Keisarinlähteen kierros is a multi-day lake circuit in South Savo that starts and ends in Mäntyharju. On the map it runs about 44.4 km as one continuous line through five lake basins; municipal materials often round the full circuit to roughly 50 km and describe 15–20 km days once breaks and portages are included. M...
City of Mäntyharju – Keisarinlähteen kierros canoe route+
Description
Keisarinlähteen kierros is a multi-day lake circuit in South Savo that starts and ends in Mäntyharju. On the map it runs about 44.4 km as one continuous line through five lake basins; municipal materials often round the full circuit to roughly 50 km and describe 15–20 km days once breaks and portages are included. Mäntyharju lies on a rich lake network; this route is aimed at paddlers who want a more back-country feel than the busy services corridor toward Repovesi.
For route facts, portage lengths, landing marks, and the downloadable brochure, start from the City of Mäntyharju’s Keisarinlähteen kierros page. The same source describes orange landing markers at put-ins (with yellow marks noted at some landings), two portages—including roughly 500 m of carrying between Herataipale bay and Herajärvi where reading the map matters, and about 200 m including crossing Varpasentie between Tainavesi and Kallavesi—and canoe carts stored between Heralampi and Ylä-Kuhanen and between Heralampi and Herajärvi. The usual paddling direction follows Kallavesi, Ala-Kuhanen, Ylä-Kuhanen, Herajärvi, and Tainavesi, with an easier run down Tainankoski back toward Kallavesi than the reverse. Puukonvuori holds rock paintings that the municipality places in the regional Stone Age hunting tradition. The Alexander I story and the famous spring at Keisarinlähde—where you can refill a bottle from the canoe according to local telling—are part of the place’s colour.
Along the line, Puukonvuoren laavu sits about 18 km from the start, Mäntysaaren laavu roughly 15 km further, and Tainan laavu about 8 km after that before you close the loop toward town—good stages for a two- or three-night trip using those shelters. Haapaseläntien uimapaikka offers a swim stop not long after leaving the built-up shore, and Leijonakota sits near the urban shore for a different kind of break. Linkkumylly runs Mäntyharju Melontakeskus rentals from the old station warehouse and names Keisarinlähteen kierros among their suggested longer tours. Visit Mikkeli lists the same operator’s phone contact for advance booking and shuttle help. Visit Mäntyharju contrasts this circuit’s sparse lodging with the Mäntyharju–Repovesi corridor and points to Tyrnihovi as the main commercial stay on this loop. Clubs such as Puijon Latu sometimes organise guided multi-day trips on the same circuit with published day distances and safety expectations.
If you combine paddling with land days, Mäntyharju-Repovesi melontareitti follows the long Halla waterway toward the national park, while Citypatikkareitti and Pappilanniemen ulkoilureitistö offer walking near the shore.
Length & route
The mapped paddling line is about 44.4 km. Official texts often describe the full five-lake circuit at roughly 50 km with two portages: a roughly 500 m carry between Herataipale bay and Herajärvi (with possible longer carry if the ditch between Heralampi and Herajärvi is too low to float even an empty canoe) and about 200 m between Tainavesi and Kallavesi including crossing Varpasentie. Canoe carts are available between Heralampi and Ylä-Kuhanen (two sets) and between Heralampi and Herajärvi (one set).
Getting there
Stage the trip from Kurkiniemi on Asematie next to Mäntyharju railway station, where the paddling centre uses the old warehouse and shops are nearby. Trains serve Mäntyharju; Linkkumylly and Visit Mikkeli describe advance booking for rentals and shuttle services for boats and paddlers.
Good to know
The municipality notes that geocaches may lie near the route. Visit Mäntyharju lists Tyrnihovi as the main commercial lodging option on this loop and names Mäntyharju Melontakeskus, Miekankosken kahvila, and WHD Gård among regional rental and transport providers for paddlers more broadly. Contact the City of Mäntyharju sports facilities coordinator at +358 40 352 2658 for local maintenance questions. If you fish, check permit rules for each water body you use.
History
The municipality recounts that Emperor Alexander I stopped to refresh himself at Kallavesi Keisarinlähde on 10 June 1803 while inspecting the Russian–Swedish border area, and summarises the Puukonvuori rock paintings as part of the regional Stone Age hunting culture.
Itinerary
Example pacing for a three-day circuit using the laavut on this line: day 1 from Kurkiniemi to Puukonvuoren laavu (about 18 km) for the rock paintings and shelter; day 2 to Mäntysaaren laavu (about 32 km cumulative) across the portage country between the interior lakes; day 3 to Tainan laavu (about 40 km cumulative) and back to Mäntyharju, allowing time for the Tainavesi–Kallavesi portage and Tainankoski. Adjust for wind on open water and low water in ditches.
Where to rent kayaks
Mäntyharju Melontakeskus (Linkkumylly) rents kayaks, canoes, and SUP boards from the station warehouse on Asematie 10; the equipment page lists Keisarinlähteen kierros among longer local tours and reminds paddlers to book ahead and ask for personal and boat shuttles. Visit Mikkeli repeats the summer-season rental offer and the +358 50 449 3002 booking line with shuttle options. Visit Mäntyharju names Miekankosken kahvila and WHD Gård alongside the paddling centre for rentals and transport in the wider area.
Guided tours & Experiences
Puijon Latu ry has run member trips to this circuit with roughly 15–18 km days and about 50 km total, requiring solid paddling and camping skills; programmes are announced on the club site with links to the municipal brochure.
Municipal guidance favours the Kallavesi–Ala-Kuhanen–Ylä-Kuhanen–Herajärvi–Tainavesi line and running Tainankoski toward Kallavesi, which is easier to complete than paddling the same obstacles in reverse.
Route direction
Recreation Area
Recreation Area
Lake
Lake
Open / Good Condition
Open / Good Condition
City of Mäntyharju – Keisarinlähteen kierros canoe route
Activities allowed
Kayak / Canoe
Activity
Terrain & conditions
44.4 km
Distance
About 13 hours of moving water time at 4 km/h for the full circuit in calm conditions before rest; most groups spread it over two or three days with 15–20 km days including portages.
Est. Time
Loop
Route Type
Has Portages
Portage
Lake Paddling
Water type
City of Mäntyharju – Keisarinlähteen kierros canoe route
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Answers to your questions
Our data was researched from Mikkeli, 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.
Keisarinlähteen kierros is a multi-day lake circuit in South Savo that starts and ends in Mäntyharju. On the map it runs about 44.4 km as one continuous line through five lake basins; municipal materials often round the full circuit to roughly 50 km and describe 15–20 km days once breaks and portages are included. M...
City of Mäntyharju – Keisarinlähteen kierros canoe route+
Description
Keisarinlähteen kierros is a multi-day lake circuit in South Savo that starts and ends in Mäntyharju. On the map it runs about 44.4 km as one continuous line through five lake basins; municipal materials often round the full circuit to roughly 50 km and describe 15–20 km days once breaks and portages are included. Mäntyharju lies on a rich lake network; this route is aimed at paddlers who want a more back-country feel than the busy services corridor toward Repovesi.
For route facts, portage lengths, landing marks, and the downloadable brochure, start from the City of Mäntyharju’s Keisarinlähteen kierros page. The same source describes orange landing markers at put-ins (with yellow marks noted at some landings), two portages—including roughly 500 m of carrying between Herataipale bay and Herajärvi where reading the map matters, and about 200 m including crossing Varpasentie between Tainavesi and Kallavesi—and canoe carts stored between Heralampi and Ylä-Kuhanen and between Heralampi and Herajärvi. The usual paddling direction follows Kallavesi, Ala-Kuhanen, Ylä-Kuhanen, Herajärvi, and Tainavesi, with an easier run down Tainankoski back toward Kallavesi than the reverse. Puukonvuori holds rock paintings that the municipality places in the regional Stone Age hunting tradition. The Alexander I story and the famous spring at Keisarinlähde—where you can refill a bottle from the canoe according to local telling—are part of the place’s colour.
Along the line, Puukonvuoren laavu sits about 18 km from the start, Mäntysaaren laavu roughly 15 km further, and Tainan laavu about 8 km after that before you close the loop toward town—good stages for a two- or three-night trip using those shelters. Haapaseläntien uimapaikka offers a swim stop not long after leaving the built-up shore, and Leijonakota sits near the urban shore for a different kind of break. Linkkumylly runs Mäntyharju Melontakeskus rentals from the old station warehouse and names Keisarinlähteen kierros among their suggested longer tours. Visit Mikkeli lists the same operator’s phone contact for advance booking and shuttle help. Visit Mäntyharju contrasts this circuit’s sparse lodging with the Mäntyharju–Repovesi corridor and points to Tyrnihovi as the main commercial stay on this loop. Clubs such as Puijon Latu sometimes organise guided multi-day trips on the same circuit with published day distances and safety expectations.
If you combine paddling with land days, Mäntyharju-Repovesi melontareitti follows the long Halla waterway toward the national park, while Citypatikkareitti and Pappilanniemen ulkoilureitistö offer walking near the shore.
Length & route
The mapped paddling line is about 44.4 km. Official texts often describe the full five-lake circuit at roughly 50 km with two portages: a roughly 500 m carry between Herataipale bay and Herajärvi (with possible longer carry if the ditch between Heralampi and Herajärvi is too low to float even an empty canoe) and about 200 m between Tainavesi and Kallavesi including crossing Varpasentie. Canoe carts are available between Heralampi and Ylä-Kuhanen (two sets) and between Heralampi and Herajärvi (one set).
Getting there
Stage the trip from Kurkiniemi on Asematie next to Mäntyharju railway station, where the paddling centre uses the old warehouse and shops are nearby. Trains serve Mäntyharju; Linkkumylly and Visit Mikkeli describe advance booking for rentals and shuttle services for boats and paddlers.
Good to know
The municipality notes that geocaches may lie near the route. Visit Mäntyharju lists Tyrnihovi as the main commercial lodging option on this loop and names Mäntyharju Melontakeskus, Miekankosken kahvila, and WHD Gård among regional rental and transport providers for paddlers more broadly. Contact the City of Mäntyharju sports facilities coordinator at +358 40 352 2658 for local maintenance questions. If you fish, check permit rules for each water body you use.
History
The municipality recounts that Emperor Alexander I stopped to refresh himself at Kallavesi Keisarinlähde on 10 June 1803 while inspecting the Russian–Swedish border area, and summarises the Puukonvuori rock paintings as part of the regional Stone Age hunting culture.
Itinerary
Example pacing for a three-day circuit using the laavut on this line: day 1 from Kurkiniemi to Puukonvuoren laavu (about 18 km) for the rock paintings and shelter; day 2 to Mäntysaaren laavu (about 32 km cumulative) across the portage country between the interior lakes; day 3 to Tainan laavu (about 40 km cumulative) and back to Mäntyharju, allowing time for the Tainavesi–Kallavesi portage and Tainankoski. Adjust for wind on open water and low water in ditches.
Where to rent kayaks
Mäntyharju Melontakeskus (Linkkumylly) rents kayaks, canoes, and SUP boards from the station warehouse on Asematie 10; the equipment page lists Keisarinlähteen kierros among longer local tours and reminds paddlers to book ahead and ask for personal and boat shuttles. Visit Mikkeli repeats the summer-season rental offer and the +358 50 449 3002 booking line with shuttle options. Visit Mäntyharju names Miekankosken kahvila and WHD Gård alongside the paddling centre for rentals and transport in the wider area.
Guided tours & Experiences
Puijon Latu ry has run member trips to this circuit with roughly 15–18 km days and about 50 km total, requiring solid paddling and camping skills; programmes are announced on the club site with links to the municipal brochure.
Municipal guidance favours the Kallavesi–Ala-Kuhanen–Ylä-Kuhanen–Herajärvi–Tainavesi line and running Tainankoski toward Kallavesi, which is easier to complete than paddling the same obstacles in reverse.
Route direction
Recreation Area
Recreation Area
Lake
Lake
Open / Good Condition
Open / Good Condition
City of Mäntyharju – Keisarinlähteen kierros canoe route
About 13 hours of moving water time at 4 km/h for the full circuit in calm conditions before rest; most groups spread it over two or three days with 15–20 km days including portages.
Est. Time
Loop
Route Type
Has Portages
Portage
Lake Paddling
Water type
City of Mäntyharju – Keisarinlähteen kierros canoe route
Be the first to write a review for "Keisarinlähteen kierros paddling circuit"
Share a photo from a recent trip
Answers to your questions
Our data was researched from Mikkeli, 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.