Myllyharju walk in Loviisa

The two-kilometre-long, humming, resin-scented "Myllyharju", with a view of the gulf that glimmers from here, is an ideal walkway. After the foundation of the town of Loviisa (1745), at least 6 windmills were built on Myllyharju, from which the place takes its name. The windmills were allowed to spin until the end of the 19th century, when their hum disturbed visitors to this bustling spa town and the nearby Lord of the Bonga Castle, and all six windmills were removed in the early 20th century. To make the ridge more pleasant for visitors, trees were also planted and a promenade was built along the Myllyharju. The Myllyharju trail starts from Loviisa church as a fairly wide outdoor path, gently ascending towards Myllyharju. The trail runs along the ridge and along the way there are 16 signposts telling you about the nature, history and life in Loviisa in general. There are several benches along the trail, each with verses from songs by country music composers and lyricists. One of the most unusual resting places is a bench bolted to the Pikku Kukkumäki, which invites you to sit down even if you don't yet have the weight in your feet. At the highest point on the ridge, on the Kukkukivi, the real jewel of the trail is the Art Nouveau observation tower designed by architect K. Hjelt in 1906. It is undoubtedly the most beautiful observation tower in the country. The top of the three-storey tower offers a good view. If you are sharp-eyed, you can see the Svartholm sea fortress on the horizon. The journey continues downhill from Kukkukivi. After crossing the Antinkyläntie, you reach the Boulogne forest. The Boulogne forest is a favourite of former spa guests, and apparently a spa guest who visited Paris once gave a name to this protected grove. The grove ends at the charming Loviisa campsite, where the more urban section of the trail begins. On this final part, we explore the charming lower town of Loviisa, characterised by a densely built-up area of wooden houses dating back to the 19th century. Along the way there are several charming cafés and restaurants where you can get a taste of the café culture from the old days.