Heinävesi Route
Heinävesi · Heinävesi canal route · Kerma canal
62°25.9'N 28°39.0'E
Depth
4–8m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
70m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m
70m for excellent holding in deep freshwater mud/clay in 4–8m. All-round shelter in the lake section — protected by surrounding forested hills. Good anchorage in any summer conditions.
About This Anchorage
The Heinävesi route is one of the most atmospheric passages in Finnish inland sailing — a historic canal and lock route connecting the central Saimaa water system to the northern lakes, passing through deep forest, past 19th-century lock infrastructure, and through the quiet lakeland of north Saimaa. The Kerma canal (1835) and its associated locks are among the oldest working canal infrastructure in Finland, operated by hand-cranked gates that have not changed fundamentally since construction. The route passes through Heinävesi municipality — a sparsely populated lakeland area known for its Orthodox monasteries (New Valamo monastery is accessible from the route, approx 15nm). The anchorage in the lake section below Kerma is in deep mud and clay — excellent holding in a remote, forest-surrounded setting. The journey here from Savonlinna takes a full day including lock passages.
Protected From
N · S · E · W · NE · SW
Exposed To
NW · SE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Canal lock fee applies for passage (contact Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency); anchoring in lake sections is free
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Canal lock operating hours (typically 08:00–20:00 in summer) — plan arrival to allow lock passage; Saimaa ringed seal protection zones apply in some adjacent lake areas; no anchoring in canal channel itself.
Hazards
- !Canal lock hours — locks close in evening; arrive early enough to pass through before closing
- !Very remote — no facilities; emergency services response would take hours
- !Narrow canal channel — no anchoring in canal; significant commercial timber traffic in some sections
- !Lake storms can produce waves in longer lake sections — monitor Finnish Meteorological Institute
- !Saimaa ringed seal protection zones in some adjacent areas — check charts
Skipper's Tips
- →The Heinävesi route canal locks are a uniquely atmospheric experience — 19th-century hand-cranked gates in deep forest; allow extra time to enjoy each lock
- →New Valamo Orthodox monastery (approx 15nm from Kerma, accessible by road from the nearest landing) is one of the most remarkable spiritual destinations in Finland — founded by monks fleeing Valamo Island (Lake Ladoga) in WWII; worth the detour
- →The route is best done over 2–3 days to enjoy the wilderness scenery — rushing through misses the point
- →Bring all provisions from Savonlinna — the route has virtually no facilities; self-sufficiency is essential
- →The bird life along the Heinävesi route is exceptional — ospreys nesting, white-tailed eagles, cranes — the remote lake landscape preserves wildlife that the busy Saimaa shores have lost
Facilities
No facilities at anchorage. Completely remote. Nearest provisions at Heinävesi village (approx 10nm from canal). New Valamo monastery (15nm) has a café and guesthouse.
Nearest provisions: Heinävesi village (approx 10nm from canal) (10nm)
Best Months & Season
Jun, Jul, Aug
June–August. Requires careful lock scheduling — check operating hours in advance. Allow 2–3 days for a return passage including exploration. Ice clears May.