The best walks and hikes around the Vuoksi

The Imatra Rapids are one of Finland's oldest tourist attractions, dating back to the 1700s. The Imatra Hydroelectric Dam was built in 1929. It a hugely impressive sight, a highlight of any run here.

Imatrankoski is one of Finland’s most famous rapids and a highlight of any visit to Imatra. The dam-controlled rapids are usually opened in summer for scheduled shows, drawing crowds to watch the powerful flow of water through the old riverbed. It’s located right in the city centre, with good bike access and plenty of space to watch from the bridge or park area. The surrounding Kruununpuisto Park is Finland’s oldest nature park and offers well-kept paths and historical landmarks. It’s a great place for cyclists to stop, explore on foot, and enjoy both natural force and local history.

This path seperates the Mellonlahti from the Vuoksi.

This is a nice place for a break.

This path seperates the Mellonlahti from the Vuoksi.

This cycle path runs along the 162-kilometre-long Vuoski River. The source of the river is in Lake Saimma and it flows through south-eastern Finland, ending in Lake Ladoga in north-western Russia.

When the first small drop of water falls over the edge of the dam, its foaming journey towards more spacious waters, towards the great lake of Ladoga begins. It first foams in the Imatrankoski Rapids and tries to escape the great water masses that follow. The drop swims under the old lanterns at Koskisilta Bridge. It spins past the idyllic Pavillion. It passes the venerable Valtionhotelli hotel and a rock cliff that in the past held a squeaky ropeway. It sprays some moisture on the guests standing at the viewing terrace and surges towards the centuries old rock engravings, the royal graffiti. And this is how the water masses accumulate. They fill the rugged channel; they spin, agitate, thunder. Visitor to Imatrankoski: If you have never heard the thunder of the rapids, experienced its magnificent force, now is the time. For a moment, you feel you are held tightly in the violent embrace of nature. For a moment, you feel you are one with history, with the ancient river bed. That experience is just as large as the smallest drop of the foaming rapids. The Rapids shows in 2024: June 26 - August 31 from Wednesday to Sunday at 6 PM. Friday 28.6. the rapids are flowing freely from 7 PM onwards, without music, at the Saimaa Cycle Tour event. August 24 at 9:30 PM, the Imatra Day -event From October 18th to 19th and 25th to 26th at 6 PM, an Autumn break of schools. Rapids show without music. December 6th at 4 PM Finnish Independence Day The Rapids show lasts approx. 16 minutes. Eight minutes after the flood gates are opened, the foams reach their peak with an average of 400 cubic metres of water per second flowing in the stream. In the summer rapid shows will be accompanied by music of Jean Sibelius and on Saturdays the Whitewater Symphony by the Osmo's Cosmos band. The best places to watch the Rapids shows are Koskisilta Bridge and Koskipuisto Park. During the summer season, guided tours are organized in the Kruununpuisto (the park surrounding Imatrankoski). You can inquire about your own guide for groups from Imatra Tours. mehr Infos unter: https://kansallisihme.fi/en/imatrankoski-rapids

One of the most interesting activities in Imatra is certainly the spectacular 20-minute show offered on Saturdays in the summer at the Imatrankoski rapids. It is one of the most popular summer events in Imatra. During the show, the sluices are opened, so that approximately 500m³ of water per second plunge into the riverbed. Particularly daring visitors can glide over the roaring rapids hanging from a steel cable. From 22.06. to 23.08., the rapids shows take place on Saturdays at 18:00 (Saturday 20.8. at 19:00).