1. Rönö and Väinölänniemi
Along the route, we pass Rönö, one of Kuopio’s best-known islands. Rönö is a place where historic villa life meets modern living. The island was once a summer paradise where the city’s wealthier families built elegant villas sheltered by its lush shores.
Väinölänniemi is a park and recreational area located close to the centre of Kuopio. Surrounded by the waters of Kallavesi, it is one of the city’s oldest and most beloved parks. Today, it serves as an important venue for recreation, sports, and public events, attracting both locals and visitors throughout the year.
2. Bellanranta
Bellanranta is a place where history meets the future. The industrial heritage of the Siikaniemi area stretches back more than a century, but its modern story began with the belief that old factory buildings could be given a new purpose.
For decades, the area served as an industrial site for companies including Bella-Veneet Oy. A new chapter began in 2016 when the vacant industrial halls started to be transformed for leisure and tourism use.
In 2019, Saana opened its doors, bringing an award-winning spa and restaurant to the waterfront. More recently, in 2023, Bella Lake Resort introduced its lakeside suites, further strengthening Bellanranta’s reputation as a vibrant destination by the water.
3. Rauhalahti
Rauhalahti is a place where peaceful nature and memorable experiences come together. The manor house, summer theatre, spa hotel, the traditional Jätkänkämppä smoke sauna, and the holiday centre with its villas and cottages provide excellent opportunities for relaxation, family holidays, and authentic Finnish sauna experiences.
The history of Rauhalahti dates back to the 19th century, when the area was associated with the legendary Ukko Lode, a character familiar from Finnish folklore and literature. Today, Rauhalahti is a popular leisure destination where history, wellbeing, and entertainment meet amid forests and lakes, just a short distance from the centre of Kuopio.
4. Saaristokaupunki
As we continue our journey, the scenery gradually becomes more modern as we enter the waters of Saaristokaupunki, the Archipelago District.
Saaristokaupunki is one of Finland’s most unique residential areas—a district built around islands, bridges, and waterways. Here, the lake is not merely a scenic backdrop but an integral part of everyday life. For many residents, boats are a practical means of transportation.
The district has been developed with great respect for nature, and its forests, shorelines, and waterscapes remain an essential part of the environment. The beautiful Saaristokatu Road, with its series of bridges, connects the district to the city centre. The distance from Kuopio Market Square to the northern parts of Saaristokaupunki is only about four kilometres.
The area gained national recognition as the venue of the 2010 Housing Fair. Today, approximately 16,000 people live in this district, which consists of four peninsulas.
During the summer season, the charming Café Sillan Alla welcomes visitors beneath the Keilankanta Bridge.
5. Hietasalo
Hietasalo is an excellent destination for a day trip. People have been visiting the island for recreation, relaxation, and enjoyment of its beautiful sandy beach for more than a century.
The island is located approximately five kilometres from Kuopio Passenger Harbour. Facilities available to visitors year-round include a large wilderness hut, a lean-to shelter, a woodshed, a cooking shelter, toilet facilities, and several campfire sites.
A nature trail of approximately two kilometres winds through the island, offering visitors an opportunity to enjoy its lush and peaceful surroundings. For many visitors, however, the highlight of Hietasalo is its expansive sandy beach and excellent swimming opportunities.
6. Kallavesi
As the journey continues towards the open waters, the vast expanse of Kallavesi unfolds around us. Kallavesi is a large and vibrant lake that forms part of the greater Iso-Kalla water system.
The lake is renowned for its clear waters, countless islands, and landscapes that change dramatically with the seasons. For centuries, Kallavesi has provided the people of Savo with food, transportation routes, and places of rest and recreation.
The vendace, a small freshwater fish highly valued in Finnish cuisine, is the lake’s most famous catch. Many local residents still remember summer evenings when fishing nets were set out on the lake as the sun disappeared behind the forested horizon.
Kallavesi, the largest lake in the North Savo region, lies almost entirely within the city of Kuopio. Covering an area of approximately 470 square kilometres, it is Finland’s tenth-largest lake.
Together with the neighbouring lakes of Suvasvesi, Juurusvesi, Riistavesi, and Muuruvesi, it forms the greater Iso-Kalla water system, covering approximately 900 square kilometres and ranking as Finland’s fifth-largest inland water basin.
Despite its size, Kallavesi is relatively shallow, with an average depth of only 8.9 metres. Its deepest point, approximately 75 metres, is located in the eastern part of Central Kallavesi.