Two unique destinations

Not every city has a UNESCO World Heritage site and a national park, but we do have them in Kouvola! Located about half an hour’s drive apart are the Repovesi National Park and the UNESCO World Heritage Site Verla.

Thanks to its varied and rugged landscapes, Repovesi National Park is one of the most popular hiking destinations in Southern Finland, while Verla is a completely unique gem of industrial heritage.

A national park for the whole family

Repovesi National Park offers over 40 kilometers of easy, moderately difficult, and nearly vertical trails. You can start your hiking trip from three different entry points, which also have parking areas. Lapinsalmi and Tervajärvi are located in the southern part of the area, while Saarijärvi is in the north.

The hiking trails wind through a natural landscape punctuated by high cliffs, waterways, and swampy areas, part of which has remained untouched. Read more about the trails of Repovesi and head out for a hike.

Beautiful days and stunning landscapes invite you to hike. Remember that hiking in the national park comes with freedoms and rights, but also guidelines and rules.

These rules are not made to annoy hikers, but to ensure that the growing number of nature enthusiasts can hike safely and that the park’s nature remains just as beautiful for those whose trip is tomorrow or the day after.

Where can you find a suitable camping or bonfire site? Are there trash bins in the park? Does the dog need to be on a leash? You can read answers to frequently asked questions about Repovesi on our website. You can also download the Repovesi National Park map before your trip to the national park.

If you would like to rent canoes or a guided kayaking trip for your group or friends, you can always turn to the activity and program service companies in the Kouvola area.

Unique and stunning Verla

In 1972, the Verla sawmill and paper mill became Finland’s first industrial museum and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996.

You can spend an entire summer day at Verla. In addition to guided tours of the museum, you can explore the UNESCO site independently, as there is a history trail marked with signs throughout the factory area.

The area also features exhibitions showcasing logging activities, workers’ housing, and the factory fire brigade’s operations. You can discover the workers’ housing through a self-guided walking tour on the Venähmaa side. And enjoy the wooded landscape along Verla’s renovated forest trail.

Local entrepreneurs’ shops serve visitors in the museum area, and during your museum day, you can indulge in the offerings at restaurants in the Verla area. The workers’ housing area offers Verla cabins as accommodation options, allowing you to stay in the UNESCO village for an extended period.

You can check the museum’s opening hours and up-to-date pricing on Verla’s website.