Canoeing

Let the charm of the Lakeland conquer with the gentle power of canoeing.

Kuopio-Tahko > Things to do > Activities > Canoeing

The best canoe routes

The glamour of Finnish Lakeland is the most captivating in free waters. Canoeing in the Capital of Lakeland – the Kuopio area – offers endless possibilities for excursions whether you’re in a rented canoe or your own. There’s everything you need for a successful canoeing trip, including safe waterways, majestic scenery and unparalleled peace and serenity. 

The mood of a canoeing trip can be chosen just as you like. Some prefer to explore the Kuopio city center or Tahko holiday village from the water and others navigate to perfect silence to admire the wilderness of the Finnish Lakeland in summer. Whatever adventure you choose, we know that once you get there you’ll want to stay forever. 

The islands and islets of the region function as resting places not just for canoeists, but also for boaters and hikers. There are also several marked fireplaces along the canoe routes, which are free for you to use and the perfect places to stop for a snack. You’ll also find nice beaches along the canoe routes and areas full of fresh berries and mushrooms ready for foraging. Make sure you know what you’re picking though as some mushrooms can be poisonous. 

Melonta

Routes for everyone – from beginners to the more experienced canoeist

Kuopio’s nearby waters have four sheltered canoeing routes, two of which are located near the center of the city offering great experiences for beginners and experienced canoeists alike. Tahko routes run through the lake Syväri, where hundreds of islands – and the Tahko skiing slopes – form a magnificent landscape.  Other nearby canoeing sites for beginners and experienced canoeists can be found in the national parks of Tiilikkajärvi and Etelä-Konnevesi and in the Iisalmi region. 

If you’re a beginner, we’d recommend booking a group canoeing trip or a private guide and choose a suitable length of route. An experienced canoeist can go on longer routes or perhaps even indulge in a multi-day canoe trip to truly get back to nature. The perfect route for this is the 110-kilometer journey from Kuopio through Vehmersalmi and back to Kuopio. The waterway between Kuopio and Tahko is one of the most beautiful in Finland and the ideal place for a journey of a few days or more. 

Whatever canoeing adventure you decide upon, the canoeing services in Kuopio and Tahko are easily accessible on foot or by a short bus ride from your accommodation and offer a variety of experiences for all skill levels and tastes.