Lakeland Seal Trail®
Experience the top lake destinations, the Kolovesi and Linnansaari National Parks on the same tour. Lakeland Seal Trail® has been one of the most popular canoeing routes since 1996 already. The route flows almost all the time in the habitat of Saimaa ringed seal and that’s why your chances to see this rare animal in its own surroundings are very good. The best starting point of this recommended route is near the centre of the town of Savonlinna, for example on the shore of Vuohimäki Camping.
You can go on canoeing along several routes until the Kolovesi National Park and canoe further along the Heinävesi route to the Kermajärvi nature reserve.
This at least one-week trip needs to be planned well in advance and you should be prepared for weather variations.
The route can be canoed other way round as well, that is by starting in the village of Heinävesi and canoeing to the town of Savonlinna. This way it’s easy to visit the Kermajärvi nature reserve, which is very popular among wilderness paddlers because of its peace. Different kinds of round trips with the same starting and returning point are also possible.
Duration of the tour: 14 days
Degree of difficulty: Demanding or intermediate depending on route. High winds on the Lake Haukivesi may be too much for a novice canoest. For seasoned sea-kayaker this is an easy trip.
Guidance: Independent/self-guided
Starting and returning point:
Several options according to customers’ wishes and skills: Savonlinna, Heinävesi, Kirkkoranta launch in Lake Kolovesi (those who drive their own car), Enonkoski. Best option is to start in Heinävesi and end in Savonlinna.
How to reach:
From abroad: first fly to Tampere, Lappeenranta or Helsinki and then take a train/bus/rental car to Heinävesi. On depart take a train/bus/rental car from Savonlinna back to the next airport. If you start your trip in Heinävesi and end in Savonlinna only equipment transports are required from our base in Kolovesi (35 km from Heinävesi and 51 km from Savonlinna). Cheap flights available by Airberlin and Ryanair.
Accommodation:
Hostels and hotesl and camping areas available both in Heinävesi and Savonlinna.
Day programmes / Route description:
1. Day: Lakeland Seal Trail® is a demanding route mostly canoed by experienced paddlers. If the customer has no previous experience of canoeing /kayaking on larger lake areas, a very important part of the service package must be assistance to trip planning in advance considering safety as well (optional planning service). When the customer arrives at the chosen starting point he will have the equipment he has booked beforehand and there will be the final route planning session, if necessary. If the customer makes a round trip or is driving in his own car, he can also get the equipment at the warehouse Leipämäki in Lake Kolovesi. The estimated returning point and time will be written down. Then the trip is ready to begin.
2.-14. Day: Canoeing trip is carried out according to the former plan. Equipment and customers will be picked up at the returning point at the fixed time.
Description of difficulty:
The route suits best for those paddlers, who have experience of changing weather conditions, windy waters or long day trips (over 10 km). The tour length varies from 90 to 200 km.
Group size:
Recommendation 2-12 persons. Camping sites are planned only for small groups.
Availability:
Suitable for individuals or small groups. Service available only when booked in advance (1.6.-15.9.)
Equipment:
Customers should have clothing and shoes according to the weather. When selecting other personal equipment you can find advice in Visitors’ Guide of the Seal Trail (Norppareitti). Equipment for hire: see price-lists.
Price:
PRICE EXAMPLE:Self-service canoe package for 2 weeks EUR 200,-.
The price includes:
Self-service package: a canoe/kayak, paddles and safety vests.
For extra costs the following services:
Basic/tailor-made packages on request.Contact our office.
Service languages: Finnish, English
Reservations and contacts:
Kolovesi Retkeily Canoe Outfitters Co.
Pirttimäentie 1451
58300 SAVONRANTA
mobile +358 40 558 9163
www.sealtrail.com
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South Savo
