Väliväylä canoeing route
Väliväylä is a beautiful stretch of lakes and rivers connecting Lake Saimaa and the Kymijoki River. This easy canoeing route is suited for the whole family.
Väliväylä is known as an old log floating route connecting Lake Saimaa and the Kymijoki River. The route is characterized by narrow lakes and rivers following each other and displaying a variety of beautiful views on the way. It is the southernmost watercourse of the Finnish Lakeland with a colorful history of log floating and Finnish industrialization. Here you can experience one of the cleanest watercourses in Southern Finland with several rest spots and services along the route.
Good to know
Nature trail, close to the route in Kannuskoski, introduces the effects of the Ice Age in this area.
DETAILS
Difficulty level
The beginning of the route is mainly on lake, with two places where one has to carry their canoe over a short distance between lakes. Thus, the beginning is easy as long as you consider the wind conditions in the open water areas. From Kannuskoski to Kuusaanlampi there are several easy rapids and four places where one has to carry the canoe over a dam. The rapids are quite stony requiring durable equipment when the water level is low
Duration
about 4-8 days
TURN-BY-TURN DIRECTIONS
Start
Myllysaari kayak shed Myllysaarenpolku 45, 53100 Lappeenranta. N61 04.128 E28 12.012 (72 m)
Coordinates:
Geographic
61.068771, 28.200166
UTM
35V 564769 6771041
Destination
Käyrälampi, Kouvola.
Turn-by-turn directions
Route description
PARTS OF THE ROUTE
1. Myllysaari - Tervankeittoniemi 8 km
2. Tervankeittoniemi - Saisaari 6 km
3. Saisaari - Kähö 12 km
4. Kähö - UiriNniemi 9 km
5. Uirinniemi - Kotkatsaarensuo 12 km
6. Kotkatsaarensuo - Parkunlahti 8 km
7. Lemi - Iso Rapasalo 14 km
8. Parkunlahti - Parkkisaari 8 km
9. Parkkisaari - Huopaisenvirta 8 km
10. Huopaisenvirta - Ämmänniemi 6,5 km
11. Ämmänniemi - Tuohtiainen 11,5 km
12. Tuohtiainen - Kannuskoski 10,5 km
13. Kannuskoski - Pyötsiä 9 km
14. Pyötsiä - Tirvanjärvi 9 km
15. Tirvanjärvi - Miettula 12 km
16. Miettula - Lappalanjärvi 14 km
17. Lappalanjärvi - Kuusaanlampi 12 km
The section between Lake Saimaa and Kannuskoski consists of beautiful lakes and short slow moving rivers. From Kannuskoski to Kouvola the route mostly the river with a few smaller lakes along the way. After Kannuskoski the current flows faster with some rapids on the way.
FROM LAKE SAIMAA TO KANNUSKOSKI
The first kilometers of the route follow along Lake Saimaa with several route options to choose from. This section is characterized by several rocky island and summer cottages by the lake. The open waters of Saimaa end at the cape Orjainniemi, where the route turns left and continues towards the narrow Kähönsalmi strait. After passing under the road 13 from Lappeenranta to Mikkeli, the route continues towards the narrow and dark watered Lake Jängynjärvi. The next bigger open water area is Lake Kivijärvi where the route continues westward along the nice beach at the cape Sarviniemi to Hartunsalmi bridge. Thereon it is only a short distance to reach the services in Jurvala and Luumäki. The route continues westward to Lake Ala-Kivijärvi and Lake Kelkjärvi, where you can spot old log floating constructions. Lake Tuohtiainen is the last lake before reaching the Kannuskoski village.
FROM KANNUSKOSKI TO KOUVOLA
Kannuskoski village offers a good opportunity to refill food supplies as the village is only a short walking distance from the route. After Kannuskoski there is still Lake Ruokojärvi before the more remote areas and faster moving water of Kyykoski and Sulunkoski rapids. The route continues in a forest landscape past Vääntäjän tila, offering accommodation and equipment rentals. Ahead is Lake Immasenjärvi before Pajukoski rapids and Lake Tirvajärvi. Kuirinvirta River takes you from Lake Tirvajärvi to Lake Kepsunjärvi, where there is a beautiful rest area at cape Jaakonniemi, offering a good place for a break before crossing Lake Rapojärvi. At Rapojärvi, the route continues south towards the beautiful Jyräänkoski Rapids flowing in nice forest landscape to Lake Käyrälampi, which known from its beautiful sandy beaches and camping area. This is an alternative ending spot for the route. Another option is to continue through the Jokelanjoki River, Lake Lappalanjärvi and the Harjunjoki River before reaching the Kymijoki River and Kuusaanlampi lean to shelter. Kymijoki is a big river and the current can be strong at times, even though there are no actual rapids on this section of the Kymijoki River.
Etelä-Karjalan virkistysaluesäätiö