Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ticularly around Lieksa and Ruunaa, also offers good paddling. Rivers further north are
fast-flowing, with tricky rapids, making many of them suitable for experienced paddlers
only.
Ivalojoki Route
(easy) A 70km route along the Ivalojoki, in northeast Lapland, that starts at
the village of Kuttura and finishes in Ivalo, crossing 30 rapids along the way.
Lakeland Trail
(easy to medium) This 350km route travels through the heart of the lake
district (Kangaslampi, Enonkoski, Savonranta, Kerimäki, Punkaharju, Savonlinna and
Rantasalmi) and takes 14 to 18 days.
Oravareitti
(easy to medium) In the heart of the Lakeland, the 'Squirrel Route' is a well-
marked two- or three-day trip from Juva to Sulkava.
Oulankajoki and Kitkajoki
(easy to difficult) A variety of choices on these neighbouring
rivers in a spectacular wilderness area of northeast Finland.
Savonselkä Circuit
(easy to difficult) The circuit, near Lahti, has three trails that are
360km, 220km and 180km in length. There are many sections that can be done as day
trips and that are suitable for novice paddlers.
Seal Trail
(easy) Explore the watery national parks of Kolovesi and Linnansaari, maybe
spotting a rare ringed seal from your canoe.
Plenty of operators offer whitewater rafting expeditions in canoes or rubber rafts. The
Ruunaa area is one of the best of many choices for this adrenalin-packed activity.
Fishing
Finnish waters are teeming with fish, and with people trying to catch them; Finns must be
among the Earth's most enthusiastic anglers. Commonly caught fish include salmon, trout,
grayling, perch, pike, zander (pike-perch), whitefish and Arctic char.
With so many bodies of water there is no shortage of places to cast a line, and not even
the lakes freezing over stops the Finns. Lapland has the greatest concentration of quality
fishing spots, but the number of designated places in southern Finland is also increasing.
Some of the most popular fishing areas are the spectacular salmon-rich Tenojoki in the fur-
thest north, the Tornionjoki, the Kainuu region around Kajaani, Ruovesi, Hossa, Ruunaa,
Lake Saimaa around Mikkeli, Lake Inari, and the Kymijoki near Kotka, where the Tsar
used to catch his dinner.
