Jänisjoki flows on to Lake Ladoga

Crossing the border is easy! In Niirala in the Municipality of Tohmajärvi there is an international frontier crossing point. You can boat right up to the border on the Finnish side but the actual frontier crossing has to be effected on land via the frontier station. A visa is required and it is best to plan the journey well beforehand. You can get the boat or canoe back in the water in the Russian village of Värtsilä. There is 4 km on the river before coming to Lake Jänisjärvi, with the Jänisjärvi Holiday Village with cottages and saunas on its shore. A campsite owned by the town of Sortavala is also at the traveller´s disposal - if booked in advance. Jänisjärvi is well stocked with fish and the 30 km of shoreline is free of habitation.

Put your helmet on and your eye on the rapids! At the southern end of Jänisjärvi there is Hämekoski power station and dam, so the boat has to be carried around them. After Hämekoski you speed along through one set of rapids after another, through strongly eddying currents. Route recommended for a rubber boat with a capable skipper or for very experienced canoeists. The riverside is uninhabited woods although the road winds along at times just near the river. At Harlu again you have to beach and carry the boat downstream. Then comes the most exhilarating part of the Jänisjoki rapids which it is strongly advisable to check out before going down. You can end the Jänisjoki trip in Läskelä or keep going for 6 km til Lake Ladoga. The best way to see the Jänisjoki beautiful scenery is a package trip on a rubber boat through the rapids. There are 9 rapids on the Jänisjoki route and the overall change in water level is about 21 metres. Sortavala - finnish and russian side by side The city of Sortavala has been ruled turn by turn by Sweden, Russia and Finland. In the town centre there are plenty of buildings dating from the beginning of century, designed by the most famous Finnish architects of their own time. The jugend style and national romanticism are characteristic features in the town image. Nowadays Sortavala is a lively city in the border district of Russian Karelia with its´ 23.000 citizens. There are many pleasant restaurants and cafes as well as souvenir boutiques in the city, without forgetting the delicious Russian bread Forward...