The Yukankoski waterfall is considered the highest in the south of Karelia. The nineteen-meter cascade is 8 meters higher than the well-known landmarks of the region - the Kivach waterfall. True, Yukankoski is inferior to him in terms of fullness, but he is located in a very picturesque place.
The waterfall is located in a dense forest 10 km from the village of Leppäsilta and 33 km from the town of Pitkäranta. You have to get there by difficult roads, but the majestic landscapes and magnificent views are worth it.
The waterfall has two names at once. The first, Finnish -. It is believed that he got it after the small Finnish farm Yuka, which was located nearby.
The Russians later named the waterfall White bridges... This name is associated with the light-colored stone bridges that the Finns once built upstream of the river. Today there are no bridges, but the name remains. Sometimes the waterfall is called the White Pillars, but this is not true.
The Yukankoski waterfall changes its appearance throughout the year.
In the spring it is a stormy, deep stream; admixtures of peat give it an unusual yellow color. With frantic force, it falls from a high stone ledge into a foaming and seething cauldron at the foot of the cascade.
In the summer, Yukankoski humbles his temper. The amount of water in it decreases and one can observe how the crystal-clear streams, into which the waterfall is divided, form a whimsical foam lace at its foot. There is not much water at this time and it warms up quickly, which is used by many tourists, who are enthusiastically swimming right in the waterfall.
In the fall, Yukankoski begins to gain strength. This process ends in the first frosts, which freeze the cascade with thin ice. The water flow is not powerful enough to throw off the ice shell. In the most extreme cold, the waterfall freezes, the stream is covered with solid ice floods, in the depths of which water continues to flow.
The Kulismayoki River, on which the Yukankoski is located, is split into two branches nearby. A small channel opposite the main cascade flows around a small island and forms another waterfall there. It is called White Bridges - 2. By its power it is much inferior to its "elder brother", but no less beautiful. In summer, especially hot, the waterfall can dry up, but in autumn and spring it is quite full-flowing.
Kulismayoki near the waterfall.
The surroundings of the waterfall are very picturesque. The beautiful Kulismayoki calmly rolls its clear waters along the ancient boulders covered with moss. Its left bank is especially beautiful. It is covered with majestic age-old fir trees. Not far from the trail leading to the waterfall, there is a beautiful meadow, ideal for setting up a small camp. This is not forbidden on the condition that tourists will observe cleanliness and do not harm the place, unique in its beauty.
The Kulismajoki River is 3 kilometers below the waterfall.
I must say that the presence of a person in the vicinity of Yukankoski is minimal. Once there was a Finnish farm nearby, but today only ruins remain. In these parts there are only hunters, lumberjacks and tourists, the number of which is quite large. During the day, several fairly large tourist groups come to admire the beauty of the waterfall. In the vicinity of White Mosty, there are wild animals that feel at ease here in the absence of man. Whenever possible meeting with them, special care must be taken.
White Bridges waterfall is beautiful at any time of the year. Despite their relative inaccessibility, every year more and more travelers strive to get here in order to enjoy the majestic beauty of nature, untouched by the destructive activities of man.
Yukankoski Falls (White Bridges) - how to get there
There are two roads leading to Yukankoski Falls. They practically do not differ in their road surface. These are strong forest primers, in places going over stony placers, in places over clean sand. In the normal summer period, the roads are passable with almost any car. Problems can arise unless a car with a very low ground clearance, and then on the last kilometer of the path. In the summer of 2015, almost all types of cars were seen on the road, including the Renault-Megan taxi from Pitkyaranta. Both paths are well-trodden; in the summer-daytime there will be many fellow travelers. It is especially worth being careful with oncoming traffic - in the woods it is crowded in places, note the places for passing.
Yukankoski Falls (White Bridges) on the map.
- Yukankoski Falls;
- Parking and tourist parking;
- Fork with a pointer;
- Bridge on the Kulismajoki River. Several years ago it was in a deplorable state, in August 2015 it did not cause any problems;
- Turn off the highway and rest area;
- A turn onto the road that goes through the summer cottages and is maintained in good condition even in winter;
- Crossroads of the Petrozavodsk-Sortavala road and the road to Suoyarvi;
- Gas station TNK.
Orange dots - the road to the waterfall from the Petrozavodsk - Sortavala highway.
Blue dots - road from the highway to Suorevi.
