Valkmusa National Park, National park in Kymenlaakso, Finland
Valkmusa National Park is a protected area in southeastern Finland, located between the municipalities of Pyhtää and Kotka in the Kymenlaakso region. It covers open raised bogs, fens, and wetland areas that together form one of the largest intact mire landscapes in the region.
The park was established in 1996 to protect one of the last large natural bog regions in southeastern Finland. Its creation came at a time when mire landscapes across Scandinavia were disappearing due to drainage and land use changes.
The Purple-bordered Gold butterfly is the emblem species of the park and can be spotted in summer on the open bog vegetation. Its presence reflects a local focus on protecting rare insects in their natural setting.
A wooden boardwalk trail crosses the wetland and allows most visitors to walk through the bog without special gear. Waterproof footwear is still a good idea, as the ground near the edges of the path can be wet and soft.
The park is home to more than 40 distinct mire types within a relatively small area, which is rare even by Finnish standards. Some of these mire types are considered uncommon in Europe and can be found in very few other places in comparable condition.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
