2 / 14 Saimaa scenery Punkaharju - Rapids - Saimaa Canal - Kolovesi - Linnansaari - Olavinlinna Punkaharju is a narrow strip of land between two extensive clearwater lakes, Puruvesi and Pihlajavesi Its most beautiful scenery can be seen from the road at the north end of the ridge, where one looks through a reddish pine forest down the plunging slopes of the ridge to the placid coves and crystal-clear waters of the surrounding lakes. Punkaharju is a narrow ridge about seven kilometres long, created from gravel deposits along the edge of the continental ice sheet, separating Lake Puruvesi and Lake Pihlajavesi. Its height varies considerably. Its most beautiful scenery can be seen from the road at the north end of the ridge, where one looks through a reddish pine forest down the plunging slopes of