear on the river. Occasionally, the ground is covered in an incredible moss carpet, and the flickering sun fills the autumn forest with magical rays. You wouldn’t guess that the train station and city streets are just a bike ride away.
Can It Get Even Better?
Soon we’re back on a wider path, and for a moment, we even ride along the edge of a highway. But it’s not long before a walking sign points towards Aholanmäki hill. We head there.
The uphill climb burns our thighs, and fatigue is slowly setting in, but even our third-grader continues cheerfully. More nature trail signs, even more impressive bridges, and more boardwalks are expected ahead…
The next fire and rest stop is located high on a hill. We take a short break but soon continue, driven by curiosity.
Next are steep metal stairs down to the Kymijoki river, and from there, Keltinranta shore offers yet another delightful rest stop. This route is not only great for cycling but also for resting.
The Kymijoki River Outdoor Trail continues through nature reserves and fields. If you have the energy, it’s worth making a detour to also check out Ruotsula redoubt, a fortification. And it’s not much longer until we reach the impressive bridges of Koria.
Don’t Miss Koria’s Bridges and Alakylä Nature Trail
Near Koria’s bridges, there are again parking spots for both cars and bikes, and here is another route that serves as an excellent day trip destination on its own.
The Alakylä Nature Trail is a 3.5-kilometer loop trail featuring a wide range of different landscapes, natural habitats, and trail structures. But it’s also part of the broader Kymijoki outdoor trail; you can cycle one side and walk the other. Part of the route is also accessible.
We choose a section that initially heads down steep stairs right under the bridges and leads from there to yet another of Kymijoki’s fire and rest stops. One marvel follows another, but there’s no sign of congestion. You can also fish here, and even arrive by boat.
There’s beauty and grandeur. There’s glowing nature and fantastic facilities!
But the journey continues. The sideboards on the stairs help us walk our bikes back up to the path, and the anticipated wonders encourage us to move forward.
We’ve already cycled about twenty kilometers, but we’re still amazed by all the beauty that appears before us. High on a hill, a large lean-to shelter stands, and a spectacular bridge descends below. It’s truly wonderful.
We’ve been on the road for about five hours. Evening is beginning to darken. We cycle past a sheep pasture and hay bales. We ride through the idyllic little village of Alakylä. We admire how the sun sets behind the fields.
The journey has been truly wonderful, but at this point, it feels good that the signs are already pointing to “Downtown.”
Soon we’re there. And in the end, we’ve covered just over 30 kilometers. We’re tired but happy—as cliché as it sounds.
It’s time to load our bikes back onto the car and say goodbye to the darkening Kouvola city. But we want to return here! And it’s as if Jarkko the city bike parked at the Travel Center is still waving, trying to tell us it wants to experience the Kymijoki outdoor trail. Maybe with you? For more information on city bikes available for everyone and their locations, visit kaakau.fi.
See also
Kymijoki River Outdoor Trail map
You can reach the starting point of the route by train! Check the schedules and buy the tickets at vr.fi.
Check out the video below introducing the Kymijoki outdoor trail (in Finnish).
*The initiative is funded as part of the actions implemented by the European Union due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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