Imatran melontareitit is a roughly 24 km shoreline paddle on South Saimaa around Imatra, linking the Lammassaari and Ukonniemi shore with the spa and Malonsaari beaches rather than a single port-to-port river run. GoSaimaa describes the Imatra area as a place where you can paddle along beaches near Ukonniemi and Rauha,...
GoSaimaa – Kayaking routes in South Karelia+
Description
Imatran melontareitit is a roughly 24 km shoreline paddle on South Saimaa around Imatra, linking the Lammassaari and Ukonniemi shore with the spa and Malonsaari beaches rather than a single port-to-port river run. GoSaimaa describes the Imatra area as a place where you can paddle along beaches near Ukonniemi and Rauha, get close to the local boat-shed culture, and hop between nearby islands with natural landing beaches—an approachable Lake Saimaa setting for mixed-skill groups. Visit Lake Saimaa highlights Imatra’s harbour, spa, and Ukonniemi–Rauha shore as a hub for active visitors, with Saimaa within easy reach of the centre.
From the water, the Lammassaari end is a natural start cluster: the route passes Lammassaaren kota and Lammassaaren laavu on the island fringe, and ties in with the foot network on land—Lammassaaren luontopolku circles the island’s wooded shore, while Lammassaaren kuntorata and Lammassaaren rantapolku offer short walking and ski connections from the same shore zone. The City of Imatra publishes a brochure and Active Outdoor entry for the nature trail on the island, useful if you combine a short hike with a beach landing.
Along Ukonniemi, the line runs past the sports and events shore—Kuntohallin tenniskentät, Ukonlinna, Ukonlinnan beach volleyball courts, and Ukonlinnan uimaranta—where the lit ski tracks and running loops meet the beach in winter-focused marketing, but summer paddlers use the same bays for swimming breaks. Imatra Spa (Imatran Kylpylä) sits on this shore; its gym, bowling, and indoor sports buildings appear as nearby stops if you tie up for services. Farther along, Lempukan uimaranta gives a quieter swim stop, and Malonsaaren nuotiopaikka is a named picnic and campfire pause that Tuplakasi-Action also points to for canoe day trips in the area.
For longer regional links, Retkisatamien reitti follows a multi-day style corridor toward Lappeenranta with many landing services; Ruokolahden melontareitti is a separate long South Karelia chain. On land, Neljän saaren pyöräilyreitti shares some of the same shore infrastructure for cyclists who meet paddlers at the beaches.
Length & route
The mapped line is about 24 km as one continuous paddle on Lake Saimaa. The outing is shoreline and strait paddling in the Imatra urban lake zone rather than a whitewater run; plan daily distance with wind on open bays and keep clearance from motor traffic near harbours and event shores.
Getting there
Reach Imatra by car on the E18, by train or bus from south-eastern Finland, or by boat through the Saimaa waterway to the city harbour—Visit Lake Saimaa summarises Imatra as well connected for visitors. Put in or take out where local access and parking allow near Lammassaari causeway, Ukonniemi sports shore, or Imatra Spa; confirm access and any local restrictions on the City of Imatra outdoor pages for Lammassaari when combining with the nature trail. Tuplakasi-Action rents canoes in Imatra (Veneveistäjänkuja 2) and publishes phone +358 45 1967 296 and info@tuplakasi-action.fi. DrakkarSport maintains a large kayak and canoe fleet in the wider Lappeenranta–Saimaa region—useful if you need tandem canoes or touring kayaks when travelling from Lappeenranta toward Imatra.
Good to know
Watch for motorboats and occasional event traffic off Ukonniemi; stay clear of swim lanes and harbour fairways. GoSaimaa notes that beginners can use sheltered shores while more experienced paddlers can choose longer lake and strait legs in the region. For fishing rules on Saimaa waters, follow the regional permit guidance linked from Etelä-Karjalan virkistysaluesäätiö and local licence sellers—do not assume everyman’s rights cover all hook-and-line fishing from a kayak.
Where to rent kayaks
Tuplakasi-Action in Imatra (Veneveistäjänkuja 2) rents two- and three-person open canoes for independent use and runs guided paddling trips; contact +358 45 1967 296 or info@tuplakasi-action.fi, with hourly to multi-day rates on their Kanootit page. Their copy names Malonsaaren tulipaikka as a possible break stop on local canoe days. DrakkarSport in the Lappeenranta–Saimaa area offers a large fleet of kayaks and canoes (paddles, buoyancy aids, and spray decks included) for visitors approaching from the Lappeenranta side—phone +358 40 551 6996, info@drakkarsport.com.
Guided tours & Experiences
Tuplakasi-Action advertises guided paddling trips alongside open canoe rental for the Imatra area.
The mapped geometry is not a closed loop; paddlers typically follow the shore in either direction depending on wind and access points, with no mandatory downstream current on this lake section.
Route direction
Recreation Area
Recreation Area
Lake
Lake
Open / Good Condition
Open / Good Condition
GoSaimaa – Kayaking routes in South Karelia
Activities allowed
Kayak / Canoe
Activity
Terrain & conditions
24 km
Distance
Tuplakasi-Action rents canoes from one hour to a full day (1 h / 32 €, 2 h / 42 €, 3 h / 52 €, day / 72 €, weekend / 122 € as listed on their page)—match rental windows to how much of the 24 km shore you plan to cover in calm conditions.
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Answers to your questions
Our data was researched from Imatra, 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.
Imatran melontareitit is a roughly 24 km shoreline paddle on South Saimaa around Imatra, linking the Lammassaari and Ukonniemi shore with the spa and Malonsaari beaches rather than a single port-to-port river run. GoSaimaa describes the Imatra area as a place where you can paddle along beaches near Ukonniemi and Rauha,...
GoSaimaa – Kayaking routes in South Karelia+
Description
Imatran melontareitit is a roughly 24 km shoreline paddle on South Saimaa around Imatra, linking the Lammassaari and Ukonniemi shore with the spa and Malonsaari beaches rather than a single port-to-port river run. GoSaimaa describes the Imatra area as a place where you can paddle along beaches near Ukonniemi and Rauha, get close to the local boat-shed culture, and hop between nearby islands with natural landing beaches—an approachable Lake Saimaa setting for mixed-skill groups. Visit Lake Saimaa highlights Imatra’s harbour, spa, and Ukonniemi–Rauha shore as a hub for active visitors, with Saimaa within easy reach of the centre.
From the water, the Lammassaari end is a natural start cluster: the route passes Lammassaaren kota and Lammassaaren laavu on the island fringe, and ties in with the foot network on land—Lammassaaren luontopolku circles the island’s wooded shore, while Lammassaaren kuntorata and Lammassaaren rantapolku offer short walking and ski connections from the same shore zone. The City of Imatra publishes a brochure and Active Outdoor entry for the nature trail on the island, useful if you combine a short hike with a beach landing.
Along Ukonniemi, the line runs past the sports and events shore—Kuntohallin tenniskentät, Ukonlinna, Ukonlinnan beach volleyball courts, and Ukonlinnan uimaranta—where the lit ski tracks and running loops meet the beach in winter-focused marketing, but summer paddlers use the same bays for swimming breaks. Imatra Spa (Imatran Kylpylä) sits on this shore; its gym, bowling, and indoor sports buildings appear as nearby stops if you tie up for services. Farther along, Lempukan uimaranta gives a quieter swim stop, and Malonsaaren nuotiopaikka is a named picnic and campfire pause that Tuplakasi-Action also points to for canoe day trips in the area.
For longer regional links, Retkisatamien reitti follows a multi-day style corridor toward Lappeenranta with many landing services; Ruokolahden melontareitti is a separate long South Karelia chain. On land, Neljän saaren pyöräilyreitti shares some of the same shore infrastructure for cyclists who meet paddlers at the beaches.
Length & route
The mapped line is about 24 km as one continuous paddle on Lake Saimaa. The outing is shoreline and strait paddling in the Imatra urban lake zone rather than a whitewater run; plan daily distance with wind on open bays and keep clearance from motor traffic near harbours and event shores.
Getting there
Reach Imatra by car on the E18, by train or bus from south-eastern Finland, or by boat through the Saimaa waterway to the city harbour—Visit Lake Saimaa summarises Imatra as well connected for visitors. Put in or take out where local access and parking allow near Lammassaari causeway, Ukonniemi sports shore, or Imatra Spa; confirm access and any local restrictions on the City of Imatra outdoor pages for Lammassaari when combining with the nature trail. Tuplakasi-Action rents canoes in Imatra (Veneveistäjänkuja 2) and publishes phone +358 45 1967 296 and info@tuplakasi-action.fi. DrakkarSport maintains a large kayak and canoe fleet in the wider Lappeenranta–Saimaa region—useful if you need tandem canoes or touring kayaks when travelling from Lappeenranta toward Imatra.
Good to know
Watch for motorboats and occasional event traffic off Ukonniemi; stay clear of swim lanes and harbour fairways. GoSaimaa notes that beginners can use sheltered shores while more experienced paddlers can choose longer lake and strait legs in the region. For fishing rules on Saimaa waters, follow the regional permit guidance linked from Etelä-Karjalan virkistysaluesäätiö and local licence sellers—do not assume everyman’s rights cover all hook-and-line fishing from a kayak.
Where to rent kayaks
Tuplakasi-Action in Imatra (Veneveistäjänkuja 2) rents two- and three-person open canoes for independent use and runs guided paddling trips; contact +358 45 1967 296 or info@tuplakasi-action.fi, with hourly to multi-day rates on their Kanootit page. Their copy names Malonsaaren tulipaikka as a possible break stop on local canoe days. DrakkarSport in the Lappeenranta–Saimaa area offers a large fleet of kayaks and canoes (paddles, buoyancy aids, and spray decks included) for visitors approaching from the Lappeenranta side—phone +358 40 551 6996, info@drakkarsport.com.
Guided tours & Experiences
Tuplakasi-Action advertises guided paddling trips alongside open canoe rental for the Imatra area.
The mapped geometry is not a closed loop; paddlers typically follow the shore in either direction depending on wind and access points, with no mandatory downstream current on this lake section.
Tuplakasi-Action rents canoes from one hour to a full day (1 h / 32 €, 2 h / 42 €, 3 h / 52 €, day / 72 €, weekend / 122 € as listed on their page)—match rental windows to how much of the 24 km shore you plan to cover in calm conditions.
Be the first to write a review for "Imatra kayaking routes"
Share a photo from a recent trip
Answers to your questions
Our data was researched from Imatra, 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.