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Iisvesi–Unnukka kayaking route (full segment)

—•Kayaking Routes

23.8 km

Description

Luontoon.fi – Iisvesi-Unnukka Melontareitti+

Description

For route facts and Metsähallitus paddling information for this Vuoksi waterway link in South Savo, start from the Iisvesi–Unnukka Melontareitti page on Luontoon.fi. The same corridor name is used for the Suonenjoki area as part of the national outdoor route register. This route is about 23.8 km point-to-point, not a loop: it follows the long lake connection between the Iisvesi basin and the Unnukka area of the Vuoksi system—open water, island channels, and motorboat traffic on main fairways are all realistic expectations on a trip of this length. Visit Savo describes the wider Suonenjoen melontareitti as a roughly 48 km network from Kutunjoki to Iisveden satama, with beaches, laavu shelters, and harbours along lake shores and the Suonenjoki river—useful context when you combine this crossing with landings or multi-day legs elsewhere on the same system. Antti Huttunen’s Retkipaikka write-up of paddling the Suonenjoki from the ski club canoe store to Iisveden satama names Wanha Maamies north of the river, Kimpanlammen laavu, two rapids including Myllykoski, and the opening of Lake Iisvesi toward the harbour—ground-level colour for how the river meets the big lake even when your main day is the longer lake link rather than the full joki run. Savo-Karjalan Vesiensuojeluyhdistys notes that Unnukka is a large humic lake with hundreds of islands and water regulated since the 1970s—helpful background for water colour, bays, and busy channels. Pieksämäen Kanoottiseura mainly promotes Naarajoki, Virtasalmi, and Suihkolanjoki family loops in the Pieksämäki district rather than this crossing, but the club page is still a sensible contact for local paddling culture in the same region. About 16–17 km from the start, places cluster along the route in Suonenjoki town waters: Vanha Maamies and the riding field area, Siioninsillan uimapaikka, Kahvimyllyn uimapaikka, Soitunlahden avantouintipaikka, and the old high school sports hall shore—good references if you want a swim, a break near bridges, or to understand where the route threads past services. Where this route meets the long Suonenjon Melontareitti network, you can branch toward further harbours and lean-tos; Jalkalan latu runs near the shore in the same area for winter skiing separately from paddling. A shorter Iisvesi–Unnukka kayaking segment is also published as its own route on our site if you only want a focused crossing rather than this full corridor. If you fish from the boat, check regional permits on top of the state fisheries management fee via Eräluvat.

Length & route

The route is about 23.8 km as one continuous paddling leg between the Iisvesi basin and the Unnukka area. Expect mixed lake navigation: wide open water, island passages, and possible motorboat wakes on main channels. A separately listed shorter Iisvesi–Unnukka kayaking segment on our site covers about 10.6 km on the same named water link if you want a smaller slice of the corridor.

Getting there

Plan vehicle shuttles or pickup between your chosen launch and landing: public beaches and harbours along Suonenjoki and Lake Iisvesi are natural staging points. Visit Savo highlights Iisveden satama as the southern end of its described 48 km Suonenjoen melontareitti corridor. For club contacts and regional advice in Pieksämäki district, Pieksämäen Kanoottiseura publishes routes on Naarajoki and other local waterways. Match road access to Suonenjoki town if you use the mid-route beach cluster near Siioninsilta and Kahvimylly.

Good to know

Unnukka is a large Vuoksi-basin lake with a fragmented shoreline and very many islands; water tends to be humic brown. Keep clear of private docks, watch crossing weather on open fetches, and carry signalling kit for longer lake legs. Rapids and river hazards apply if you branch onto Suonenjoki itself—scout and read local guidance before running kosket.

Managed by

Suonenjoki

Official Maintenance

Trail info

Either direction is possible on open water; choose based on wind, waves, and where you stage vehicles. If you combine with the Suonenjoki river downstream from Kutunjoki, current and rapids favour planning with Visit Savo’s stage descriptions.

Route direction

Recreation Area

Archipelago

Lake

Open / Good Condition

Visit Savo – Suonenjoen melontareitti

Activities allowed

Kayak / Canoe

Activity

Terrain & conditions

23.8 km

Distance

Typically a full day for independent paddlers on calm water at about 24 km, or a relaxed two-day trip with an overnight if you combine beach stops and shuttle logistics. Adjust sharply for wind on open Iisvesi and Unnukka.

Est. Time

Point-to-Point

Route Type

Lake Paddling

Water type

Location

62.49217°N, 27.32419°E

Approximate location

FinlandCountry

South SavoRegion

PieksämäkiCity

Kayaking RoutesCategory

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Answers to your questions

Our data was researched from Suonenjoki, 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 South Savo Pieksämäki Kayaking RoutesIisvesi–Unnukka kayaking route (full segment)