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.
Dates: Saturday - Friday 9.8.-15.8.2025
Duration; 7 days, 6 nights
The length of the journey: max 75 km
Price: 1300 €/person (incl. accommodation 1 night in Valamo monastery (2-4 hh), 1 x eveningmeal and breakfast in Valamo Monastery and 1 night in the Guest House Kerman Keidas in shared accommodation and sauna, rental of canoeing equipment and guided canoe trip and food supplies as well as recipes and guidance, food is prepared together.
Level: Easy
Requirements: ability to swim, under 18 with parents
Group size: min 4, max 10 persons
Reservations no later than: 31. July 2025
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.
The Program of Kayaking Tour
Day 1: 9.8.2025
Meeting at Valamo monastery in the evening (6-9 pm). Familiarization and review of the route plan, safety training on packing and paddling, and paddling technique review if necessary.
Evening meal and overnight at Valamo monastery.
Day 2: 10.8.2025
Breakfast at Valamo monastery
Shopping trip to Heinävesi at 9.30-12.30 by minibus. Return back to Valamo monastery at 12.30.
Lunch at the Valamo Monastery 12.30-13.00
Starting kayaking trip from Valamo monastery, departure at 14:00
The length of the trip: Valamo monastery – Varisniemi campsite 13 km
Route: Kalliolahti/Huutoniemi (4 km) - Taivallahti (7 km) - Varistaival (10 km) - Varistaipale Canal - Varisniemi campsite (13 km)
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. It is beautiful place for camping.
Day 3: 11.8.2025
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.
Karvion palvelusatama (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
Day 4: 12.8.2025
Vasarasaari Island – Kerma Canal and camping site, 17 km
Route: Vasarasaari Island –Heinävesi Kermanranta Harbour (5 km) – Martinsaari Island, (11 km) – Kerma Canal and camping site (17 km)
Heinävesi Harbour in Kermanranta has a restaurant and kafeteria. It is a 1.5 km walk from the beach to Heinävesi municipal center. 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 ate the kiosk and bridge and Kerma Rapids. We are not paddling throught 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
Kermanrannan vieraslaituri väylän päässä (Euref-Fin (~ WGS84) lat: 62° 26.3' lon: 28° 38.4' ETRS-TM35FIN: N: 6924086, E: 584655)
Day 5: 13.8.2025
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 6: 14.8.2025
The lenght of the trip Pitkäsaari island - Kirkkoranta, Kolovesi National Park, 13 km
Route: Pitkäsaari island - Ukonniemi rock Painting (7km) – Kirkkoranta, Kolovesi National Park 13 km
After cleaning and unpacking the kayaks, we take a car ride to the Kerman Keidas Guest house. There we have a shared accommodation in the apartment or in tents and sauna.
Day 7: 15.8.2025
Breakfast and transportation to the airport
On the last day, we enjoy breakfast together in the beautiful lake view of Kerman Keitaan Guesthouse. Possibility to go for a morning swim! Transportation to the airport.
Additional fee:
- Additional guided days in Kolovesi National Park
- Additional fee: rental of camping equipment (tents, sleeping bags, camping stoves, sleeping mats, etc.)
- Additional nights at the monastery
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.
