The Tahko Boating Route opens up a connection from Lake Kallavesi to Lake Syväri and the Tahko area in Nilsiä. There are a number of interesting places to stop at or visit along the route, including the Wine Information Centre and Topi’s Farm Shop in Muuruvesi, the Masuuni Brunou Museum and the excellent Niskakoski Marina in Juankoski, the new canals of Karjalankoski and Juankoski, and the canal of Lastukoski. The Tahko Holiday Resort at the Nilsiä-end of the route offers high-standard accommodation and restaurant facilities, together with a wide range of leisure activities. You can also stop on Aholansaari Island, the best-known place of interest in Nilsiä, or at the Nilsiä Marina, where you can catch a glimpse of the local way of life. The Tahko Boating Route, passing across lakes Kallavesi, Juurusvesi, Akonvesi, Vuotjärvi and Syväri, totals 90 km in length. Further information: www.tahkonvesireitti.com.

The Riistavesi-Vehmersalmi Boating Route further reinforces the status of the Kuopio region as a hub of boating tourism in the Lake District of Finland. The circular route running from Kuopio across lakes Juurusvesi, Muurusvesi, Melavesi and Suvasvesi to Vehmersalmi and back to Kuopio passes through unparalleled scenery with various interesting places en route. The route is 110 km long, and Vehmersalmi, also situated on the famous Heinävesi Waterway, offers excellent services to boaters.

‘The Valamo Waterways’ is a title for a network of theme boating routes connecting lakes Juojärvi, Rikkavesi and Kaavinjärvi, situated between the towns of Kuopio and Joensuu, with each other. The rural districts of Kaavi, Heinävesi, Liperi and Outokumpu are located around the lake district covered by the routes and provide various facilities and services to boaters. The straits of Ohtaansalmi, marking the border between the provinces of Savo and Karelia, are situated at the heart of this lake district.

The theme route ‘Explore the Ancient Waters’ is built around the fact that the landscape in this particular area is older than in the rest of the Saimaa lake district. Four thousand years ago the water level of Saimaa fell by 20 metres, and consequently the shoreline of what is now Lake Juojärvi was formed. Therefore a number of Stone Age sites and remains of dwelling places can be found along the 70-kilometre boating route running through this area.

Along the boating routes, you’ll find Valamo Monastery, the Varistaipale Canal, and the marinas and visitors’ moorings in Tuusniemi, Kaavi and Luikonlahti. Also situated in Tuusniemi is the Hojo Hojo Entertainment Centre with its dance-floor. Further information: www.tuusniemi.fi, www.kaavi.fi and www.heinavesi.fi.