Mr Nordic

Canoeing, kayaking and rafting in Finland

Finland is a great canoe country! The country offers can a lot of different types of water, each with its own characteristics and requirements. If you want to get on the water a lot, it is advisable to bring your own canoes, but in many places (campsites, tourist offices, canoe centers) canoes and kayaks can also be rented (canoe in Finnish is melonta). Rental prices fluctuate around €30 per day. Raftex courses are offered in many tourist locations, usually on rivers with rapids of categories II-IV. In this article you can read everything about water sports in Finland.

Sea kayaking

First there is the shaving coast with its thousands of islands and sheltered straits, a beautiful area for experienced sea kayakers. The most beautiful sea kayak areas are the Åland archipelago, with unlimited possibilities for multi-day trips. These are along the south coast the Turunmaa archipelago at Turku, with the Saaristomeri national park, the Tammisaari Archipelago national park at Hanko-Tammisaari, and the shaving area of ​​the Eastern Finnish Bight National Park. Of all these areas, sea maps or special canoe maps and tourist maps are on a scale of 1: 50,000, with canoe routes, camping pitches and other relevant information. Although sailing in the sheltered coastal waters is relatively safe, sea kayaking is not a sport for beginners.

The Saimaa lake area in eastern Finland offers you unprecedented opportunities to enjoy your canoe trip undisturbed.

Enjoy and experience the space, the water, the colorful forests, the ancient rocks and the many unique animal species
Enjoy and experience the space, the water, the colorful forests, the ancient rocks and the many unique animal species

Canoe on Finland’s 188,888 lakes

The majority of Finlands 188,888 lakes are suitable for canoeing! Especially the large lakes in eastern Finland are suitable for sailing, both with Canadian canoes and with kayaks. The large lakes are connected by narrow canals or short stretches of fast-flowing rivers, creating entire networks with hundreds of kilometers of canoe routes. Both beginners and more advanced canoeists can go on long hikes through remote wilderness areas, or follow popular shorter canoe routes. Below the most beautiful canoe areas and canoe routes:

  • The Saimaa lake area with its national parks Linnansaari and Kolovesi, with dozens of wilderness islands (starting point Oravi).
  • The “squirrel trail” from Juva to -Sulkava (50 km river, lakes and simple rapids).
  • In the western Lakes region: the large Paijänne lake and Paijänne -national park (starting point -Padasjoki; starting point of multi-day Vesiretkeilyreitit).
  • On the north side of Paijänne: the 75 km long Wanha Witonen canoe route between Petäjävesi to Jämsä (2-day canoe festival in early June).
  • Inari Lake in Lapland is a beautiful canoe destination with its many wilderness islands; in view of the often bad weather only for experienced big water lovers.
The beautiful lake areas in Finland are one of the most unique and popular places to discover by canoe or kayak.
The beautiful lake areas in Finland are one of the most unique and popular places to discover by canoe or kayak.

With over four thousand square kilometers of water surface, the Finnish Saimaa Lakes region is one of the largest chain of inland lakes in Europe. An endless inland archipelago makes Saimaa the ultimate holiday destination for adventures on waves and waterways. You will soon notice that the potential routes to be sailed is limitless. A good reason not to just go into the water, but to plan your route well based on information from a local guide or the very good maps that are available from the area.

The annual Finlandia kanoralley

An interesting international event is the annual Finlandia kanoralley on large water, the Suomimeloo, which is open to foreign participants and is held at a different location every year. Wild water, rivers and rapids Short, fast-flowing rivers connect the large lakes. Some rivers can only be sailed by experienced white-water kayakers, others for everyone. Inform well in advance about the difficulties.

If you opt for a trip to the north, the Finnish Lakes region offers you some advantages that you should definitely consider: endless canoe routes, no transfer, no obstacles and the Finnish free right ro roam.

Canoeing in Finland means relaxing, because here you can enjoy the scent of pine trees and the sound of chirping birds for hours on end, without anyone disturbing you.
Canoeing in Finland means relaxing, because here you can enjoy the scent of pine trees and the sound of chirping birds for hours on end, without anyone disturbing you.

Wild water kayaking

For true wild-water kayakers, the wide fast-flowing rivers of Northern Finland and Lapland are the most challenging. Most rivers are best to sail early in the season when there is sufficient water (May-June). At the end of the summer, many rivers are more difficult to navigate and less beautiful. The Oulankajoki near Kuusamo is a popular wilderness river. This river flows through beautiful nature and has a few pieces of non-navigable waterfalls; only the last part is easy and can be done by everyone. Other famous canoe riviers in Lapland are the Ivalojoki and Ounasjoki (from Enontekiö to Rovaniemi).

Last Updated on October 20, 2019

Mr Nordic

Mr Nordic

I'm a passionate travel blogger captivated by Scandinavia's stunning landscapes, diverse cultures, and Viking history. I explore offbeat destinations in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, providing authentic insights into Nordic life. When not adventuring, I share my experiences, photos, and love for Scandinavian cuisine. Join me as I uncover Scandinavia's hidden gems and magic!

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About Mr Nordic

Mr Nordic loves the Nordic. He travels all around Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden to find the greatest adventures, the most beautifull places and most exciting experiences. Here on mrnordic.com you can read all about it. From food to living and from outdoor to culture, Mr Nordic covers it all.