City Canoeing Route from Kuopio Passenger Harbour to Saana resort
Savonia University of Applied Sciences Verified partner Explorers Choice
Go on a paddling adventure in the archipelago of Kallavesi and Kuopio city center, enjoy lunch in Holiday Resort Saana, have a break on Pölhö island's campfire site or have coffee at the Saaristokatu ice cream kiosk. You can end your canoeing at Saana, where you will also find spa and sauna services, or paddle back.
The bridges of the "archipelago street" Saaristokatu, the magnificent nature of lake Kallavesi and the idyllic swimming places entice you to spend the whole day in the middle of lush nature.
Canoes and kayaks can be rented at the Seikkailukeskus canoe rental point . The distance from the Seikkailukeskus canoe rental point to Saana is about 5 km. The route from Saana via the Pölhö island is about 6 km long. The route intersects with the deep sea lanes with lively boat traffic, so the paddler should avoid paddling on the sea lanes. Special care must be taken when crossing them. During the holidays, there is lively boat traffic in the area.
Author’s recommendation
Safety information
Considering the boats on the route is essential. A paddler dodges boats. The route intersects with the deep sea lanes and the traffic is plentiful. A map is a must for navigating the area. Your own canoeing skills must be proportionate to the prevailing conditions. The wind quickly turns even an easy route into a demanding one. The route requires swimming skills, basic kayaking skills and the ability to read a map.Tips and hints
City bike rental points can be found in Saana and near the Seikkailukeskus Adventure Center. You can thus combine kayaking with city biking. Read more: https://kaupunkipyorat.kuopio.fi
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
The starting point Seikkailukeskus Adventure Center is located near the Passenger Harbour of Kuopio, which is a lively port at summer. At the starting point, you have to get past the boat docks and then head to the Vasikkasaari island and the tip of Väinölänniemi. Then paddle under the bridge. Rönö island stays at your left side and Väinölänniemi right side. Wonderful 19th-century gazebos have been built on the Väinölänniemi side at Unholanniemi (before the bridge) and immediately after the Rönö bridge on the shore of a small bay of Väinölänniemi. Top of the Peräniemi you will find a beautiful rocky sunbathing spot.
Then choose the direction from Väinölänniemi towards Myhkyri Island, which you will pass on the west side. Go towards Pieni Kumpusaari and Lokkisaari islands and take the direction to the northern end of Pölhö Island, where you can paddle under the Saaristokatu bridge. The bridge runs from Kumpusaari to Pölhö. Behind the northern tip of Pölhö, on the west side of the island, there is a barbecue area, campfire site and boat and kayaking piers. Saana Tourist Center is located about 500 meters northwest of the northern tip of Pölhö Island in Siikaranta. Saana offers restaurant and spa and sauna services, and there is a city bike rental in the courtyard. If you wish, you can end the journey to Saana. However, you must agree to leave the canoe to Saana in advance.
The route continues from Saana to the other side of Pölho Island through the idyllic archipelago on the other side of the bridge of Saaristokatu (Archipelago Street). There is an ice cream kiosk and an official kayaking pier with parking spaces. From there you can head to Myhkyrinsaari and further through Rönö Island and Seitsemänpuunsaari island from the west side of Varvisaari island and back the passenger harbour.
Note
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
By bus to the Seikkailukeskus Adventure Center (the starting point of the route): Address: Makasiinikatu 2, 70110 Kuopio
All city buses stop at Kuopio Market Square, from there the walk to the Adventure Center is 1 km: walk Kauppakatu east 850 m, turn left, walk 92 m and turn right, you are behind Makasiini. The entrance is on the lake side.
By bus to Saana Holiday Resort: Address: Siikaranta 11:
Kuopio Bus lines 5 and 6 bring you to the Siikaranta E stop, from where you can walk to Saana for about 450 m. Bus routes and timetables are conveniently available from the Kuopio Region Public Transport Vilkku route guide.
See the busses online map here.
Getting there
Instructions from the Railway Station to the Adventure Center on Makasiinikatu, Passenger Harbor: Distance 1.1 km, walking 15 min:
Walk east on Asemakatu 300m, turn right on Maaherrankatu, walk 180 m and turn left on Suokatu, walk 180 m, turn left on Itkonniemenkatu and walk 100 m, turn left on Tulliportinkatu and walk 150 m, turn right on Makasiinikatu. The entrance to the Adventure Center is on the lake side.
Instructions to Kuopion Saana, end of the canoeing route or lunch break
By foot
You can reach Saana comfortably by foot while admiring the beautiful city of Kuopio along the way. Saana is about 2.8 kilometres (1.7 miles) from the Kuopio market square and about 3.7 kilometres (2.3 miles) from the Kuopio passenger harbour.
By city bike
You can ride to Saana conveniently with a Vilkku electric bike. The nearest city bike station is located right next to Saana with the name “Saana”.
By bus
Bus lines 5 and 6 take you to the stop Siikaranta E, from where Saana is about 450 metres away by foot. Bus routes and schedules are conveniently available via the Kuopio region public transport’s Vilkku journey planner.
By car
There is plenty of free parking space in front of Saana. You can ride to Saana from the Kuopio centre in about five minutes.
By boat
Saana has a cosy and convenient guest harbour for guests who arrive by water. Coordinates: N62° 52.413′ E027° 39.551′
Parking
Seikkailukeskus Adventure Center: Makasiinikatu 2, there is parking space near by Passanger harbour.
Siikaranta 12: There is plenty of free parking space in front of Saana.
Coordinates
Equipment
Include: towel, change of clothes, sunglasses and headgear, as well as footwear that is not slippery on wet stones (canoe slippers). Avoid laces on your shoes especially if you paddle in a kayak so your feet don’t get caught in the pedals. Canoeing equipment can be rented from the Seikkailukeskus Adventure Center: paddle, spray skirt (kayak), life jacket, canoe / kayak, map. The Seikkailukeskus Adventure Center rents and sells a variety of kayaking equipment.Related Offers
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