Hiitolanjoki river

Hiitolanjoki is a river that’s 53 km long, of which 9 km flows in Rautjärvi municipality and other 44 km in Russia. The river flows from lakes Simpeleenjärvi and Silamusjärvi on to lake Ladoga. Hiitolanjoki is a splendid nature destination because of its nature path and fishing opportunities.

Nature and history

The historical nature path is a great place to get to know the areas industrial history, as well as enjoy the beautiful scenery. The nature path is about 3,5 km long and its starting point is Simpele industrial areas Juvankoski. The steepest parts of the route have been installed with steps and railings.

River Hiitolanjoki has been an important waterway, from which people have historically been able to access lake Ladoga, lakes Simpeleenjärvi and Torsanjärvi and forward to lake Saimaa. It’s known that tracing as far back as the 1700’s, the river had a lot of milling as well as timber rafting. These days the river has four functioning power plants.

The Hiitolanjoki areas nature is diverse. The rivers lush plants by the rivers shore and deciduous trees on one side and rugged fir trees and palisades on the other. The area has interesting animals and birds such as white-throated dippers, common sandpipers, swans and grey herons. Hiitolanjoki has a bird watching tower.

Fishing

Hiitolanjoki is the Ladoga salmons (Salmo salar m. sebago) most important generative river. The river has six species of EU-directive specified fish that need special protection in Finland: fresh water salmon, lamprey, asp, european bullhead and spined loach. River Silamusjoki, that flows into river Hiitolanjoki, has a natural brown trout population and its rapids are refurbished, making Silamusjoki a good fly fishing spot.

Fishing on Hiitolanjoki and on Silamusjoki is subject to license. The licences are sold at Simpele Teboil -service station by highway 6, Änkilä.

Services

The area has a parking space and an earth closet. There is a campfire spot and a canopy by the nature path. To the north of the river there is a bird watching tower.

Driving instructions

Coming from the south turn, turn right from highway 6 toward Kangaskoski, before the Simpele intersection. The nature paths starting point is the Ritakoski power plants yard, 200 m from highway 6.

You can also start the path from Lahnasenkoski - drive to Änkilänsalo intersection, turn left immediately after the railway bridge and drive down the road until reaching the parking area.