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National Urban Park

Gurgling and bubbling water, lush forests and gnarled tree roots, the song of countless birds, and a charming ensemble of historic buildings.

National Urban Park

Established in 2014, the Kotka National Urban Park encompasses 2,400 hectares of diverse natural landscapes and impressive historical architecture. The complex of buildings surrounding the Imperial Fishing Lodge at Langinkoski, along with the dense, protected forest growing around the rapids, are part of this award-winning park complex.

South of Langinkoski lies a tree species park established in 1959. The park forest, established by Metsähallitus, was planted with saplings of some twenty different tree species, including Douglas firs, sugar maples, elms, and linden trees.

Nature Reserve

The Imperial Fishing Lodge at Langinkoski is surrounded by lush, ancient nature. The area’s importance as a recreational destination for tourists and local residents, as well as a guardian of unique natural habitats, was recognized decades ago, and Langinkoski was designated a nature reserve by a special decree in 1960. As an exceptional cultural-historical site, it is also part of various conservation networks.

At Langinkoski, you are free to hike, walk your pets, spend time, and enjoy the outdoors. The area is open 24 hours a day, year-round, to anyone seeking the peace of nature.

See the guidelines for responsible recreation in nature reserves on the luontoon.fi(ulkoinen linkki) website.

Fishing

The fishing history of Langinkoski predates imperial history by centuries. The fish catches at Langinkoski have been famous both for their large salmon and for their abundance. Traditionally, weir fishing—also known as “vata-apaja” fishing—was practiced at the rapids, and the weir structures used for this method can be seen on maps dating back to the 16th century.
In addition to its practical benefits, the history of fishing here has always been linked to recreation. The most famous sport fisherman at Langinkoski was likely Emperor Alexander III of Russia, who was known to have his own fishing rock downstream from the rapids. Many fish species still thrive in the rapids, including salmon, sea trout, and whitefish. Today, the only permitted fishing method is fly fishing.

Fishing at Langinkoski is permitted after purchasing a fishing license. Licenses can be purchased through the eraluvat.fi (ulkoinen linkki)service. The same website also provides important additional information about fishing practices in the area.