When you think of Finland, your mind probably goes straight to Lapland, snowy forests, huskies and glass igloo’s. But head further south and you will find a completely different side to the country. Lake Saimaa is Finland’s largest lakes and part of one of the largest lake systems in Europe. Stretching across a huge maze of islands, waterways and forest covered shorelines. It’s a place that really encompasses what connection with nature actually means.
We spent four days exploring the Saimaa region in early October and honestly autumn may just be the perfect time to explore the region. The forests were turning orange, the mornings were crisp and there was a sense of cosiness in the air throughout the whole trip. If you’re looking for an alternative to Finland’s more popular northern destinations, in this guide we are going to walk you through how to spend four magical days in Lake Saimaa.
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Furthermore, this post is written in collaboration with Visit Saimaa who hosted us during our stay and organised many of the wonderful activities mentioned here. Therefore, a huge thank you goes out to them.
Lake Saimaa road trip at a glance
- Day 1: Helsinki – Punkaharju
- Day 2: Linnansaari National Park -Oravi
- Day 3: Kolovesi National Park – Oravi
- Day 4: Varkus – Helsinki
How to reach Lake Saimaa
Lake Saimaa is spread across a huge area of Eastern Finland, so there isn’t one single place that you arrive and suddenly find yourself at the lake. Where you go to first really depends on which part of the region you want to explore.
For this itinerary, we flew into Helsinki and rented a car. This is by far the easiest option; from Helsinki Airport it is roughly a 3.5-4.5-hour drive to the Punkaharju area. Having a car is particularly useful if you want to explore the national parks, smaller villages and lakeside accommodations. We always use Discover Cars to compare car rentals as they often turn out to be the most affordable option.
Alternatively, you can fly to the Lake Saimaa region via Helsinki which will land you at Savonlinna Airport. However, flight options are much more limited, so Helsinki is usually the much more straightforward option.
Day 1: Helsinki to Punkaharju
The first stop on this Lake Saimaa road trip is Punkaharju, one of the most distinctive landscapes in the region. The drive from Helsinki takes several hours, so there’s no need to cram loads of activities into the first afternoon. The real highlight of the day is arriving in Punkaharju and getting your first taste of the lake and surrounding forests.
Explore Punkaharju Ridge
The Punkaharju Ridge is one of Finland’s national landscapes and it’s easy to see why. The narrow ridge rises between the waters of Lake Saimaa, with forest on either side and the lake appearing between the trees as the road winds through the landscape. The ridge was formed by glacial activity and has long been recognised as one of Finland’s significant natural landscapes. In autumn, it is particularly beautiful with the shades of orange and yellow.
The combination of golden forest, dark green pine trees and blue water makes this one of those places where even a short walk or drive can feel like a proper escape into the wilderness. There’s no need to plan a huge hike here, simply strolling through the ridge area gives you a chance to experience the landscape before settling into the evening.
Stay at Kruunpuisto
For a stay surrounded by the beauty of Punkaharju’s nature, Kruunpuisto is located right amongst the forest and lakes of the ridge. It’s also a great place to experience one of the most important parts of Finnish culture, the sauna. Finnish sauna isn’t really an occasional luxury in the way it can be elsewhere. It’s a genuine part of everyday life, and a sauna session makes perfect sense after travelling all this way. At Kruunpuisto you can take advantage of their private sauna experiences, which is the best way to wind down before getting stuck into all the action on day two.
Day 2: Linnansaari National Park
The following morning, head towards Oravi, a small village that makes an excellent base for exploring both Linnansaari and Kolovesi National Park.
Take a boat into Linnansaari National Park
The national park is made up of hundreds of islands, so reaching the main island means taking a boat out onto Lake Saimaa itself. Boat services operate from Oravi, taking visitors across the lake and into the heart of the national park. The journey gives you an immediate sense of the scale of Lake Saimaa. Instead of looking at the lake from the sure, you are now surrounded by water, islands and forest in every direction. There isn’t a single dramatic landmark that defines Linnansaari, the landscape itself is the whole attraction.
Hiking on Linnansaari
Once you reach the main island, several trails take you through the forest and across the islands varied terrain. Allow at least 3 hours for a good introduction to the island, although you can choose shorter or longer hikes depending on your plans and conditions on the day. Autumn is an especially incredible time to hike here, the forest floor is covered with fallen leaves, and the trees begin to take on the reds and golds of Finnish ruska. Don’t forget to take some snacks with you and something to cook on the outdoor fire pits that you can find on the island.
Linnansaari is also one of the most important habitats for the Saimaa ringed seal, one of the world’s rarest seal species. Seeing one is never guaranteed, but the national park is an important part of the conservation working to protect them.
Where to stay in Oravi
After returning from a day in Linnansaari, stay around Oravi so that you are already close to the next day’s adventure. Kanava Resort is the perfect choice, offering lakeside cabins with private saunas. It is also conveniently located for both Linnansaari and Kolovesi national parks.
The cabins at Kanava Resort are stunning and spacious, with views directly onto the lake. It’s the perfect place to slow down after a day of adventuring in the Finnish wilderness. Plus, rather than spending every evening driving somewhere else for dinner, why not pick up some local food and make use of the full kitchen. If you are travelling in Autumn, it’s difficult to imagine a cosier evening.
Day 3: Kolovesi National Park
Whilst Linnansaari gives you a chance to explore Lake Saimaa from the land, Kolovesi National Park gets you right onto the water. It’s one of the best places in the region for kayaking, with a landscape of islands, rocky cliffs and forested shorelines.
Kayak through Kolovesi
You can rent kayaks from Oravi village and navigate to here, where the kayaks are located on a self-service basis. There is also a shed with paddles, life jackets and other safety equipment. Kolovesi feels totally different to Linnansaari so it’s definitely worth visiting both on this trip. Instead of hiking through a large island, you’ll spend your time weaving between smaller islands and rocky shores all from the kayak. On a calm autumn day, the water can be almost completely still, making the whole experience incredibly peaceful.
In Kolovesi, there are no crowds and no major attractions in fact you may well be the only people on the water (like we were). It’s a place where you don’t need to constantly check where you are going, just paddle and enjoy the scenery. As you make your way through the national park you will find places to moor your kayak and cook some lunch on an outdoor fire pit. One of the amazing things about Finland, is that these fire pits are free to use and wood is provided for you in a nearby wood hut.
Motor boating is restricted in large parts of the national park which helps to preserve the peaceful atmosphere and makes the area perfect for a day of paddling. If you are not confident paddling independently, you can also arrange a guided trip from Oravi village.
Is October too cold for kayaking in Lake Saimaa?
Not necessarily, but preparation is important. Early October can bring surprisingly mild days, but conditions can also be cold and wet. Being on the water makes the temperature feel very different from walking around on land. Make sure that you wear warm layers and fully waterproof clothing. Always check the forecast and local weather conditions before setting off. The reward for braving the colder weather is the spectacular autumn scenery!
Day 4: Varkus to Helsinki
The final day in Lake Saimaa takes you somewhere totally different. Rather than another national park, head to Varkus. A town whose identity is closely linked to Finland’s wood processing and industrial history. It’s a worthwhile addition to this itinerary as it gives you a glimpse into Lake Saimaa’s history beyond the outdoor activities.
Discover Varkus’s industrial heritage
Varkus developed around the wood industry, and the history of the town is closely connected to the Ahlstrom company and the factories that shaped the area. A guided tour following in the steps of Walter Ahlstrom, one of the key figures in the development of the local industrial community, offers an insight into who the town evolved around the industry. The tour takes place in Ammakoski, which is a beautiful park in the heart of the town featuring waterways and rapids. It’s a fascinating contrast to the two previous days that have focused on the wilderness of the area.
Rather than simply passing through Varkus on your way back to Helsinki, give yourself a few hours to understand why the town looks and feels the way it does.
Visit Museum Centre Konsti
Museum Centre Konsti is another worthwhile stop, bringing together elements of Varkus’s cultural and historical identity. The museum centre is housed in a former factory school building and provides more context for the town’s development. It’s a relatively compact stop, so it works well alongside the industrial tour rather than taking up an entire day.
Try a Finnish Pike Burger
Then there is the food! A pike burger workshop at Harri’s Food Factory is a slightly unexpected end to a Lake Saimaa road trip, but pike is a traditional freshwater fish in the region that makes an interesting alternative to the more familiar Finnish dishes you’ll find elsewhere. If you are looking for something a little quirky and different to the usual tourist itinerary, it’s definitely one to remember. If you aren’t a seafood eater, you can absolutely make your own beef burgers too.
After Varkus, allow around 3-4 hours to drive back towards Helsinki Airport.
Why Lake Saimaa belongs on your Finland itinerary
Lake Saimaa doesn’t have the instant recognition of Lapland, there is no famous Northern Light resorts, no husky safaris around every corner and no giant checklist of attractions. Instead, the appeal is much simpler. Its waking up surrounded by forest, its crossing a lake by boat to reach a remote island national park, its kayaking between cliffs and islands almost in complete silence. It’s watching the autumn colours reflected on the water and then finishing the day in a traditional Finnish sauna.
If you are planning a Finland trip and want to explore beyond the obvious, Lake Saimaa offers a totally unique and different experience to what you may expect from this country. One that is slower, quieter and deeply connected to nature. For an autumn road trip, it’s difficult to imagine a better combination of forests, lakes, hiking, kayaking and Finnish culture.
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