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Kayaking in Kolovesi National Park

—•Kayaking Routes

33.4 km

Melontaa Koloveden kansallispuistossa - Kayaking

Route

P 1

Description

Luontoon.fi – Paddling in Kolovesi National Park+

Description

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. 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. 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. Phone and e-mail for the unmanned Kirkkoranta rental point are listed on Visit Savonlinna's Kolovesi rental page. 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. 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. 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.

Length & route

The mapped loop is about 33.4 km as one continuous circuit. SaimaaHoliday Oravi describes a full tour around the park and the main islands Mäntysalo and Vaajasalo as roughly 35 km with no portages—an easy, sheltered lake route suited to families and less experienced trip paddlers when weather stays calm.

Getting there

Put in and take out at Kirkkoranta (Kirkkorannantie 200, Enonkoski), with car parking, a boat slide, and canoe jetties at the national-park launch area. Visit Savonlinna notes roughly 22 km by road from Enonkoski to Kirkkoranta, about 21 km from Savonranta, and about 50 km from Savonlinna; buses reach Enonkoski, Savonranta, and Savonlinna, but there is no public bus to the park—continue by taxi or pre-booked safari bus from Oravi or Savonlinna. Vihtari railway station is about 26 km away; many visitors drive or arrange transfers through local outfitters.

Good to know

Campfires and tents are allowed only at marked sites; carry a stove where firewood is not supplied. Respect wildlife—including seals—and keep noise low. In windy weather open fetches on Saimaa can make progress slow despite the sheltered channels. For fishing from a boat or kayak, check current Eräluvat rules and any local restrictions. Luontoon.fi is the place to confirm seasonal rules, protected zones, and any access changes before you go.

Itinerary

Typical weekend loop using the mapped line: Day 1—Kirkkoranta to Laajakaarre–Lapinniemi–Mäntysalo (roughly 0–10 km) for the first night near Mäntysalo’s rental cabin, sauna, and tent pads. Day 2—Pitkäsaari and Pyylinoja to Syväniemi (about 10–22 km). Day 3—Vaajasalo, Lohilahti, and Hirviniemi back to Kirkkoranta (about 22–33 km). In calm weather strong paddlers can compress this to two days; SaimaaHoliday suggests about two to four days for the full Kolovesi tour pace.

Where to rent kayaks

SaimaaHoliday Oravi: self-service canoe and kayak rental at Kirkkoranta in Kolovesi National Park (Kirkkorannantie 200, Enonkoski). Book online in advance; rentals typically include a life jacket, waterproof paddling map, dry bag or barrel, and a spray deck for kayaks. Full-service hire and extra camping gear are also available from the Oravi shop. Visit Savonlinna's Kolovesi rental page lists contact details for the unmanned Kirkkoranta station.

Guided tours & Experiences

SaimaaHoliday Oravi runs guided kayaking day trips into Kolovesi National Park (full-day tours with instruction, equipment, and a wilderness lunch) and shorter beginner sessions in Oravi’s sheltered waters; giant-canoe and multi-day packages are listed for other Saimaa areas.

Managed by

Enonkoski

Official Maintenance

+358 15 527 5500

Trail info

The loop is usually paddled clockwise or counterclockwise from Kirkkoranta depending on wind; there are no signed water trail markers—navigation is by map and shoreline.

Route direction

National Park

Area

Recreation Area

Archipelago

Lake

Open / Good Condition

SaimaaHoliday Oravi – Canoeing and kayaking

Activities allowed

Kayak / Canoe

Activity

Terrain & conditions

33.4 km

Distance

Allow about two to four days for a comfortable full tour with the 33–35 km main loop and time on land; a guided Kolovesi day trip from Oravi is shorter and fully led.

Est. Time

Open lake, narrow rock-framed channels, and short crossings between islands; no portages on the main Kolovesi circuit described by the operator.

Surface

Loop

Route Type

Lake Paddling

Water type

SaimaaHoliday Oravi – Canoeing and kayaking

Location

62.23732°N, 28.89779°E

Parking coordinates

FinlandCountry

South SavoRegion

EnonkoskiCity

Kirkkoranta, EnonkoskiVillage

Kayaking in Kolovesi National Park

Route

Parking 1

Kirkkoranta veneenlaskuluiska

Kirkkoranta kanoottilaituri

Ukonvuori kanoottilaituri

Laajakaarre tulentekopaikka

Laajakaarre telttailualue

Laajakaarre kanoottilaituri

Laajakaarre huussi

Lapinniemi huussi

Lapinniemi telttailualue Heinävesi

Lapinniemi kanoottilaituri

Mävtysalo veneen kiinnityspoiju (2 kpl)

Mäntysalo venelaituri

Mäntysalo sauna

Mäntysalon kämppä vuokratupa

Mäntysalo tulentekopaikka

Pitkäsaari etelä telttailualue

Pitkäsaari eteläinen tulentekopaikka

Pitkäsaari kanoottilaituri

Pitkäsaari etelä huussi

Pitkäsaari pohjoinen huussi

Pitkäsaari pohjoinen telttailualue

Pitkäsaari pohjoinen tulentekopaikka

Pitkäsaari veneenkiinnitysrengas

Pyylinoja, huussi

Syväniemi tulentekopaikka pohjoinen

Syväniemi kanottilaituri

Syväniemi telttailualue

Syväniemi, huussi

Syväniemi, huussi

Syväniemi tulentekopaikka eteläpää

Vaajasalo kanottilaituri

Vaajasalo tulentekopaikka

Vaajasalo, huussi

Vaajasalo telttailualue

Lohilahti länsi tulentekopaikka

Lohilahti kotalaavu

Lohilahti kanoottilaituri

Lohilahti länsi telttailualue

Lohilahti itä telttailualue

Lohilahti kuivakäymälä

Hirviniemi tulentekopaikka 1

Hirviniemi Camping

Hirviniemi polttopuusuoja - kuivakäymälä

Hirviniemi, esteetön käymälä

Hirviniemi esteetön kanoottilaituri

Hirviniemi Nuotiopaikka 2

Kirkkoranta parkkipaikka lisäosa 1

Kirkkoranta P-alue linja-auto ja h-auto

Kirkkoranta keittokatos

Kanoottilaituri

Kirkkoranta telttailualue

Description

Managed by

Trail info

Activities allowed

Terrain & conditions

Location

Explore nearby

Mäntysalo veneenkiinnitysrengas (2 kpl)

Lapinniemi kiinnitysrengas (2 kpl)

Pitkäsaari eteläinen veneenkiinnitysrengas

Mäntysalo veneenkiinnityspoiju

Hirviniemi Hiking Trail

Nahkiaissalo Nature Trail

Trail to Mäntysalo rental cabin

Oravi – Sompasaari

Rate & Review

Answers to your questions

Kayaking in Kolovesi National Park33.4 km

Route

Parking 1

Kirkkoranta veneenlaskuluiska

Kirkkoranta kanoottilaituri

Ukonvuori kanoottilaituri

Laajakaarre tulentekopaikka

Laajakaarre telttailualue

Laajakaarre kanoottilaituri