Six
days on the lake
Getting
to Naarajoki on your own
Tour de Puula
Two weeks canoeing adventure
Whole the family to the Naarajoki trail
There is no doubt about it that Lake Puulavesi, 325 sq. kms in area, situated between Hirvensalmi and Kangasniemi in the map of Finland is the most interesting water tourism venue in the country. Its hundreds of kilometres of shoreline and its hundreds of islands offer something to be seen and to be experienced with its serviced going-ashore places making the paddler feel comfortable.
Lake Puulavesi has a couple of
magnificent stretches of inland waters, and, to counteract these, a labyrinth of islands
of all shapes and sizes. Lake Puulavesi is lined with a dense broad-leaf and spruce
forest, but, then again, also glaciated rocks, rounded by the Ice Age as well as stone
sculptures wrought by ice and water. Lake Puulavesi is the nightingales warbling in the
leafy forests by the lake and the gulls wheeling about in the blue skies. Puulavesi has a
really large amount of clean water.
From the person paddling as a hobby, Lake Puulavesi is an unequalled venue, since it is sufficiently small and with sufficient islands to guarantee the paddler's passage, even in the event of bad weather, but, then again, large enough for canoe trips lasting one or even two weeks. What gives Lake Puulavesi an incomparable edge on Lake Saimaa, Lake Päijänne and other large lakes is the network of going-ashore places also built during the past few years: the paddlers have at their disposal 22 free camping sites, generally located on sunny bays lined with sandy beaches. Good idea is to order the lake map in the idea to make plans at home.
We have planned the Tour de Puula to cater for all kayak or canoe enthusiasts, regardless of age or sex. The participants must have enough experience to cope should they get lost just a little and that they can manage to saw and chop wood in serviced camping-grounds. The routes described may be extended or curtailed, depending on the hiker's needs.
Day 1
Arrive at the Puula Canoeing Centre. Accommodation:
Holiday Village Puulan Muikku in cabins for
two.
Day 2
Breakfast.
Choosing equipment and kayaks and purchase of provisions for excursion.
Transport to the Mannila mooring facility, then on to Lake Puulavesi, the destination
being the Uittoniemi excursion venue.
Camping in tents, dinner made on the camp-fire. Distance: some 15 kms.
Day 3
The day begins sweeping across the western archipelago of Lake Puulavesi. In the afternoon
we turn the bow southwards and towards Hirvensalmi.
Camp at the Siikasaari camping ground just 3 kms from the centre of Hirvensalmi.
Camping in tents. For some 30 kms.
Day 4
We leave our accommodation and go for an excursion on Lake Ryökäsvesi, south of
Hirvensalmi.
There will be sufficient time in the afternoon to stock up on provisions in the village
shops.
Return to Siikasaari for the evening. Some 20 kms.
Day 5
We continue through Lake Liekunen northwards to the open stretch of water called
Karttuunselkä, which we cross via the Lehmisaari picnic grounds.
A nice afternoon cup of coffee is to be had on Kankarinluoto, and from here it is a mere
few kilometres to the island of Soisalo, with it´s
Muikkumaja (White fish House) and it´s smoke
sauna, where we will stay for the next two nights.
Some 25 kms.
Day 6
Explore the most beautiful venues of the eastern archipelago of Lake Puulavesi.
Approx. 10-30 kms. Accommodation in Muikkumaja,
Day 7
Return to Kangasniemi and the Canoeing Centre by way of the open stretches of Vuojaselkä
and Ruovedenselkä. Some 30 kms. Sauna and dinner in the teepee. Accommodation in cabins for two.
Day 8
Breakfast.
Terms:
Program available 1.6.-15.9. Days of departure at your discretion. Minimum of two participants. We reserve the right to change the routes taken, should this be necessary due to weather conditions, or should the safety of the canoeists so require. Each participant is held responsible for his or her own safety.Prices:
The price of 375 € / person, includes meals listed in program and accommodation, transport, hire of single or double kayaks or canoes and all camping equipment and eating utensils. (incl. VAT.) Food needed while canoeing to be bought by participants themselves. Price includes transfer from the Kangasniemi bus station to the Canoeing Centre and return on the last day. Extra fee for transport to the Mikkeli or Jyväskylä airports or railway stations.Note!
The days described above have been planned for quite experienced canoeists or really fit beginners. It is easy to adapt the Lake Puula trips in accordance with weather conditions or with the wishes of the participants otherwise. The routes described are merely suggestions, made with the aim of showing the participants some beautiful places. The trips may be curtailed or extended, entirely according to your wishes.
E-mail: info@lakesidetours.fi