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Pihlaisselän selätys kayaking route

—•Kayaking Routes

19.4 km

Route

Description

My Pihlajavesi – Ulkoilureitit+

Description

For the published map PDF, full route text, and lake-safety notes about long open crossings on Pihlaisselä, start with My Pihlajavesi’s outdoor routes pages. The same materials describe Pihlaisselän selätys as a point-to-point paddle across Lake Pihlajavesi’s main basin from Karansalmen kylätalo through Ahtaansalmi toward Sahanranta—you can launch from either end depending on wind and shuttle plans. Erämaapäivät, the annual wilderness weekend on the lake, has listed guided options that start from Sahanranta and themed paddles that explore the islands and stories of Pihlaisselä, with canoe and kayak outfitting from Eräopas Markku Jokela—useful if you want an organised taster before paddling the line on your own. On our map the paddling line is about 19.4 km as one continuous crossing. Very near the recorded start, Karansalmen kylätalo sits on the shore at Ähtärintie 999—a practical landmark for meeting the water and linking to land trails. Roughly 18 km along the trace, the Sahanranta cluster brings together Sahan uimaranta, Sahanrannan grillikatos, Koipikankaan frisbeegolfrata, and Koipikankaan pallokenttä on Sahantie—typical landing, swim, and stretch-the-legs stops at the Asemankylä end. Between those shores, My Pihlajavesi highlights wide lake bays, sheltered inlets, and reefs that give varied conditions for both newer and more experienced paddlers, and names joint-use islands managed by the local fishing association where day stops are welcome. On land, the same shoreline ties into several marked routes: Kontioreitti and Koskireitti pass the Karansalmi end, while Gallén-kierros, Gallenkierros, and Vanhan kirkon lenkki thread the Pihlajavesi villages and connect toward the old wilderness church—handy if you pair paddling with walking or cycling days. The separate Pihlaiskosket rapids reach along the Pihlaisjoki is a different, foot-oriented river corridor; Visit Jyväskylä Region summarises that fishery and habitat zone for context if you explore the lower current after your lake leg. Central Finland’s inland climate can whip up wind over long fetches; My Pihlajavesi explicitly warns that distance on Pihlaisselä can surprise inexperienced paddlers—check weather before committing to the full crossing.

Length & route

The mapped paddling line is about 19.4 km as one crossing of Pihlaisselä on Lake Pihlajavesi. My Pihlajavesi’s PDF and text round the public description to roughly 20 km with the same Karansalmi–Sahanranta alignment; treat our geometry as the measured distance. Expect mixed open-water and lee-shore paddling with navigation around points and islands.

Getting there

Stage put-ins at either end of the line: Karansalmen kylätalo on Ähtärintie 999 for the western shore start, or Sahanranta on Sahantie for the eastern cluster with beach and grill shelter—My Pihlajavesi presents both as valid launch points. For canoe or kayak hire and guided introductions, Eräopas Markku Jokela is listed through Visit Jyväskylä Region with a Haapamäki-area base and phone contact; Erämaapäivät announcements have used Sahanranta launches for timed group paddles. Use two vehicles or a bicycle shuttle along Kontioreitti if you want a linear trip without doubling back.

Good to know

Islands named for day use include Pöllösensaari and Kaunissaari under the local fishing association; follow any posted rules for fires and litter. The wider Pihlajavesi open-water area is part of the European Natura network; treat shores and bird-rich bays lightly. For fishing from a kayak, buy the state fisheries management fee and any regional permits that match your gear—check current rules for Lake Pihlajavesi rather than relying on informal summaries.

History

My Pihlajavesi recounts that before modern roads the lake connected villages and carried people to church; Pihlaisselän selätys follows that historic cross-lake corridor from Salmenkylä toward Asemankylä.

Where to rent kayaks

Eräopas Markku Jokela (Haapamäki area, Petäisentie 62) advertises canoe and kayak hire, guided paddling, and other outdoor programmes; Visit Jyväskylä Region lists phone 040 544 2976—confirm current hours and pricing with the operator.

Guided tours & Experiences

During Erämaapäivät, My Pihlajavesi has scheduled paddles such as “Pihlaisselän saaret ja tarinoita” from Sahanranta with boats supplied through Eräopas Markku Jokela—check the current year’s programme before planning.

Managed by

Keuruu

Official Maintenance

Trail info

My Pihlajavesi describes the classic reading from Karansalmen kylätalo through Ahtaansalmi to Sahanranta; you may reverse to suit shuttles. Wind fetch over Pihlaisselä matters more than a nominal downstream direction.

Route direction

Recreation Area

Lake

Open / Good Condition

My Pihlajavesi – Ulkoilureitit

Activities allowed

Kayak / Canoe

Activity

Terrain & conditions

19.4 km

Distance

Allow roughly a full summer day for the 19 km crossing in typical inland breeze, including breaks on association islands and at Sahanranta; inexperienced groups should wait for calm wind or shorten the day. Erämaapäivät has advertised roughly half-day themed paddles from Sahanranta when the festival runs.

Est. Time

Point-to-Point

Route Type

Lake Paddling

Water type

My Pihlajavesi – Ulkoilureitit+

Location

62.35028°N, 24.20991°E

Approximate location

FinlandCountry

Central FinlandRegion

KeuruuCity

PihlajavesiVillage

Kayaking RoutesCategory

Explore nearby

Koipikankaan pallokenttä

468 m

Koipikankaan frisbeegolfrata

411 m

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Answers to your questions

Our data was researched from Keuruu, and other trusted sources, in March 2026. Our route / place GPX data comes from Metsähallitus / Lipas, last updated March 2026. Always check their official website for safety-critical updates.

Finland Central Finland Keuruu Kayaking RoutesPihlaisselän selätys kayaking route