Experiences along the Kymi River

Kouvola is surprisingly beautiful when viewed from the water, and the Kymijoki River flows through the urban areas and villages of Kouvola. Along its banks, there are many sights and experiences to enjoy, including a touch of history, manors, rafting, and award-winning outdoor trails.

Kayak, fish, sail

The Kymijoki River and hundreds of lakes lead you to new landscapes, sometimes to rugged cliffs or fine sandy beaches. In Kouvola, you can enjoy lake and river fishing throughout the municipality.

You can paddle all the way to Lake Saimaa along the waterways of Kouvola. One of the most well-known kayaking routes is the Väliväylä route, which runs from Saimaa to Kymijoki. If you need to rent a canoe or stand-up paddleboard, Kouvola has several operators that offer services related to paddling and boating.

For information on fishing licenses and fishing prohibited areas, you can visit the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s website. Tight lines!

A touch of history along the Kymijoki River

The Ankkapurha area provides a great glimpse into the history of the Kymijoki River. The Ankkapurha Industrial Museum showcases the working and living conditions of the staff of the current Stora Enso Anjalankoski mill as well as the development of the forest industry over more than 150 years.

The first wood grinding mill was built in Ankkapurha Lohisaari in 1872. At the same location, the old cardboard factory now houses the Ankkapurha Industrial Museum, which presents the staff’s working and living conditions as well as the development of the industry over 150 years.

The core and most valuable collection of the museum is Finland’s first continuously operating cardboard machine, which started in 1897 and was permanently stopped in 1978. Nearby, there is also a museum house, Varpunen, that showcases the living conditions of the working class. The museum was opened in 1997.

Taideruukki operates in the old factory environment of the Kymintehdas. It is now blossoming with new life! In the red-brick former central warehouse, a concentration of artists and craftsmen has settled. There are graphic artists, photographers, and glass artists. Under the same roof, you will also find a cozy café.

Oravala Manor is located in Kouvola, in the old Valkeala, along the banks of the Kymijoki River. At Oravala Manor, you can enjoy the old cultural environment and the manor’s traditional history. The manor offers guided tours to the oak park dating back to the 18th century and the home museum.

Along the Kymijoki River, you can also find the Kymen Paviljonki, which is a cozy rest area by the Kymijoki River, right by Highway 6.

Fill your stomach before your journey home, buy Pentik products, or relax in the pavilion’s garden, where you can explore the protected grove area or refresh yourself by the waterside on the dock. In summer, you can also pet goats and chickens. The Kymen Pavilion can also host various events from meetings to christenings.

Move along the Kymijoki River

You can enjoy the scenery of the Kymijoki River from the saddle of a bike or while hiking along the brand new Kymijoki outdoor trail . The Kymijoki outdoor trail was voted the Outdoor Site of the Year 2024 in a public vote. This outdoor trail brings the landscapes of the Kymijoki River closer to everyone and creates a scenic connection between Kouvola, Kuusankoski, and Koria.

The total length of the circular route is about 25 kilometers, following the east side of the river from Lamminranta to Kuusankoski and then further to Niskala, Ruotsula, and Koria. The route turns north to Kankaronmäki and passes through the central area of Kouvola back to Lamminranta. About two-thirds of the route is therefore by the riverbank or very close to it.

Along the route, you can admire varying river landscapes and enjoy diverse nature and cultural sites. The city’s services are very close, for example, in Kouvola’s city center, Kuusankoski, and Koria.

Along the Kymijoki River, you can also explore, for example, the Känkkärä Nature Trail.

In Anjala, the long, beach-aligned cliff is the core and attraction of the Känkkärä Nature Reserve. From the cliff, you can see the factory area on the opposite bank as well as buildings designed by Alvar Aalto. The protected area has several small rocky meadows where you can spot, among other things, woolly thistle, mountain thyme, and mountain avens. There is a nature trail running through the area.

The terrain is varied, but railings and stairs have been built at the most challenging points. The nature trail is just over two kilometers long and features, among other things, a lean-to. You can access the nature trail from the yard of Ankkapurha.

If you prefer to explore the landscapes of the Kymijoki River by bike, it’s worth checking out the biking routes in Kouvola.

Kimola Canal

The Kimola Canal was opened to boaters in August 2020. This new boating route allows navigation from Lake Päijänne to Kouvola’s Voikkaa and has received positive feedback from boaters. A unique feature of the Kimola Canal is its 12-meter lock height and approximately 70-meter-long boat tunnel.

The endpoint, or starting point, of the water route depends on the traveler and is at Kouvola’s Voikkaa. Hirvelä, on the other hand, is the home port, which also has a launching area for boats. The Virtakivi sauna serves as a guest harbor.