Rautjärvi is in South Karelia, in Southern Finland.

Understand

Rautjärvi is a municipality located in southeastern Finland, close to the Russian border. It is situated in the South Karelia region and has a population of around 3,400 (as of 2023). The name "Rautjärvi" translates to "Iron Lake," referring to the large lake that dominates the landscape and gives the municipality its character.

Agriculture and forestry are the two primary economic drivers of Rautjärvi. Farmlands cover much of the fertile soil around the lake, while the surrounding woods provide abundant resources for timber harvesting and processing. Tourism is another growing sector, thanks to the municipality's pristine natural environment and plentiful recreational opportunities.

The rural municipality consists of several villages, of which the largest village, Simpele, serves as the administrative center of the municipality.

Get in

Trains between Helsinki and Joensuu stop at 1 Simpele railway station. Buses between Imatra and Savonlinna stop at Rautjärvi. Onnibus.com service between Helsinki and Joensuu stops at Teboil Simpele. For timetables of ordinary coaches, see Matkahuolto.

Get around

By taxi

• Smartphone apps: Valopilkku

See

The Kollaa and Simo Häyhä Museum in Miettilä, Rautjärvi

• 1 Hiitolanjoki Scenic Trail (Hiitolanjoen maisemapolku), Ritakoskentie 19. The old power plants with rapids (Ritakoski, Lahnanen and Kangaskoski) and the scenic path along the river (approx. 2 km) are worth seeing and experiencing. (updated Jun 2021)
• 2 Kollaa and Simo Häyhä Museum (Kollaa ja Simo Häyhä -museo), Kuntalanraitti 32 (in Miettilä), ☏ +358 45 2085 845, info@kollaamuseo.fi. Museum’s focus is battles of Kollaa front during the Winter War and to the men of Rautjärvi in those battles. The permanent special exhibition is dedicated to the deadliest sniper in history, Simo Häyhä (1905–2002), who was also known as the "White Death". (updated Dec 2022)
• 3 Devil's Church (Pirunkirkko) (in Torsansalo, about 10 km from Simpele). The castle mountain, known as a historical landmark, where a large cave called the "devil's church" is located. According to history, the cave was used as a shelter during the Great Wrath (1714–1721). (updated Dec 2022)

Do

• 1 KonkaSki, Konkalammentie 50. Konka Ski is a small ski resort in Simpele. The ski resort has three slopes and two pole lifts as well as a half pipe. (updated Jun 2021)

Eat

• 1 Pub Kahvila Aseman Kello, Rautjärventie 100. (updated Jun 2021)

Sleep

• 1 Huoneistohotelli Simmes, Ilmarinkatu 2. €58. (updated Jun 2021)