Finnish Lakeland canoe
4.84(141)Saimaa Lakeland, FinlandPaddling
Five days by open canoe through a maze of forest lakes, with lean-to shelters, smoke saunas and endless summer light.
- Paddle Lake Saimaa, home of one of the rarest seals on Earth
- Three nights at lakeside lean-tos and one in a log cabin
- A traditional smoke sauna on the last night
- Blueberries and wild mushrooms for breakfast
- Calm, sheltered water that suits beginners
About the trip
Finland has almost 190,000 lakes, and in the Saimaa Lakeland they join into a never-ending water maze of islands, narrow sounds and pine-covered shores. Travelling by canoe here is the most natural thing in the world.
We paddle stable Canadian canoes, two to a boat, for about four hours a day. Nights are spent at lean-to shelters with fire pits, which you will find all over the Finnish wilderness, and the trip ends with the deep, slow heat of a smoke sauna.
What's included
- Canoes, paddles and buoyancy aids
- Tents, mats and cooking kit
- All meals
- Liisa as your guide
- Smoke sauna on the last night
- Transfers from Savonlinna
Your guide
Liisa Korhonen
Lead guide, Finnish Lakeland and Lapland
Liisa splits her year between canoe routes in the Lakeland and snowshoe trails in Lapland. She is a wilderness first-aid instructor and believes no day outdoors is complete without a sauna and a cold lake.
Meet LiisaDay by day
7 km paddling
Meet in Savonlinna below Olavinlinna castle, drive to the lake and paddle to our first lean-to.
15 km paddling
Into Linnansaari National Park, watching out for Saimaa ringed seals on the rocks.
8 km paddling
A short paddle and a walk to the old croft on Linnansaari, then berry picking and swimming.
14 km paddling
Through narrow sounds to a lakeside log cabin and its smoke sauna.
6 km paddling
Paddle back to the mainland and transfer to Savonlinna.
