Kayaking trip from Valamo monastery to Kolovesi National Park
An unforgettable canoeing adventure awaits you on the Heinävesi Canal Route and in Kolovesi National Park, Finland’s national landscapes. The Heinävesi Route is a historic canal and lock system built in the early 20th century for the Saimaa Lake District, and Kolovesi National Park is a canoeist’s paradise.
Here, Rocky Cliffs rise above the narrow lake channels that form part of the vast, labyrinthine Saimaa lake system. Here you can get in touch with nature and experience how Finland’s early inhabitants lived here in harmony with nature thousands of years ago. Ancient rock paintings and rocky slopes make the landscape special. Those lucky enough to encounter the curious Saimaa ringed seal.
Wilderness adventure on Finland's most beautiful canal route of Heinävesi starts at the Valamo Monastery on the shore of Lake Juojärvi. On the way you will see cultural landscapes, rock paintings and the wild nature of the national park.
We paddle through six canals: Taivallahti, Varistaipale, Karvio, Vihovuonne, Kerma and Pilppa canals. The Heinavesi route is a historic system of canals and locks built in the early 1900s in Finland’s Saimaa Lakes region.
After the historic Heinävesi Canal Route, we paddle for a couple of days in the wonderful scenery of Kolovesi National Park. It is a paddler's paradise! There is also possible to spot the playful and curious Saimaa ringed seal.
Dates: 31.7.- 8.8.2026
Duration: 9 days, 8 nights
Group size: min 5, max 10 persons
Guidance: in French and English
Route: The length of the journey: max 75 km
Level: Easy | monerate
Requirements: ability to swim, under 18 with parents
The Program of Kayaking Tour
Day 1 31.7.2026: Arrival in Finland
- Overnight stay in Helsinki, Hotel President
Day 2 1.8.2026: Arrival and Transfer to Valamo Monastery
Breakfast. Train to Joensuu.
Helsinki - Joensuu | InterCity 3 Helsinki 10:14 – 14:51 Joensuu
Transportation from Joensuu to Valamo Monastery
- Arrival in Joensuu by train
- Shopping time in Joensuu
- Familiarization with the monastery and its surroundings
- Dinner at Valamo Monastery
- Overnight stay at Valamo Monastery
Day 3 2.8.2026: The length of the trip: Valamo monastery – Varisniemi campsite 13 km
Route: Kalliolahti/Huutoniemi (4 km) - Taivallahti (7 km) - Varistaival (10 km) - Varisniemi Campo Site (13 km)
- Breakfast at Valamo monastery
- Guided tour of the history of the Monastery.
- Review of the kayaking route plan.
- Lunch at Trapesa, Valamo Monastery
- Safety procedures, introduction to the itinerary and maps, packing the kayaks.
- Starting kayaking trip from Valamo monastery
Varistaipale canal connects Lake Juojärvi to Lake Varisvesi. The canal was built in 1911–1913 and has four locks.
At Varisniemi campsite has a lean-to shelter, dry toilet and fireplace and firewood.
Day 4 3.8.2026: The length of the trip: Varisniemi campsite – Vasarasaari Island 10 km
Route: Varisniemi – Karvio Canal - Kellosalmi – Vasarasaari Island
The Karvio Canal connects Lake Karvionjärvi and Lake Kermajärvi. The 300 m long canal was built in 1895-96. There are the gas station’s shop and restaurant and services of the campsite for an extra fee.
Karvio service port (Euref-Fin (~ WGS84) lat: 62° 30.84' lon: 28° 38.58' ETRS-TM35FIN: N: 6932518, E: 584595)
Vasarasaari (Euref-Fin (~ WGS84) lat: 62°28,26' lon: 28°39,61' ETRS-TM35FIN: N: 6927751 E: 585602)länsiniemi
- We make a camp on Vasarasaari Island
We will spend the night in tents on the beautiful island of Vasarasaari, which is located in the magnificent Lake Kermajärvi. Lake Kermajärvi is a nationally significant landscape and nature conservation area.The island has a lean-to shelter, a campfire site and a dry toilet.
Day 5 4.8.2026: The length of the trip Vasarasaari Island – Kerma Canal and camping site, 17 km
Route: Vasarasaari Island – Heinävesi Kermanranta Harbour (5 km) and optional walking tour of Heinävesi city center (3 km) – Martinsaari Island, (11 km) – Kerma Canal and camping site (17 km)
- Heinävesi Harbour and beach in Kermanranta has a restaurant and café, 1.5 km walk to Heinävesi municipal center where are grocery store, gas station and restaurant.
- There are campsites with fireplaces, lean-to-shelters, dry toilets and firewood on the Vasarasaari and Martinsaari islands.
- Lunch break in the Kerman ranta or Martinsaari island. The weather may affect route plans and the length of day trips, especially on Lake Kerma.
- The Kerma Canal connects Lake Kermajärvi and Lake Joutsenvesi together with Vihovuonne and Pilppa Canals. Canal are built in 1903-05. There are the kiosk and bridge and Kerma Rapids. We are not paddling through the rapids. We use only canals.
Martinsaari (Euref-Fin (~ WGS84) lat: 62°24,9' lon: 28°44,9' ETRS-TM35FIN: N: 6921634 E: 590316) itäniemi
Kermanranta guest pier at the end of the channel (Euref-Fin (~ WGS84) lat: 62° 26.3' lon: 28° 38.4' ETRS-TM35FIN:
N: 6924086, E: 584655)
- We make a camp on Martinsaari island.
Day 6 5.8.2026: The length of the trip Kerma Camping site - Pitkäsaari island, 17 km
Kerma Canal and camping site – Vihovuonne Canal – Väärä Open Canal – lunch break at Wirran Vietävä Cafe (6 km) – Pilppa (10 km) - Vierunvuori rock painting (15 km) – Pitkäsaari Island (17 km)
- We have a lunch in Wirran Vietävä cafeteria. Vierunvuori rock painting and Pitkäsaari campsite are already located in Kolovesi National Park.
- We make a camp on the Pitkäsaari island.
Day 7 6.8.2026: Suuri Syväniemi 11 km
- Lunch at Pyylinoja campfire site.
- We make a camp on Suuri Syväniemi. There is a campfire site and a dry toilet in Syväniemi.
Day 8 7.8.2026: Suuri Syväniemi - Kirkkoranta, Kolovesi National Park, 9 km
Route: Pitkäsaari island - (Lunch at ) Ukonniemi rock Painting site (7km) – Kirkkoranta, Kolovesi National Park 13 km
- Transportation to the Valamo Monastery.
- Dinner
- Accommodation at Valamo Monastery
Day 9 8.8.2026: Departure
- Breakfast
- Transportation to Joensuu
Route map: Kayaking Route
Price: €2600€/person
Incl.:
Accommodation and breakfast in Sokos Hotel President, Helsinki
Transportation from Joensuu to Valamo Monastery
Accommodation/ Valamo Monastery
- 2 x breakfast, lunch, 2 x dinner
Kayaks
Picnic lunches: breakfasts, lunches and dinners, evening snacks. 1x traditional meal.
Guidance in French and English
Additional fee:
- Additional fee: rental of camping equipment (tents, sleeping bags, camping stoves, sleeping mats, etc.)
- Additional nights at the monastery or Helsinki
All rights reserved to change the program due to weather conditions
Travel insurance:
Travel insurance is highly recommended for overseas travel. A comprehensive plan should include coverage for trip interruption, delay and cancellation, medical expenses, emergency medical transportation, loss and damage to baggage.
