The South Karelia Foundation for Recreation Areas, which owns the rapids of river Hiitolanjoki, and the municipality of Rautjärvi were happy to announced that the last rapid with its surroundings is now completed and open to the public. More than two decades of hard work have now come to an end, and we can finally enjoy the fruits of our labor.
Hiitolanjoki-Salmon river for locals and travelers of all times aim was to developing new attractive tourism destinations by restoring an impressive natural rapid with living stock of endengered Ladoga Salmon. Creating nature trails and historical water trail as well as design for an industry historical place. The old Kangaskoski hydropower plant owned by Ekvas was taken out of use during the project as the first hydro power plant on the Finnish side of the Hiitolanjoki River. A museum was planned for hydro power plant, so that the culturally and industrially historically valuable building got a new life and the tourism companies in the area can add content to their tourism products. Although the work at river Hiitolanjoki has been started from the beginning of nature conservation and it has always been a primary value, other perspectives are also needed in order to implement similar projects. In Hiitolanjoki it has meant investing in recreational use of the area along with nature conservation. New camping infrastructure has been built around each rapid, such as accessible walkways, accessible fire places and accessible outdoor toilets. An accessible bird tower was also built at Lahnasenkoski.
This enables the area to be used by people of all ages and fitness levels. A virtual museum Kangaskoski Mobile was created for Kangaskoski, which allows you to get to know the wood grinder that has already disappeared. A museumization plan has also been made for the Kangaskoski power plant, but additional funding must still be sought for its implementation. The further use of the Lahnasenkoski and Ritakoski hydropower plants has not to be planned yet, but the sites have already attracted a lot of interest from both students and entrepreneurs. By investing in recreation areas, we wanted to create more conditions for current and new entrepreneurs working in tourism. The river warriors of the area welcome everyone to get to know the completely free-flowing Hiitolanjoki in the summer season of 2024!
Photos:Hanna Ollikainen, Etelä-Karjalan virkistysaluesäätiö
Video: Removal of the Hiitolanjoki Ritakoski dam 2023
