Explore this wilderness pearl by kayak
Whether you're planning a canoe tour lasting a day or a week, the right place to head for is Puulavesi, Finland's eighth largest lake. Lake Puulavesi's countless bays and islands make for thousands of kilometres of shoreline: fascinating routes and beautiful places for an overnight stop are simple to find. The ideal place to start your journey is the Puula Canoeing Centre or Kiviniemi Camping in the centre of Kangasniemi, close to the main Jyväskylä-Mikkeli road
Lake Puulavesi's great attraction is its wild beauty. Summer cottages tend to be hidden in the forest and the number of motor boats is small. The huge reminders of the Ice Age left on the islands' shores or the Stone Age cave paintings at Puulansalmi are certain to interrupt the paddling as well as one's train of thought. Just as a successful canoe tour should.
Puulavesi's shoreline is happily free of industrial plants that might otherwise pollute the water, free too of hotels and villages of holiday cabins. Overnight stops are made on the islands under normal touring conditions either in proper camping areas or other locations that just seem right for the purpose. The lake water continues to be perfectly drinkable!
The paddling is done in Indian canoes or kayaks according to preference. We have deliberately not indicated canoeing routes on the maps, thus encouraging individual canoeists to freely choose which way they prefer to go. We can assist with route planning by sending you a new touring map of Lake Puulavesi and by answering any questions you may have connected with canoeing on the lake.
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