Vehmersalmi: Shoreline Landscapes, Lakes and Culture

Vehmersalmi combines shoreline landscapes and water-based activities with nature experiences and cultural history. This means you can choose different focuses for your stay: explore the nature trail, enjoy fishing or boating, or learn more about the church and a work of art created in Vehmersalmi. When looking for a holiday rental in Vehmersalmi, these interests can help you plan the right holiday for you.

Nature Trail, Lakes and Outdoor Activities

A specific starting point for nature lovers is the Vehmerin luontotaival. A section more than one kilometre long runs from the church village of Vehmersalmi to the Luukaarre lean-to shelter through a beautiful shoreline landscape. Nature trail signs accompany this section and add an informative touch. You can plan the route as a nature experience in its own right; its length is a useful guide when planning your day. In winter, the lean-to shelter serves as a rest stop for cross-country skiers and snowmobilers.

The lake landscapes of Suvasvesi and Kallavesi also offer opportunities for fishing and boating in Vehmersalmi. If you want to make water activities a central part of your stay, you will find a range of interests here to consider when planning it. The trolling permit area extends from Suvasvesi to Vehmersalmi and covers about 9,000 hectares. This figure describes the area as a whole and gives fishing a specific geographical context.

Six SUP boards are available for rent at the Millibaari summer restaurant. Several piers on the restaurant grounds provide access to the water. Alongside fishing and boating, stand-up paddleboarding is therefore another specific activity on offer in summer. If you are considering a holiday rental, you can decide whether activities like these should shape your stay or whether you would rather focus more on the nature trail and cultural themes.

Another way to stay active is the Vehmersalmi disc golf course. It is located within the Vehmersalmi fitness trail and has nine holes and three practice baskets. Thanks to the renovated fitness trail, the course is also suitable for people with reduced mobility. Disc golf thus complements the water and nature themes with an activity of its own, with clearly specified facilities.

Church, Art and Getting There

Vehmersalmi Church was completed in 1919 and designed by Josef Stenbäck as a rendered brick church. The church houses Ripatti’s altarpiece “Jesus in Gethsemane”. In summer, it also serves as a road and waterway church. These details offer different ways to explore the area’s history: through its architecture, the altarpiece and the church’s special role during the summer season. The artist Akseli Gallen-Kallela is also associated with Vehmersalmi: he painted the work “Sammon taonta” there in the summer of 1893.

For travel to the area, summer bus route 82 connects Kuopio with Vehmersalmi and continues along Vehmersalmie to Mustinlahti. Vehmersalmi also has a harbour stop on the Kuopio–Savonlinna ship route. These two details offer different starting points for planning your journey: a bus connection in summer and the location of a harbour stop on the stated ship route. If you are looking for accommodation, you can take these travel options into account alongside your preferred nature, water or cultural interests.

Discover More Places

If you would like to explore more places, you can also find: Syvänniemi, Hiltulanlahti, Juankoski, Pörsänmäki, Varpaisjärvi, Kiuruvesi, Maaninka and Vesanto.

For the wider travel overview: Northern Savo.