Did you know that Finland has 188,000 lakes, which are also among the cleanest waters in the world? No wonder Finland is also called the land of a thousand lakes. As a result, Finland can boast the largest area covered by water in the world, relative to its land mass. Impressive, isn't it? In this article we want to introduce you to the five most beautiful of the 188,000 lakes and share our enthusiasm for this country with you.
Saimaa
The first lake we want to introduce to you covers an area of 4,400 square meters in the southeast of the country. The Saimaa is the largest lake in Finland, formed by countless arms, fjords and islands that rise above the water surface like small forests. It was formed by the glaciers that melted at the end of the Ice Age and is also even the fourth largest lake in Europe.
You can go swimming in the clear water at the many rocky and sandy bays, take a boat tour or explore the breathtaking lake landscape by canoe or stand-up paddle. If you are not a water enthusiast, you can of course also discover and admire the green landscape on countless hiking trails. Fishing is also a very popular leisure activity at Lake Saimaa.
Inari
In the northern part of Lapland borders the third largest lake in the country, the Inarijärvi to the countries of Finland, Norway and Russia. The former glacial hollow is surrounded by nature parks and the wildest areas in Europe. It's hard to believe, but the water of the lake is so clean and clear that you can drink it and in some places you can see down to nine meters. With a visit to Lake Inarijärvi you can experience the untouched nature first hand, explore the many islands during a boat or canoe trip, get to know the Sami culture, go hiking or fishing. When the lake is frozen in winter, you can even ski and feel the magic of the region.
Since Inari is located far north of the Arctic Circle, the sun doesn't set here for a full two months in the summer, while the auroras dance in the sky throughout the winter.
Pielinen
The next lake we want to introduce to you is the one found in the east of Finland Lake Pielinen. It covers an area of 894 square kilometers, has a length of about 120 kilometers and is between 1 and 40 meters wide. The vastness of the lake makes it an incredibly popular destination in the east of the country. As in most lakes in Finland, countless beautiful islands run through the waters waiting to be explored. One of the most famous attractions is Koli National Park, which can be found on the western shore of Lake Pielinen. Here you can climb Koli Mountain, from the top of which you have a breathtaking view of the landscape.
Päijänne
Now let's move on to the second largest lake in Finland, the Päijänne. With a length of 135 kilometers and a depth of up to 95 meters, it is the longest and deepest lake in Finland. In the middle of the waters, in the southern part, is the Päijänne National Park, which includes about 50 islands. On these you can explore the nature shaped by the ice age on various hiking trails. The two cities Jyväskylä in the north and Lahti in the south are connected by a ship connection. Until the 1940s, the lake was considered an important means of transport for freight and people, although today passenger transport is more of a tourist attraction than the fastest connection between two villages or towns.
Lake Päijänne and National Park leaves nothing to be desired in terms of recreational activities. You can explore the lake by sailboat or canoe, you can dive, fish, hike or observe extraordinary bird species.
Höytiäinen
The last of our 5 lakes is the Lake Höytiäinen. It is located between the lake basins of Pielinen and Saimaa in the north of the city of Joensuu.
As a result of an out-of-control lowering of the water level in 1859 to gain more agricultural land, the lake sank by almost 10 meters to date, losing about a third of its mass.
Today Höytiäinen is a varied and fascinating body of water for anglers and nature lovers. Apart from the fact that you can relax and swim at the bays, the lake attracts many anglers. Some bays have a depth of only a few meters and are therefore wonderful places to catch pike, for example. The biggest pike ever caught from Höytiäinen weighed 16.5 kilograms.
Finland's diverse lake landscape with its unique islands and national parks will enchant you and transport you to another world where you can take a breath, relax and escape the stress of everyday life!
For additional travel inspiration follow us on Instagram and Pinterest.