Kimola Canal
The first boating summer on the Kimola Canal was experienced in 2020. With the opening of the Kimola Canal, a new boating route was created from Lake Päijänne and even from Pielavesi, 400 km away, to Kouvola. The endpoint or starting point, depending on the traveler, is in Kouvola at Voikkaa, where the Virtakiven guest harbor and the nearby Virtakiven Sauna serve visitors.
The canal typically opens annually at the beginning of May and remains open until the end of October.
Kimola Canal Cruises
If your own boat is in dry dock or still in motion for some reason, don’t worry. Various operators arrange canal cruises on the Kimola Canal. For example, check out the cruises from the following shipping companies.
- m/s Suomen Suvi operates on the route Heinola – Vuolenkoski – Kimola Canal – Virtakiven guest harbor in Kouvola – Heinola.
- Heinolan Laivaosakeyhtiö’s M/S Pyhäjärvi operates from Heinola harbor.
- Virtakiven Sauna’s own vessel is available for chartered cruises.
- Päijänteen Vesitaksi will take you to the Kimola Canal and Virtakivi. Gather your group and head out for a private ride on the water.
Virtakiven Guest Harbor
The endpoint, or starting point, of the waterway, depending on the traveler, is at Virtakivi in Kouvola’s Voikkaa. The concrete structure is a 30-meter long and 6-meter wide ship dock that accommodates cruise vessels coming from Lake Päijänne through the Kimola Canal. The dock also serves as a service dock, equipped with a bilge and wastewater collection pump, as well as water and electricity points and a fuel distribution point. There is also a canoe dock at the harbor.
The area includes a fire pit, toilet, and waste collection point. An observation platform has been built on the slope of Pakanavuori, where one can view the rock painting listed in the ancient monument register.
The nearest bus stop is approximately 400 meters from the guest harbor. Summer bus schedules come into effect after schools end. The next nearest stop is in the center of Voikkaa.
Hirvela Home Harbor
Near the guest harbor is Hirvela Home Harbor, which serves local boaters. Launching and retrieving boats happens at Hirvela Home Harbor.
Hirvela has 78 boat places for larger boats and 10 places for smaller boats. For launching and retrieving boats, Hirvela has a 30-meter long concrete service dock and a boat ramp. In addition to dock spaces, Hirvela offers winter storage for 50 boats. Winter storage spaces are not tied to a boat place and must be reserved and paid for separately before winter and the end of the season.
Both harbors’ basins have been dredged to a depth of 1.8 meters. The seasonal boat places at Hirvela and Virtakivi are located behind gates operated by electric locks in a camera-monitored area. Access to boat docks is with an electronic key. The home harbor has a shared “village house” for the lake rescue association and boating clubs that serves the harbor’s boaters.
Driving Directions to Hirvela Home Harbor
Please note that Satamakaari is a new street and may not yet be updated in map applications. Therefore, follow the driving directions below.
From the North:
Coming from Heinolantie (46), turn onto Kuusaantie and then right onto Nuujanmäentie. From Nuujanmäentie, turn onto Hirveläntie at the first intersection and follow the signs to the new Satamakaari, which leads to Hirvela Harbor.
From the South:
Coming from Voikkaa, head straight north on Kuusaantie from the roundabout and turn left onto Nuujanmäentie. From Nuujanmäentie, turn onto Hirveläntie at the first intersection and follow the signs to the new Satamakaari, which leads to Hirvela Harbor.
Movement on the Kimola Canal
A unique feature of the Kimola Canal lock is its 12-meter height difference and the 70-meter long tunnel. Watch the accompanying video to see how the lock operates, how the self-service canal works, and how to secure a boat in the lock. In addition to the video, we have compiled a link to an article on the navigation instructions for the Kimola Canal.
Frequently Asked Questions about Kimola Canal
Below, we have compiled frequently asked questions and answers related to the Kimola Canal and navigation in the canal.
The Kimola Canal opened to boat traffic on August 3, 2020. The canal opens annually on the first Friday of May and closes at the end of October.
The construction of the Kimola Canal was a joint project of the state and the municipalities of Kouvola, Iitti, and Heinola. The Waterways Authority was responsible for the canal’s construction, and the municipalities are responsible for maintenance.
After its completion, the canal was transferred to the ownership of the city of Kouvola.
The canal is 5.5 km long. The distance from the canal lock to Virtakiven guest harbor in Voikkaa is approximately 24 km.
There is one lock in the canal. The height difference for locking is 12 meters and it takes about half an hour to lock through.
Fuel distribution is available at Virtakiven guest harbor.
The Kimola Canal lock is a self-service canal. Use of the lock is free of charge.
The clearance height of the Canal Road bridge and the Kimola (Eiraskan) bridge is 4.8 meters. The clearance height of the Kimola Bay bridge is 4.0 meters.
The length of the lock basin is 35 meters and the width is 8 meters.
Kouvolan Kipparit ry has published an updated boating map of Lake Pyhäjärvi-Kimola Canal for 2020 at a price of €15 (incl. VAT 24%). The map is sold at the following locations: Virtakiven Sauna/Voikkaa, Rantamesta/Vuolenkoski, and Kuusankoski Boating Society ry.
Yes, canoes and kayaks can go through the lock, as can smaller boats. There are low docks intended primarily for canoes and kayaks at both ends of the lock.
Special features of the former timber floating canal, which has been restored for boating use, include the 12-meter height difference of the lock and the unique 70-meter-long rock tunnel.
The opening of the Kimola Canal has created a new boating route from Lake Päijänne and even from Lake Pielinen, 400 km away, to Voikkaa in Kouvola. Boaters from the Lahti and Jyväskylä areas can reach Kouvola, and conversely, this is a new opportunity for boaters from Kouvola.
The area around the canal lock includes a parking area for drivers, an observation point towards the lock, and a toilet. During the summer, a kiosk/café serves the parking area. There is also a nature trail near the lock.
There are waiting docks above and below the lock where you can dock while waiting for the lock operation.
Coming from the direction of Lake Päijänne, the end of the canal is at Virtakivi in Kouvola’s Voikkaa, where there is a new Virtakiven guest harbor, and approximately 200-300 meters away are the services of Virtakiven Sauna.
Additionally, along the route above the canal is the Vasikkasaari camping harbor, and below the canal is the renovated Hiidensaari camping harbor.