This canoe trail lets you experience the best of Central Finland's countryside from our beautiful waterways. You will pass through tranquil lakes and rivers as well as get some excitement in the small rapids along the way. The start of the route takes you past the UNESCO World Heritage site of Petäjävesi Old Church.
Towards the end, the rural landscape changes into the riverside view of the town of Jämsä and you'll also pass some steep cliffs. The route got its name "Wanha Witonen" (Old Fiver) from an old 5 markka banknote (1909) which was designed by world-famous architect Eliel Saarinen. He got his inspiration for the drawing with a man rowing a boat on the lake close to Jämsä where the exact spot comes to view.
The route description was created in the #Keski-Suomen retkeilyreitit maailmankartalle project, funded by Central Finland's Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas.
Author’s recommendation
Rest stops
Kievari RantapirttiSafety information
The difficulty level of the rapids varies according to the water level. It is highly recommended that you go ashore before shooting a rapid and check the safe passage beforehand. The water level in the rapids is usually at its lowest in July.
Note that canoes or kayaks made of fibreglass are not recommended because of the rocky bottoms of the rapids.
Tips and hints
You can also divide the Wanha Witonen canoeing route into shorter stages if necessary; there are several slipways. There is also accommodation and other services available along the route.Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
Kirveslahti jetty - Pirkonsaari 5 km
The route begins at Kirveslahti jetty on the shore of Lake Jämsänvesi. Aim left, towards the first bridge. After the second bridge you can see Petäjävesi Old Church (UNESCO World Heritage Site) on the right. Remember to visit the church before starting your canoeing trip because going ashore by the church is not allowed. After the church you will paddle below the third bridge and head towards the first yellow route mark triangle.
After this the yellow route marks will guide you further. Paddling through the narrow lake, you will arrive at Pirkonsaari where there is a campfire site, possibility for camping and a dry toilet.
You can also consider visiting the neighbouring Lake Karikkoselkä, which was created by a meteorite.
Pirkonsaari - Kuivaniemi 12.7 km
From Pirkonsaari, it is a 1.5-km trip across the lake to Majaniemi narrows where you need to watch out for rocks, especially when the water is low. There are places in the river where a canoe may even get stuck at the bottom, but you can safely step off the canoe and lift it off.
Hankakoski rapids: An inspection from the road bridge is highly recommended before starting. The sides of the rapids are rocky.
Shooting the rapids: Enter the rapids through the opening on the right side of the old dam structures. Keep on the right until the bridge pillars. Pass the pillar still on the right side; then switch immediately to the left side - otherwise you will hit the rocks. After the bridge, the water calms down before Lake Piesasjärvi.
Alternatively, you can bypass the rapids on the left bank (walking distance about 200 metres). The bypass is marked before the rapids with a yellow triangle.
Keep to the left and pass Vasikkosaari island on the left. The route marks guide you to the southern end of Lake Piesasjärvi where you need to pass Pinkkaniemi on the left side in order to reach the River Suolijoki.
The Wanha Witonen canoeing route continues along the River Suolijoki for a few kilometres until the Ravunkoski rapids, followed soon by the Lapinkoski rapids. These are both easy rapids, dropping by only some twenty centimetres. You can alternatively bypass Lapinkoski on the island side where there is also a landing place.
The river ends at Kalliokoski power station, which must be bypassed on land (walking distance about 100 m). There is a kayak cart as well as a resting place. If you are lucky, you may see the fish pass the power station.
You will then arrive at Lake Salosvesi; in a strong south wind, the waves may rock your boat there until you reach the islands. When you continue onwards you soon reach the protection of Vuojansalo island. Kuivaniemi, at the island's northern end, is the next resting place with a lean-to, campfire site and dry toilet. There are also boulders shaped by the Ice Age.
Kuivaniemi - Survosenkoski 2, 6.8 km
South of Kuivaniemi stands Rantapirtti Inn (Kievari Rantapirtti) with its multiple services, including accommodation. From there continue south, towards the road bridge at the head of the Virtalankoski rapids. This is an easy stream of 200 metres with a clear passage in the middle. It brings you to Lake Kalmavesi where the route passes comfortably for three kilometres, with small islands providing protection, before arriving at Siniänvirta. There you will pass under some large electricity cables and before the first Survosenkoski rapid there is a wide pool. After the pool, it is possible to land before the bridge for either bypassing or inspecting the rapids (walking distance 150 metres).
Survosenkoski 1: drop less than 1 m, length over 100 m. Navigable also when the water level is low, although the channel is then narrow. Beginners should check the rapids first from the road bridge. There is a kayak cart available.
Shooting the rapids: Keep to the main current between the bridge pillars. After the bridge, the rapids curve 20 degrees to the left, after which the channel continues straight on before calmer water. Remember to stay in the main current to avoid the rocks.
Survosenkoski 2 begins about 300 m after the previous rapids. It is more difficult because of the rocky bottom. Drop about 1 m, length circa 100 m. You can bypass the rapids on land on the eastern shore (walking distance about 150 m). It is advisable to check the water level before shooting the rapids.
Survosenkoski 2 - Lylyniemi 5.5 km
Right below the lower rapids begins Lake Vähä-Rautavesi. After 1.5 km of paddling, the lake becomes Lake Iso-Rautavesi, and there is a large area of open water to cross. Keep an eye on the wind conditions - the waves may cause some problems here in the high winds. The safest paddling route follows the shore for the whole time. While crossing Rautavesi, it is nice to have a rest on Lylyniemi's sandy beach and its campfire site.
Lylyniemi - Iso-Hiekka 7.4 km
The lake ends at Rautavirta passage, after which you arrive at Lake Uuttana and continue south from Uuttana's southern shore along the River Luomenjoki. After the lazy River Juusanvirta come the Luomenkoski rapids. You can bypass the first rapids by landing on the small island at the head of the rapids (walking distance about 100 m). There is also a resting place on the island from where you can inspect the rapids.
Luomenkoski 1 is a short (about 50 m) but fast rapid. Spraydeck needed! The half-metre drop at the start may be difficult for beginners.
Shooting the rapids: Follow the main current on the right side of the island: there is a drop right at the head of the rapids. Pass through at speed! After the drop, the rapids quickly slow down and after some 200 metres come the easy Luomenkoski 2 rapids. This is more of a strong current. The rapids begin right under the road bridge, continuing for about 100 metres to Lake Pirttijärvi. Note the whirlpools towards the end of the rapids.
The Luomenkoski resting place is right after the rapids to the right. Paddling back from the resting place, the main route continues to the weak current of the narrows between the lakes Pirttijärvi and Lahnajärvi. Iso-Hiekka on the shore of Lake Lahnajärvi is a good resting spot with its camping and campfire site and dry toilet.
Iso-Hiekka - Runonsaari 4.8 km
From Iso-Hiekka, Lake Lahnajärvi continues as a narrow lake and ends at the Väännäkoski rapids - fast, easy and short. Take the main current on the right side of the island. After 1.4 km you reach Runonvirta which is a weak current and soon you will come across the landing place at Runonsaari island. There is a campfire site and dry toilet.
Runonsaari - Varpaisniemi 5 km
From Runonsaari island, the journey continues east through lakeland and past Vihatinsalo island. The next landing place, Vihatti, also functions as the resting area of the Petäjävesi-Jämsänkoski road. After Vihatinsalo island comes Lake Kankarisvesi, opening out fully near Varpaisniemi. The Varpaisniemi resting area has a lovely public beach and there is a campfire site as well as dry toilets.
Varpaisniemi - Oinaala boat harbour, Jämsänkoski 6.1 km
When leaving Varpaisniemi, you should cross the lake as close to shore as possible. The long, narrow Köyryssaari island also offers protection. Immediately after the southern tip of Köyryssaari island, while passing alongside the Rasuanniemi cape, you will be paddling through the famous landscape of Wanha Witonen where architect Eliel Saarinen painted his famous picture on an old Finnish 5 markka banknote; the charming site lies between the two tips of the Rasua capes.
Turn right after the sound, to the landing place of Rasuanniemi cape. There is a resting place with a campfire site. You have now arrived on a protected Natura area where numerous archaeological findings prove that people already lived in these surroundings during the Stone Age. On the opposite, eastern shore of the lake there is accommodation available at Mataran Puuro ja Peti.
From Rasuanniemi, the main route follows the western shore of Lake Kankarisvesi, and you can already see more holiday homes and houses by the lakeshore. The next good resting place is at the Aarresaari local museum at the southern end of the lake.
You can end your canoeing trip at Oinaala boat harbour, right opposite Aarresaari. It is easy to get to the boat harbour with a car and trailer. The bus stops and other services of Jämsänkoski are all within walking distance. The pedestrian way follows the stream to the Myllykoski rapids where you can find the Vanha Mylly (Old Mill) restaurant and the swimming hall Koskikara with its saunas.
If you want to continue paddling, you can bypass the Jämsänkoski paper mills (3 km) on land, using the "rubber canal" (=organised road transportation) to take you to the River Jämsänjoki from where you can paddle all the way to Lake Päijänne. Contact: Eräopaspalvelu Ilkka Talvi.
Oinaala boat harbour, Jämsänkoski - Hulkkion Majakka, Kaipola 13.7 km
After bypassing the paper mill on land, you can get back to the canoeing route at Kellokallio slipway next to Laastanjantie road. The route continues at an easy pace, but beware of other traffic on the river. The town of Jämsä is right next to the river, and if you wish to go ashore, there are several places to do so, for example at Seppola harbour, and all the services of Jämsä are within short walking distance. Accommodation is available e.g. at Villa Hiidenmäki right next to a nature conservation area.
The rest of the canoeing route until Kaipola harbour offers lovely riverside views - fields, buildings and untouched nature, including steep cliffs before arriving at the route's final destination, Kaipola harbour. At Kaipola harbour it is easy to land to on the jetty or the beach. The restaurant Hulkkion Majakka is located right at the harbour.
Note
Public transport
Petäjävesi
There is a regular bus service from Jyväskylä to Petäjävesi, the beginning of the route. See the bus timetables at Matkahuolto.fi.
Trains also run between Petäjävesi and Jyväskylä but there are only a few services daily. See the timetables at vr.fi.
Jämsä
There are regular bus/coach services from Jämsä to Helsinki, Tampere and Jyväskylä daily. See the bus timetables at Matkahuolto.fi .
The train connections from Jämsä to different parts of Finland are also excellent, via Jyväskylä and Tampere. See the timetables at vr.fi.
Getting there
The Wanha Witonen Canoe Trail begins at Kirveslahti jetty, Petäjävesi. There is parking space available next to the jetty. However, you can also begin your canoeing trip from other places along the route where there are slipways. Equipment can be rented e.g. from Kievari Rantapirtti or Eräopaspalvelu Talvi, who also offer transportation services to the beginning and end of the route.
Possible starting points:
- Kirveslahden venelaituri, Miilutie 2 Petäjävesi N62° 15.408' E25° 10.638'
- Hankakoski, Piesaskyläntie (607)1 Piesalankylä N62° 12.357' E25° 11.210'
- Kalliokoski, Kalliokoskentie N62° 08.679' E25° 12.125'
- Kievari Rantapirtti, Petäjävedentie 448, 42440 Koskenpää N62° 07.198' E25° 09.674'
- Survosenkoski, Keuruuntie (6046) N62° 06.406' E25° 05.128'
- Vihatti, Koskenpääntie (604) N61° 59.707' E25° 08.147'
- Kellokallio, Lastaajantie N61° 54.052' E25° 10.126'
Parking
Parking space is available at Kirveslahti jetty, Petäjävesi. Note that there is very limited parking space available at the other possible starting points.Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Author’s map recommendations
Equipment
Plastic kayaks and canoes are recommended for the route because of the rapids, where there are quite a few rocks.Statistics
- 7 Waypoints
- 7 Waypoints
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