Scan Magazine
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Experience of the Month
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Finland
Experience of the Month, Finland
Discover the top paddling destinations in Finland’s Lakeland Whether you are looking for a chilled-out canoeing holiday or an adrenalinefuelled trip down white-water rapids, Finland’s North Karelia has got your back. Here are four service providers offering the best of the region’s stunning scenery, culture, nature and famous hospitality. By Ndéla Faye
tures for visitors on two lakes: Pyhäjärvi and Puruvesi. The tours are suitable for all experience levels and visitors keen to experience something slightly less conventional can try rowing a huge traditional church boat, among other activities.
Located in eastern Finland, North Karelia is well-known for its national parks and beautiful untouched forests and wilderness. North Karelia is home to some of Europe’s oldest bedrock, and the impressive Koli hills are a must-see when visiting the region. This area, part of what is known as the Finnish Lakeland, is home to over 2200 lakes.
and lakes are right next to hiking routes, giving visitors the option to combine paddling and hiking. “We provide visitors with continuous support throughout their hiking trip, as well as all the equipment they need. For self-guided tours, we give visitors a map and detailed instructions, and arrange transportation to and from their destination,” Lehtinen says.
“Puruvesi is one of the clearest lakes in Finland. In the middle of the deep lake lies a miracle: a fine, sandy shelf that is exposed above the water’s surface when the water is low. It’s a very special place to visit, and standing in the middle of a lake is a one-of-a-kind experience,” says Taina Arvekari, owner of Lakeland Karelia.
The Karelia region has a longstanding tradition of storytelling and singing, and some of the stories featured in Finland’s national epic, the Kalevala, were collected from the province. North Karelia also has its own distinct cuisine. The region is within easy reach from the capital Helsinki, and the area is known for its unique culture and warm hospitality.
www.koihu.com Instagram: @koihuadventures Facebook: KoiHu Adventures
There are several atmospheric island destinations on lake Puruvesi, where paddling visitors can stay overnight, and Lakeland Karelia has lakeside cabin accommodation available.
Canoeing and kayaking in crystal-clear waters Located in Kitee, North Karelia, Lakeland Karelia organises guided paddling adven-
www.lakelandkarelia.fi Instagram: @lakelandkarelia Facebook: Lakeland Karelia
Enjoy tranquillity and beautiful nature Located in Ilomantsi, KoiHu Adventures offers guided and self-guided adventures on canoes and kayaks. Guests can choose one-day paddling adventures or longer overnight trips. “The stunning and peaceful Koitajoki river area, along with its many bog-lands, and the lake Koitere, surrounded by hundreds of uninhabited islands and untouched wilderness, are fantastic places to get a sense of the region’s beauty. The river is very calm and relaxing, which means that the waters are suitable even for beginners,” says KoiHu Adventures’ owner, Päivi Lehtinen. In addition, visitors also have the option to paddle from Petkeljärvi National Park to Patvinsuo National Park. The rivers
Lake Koitere with it’s hundreds of islands, sand shores and wilderness has attracted travellers for decades. Photo: KoiHu Adventures
March 2023
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Issue 152
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89