In the Footsteps of the Ice Age is one of Nestorinranta’s four themed nature trails.
The 1.5 km route takes you through forest terrain and introduces you to the birth of Saimaa. You will also learn to recognize signs of the Ice Age in nature, such as the drumlin shown in the photo, and understand how these formations came to be.
You can walk the trail independently. Along the route, information boards point out what to observe in the terrain at each stage. They also tell the story of Saimaa.
Availability
The trail is accessible year-round (9:00–18:00). In winter, you will usually need snowshoes (available for rent on-site), and the trail may be covered by deep snow. The route is marked with turquoise signs on the trees.
Clothing
Wear weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear, as the terrain is uneven and hilly.
History
More than 11,000 years ago, Finland was covered by ice. As the ice began to melt, it retreated toward the northwest. The thickest ice lay over the Gulf of Bothnia, and the thinnest along the edges, such as in the Saimaa region of Southeast Finland.
When the land was released from the weight of the ice, it began to rise—fastest in the Kvarken area and the northern Gulf of Bothnia, where the ice had been thickest.
This land uplift has had a major impact on Saimaa and its predecessors. The In the Footsteps of the Ice Age trail was reviewed during its planning phase together with Saimaa Geopark geologist Kaisa-Maria Remes.
The trail begins at the Nestorinranta trail gate, located about 100 m from the main building toward the shore, at the point where the field meets the forest. From the shore to the gate, the distance along the road is about 800 m.
Address: Lintusalontie 1661 A, Lintusalo, Puumala
More information: info@nestorinranta.fi; +358 40 5106 208
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