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

Reservations no later than: 15.7.2025

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.