Käpynän Kierros Kayaking Trail, Southern Konnevesi National Park
Savonia University of Applied Sciences Verified partner Explorers Choice
Enjoy the beautiful rock formations and the extraordinarily clear and clean water while canoeing through a maze of islands. This easy and short canoeing trail holds many of the attractions of the Southern Konnevesi National Park: the impressive tafones of the Saukkosaari cliff, the Käpynän Ukko - a rocky face of an old man, and the beaver habitat. This 5 km long and easy paddling route goes around Saukkosaari Island.
Käpynän Ukko is a rocky face of an old man who guards the peace of the National Park from his spot at the Käpynänvuori Hill. Tafoni of Saukkosaari island are born from weathering, but look like man-made relief art. Saukkosaari and Käpynänniemi are nature conservation areas.
The Southern Konnevesi National Park is known for its abundant osprey population and if you are lucky, you may see one.
Author’s recommendation
Safety information
Paddlers must be able to swim and read the map. One must have adequate paddling skills. There are guided paddling tours for beginners.
Please remember that it is forbidden to make fire when forest fire warning is in effect.
Lake water must be boiled before drinking.
Please respect wildlife, other visitors, and private homes, gardens and holiday homes in the area. It is forbidden to land on small islands and islets during the birds’ nesting season, from 15 April to 31 July.
In the National Park, the following are forbidden:
- Lighting campfires if the forest fire warning or the grass fire warning is in effect. Check the current warnings (en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi).
- In Etelä-Konnevesi nationalpark this prohibition applies also to cooking shelters or other fireplaces with a flue.
- Pets running at large
- Taking or damaging trees, bushes, other plants or their parts, or mushrooms other than edible ones
- Damaging soil or rock, and extraction of earth material or minerals
- Killing, catching or disturbing wild vertebrates, or damaging their nests
- Catching or collecting invertebrates
- Driving motor vehicles, except on roads designated for motor vehicles
- Leaving waste in the area, or damaging constructions
Check Instructions and Rules Exploring Southern Konnevesi National Park.
Tips and hints
KalajaRetkeily organizes kayaking courses, rent equipment and offers Tentsile-Tree Tent Experiences.
Holiday and Course Center Törmälä offers accommodation just next to the National Park Southern Konnevesi. It is a gate to the National Park's hiking routes. There is also summer cafe.
Metsähallitus (Management of National Park of Southern Konnevesi)
Customer Service: tel. +358 (0)206 39 5270, [email protected]
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
The route starts at Hanhitaipale harbor and first takes you to Saukkosaari tafones just 500 meters from the departure point. Don't miss the narrow passage left side just after Hanhitaipale harbour. Tafone cliff is easy to see because it is the highest point of Saukkosaari coast.
Continue along the shore of the Saukkosaari Island until you reach the narrow passage where the beaver lives. If there is enough water, the kayak can be canoed throught it. If the water is very low you have to land and pull your canoe throught it.
Paddle between Jataniemi and the small Käpynänsaari Island towards the high and rocky Käpynänvuori Hill. In the eastern cliff of Käpynänvuori Hill, you will notice the Käpynän Ukko, a rock formation that resembles smiling human faces.
At the northern tip of Käpynänniemi you see a small high rocky island called Varpusenlinna, the name means "castle of sparrow". During the breeding season for birds, it is forbidden to land on small islands.
Follow the west shore of Saukkosaari to the north and turn along the shore of Saukkosaari to paddle east towards the fishing port of Hanhitaipale.
Note
Public transport
No public transport.Getting there
Kalasatama in Hanhitaipale harbour (Satamatie 143, Rautalampi) has a boat ramp, which is owned by the municipality of Rautalampi. Follow the signs 'Hanhitaipale' and 'Kalasatama' from Konnekoskentie road (no 16089) to road 16090 for Kalasatama.
Read also Southern Konnevesi National Park Directions and maps.
Parking
There is a parking lot in Hanhitaipale harbour at Satamatie 143, Rautalampi.Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Read more about Southern Konnevesi National Park.
Check tips for nature friendly hiking and kayaking tips in Southern Konnevesi National Park: https://julkaisut.metsa.fi/assets/pdf/lp/Esitteet/etelakonnevesieng.pdf
Author’s map recommendations
Shouthern Konnevesi National Park Hiking Map.
Terrain map N444 Konnevesi, 1:50 000. National Land Survey of Finland 2017.
Nautical chart of inland waterway/Sisävesikartta 446, Konne-, Niini- ja Iisvesi, 1:40 000. Finnish Maritime Administration 2005. Maps are for sale e.g. from Karttakeskus and well-stocked bookshops.
GT Outdoor Map Eastern Finland, 1:250 000, Karttakeskus 2015. Maps are for sale e.g. from Karttakeskus and well-stocked bookshops.
Read more about directions and maps of Southern Konenvesi National Park.
Equipment
The Map of Southern Konnevesi area, kayaking gear, waterproof packed phone.
Maps and kayaking equipments available in KalajaRetkeily: https://kalajaretkeily.fi/en/, phone +358 (0)40 553 5975.
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