Enonkoski Kayaking Routes

For camping rules, motor restrictions, and up-to-date paddling guidance in Kolovesi National Park, Metsähallitus publishes the main reference on Luontoon.fi(1). SaimaaHoliday Oravi, which runs rentals and transport in the Oravi–Kirkkoranta area, describes the Koloveden kierros as a sheltered lake journey through one of Finland’s most valued quiet-water destinations: motor boating is banned across most of the park to protect tranquillity, shorelines are rocky and cliff-lined, and rock art includes the well-known human figure at Ukonvuori(2). Visit Savonlinna summarises why paddlers come here: labyrinthine islands, silence, and a fair chance—if you are lucky—of spotting the Saimaa ringed seal in its only habitat(3). On our map this paddling line is about 92.9 km as one closed loop starting from the Oravi shore. That fits the multi-day “Oravi–Kolovesi–Oravi” circuit that Oravi promotes at roughly 80–100 km and four to seven days on the water, including crossings and island camps between Oravi services and Kolovesi’s national-park waters(2). The same operator notes shorter options—such as a Kirkkoranta-based tour of Kolovesi in roughly 20–30 km—when you only have a night or two(2). Commercial pages often quote a compact circuit of about 35 km around the park’s large islands; our geometry follows the longer stored loop, so treat distance as about 93 km for planning on this page(2). From the first kilometres near Oravin Nuorisoseurantalo, the line runs north and east into the maze of sounds and islands. Around Pyylinoja, roughly a third of the way into the loop, you reach a cluster of tent spots, fireplaces, a canoe dock, and services spaced along the shore—useful for a first or second night if you pace the trip over several days. Syväniemi adds another natural break with tent pads, docks, and fireplaces partway along the northern shore experience. Farther on, Kirkkoranta and Ukonvuori concentrate landing spots, canoe docks, and access toward the famous cliff and rock paintings that Finnish tourism pages highlight as Kolovesi’s signature cultural sight(3). Laajakaarre and Lapinniemi continue the pattern of small marked camps and landing infrastructure on forested islands; Lapinniemi sits in Heinävesi waters while the municipality of Enonkoski remains the main gateway for Kirkkoranta access. Toward the east and south of the loop, Mäntysalo and Pitkäsaari combine rental cabins, a sauna, mooring rings, tent areas, and fireplaces—ideal staging if you want a rest day or shorter days with more time on land. If you want a shorter paddle purely inside the national park without the long approach from Oravi, our database also lists the route Melontaa Koloveden kansallispuistossa as a separate line in the same waters. Where the wider Saimaa region matters for onward planning, Visit Savonlinna links services, rentals, and seasonal ideas from the city side(3). We drew colour and pacing detail from Hanneke Travels’ multi-day kayaking write-up on Kolovesi’s quiet bays and wildlife encounters—worth reading for photos and a paddler’s-eye narrative of the Seal Trail landscape(4).

This loop is about 33.4 km of lake paddling inside Kolovesi National Park in Enonkoski, South Savo—rocky shores, narrow channels, and quiet water where motorboats are banned across most of the park. Luontoon.fi describes Kolovesi as a prime paddling destination in the Saimaa labyrinth, with ancient rock art, clear water, and a chance—if you are lucky—to spot the endangered Saimaa ringed seal(1). The line is mapped as a circuit starting and finishing at Kirkkoranta in Enonkoski: you pass the Ukonvuori canoe dock early on, then work along forested bays toward Laajakaarre and Lapinniemi, where marked tent spots, fireplaces, and landing stages sit close together. Around Mäntysalo and Pitkäsaari the route threads the island clusters that SaimaaHoliday Oravi uses for its classic “Kolovesi tour” description—a full circuit of the park and the main islands Mäntysalo and Vaajasalo is only on the order of 35 km and suits a Friday–Sunday pace with nights at official campsites(3). From Pitkäsaari you can step ashore onto Mäntysalon polku, a marked hiking loop on Mäntysalo with steep climbs and lake views; Mätysalo kämpän polku links the northern shore toward Mäntysalon kämppä rental cabin and sauna. Near Pyylinoja the water meets Pyylin polku and the Pyylinoja camping and launch area used on longer Oravi–Kolovesi itineraries. Syväniemi offers another cluster of landings and tent pads before you swing south past Vaajasalo and Lohilahti toward Nahkiaissalo luontopolku at the Lohilahti shore. Hirviniemi adds a camping shore, Hirviniemi Hiking Trail ashore, and an accessible canoe dock before the loop closes at Kirkkoranta parking, cooking shelter, and main canoe jetty. For equipment, SaimaaHoliday Oravi runs a self-service canoe and kayak rental at Kirkkoranta (book ahead online) with paddling maps and basic kit included; the company also publishes guided day trips into Kolovesi from Oravi for those who want a leader on the water(3). Phone and e-mail for the unmanned Kirkkoranta rental point are listed on Visit Savonlinna's Kolovesi rental page(4). Visit Savonlinna summarises driving distances to Kirkkoranta and Käkövesi, train and bus access via Savonlinna, Enonkoski, or Savonranta, and onward safari bus or taxi links arranged through local operators(2). Retkipaikka’s Mäntysalo trail article captures how busy the paddling channels feel in midsummer and how the Mäntysalo shore connects to Vierunvuori rock paintings by boat—useful context if you extend side trips off the main loop(5). The much longer Koloveden kierros Oravista overlaps these same camps and launches when it crosses the park from Oravi; Oravi – Sompasaari and the long-distance Kahden kansallispuiston kierros touch Kirkkoranta at the finish of their own stages.

Oravi–Sompasaari is an open-lake kayaking and canoeing line on Lake Saimaa in South Savo, about 35.5 km point-to-point from the Oravi canal village services toward the Pyylinoja shore on the northwest margin of Kolovesi National Park. It is an alternative to the longer Kolovesi circuit that starts from Kirkkoranta: you stage from Oravi’s harbour and paddling centre, then cross the maze of islands and sounds toward Pieni Kolovesi where the park’s camping and landing sites cluster near Pyylinoja(1)(2). For the wider Kolovesi paddling story—weekend distances, optional extensions to Pyylinsaari and Koukunpolvi, and the easy sheltered character of the main lake circuit—SaimaaHoliday Oravi’s Seal Trail route page is the practical starting point(1). Visit Savonlinna summarises Kolovesi National Park’s cliffs, rock paintings, and motorboat restrictions that make the area a quiet paddler’s destination(2). Along the mapped line, the first stop is Oravin Nuorisoseurantalo near the canal village, and the route ends at Pyylinoja kanottilaituri with a campfire site, tent camping area, and facilities grouped at the water’s edge. Visit Karelia describes Pyylinoja as the natural water access point for Pyylin polku, the demanding hiking trail that climbs from the shore toward Iso-Pyylin autiotupa and Pyylivuori before returning to Ruokovirta(3)—worth combining if you secure a vehicle shuttle and want a day on land after paddling in. The same waterway network links to Koloveden kierros Oravista (a full multi-day circuit of the park), Oravi-Järvisydän Melontaa toward Linnansaari, Tappuvirran kierros through the islands of Linnansaari National Park, and Linnansaaren kierros for a shorter national-park loop. Wildlife watching is part of the draw: Visit Savonlinna notes the Saimaa ringed seal and ancient rock art at Ukonvuori as signature park highlights(2). For a lived sense of pacing and campsites on a multi-day Kolovesi trip, Retkiremmi.net’s multi-day paddling journal includes a Pitkäsaari–Pyylinoja stage and staging from Oravi and Kirkkoranta(4). Wind on open sounds can slow progress; plan extra time and check weather before committing to a long crossing.