Vanajavesi paddling route

The Vanajavesi Route flows from the Hämeenkoski population centre to Lake Vanajanselkä, winding through Häme’s traditional arable landscapes and the historic Vanajavesi Valley. The route is over one hundred kilometres long and the altitude difference is approximately twenty metres.

The route starts at the Koskikara rest area near the Koskikartano Café and Restaurant by National Road 12. There is plenty of parking space, and a trail leads from the rest area to the shore of the River Teuronjoki where you can find a dock for swimming and paddling purposes. The curvy river flows through a grove landscape and soon passes under the bridge on Road 12. Gradually, the noise of traffic fades away and is replaced by the cascading sound of the rapids near the historical Hankala flax breaking facility. The old flax processing plant, that used to be owned by the pioneering industrial company Tampella, has been renovated and is open to guests on request. Canoes must be carried past the dam and a short way downstream on the left riverbank. The route continues in a magnificent forest landscape, and soon after the Hankalankoski Rapids, you arrive at the Hyväneulankoski Rapids, whose descent line is in the middle (Class 1–2) if the water level is high enough. Slowly, the forest thins out, and the riverbanks turn steep. Every once in a while, paddlers get a glimpse of Häme’s field landscape. You reach the village of Myllykylä after paddling for approximately 16 km. The upper part of the Myllykylä Rapids is not paddleable because of the built structures in the river. However, the structures can be passed on the left side of the concrete slope. Under the rapids, there is a lean-to that can be freely used by campers.

The next milestone is the Lake Mommilanjärvi lean-to and swimming beach in the village of Haminankylä, approximately 16 km from Myllykylä. From Lake Mommilanjärvi, the route continues via the River Haminanjoki to Lake . Next, paddlers pass the Oitti population centre on the curving River Puujoki which flows all the way to Lake Kernaalanjärvi. Before arriving at the lake, you pass the Leppäkoski population centre where you can still see the old smokestack reach for the sky – a reminder of the area’s history as a central site for the brick industry. The distance from Lake Mommilanjärvi to Lake Kernaalanjärvi is nearly 40 km. It is passed in a fertile rural scenery typical to southern Finland.

Lake Kernaalanjärvi collects its waters from five headwater lakes in the catchment area of Lake Vanajavesi: lakes Pääjärvi, Loppijärvi, Kaartjärvi, Renkajärvi and Takajärvi. From here, the waters flow north as the River Hiidenjoki, and the paddling route continues in abundant volumes of water. The route passes through the Turenki population centre, and after approximately 15 km, paddlers arrive at Vanajavesi’s Miemalanselkä Open. From here, Vanajavesi continues as a narrow route towards the city centre of Hämeenlinna, and boat traffic starts to increase. The distance between Lake Kernaalanjärvi and Hämeenlinna is 23 km.

Hämeenlinna city centre is passed by paddling under the Hopeaseppien silta Bridge (“Bridge of Silversmiths”) and the Viipurintie Road bridge. After the bridges, a view opens to the majestic medieval Tavastia Castle.  After the castle, the route is lined by the old castle barracks and its cannons as well as the beautiful city park. After passing under the railway bridge, paddlers are greeted by Hotel Aulanko’s old functionalist building and parks. The next landmark is the Kirstulansalmi Strait which opens into the Hattulanselkä Open. There are two artificial islands, the Aulanko Islands, at the mouth of the open water. On the islands, you can find a Lapp hut and a campfire site. After crossing the open lake (3 km), paddlers arrive at the Hattula Holy Corss Church, the oldest grey stone church in inland Finland and a central medieval pilgrimage site. From there, the waterway takes paddlers by the Pappilanniemi Cape towards the Mierola Port where you can find the Mierolan Silta Café in the midst of a beautiful, idyllic port scenery. The journey continues north, and the next stop is the oldest horticulture institute in the country, the Lepaa campus of the Häme University of Applied Sciences. The Lepaa Manor provides tourism services in the area where you can also find a vineyard and a shop. The distance between Hämeenlinna and Lepaa is approximately 20 km.

Lake Vanajanselkä opens wide just a stone’s throw from Lepaa, and paddlers enter the magnificent lake scenery dotted with islands. The route travels northeast by the Vanajanniemi Cape to Petäys Resort beach which is the end point of the paddling trail. Here, you can take a relaxing bath in the sauna, eat and rest after the long journey. The distance between Lepaa and Petäys is approximately 8 km.