Heinävesi

Heinävesi is a municipality in North Karelia, in the Finnish Lakeland. The municipality is known for its two religious attractions: the monastery of New Valamo and the Lintula Convent.

• Heinävesi Tourism information

The town can be reached by the trains on the line between Joensuu and Pieksämäki (train station 6 km from the centre), with some buses between Joensuu and Varkaus as well as by car. If you want to visit New Valamo or Lintula a car may be convenient.

Heinävesi lies by the lake Kermajärvi, part of the Heinävesi route from Savonlinna upstream to Kuopio. Thus Heinävesi is reachable from the oceans by the Saimaa Canal (closed for pleasure craft because of Russia's war on Ukraine, otherwise note draught and height limits if you have a sailing boat).

There are cruises between Savonlinna and Kuopio via Heinävesi.

• Smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi, Taksi EHT

The main attractions of Heinävesi are located in the northern part of the municipality.

• 62.563128.79021 New Valamo Monastery, Valamontie 42 Uusi-Valamo. The Orthodox Christian monastery founded on the island of Valamo in Ladoga Lake in the 19th century moved to Heinävesi as Valamo was ceded to the Soviet Union after WW2. New Valamo is a good place to see icons and other forms of Orthodox Christian art. In the summer guest rooms are available for those who wish to stay a little longer.  (updated Jul 2026)
• 62.5728.5962 Lintula Holy Trinity Convent, Honkasalontie 3, Palokki. The nunnery of the former.  
• 62.546728.63993 ^{[dead link]} Varistaipale Canal, Väyläasemantie 2, Varistaipale. A minor attraction near the monasteries. Finland's only canal with 4 gates.  
• 62.44828.6894 Kermajärvi. National landscape: lake-side scenery in natural state; backwoods  

• 62.294128.75671 Kolovesi National Park (a few parking areas in the southern parts of the park, in Enonkoski: drive 15 km east along road 476, turn right to road 471 and continue some 15 km, guidance from road 471; by boat or canoe, there are several jetties and anchorages). National park shared between Heinävesi and Enokoski. It features majestic cliffs, rock paintings, the old quartz quarry of Ukonvuori and the general lakescape of Saimaa, with many islands, narrow inlets and sounds. The fauna includes Saimaa ringed seals. The park is best experienced by canoe, but there are also a couple of short trails, 5 km in total.  
• 62.39428.75562 Kermankosken lava, Mäntylahdentie 5 (7 km east of the centre; turn left to Mäntylahdentie just after the bridge over Kermankoski, continue 500 m), ☏ +358 45 2628561, info@kermankoski.fi. 2026: 19 June–7 Aug Fri 19:30–00:30, some weeks Wed/Thu 19:00–23:30. Dance pavilion, elected Finland's most beautiful one in 2024. It lies on a small island between two rapids and the lakes that they connect. Free water. Café assortment includes pancake, karjalanpiirakka, kalakukko etc. Also alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Asking alternate hours (men/women). Caravans can stay overnight, toilet available until noon. €22, Midsummer €25/40; cloakroom included.  

• 62.426728.63211 Heinäkissa, Virastokuja 1, ☏ +358 45-205-9922. Tue-Fri 10:00–17:00, weekend 12:00–16:00. A cosy lunch and dinner restaurant in the town centre. An extensive salad bar, at least two main courses, bread, drinks, dessert, and coffee. Karaoke on weekend evenings. €10–15.  (updated Jul 2026)

• 62.56228.79211 Monastery Hotel (Luostarihotelli), Valamontie 42 Uusi-Valamo (near the New Valamo Monastery), ☏ +358 17 570-1810, salesservice@valamo.fi.  (updated Jul 2026)