Entrance
Admission is free. It is allowed to bring pets in the hut.
Directions
Kolovesi Nature Information Hut is located in the centre of Enonkoski municipality near rapids and an old museum bridge. Enonkoski is about 33 km from Savonlinna to the north and 55 km from Heinävesi to south.
By Public Transportation
- There are only few coach services (matkahuolto.fi) to Enonkoski on weekdays from the nearest town, Savonlinna. The bus stop is about 400 m from the Nature Information Hut.
- There are train (vr.fi), coach (matkahuolto.fi) and aeroplane (finavia.fi) connections to Savonlinna from other parts of Finland.
- The guestharbours of Enonkoski is in Hyypiänniemi, 3 km from Nature Information Hut.
Services
- Information on exploring the National Park
- Information and brochures on the services of Metsähallitus
- Information on where to obtain fishing permits and licences. Fishing permits can also be bought from Metsähallitus netstore (eräluvat.fi).
- Maps are sold
- Products made by local handicraftsmen are sold.
- Information on canoe and row boat rental nearby:
Permanent Exhibition
The exhibition at the Nature Information Hut shows how the natural features of the National Park were formed after the Ice Age. Kolovesi was uncovered 10 500 years ago from under the ice sheet a couple of kilometres deep. The cliffs of the National Park are all that there is left of the ancient mountains.
Looking at the 5 000-years-old rock paintings in Kolovesi you can get a picture of the hunting and fishing culture of the Stone Age. The man has always had to share the fishing waters with the Saimaa Ringed Seal (PDF file, 4.9 Mb, julkaisut.metsa.fi). The exhibition at the Nature Information Hut also tells us how a seal living in the sea developed into the Saimaa Ringed Seal living in fresh water.
Handicraft shop and temporary exhibition
Upstairs of the Hut, products made by local handicraftsmen are sold. The room also serves as a place for temporary exhibitions. The exhibition of 2024 is "Shell shapes", ink paintings by an artist Katriina Kaija.
Shortfilms
Finnish National Parks: The Magic of Northern Nature is a film of Finland`s Nationalparks by Petteri Saario.
Torsti - the child of dephts is a film of a pup of the saimaa seal by Juha Taskinen.
Isien työt is a collection of old films (1936-39) telling about living and working at those times. Films are collected by Kansatieteellinen Filmi Oy.
Films can be seen in the exhibition for free.
The café of Kolovesi Nature Information Hut
- Opening times same as the Nature Information Hut's.
- Seats for about 14 people inside and 30 on the terrace outdoors.
- The café is managed by the local 4H Association.
- Tel.int. +358 44 0479 493