On the Water from March to December – Paddling Season 2025

What Was the Paddling Season of 2025 Like? In short: excellent.

In Oravi, paddling continued almost year-round — only January and February were skipped. Spring arrived early, and already in March we were back on the water in the Oravi Canal. It was possible to paddle a pleasant loop from one ice edge to the other, making the season feel exceptionally early.

April truly marked the start of spring. As early as April 25, Lake Haukivesi was completely free of ice. On May Day Eve, we set off on the season’s first overnight trip to Linnansaari National Park — a perfect way to kick off the paddling summer.

The busiest months were, naturally, June through August, but there were still plenty of paddlers out on the water well into autumn. September and October offered calm conditions and beautiful fall colors. My own final overnight trip took place in early November and felt like a true luxury getaway: paddling to Apuri in Ihamaniemi and spending the night in an old croft with all modern comforts.

The paddling season of 2025 came to a close with an Independence Day paddle on December 6 — a symbolic ending to a long, varied, and rewarding season.

Oravi 6.12.2025