Saimaa Canal connects the waterways of Vuoksi to the Baltic Sea’s Gulf of Finland. It flows from Lappeenranta to Viipuri crossing the border between Finland and Russia.
On the Saimaa Canal route, you can familiarise in both the old canal that was opened in 1856 and the modern currently-used canal. The bicycle route starts from Saimaa Canal Museum, where cyclists can first have a look at the exhibition that tells about the different stages of the canal, and the old canal’s sluice.
Surface material on the route: asphalt, gravel road.
There are about 20 kilometres of gravel roads along this route.
Author’s recommendation
Target groups: all cyclists, families
Route classification: easy
Route surfacing: gravel road beside the canal approx. 20 km - rest paved
Safety information
Surface material on the route: asphalt, gravel road.
There are about 20 kilometres of gravel roads along this route.
Before the excursion, it is advisable to check the weather forecast. Always wear clothes to suit the weather. It is recommended that you take first aid equipment, rainwear, a spare set of clothes, as well as enough drinks and snacks with you.
In an emergency, dial the number 112. Report your location, what has happened and listen to the instructions.
Tips and hints
Visit LappeenrantaStart
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
The bicycle route starts from Saimaa Canal Museum, where cyclists can first have a look at the exhibition that tells about the different stages of the canal, and the old canal’s sluice.
Mälkiä is the first lock on the canal when coming from Saimaa. The next one on route is Mustola lock, after which the route continues along the canal's service road immediately alongside the canal. The third lock, out of a total of eight, is Soskua lock, which is also the final lock within Finnish borders. The old canal’s roller bridge is in Kansola, which during the old canal was rolled out of the way of vessels travelling up and down the canal, as well as a culvert passing under the canal, along which River Soskuanjoki flows below the canal.
The exciting part starts after Kansola: the bicycle path travels on a narrow swathe between the old and new canal. In Suikki, the bicycle path ends at the intersection of the old and new canal. At the site, there is a self-service cable ferry, with which cyclists and bicycles can cross the canal. In Suikki it is worth visiting the Parish of Nuijamaa along the bridge that crosses the canal. Nuijamaa is one of the liveliest border stations between Finland and Russia. There you can find a restaurant and a fish shop, which sells other groceries too. A special memorial is the Ring Stone, a large erratic, which is one of Saimaa Geopark’s geological sites.
From Nuijamaa, the journey continues among Southern Karelian rural sceneries towards Konnunsuo. You will see the stunning buildings of Konnunsuo’s previous prison, and near them you can pop in the legendary Konnunsuo Bar. After this, a bird-watching tower can be found, where you can see several different birds, if you are lucky, because Konnunsuo is a preferred rest area for migratory birds. Once you return to the Canal Museum, you can continue on to the centre of Lappeenranta, and finally to end the day, you can enjoy the services of the city and harbour.
Note
Public transport
The starting point of the route is Saimaa Canal Museum.
Train or bus to Lappeenranta. 9 km by bike to Saimaa Canal Museum.
Local bus connection (7) to Saimaa Canal Museum.
You can check train (VR) schedules here.
You can check the bus (Matkahuolto) schedules here.
Getting there
Saimaa Canal Museum, address: Sulkuvartijankatu 16, 53300 LappeenrantaParking
There is free parking space at the sand park close to the Canal Museum in the Mälkiä lock on the Saimaa canal.
There are paid parking spaces for longer parking in the Lappeenranta Travel Center area, as well as free parking spaces for temporary parking.
Coordinates
Statistics
- 21 Waypoints
- 21 Waypoints
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