The geological trail of Imatra Lammassaari

The Lammassaari is an estuary belonging to the First Salpausselkä estuary. Its stratification began around 12 300 years ago, when the mouth of a glacial river tunnel opened up on the edge of a melting glacier into a crevasse and then into a glacial bay. There are several signposts at Lammassaari in Saimaa Geopark. Lammassaari has three time scales to explore: the 1.9 billion year old cliffs, the sandy slopes of Lammassaari, which are about 12 000 years old, and the ancient beaches around the slopes, the youngest of which were revealed about 5 700 years ago when Vuoksi burst its banks.

Route description: The Lammassaari geological tour can be started after crossing the dam bridge leading to the island, at the Saimaa Geopark signpost. Three route options are marked on the signpost map. The coastal path runs along the shores of Lammassaari. If you choose this option, you will pass a Stone Age settlement at the southern tip of the island, take a break at the north-western shore and read about the origins of the funnel holes on the soup table, and marvel at the ancient cliffs and the passage of time at the northern tip of the island. If you choose the nature trail, you'll walk along Lammassaari's current shoreline, past the island's ancient beaches and into the heart of the island to embrace the funnels. Along the nature trail there are QR codes that allow you to download a booklet with information about the nature trail's checkpoints. The nature trail is marked on the trees with white paint markers. The third option, a wide nature trail, runs along the island's ancient beaches and across the central part of the island. If you opt for the fitness trail, you can take a breather at the ancient beach and suppa signposts along the route.