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Paddle the Thousand Lakes of Finland

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Paddle the Thousand Lakes of Finland

Canoeing and kayaking offer a great way to experience the supreme calm of nature. As you glide effortlessly and quietly through the waters, you become part of the landscape. Take your time and really breathe, hear and see your surroundings. No matter where you’re going, you’ve arrived.

For active travellers, there’s no better way to enjoy the beauty and serenity of Finnish Lakeland than paddling across it in a canoe or kayak. In an area that ranks as the largest lake district in Europe, it’s easy to rent the right equipment and find places to stay overnight.

Read on to find out where to go if this is your kind of Lakeland adventure.

Lakeland

The largest Lake District in Europe: In a scarcely populated country there’s enough scenery and shoreline for all, allowing you to easily lose yourself in thought or be inspired by the vast clear lakes, intricately splintered by islands, isthmuses and green spits.

Lakeland

OULUJÄRVI – THE SEA OF KAINUU

We start our trip through Lakeland in the very north, near Lapland. That is where you can find lake Oulujärvi.

Oulujärvi – in the region of Kainuu – is so big that it’s nicknamed “The Sea of Kainuu”. In addition to exploring the lake by canoe or kayak, visitors can take a trip on a steamship, or trot around the shores on an Icelandic horse. There are also several nearby rivers with rapids for canoeists interested in a more challenging paddling experience.

Contrary to what the name might suggest, the nearest city to Oulujärvi is actually Kajaani, not Oulu, which is some 100 km away. Both cities are connected to Southern Finland with daily flight connections as well as the vast Finnish railway network.

RUUNAA – A RUSH OF ADRENALINE TO THE HEAD

If river rafting with a side of adrenaline is your thing, head south-east to visit the Ruunaa Rapids, right next to the Eastern border of Finland.

Ruunaankoski is a 16-kilometre-long stretch of turbulent water popular with anglers looking to catch pike, perch, grayling and trout. The lakes between the rapids offer calmer waters for paddlers, with the option of renting rowing boats too. There are also plenty of marked hiking trails in the area.

The closest city to the Ruunaa Rapids area is Joensuu.

LAKE SAIMAA – FINLAND’S LARGEST LAKE

If you’re looking for a truly iconic Finnish landscape and the somewhat literal heart of the country, we suggest traveling to lake Saimaa, Finland’s largest lake.

With its rocky cliffs and narrow channels, the Kolovesi National Park is the place to start paddling Saimaa. Labyrinths of islands, isthmuses and green capes are linked by straits that offer sheltered waters perfect for those new to canoeing and kayaking.

Lake Saimaa is the habitat of the Saimaa Ringed Seal – one of the rarest and most endangered seals in the world. Less than 400 of them grace these waters, which have been their home since the end of the last Ice Age.

There are several places in the park that rent out canoes, and multiple camp sites and cottages cater to overnight visitors. Paddlers looking for a longer adventure can continue into the adjoining Linnansaari National Park, a 40-kilometre-long stretch of open water, islands and straits.

PÄIJÄNNE – RIDGES, PRISTINE WATERS AND A NATIONAL PARK

From Lake Saimaa head west to find Lake Päijänne, one of the most famous lakes in Southern Finland.

Päijänne is Finland’s second largest lake, connecting the cities of Jyväskylä to the north and Lahti to the south. It has the deepest point of any lake in Finland – at 95 metres – and supplies Finland’s capital region with much of its water via the world’s second-longest tunnel.

The lake is also the home of the Päijänne National Park. Paddlers enjoy exploring Päijänne’s dozens of islands, with their sandy shores and quiet coves. Many of the islands have camping sites with designated campfire spots. Read more about Finland’s Everyman’s Rights – and responsibilities – here.

TAMPERE REGION – FROM URBAN TO OUTDOORS

There are plenty of paddling adventures to be found in the area around Tampere – the largest inland city in the Nordic region. Tampere, like almost all Lakeland cities of Finland, is surrounded by water from North to South and East to West.

With excellent connections via air, rail and road, Tampere is a great base for day trippers, or before setting out on a longer water journey.

With the city located on a narrow isthmus between two vast lakes, there are plenty of places to hire canoes and kayaks. For paddlers who enjoy vast open tracts of water uninterrupted by islands, nearby Näsijärvi is the place to go. Known for its deep waters, Näsijärvi has produced pike weighing more than 17 kilograms and trout of more than 10 kilograms!

Pyhäjärvi is another lake near Tampere popular with paddlers.

HÄMEENLINNA REGION – HISTORICAL LANDSCAPES AN HOUR AWAY FROM HELSINKI

The area around the town of Hämeenlinna – the oldest inland city in Finland – offers some great paddling on the lakes of Vanajavesi and Iso-Roine. But with eight golf courses, two spas, a well-equipped theme park, visitors to Hämenlinna may get distracted from paddling for a while…

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Article

Paddle the Thousand Lakes of Finland

Watch the video

Paddle the Thousand Lakes of Finland

Lakeland

OULUJÄRVI – THE SEA OF KAINUU

RUUNAA – A RUSH OF ADRENALINE TO THE HEAD

LAKE SAIMAA – FINLAND’S LARGEST LAKE

PÄIJÄNNE – RIDGES, PRISTINE WATERS AND A NATIONAL PARK

TAMPERE REGION – FROM URBAN TO OUTDOORS

HÄMEENLINNA REGION – HISTORICAL LANDSCAPES AN HOUR AWAY FROM HELSINKI

Related Links

My Helsinki

Visit Saimaa

Visit Tampere

Visit Jyväskylä

Visit Lahti

National Parks

Visit Häme

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