PADDLING ROUTE FROM PIHLAJAVESI TO PUUMALA
This long canoeing route, 8 days and 7 nights, takes you from Punkaharju to Puumala, i.e. through the most beautiful paddling and sturgeon waters of Lake Saimaa. The first four nights you will spend in a tent in the middle of nature in public campsites and wildcamps.
The end of the trip you will enjoy two nights in a cabin and the last night you will spend in a glamping tent on your own island.
On this route you will see the stunning ridge landscapes of Punkaharju, the famous rocky seal waters of Pihlajavesi, the historic canal and the protected canoeing waters of Katosselkä. In addition to paddling, on the last nights of the route you can enjoy the private islands, Finnish saunas and shelter of the paddling huts.
WHO IS SUITABLE FOR THE ROUTE
The route is suitable for paddlers with previous paddling experience. It is easy to increase the difficulty of the trip by planning the day’s itinerary according to a longer pattern. Requires the ability to navigate on a lake.
Dates of departure: by arrangement. Ask us directly for available departure dates.
Departure point: Punkaharju or Puumala.
If you come by car, you can drive to Saimaa Canoeing’s canoeing base, where we will check right equipment and pack it for you. You can leave your own car for the duration of the trip in our free parking lot. We will transport you and your canoeing equipment to the starting point at Punkaharju Harjun Portti , where the trip starts. Travel time to the starting point is about 2h. Before you start paddling, we recommend enjoying a tasty lunch at Harjun Portti to help you get through the first day of paddling. It is also possible to stay overnight at Harju Port before or after the trip. See Harjun Portti
If you arrive by public transport, you can take the train or bus directly to the departure point (Harjun portti), where we will meet you at the agreed time. At the departure point, we will hand over any canoeing and camping equipment you may have hired and give you instructions and maps for the trip. At the end of the trip, we will take you to the nearest bus station in Puumala, where you can get back on the road by public transport.
Note! It is also possible to paddle the route starting from the Saimaa Canoeing base in Puumala and returning to Punkaharju to Harju gate.
You can find the public transport connections here:
Train connection to Punkaharju: www.vr.fi Search for a trip e.g. Helsinki – Retretti (stop at departure point)
Bus connections: www.matkahuolto.fi (e.g. Puumala – Mikkeli) Return day stop “Puumala”.
We will be happy to help you find suitable connections.
If you start the trip with your own equipment, the route price includes transport of you and your equipment back to the place of departure.
Detailed information about the starting point and other instructions will be sent to you after booking.
Paddling trips and overnight stays along the route:
Day 1 of paddling:
Paddling distance approx. 21 km
Paddling from Punkaharju towards Pihlajavesi. Overnight stay in a tent “wild camping”.
Day 2:
Punkaharah paddling day 2. paddling trip approx. 14 km. Overnight in a tent at a public camping harbour with a fireplace and a dry toilet.
Day 3:
Paddling distance approx. 30 km.
A full day of paddling on the best Ringed Seals water of the Pihlajavesi area. Overnight in a tent at a public camping harbour with a fireplace and a dry toilet.
4. Paddling day:
Paddling distance approx. 27 km.
Beginning of the day still paddling in Pihlajavesi area and then towards the historic Telataipale canal. Overnight in a tent at the public picnic harbour with fireplace and hut.
5. Paddling day
Paddling distance 14 – 25 km
Paddling southwards towards the Katosselkä nature reserve area. During this paddling day it is easy to visit Lohilahti village where you can replenish your food supplies if needed. A visit to Lohilahti will add about 10 km to your paddling distance.
https://lohilahti.net/ https://www.facebook.com/p/Kyl%C3%A4kauppa-Rissanen-100057236299948/
Overnight in your own private island in the middle of Katosselkä in a kayak cabin. The island also has its own sauna. Vartiosaari
6. Paddling day
This day can be taken as a “rest day” as the mandatory paddling distance is min. 12 km. Depending on your own strength, you can paddle the shortest route directly to the next campsite or paddle around the beautiful Katosselkä or stop at the Kukonharju canal.
For overnight accommodation, you will again have your own island, paddling hut and sauna. see Ukonsaari Island
7. Paddling day
Paddling distance approx. 24 km. The last longer paddling day of the trip, when you paddle towards the west and the Puumala Village. In Puumala it is possible to stop and enjoy Puumala’s services before the final push to the overnight stop. Overnight on your own island in a glamping tent with a fireplace. See Erakkosaari
8. Paddling day
Paddling time min. 5 km. Last day of the trip. Before returning to Saimaa Canoeing base, it is worth stopping at Liehtalanniemi Museum Farm. At the end of the tour, you can order your own sauna and, if the village restaurant Niinipuu is open, enjoy local delicacies. If you stay with us at the end of the tour, the sauna is included in the price of the accommodation.
The total length of the route is about 150 km, depending on your choice of additional route. It is also possible to slightly change the daily paddling routes and plan differently according to weather and wind conditions.
Please note that of the accommodation points on the route, only the last three accommodation points on the trip are operated by us and therefore subject to a fee. The condition and maintenance of public and voluntary campsites may vary.
Route fee: 550 €/ 1 – 2 persons, additional persons + 75 € (max 4 persons). For larger groups, please ask for a separate offer. The route fee includes:
- route maps and instructions, compass.
- Accommodation: the first four nights’ accommodation is free of charge at the public campsites. Two nights in private islands reserved for you only, with paddling hut and sauna. One night on a private island in a glamping tent. There is also a fireplace and a hut on the island.
- Instructions for the trip and equipment list by email after booking.
- telephone emergency call for any problems daily from 9 – 21
- services at the departure point: transport of equipment and persons from Puumala to Punkaharju, free car parking
- local information on services and natural attractions around the route.
In addition to the route service, we also provide all the necessary or missing equipment for the excursion. All you need is your own personal clothing and picnic food. After booking, we will send you a list of the personal equipment you need.
Additional services:
- Quality paddling equipment for the trip including kayak or canoe, vest, paddle, phone bag, dry bags for kayaks or equipped barrels for canoes.
- Spacious double kayak 420 €
- Open canoe 280 €
- Single kayak 260 €
- Dry bags for kayak or kayak barrels for open canoe 25€/person Note! At least sleeping bags and change of clothes must be packed waterproof.
- Dry suit for the trip 220 €/person. For safety reasons, a dry suit is compulsory when paddling in single canoes or open canoes when the water temperature is below 15 degrees.
- Camping equipment 240€ /person ( tent, sleeping bag + sleeping bag cover, cooker, gas, cooking and eating utensils, EA pack)
- Sauna at Saimaa Canoeing base after the trip 45€ / h
Ask also about the possibility to stay with us before or after the trip! (see accommodation in Saimaa Canoeing)
You can also book a tour by contacting us directly: info@saimaacanoeing.fi or + 358 50 5487653