Canoe or Kayak in Linnansaari and Kolovesi National Park (Finland)

Choose your camping spots with optional night in island cabin

This small National Park is located in the centre of the Saimaa lake system, on lake Haukevesi, and offers wonderful paddling. As a protected area, the National Park has a network of overnight camping spots where firewood (in the locations where fires are permitted) and dry outdoor toilets are provided. It is also possible to stay in a simple cabin on Linnansaari island for one or more nights as an optional extra.

Other parts of the tour taking place outside the National Park boundary offer greater flexibility for camping.

There is an extensive network of camping spots for overnights during your tour. Photo: Paul Wilson.

Begin and end your tour with a night in eco-apartment

The standard itinerary for this canoeing or kayaking holiday combines nights in eco studio apartments with access to sauna at the start and end of the tour with 4 days/3 nights paddling and camping in and around the Linnansaari National Park. Additional paddling days can be added to make the tour as long as you wish.

Flexible dates, duration and level of challenge

Route suggestions and maps as well as full camping equipment are provided, but you are also free to create your own route and discover your own corners of the beautiful lakeland archipelago.

For those who would like greater confidence during their tour, a guide/instructor can be arranged as an optional extra for one or more hours at the start of your tour.

With flexible start days between May and September and the possibility to extend the standard tour with extra days, Canoe or Kayak in Linnansaari National Park is suitable for a wide range of participants, from families looking for an easy-going tour to more experienced paddlers seeking the challenge of an extended canoe or kayak trip.

With luck, you may spot the rare Saimaa Ringed Seal during your tour. Photo: SEO.

Kolovesi National Park

In addition to exploring Linnansaari National Park, it is also possible to paddle in Kolovesi National Park, located to the north-east of the canoe centre. You can choose to paddle north-east (rather than west into Linnansaari) up to Kolovesi then turn west to return to the canoe centre through Linnansaari.

It is minimum around 30km paddle from the canoe centre through a network of islands to reach Kolovesi, typically around 1.5 days' paddling depending on wind and weather conditions and level of experience/fitness.

If choosing to visit this area, we recommend allowing at least 5 days for the canoeing part of your trip to give a good amount of time to reach Kolovesi and explore the area. You will of course have an opportunity to discuss the most suitable route based on current weather conditions before beginning your tour.

If you have fewer paddling days available, or if you would like more time in the Kolovesi area, it is also possible to choose transfer from the canoe centre up to Kolovesi at the start of your tour to begin paddling from there, ending your tour as normal at the canoe centre.

Canoeing and kayaking for odd-numbered groups

Even-numbered groups can choose either 2-person Canadian canoes, double kayaks or single kayaks depending on preference. Additional adult in odd-numbered group will paddle single kayak. For odd-numbered groups including a child under 12, the child can travel as 3rd person in canoe.

Arrival

Arrival and check-in to your studio apartment. You will have access to your studio from 16.00. Sauna is available and the surrounding area offers good possibilities for an evening stroll. Self-catering dinner at the studio (there is a store to purchase provisions).

Following Days

Day 2:

Breakfast at the hotel before collecting your canoe/kayak and camping equipment for the start of the tour. You begin paddling directly from the canoe centre. We suggest you make for the island of Linnansaari, from which the National Park takes its name. The island offers lovely marked hiking trails if you wish to step out of your canoe for a while! There is a main camp site for overnighting or another camping spot in the north-west of the island.

Distance approx. 5-15km.

Day 3:

Paddle north to explore the northern areas of the National Park, with camping possibilities at Hirvisaari, Kirvessaari, Myhkyrä or Paavalinsaari.

Distance approx. 15km.

Day 4:

Leaving the National Park, paddle east into Joutenvesi, where the Right of Public Access applies for camping. Choose your own island for the night!

Distance approx. 15-20km.

Day 5:

Turn south to head for home, reaching the canoe centre from the other side. Sauna and shower await at the end of your adventure and overnight accommodation in studio apartment.

Distance approx. 20km.

Departure

Breakfast at the hotel before departure. Please check out of your studio by 12.00.

Included

• Accommodation (see images below): 2 nights (one night before canoe tour and one after) in comfortable eco studio apartments. There are 13 studios in total, heated with geothermal energy. The studios sleep 1-3 persons with 2 beds and one sofa bed. They have private entrance, wifi, WC/shower, hair dryer, kitchenette (with hot plate, kettle, coffee machine, microwave, fridge and cooking utensils), TV and drying cabinet, with an outside barbecue area. Sauna is also available.
• Food: Breakfast following the two nights staying at studio are included. There is a store next to the canoe centre to buy provisions for self-catering in the studio and for provisions during the tour.
• Canoe or kayak equipment (please specify requirements on booking): 4 days/3 nights' canoeing/kayaking (additional days can be added). 2-person Canadian canoe, double kayak or single kayak, paddles, buoyancy aids, spray skirt for kayak, bailer/sponge. Double kayaks have rudders, single kayaks do not. Canoe guests will receive one waterproof pack barrel/person (60l). Kayak guests will receive one dry-bag/person (40l). Child under 12 travelling as 3rd person in canoe will have extra seat/paddle/buoyancy aid.
• Kitchen equipment: Trangia stove with pans (Marinol fuel is also included) and camping plates/mugs/cutlery. NB: Note that Trangias are suitable for 2-3 persons and therefore for odd-numbered groups, an additional Trangia is not supplied (e.g. 2 Trangias are supplied for 5-person group).
• Camping equipment: Tent (2-person or 4-person tents), sleeping bag and liner, foam sleeping mat.
• Map and compass.
• Introduction/assistance in planning your route before your tour starts.

*Exact contents/models may differ from examples shown

Studio apartments

The area has a network of camping locations with fireplaces and firewood provided, normally also with wind shelter and dry, outside toilets.

Trangia

Please be careful with the canoe/kayak and the rest of your equipment! If some part of the equipment should break as a result of misuse or carelessness, you may be charged for the damage caused.

Not Included

• Travel: We do not arrange flights or domestic travel, but are happy to advise on suitable connections and assist you with any aspect of planning your journey. See under "Getting There" for general travel information.
• Apart from breakfast following the two included nights at studio apartment, no food is included. There is a store to purchase provisions for self-catering dinners at the studio apartments and for your tour at the canoe centre.

Required

Health requirements/experience:

Swimming ability required by all persons, including children. Minimum 2 adults. You should be in good health with a good general level of fitness and enjoy the outdoors. No recommended minimum age provided children are able to swim.

In windy conditions, the lakes can be choppy and there are large areas of open water in places. Canoeing/kayaking in windy conditions can be challenging. You should exercise caution at all times, plan crossings to minimise areas of open water, and be prepared to vary your itinerary depending on the conditions to paddle in the most sheltered areas.

For tours in May and September, we recommend that participants have previous experience of paddle tours. The water can be very cold at this time, especially in May, and you should be prepared for generally cooler conditions.

What makes this "Medium"?

As a self-guided canoe tour with flexible route, you can vary the distance covered and level of challenge as you wish. The area is quite remote and, outside high season, you may see few other persons during your tour, but also offers fully-featured accommodation at the start/end of the tour and a network of camping locations and the option to overnight in cabin on Linnansaari island during the tour.

NB: Perception of difficulty is very subjective. What is hard to one person may be easy for another and vice versa, depending on factors including level of fitness, age and previous experience. Weather conditions/temperatures can also dramatically affect the actual level of challenge encountered.

Equipment/clothes needed:

For information on any equipment and/or clothing included as standard for this experience, please see under "What's Included".

A detailed recommended packing list for personal items to bring will be sent with your booking documentation.

NB: We advise you not to buy equipment or clothes for your trip or to incur other non-refundable expenses such as flights until you have received confirmation of your booking from us in writing. Note of course that the most appropriate clothing to use as well as the level of challenge experienced during any outdoor activity may vary significantly depending on factors such as the time of year and the particular weather/temperature conditions during your trip.

Preparing for your trip:

For further reading, we also have a number of general information articles to get you ready for your trip, covering a wide variety of topics from what to do on a city break before/after your tour, advice on packing, eyewear for winter and considerations for female travellers.

Combine This With

This experience makes a good combination with the following:

• Log Cabin Getaway in Päijänne Tavastia (8 days, 3.5 hours by car)
• Romantic Cabin with Hot Tub in Päijänne Tavastia (8 days, 3.5 hours by car)

Groups

This experience is ideal for groups. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Eco Info

This provider has a written environmental policy.

The Saimaa Ringed Seal:

The Saimaa lake system is home to the endemic Saimaa Ringed Seal, a subspecies of ringed seal and one of the most endangered seal species in the world, with a current population of around 320 individuals. The Saimaa Ringed Seal is descended from the ringed seal and their population was separated after the last ice age. They are one of the very few species of freshwater seals.

Canoeing and kayaking in the area gives you the privileged opportunity to spot the seals in their natural habitat. Activities at the canoe centre are certified seal-friendly and it is essential that you cause no disturbance to the seals during your tour. More information will be given at the start of the trip.