Description of the destination:
Partakoski is one of the two rivers flowing from the lake Kuolimo to the lake Saimaa. This beautiful rapids has been an important spot for transportation through ages: people moving on land have crossed the rivers here and people moving over lakes have travelled from lake to another via Partakoski. Did you know that people living at the shores of the huge Lake Saimaa have been able to travel to one of Finland’s biggest rivers, Kymijoki, via Lake Kuolimo with just one short neck of land. And because Kymijoki connects to the sea, people using light rowing boats or canoes have been able to travel from Lake Saimaa all the way to the Baltic sea via Partakoski! Nowadays Restaurant Partaranta serves food and beverages for travellers during the summer season at Partakoski.
Description of the route:
Just like heading to Kärnäkoski, start paddling towards the south and go through Kopinsalmi strait. Keep going all the way to Kärnäkoski and continue 1 km further to the north west and you’ll be at Partakoski. Optionally you can paddle from the northside of the Kopinsaari island if for example the wind blows strongly from the south. The distance reamains the same.
Additional info:
Partakoski: http://www.partakoskenkylat.fi/en/etusivu
Route details on a map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42306943
Route length: 6 km there and back in total.
Duration: 2,5 – 3 hours there and back slowly paddling.
Difficulty level: Easy.
Please note: The Kärnäkoski and Partakoski rivers are breeding areas for very endangered trout and char species. Do not walk in the shallow river as it might harm the fish eggs. Also note, that all fishing in Kärnäkoski and Partakoski is strictly prohibited.