Heinäveden Yrittäjät organizes the event of Rowing the Heinävesi canal locks. These seven naturally beautiful locks create one of the most beautiful fresh water routes in the Finnish Lakeland area and our route from Valamo monastery to Kolovesi National Park will be approximately 70 km long through all the seven locks and beatutiful open lakes in between. Heinävesi Route and it´s narrow and winding waterways, open lakes and seven old canals make Heinävesi’s route a unique ensemble. This must be experienced at least once in a lifetime!
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The canalisation of the Heinävesi route began in the late 1800s, and there are seven canals on-route. Karvio’s canal opened a ferry route from Kuopio to Heinävesi, when it was completed in 1896. Kerma, Vihovuonne and Pilppa canals above Kermajärvi, were built in the years 1903-1906. This opened up a ferry route to Savonlinna. Varistaipale and Taivallahti were dug in 1911- 1916. Out of these, Varistaipale’s four-chamber canal has Finland’shighest drop of 14.5 metres.
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The row is a long distance row, which you can participate by using either a traditional Finnish Church boat, regular rowing boat or a kayak. A traditional Finnish Church boat has normally 8-12 rowers, rowing in pairs, so that each person has one oar. The goal is to enjoy the summer nature and beautiful scenery without timing or competition. We concentrate on enjoying the activity and being together in the nature.
If you want to participate, please contact us by Email: info@kanavasoutu.fi
or you can inform us about your participation by calling or messaging to: +358 45 78713451
And if you do not have a group to join, but you would like to row in a Finnish Church boat crew you can also ask for open places on boats by Email or phone