The Koivusilta organic farm lies in Kisko, in the southern part of Southwestern Finland. Farming and forestry keep the family busy. Additional income is gotten from tourism and building renovation. The renewed buildings of Louhela farm offer lodgings for ten persons all year round.

The 70 km canoe route of Kisko River goes right past the Louhela farm. The lean-to built on the riverbank offers shelter for the holiday-makers and canoeists. Louhela is perfect for fishing and canoeing. The neighboring horse stables are only a kilometer away and offer an opportunity for riding.

Read more about the lodging and the renovation of the old buildings in Louhela. We will be glad to answer any questions you may have. Welcome to Louhela!

 

 Nature tourism more popular – are you interested in Kisko River scenery?

Foreign tourists turn their heads as we drive from Kurkela in Kisko toward Suomusjärvi. The wonderful scenery on the right shows the winding Anerio River. We discuss the history of the region: the river is a remnant of an earlier sea bay, which reached all the way to the northern end of Lake Anerio. Archeological research and findings testify that people were living here already thousands of years ago. We are right in the heart of Suomusjärvi Culture!

The van turns to the right, to Kekkosentie. A new story, that of the road, begins: people traveled to church and vicarage, town hall and school, dairy and community center, weddings and funerals, war and dances (quote from the book Kekkosentie). The road was named after President Urho Kekkonen, who spent his summers in Iso-Ruona on the right side of the road.

This time, our destination is Sipilä Shore in the northern end of Lake Enäjärvi. The trailer with canoes sways behind us as we drive past the beautiful village center. We descend the hill past Lake Suomusjärvi on the left. Finally, our eyes feast on Lake Enäjärvi’s placid scenery.

”Amazing!…Beautiful..” the visitors turn to look before they reach the shore. Stop! Jusala Farm has its Highland cattle in pasture, and phone cameras snap pictures that are promptly posted on Facebook before we embark on the canoes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I still remember in 1976…

I still remember like it was yesterday, when my cousin and I put our canoe in Lake Kirkkojärvi in Kisko in 1976. It was the end of May and school was out for the summer. For some reason, we decided to start paddling upstream, toward the beginning of Kisko River. At first, everything went well and we had strength enough to reach the historic Kärkelä Ironworks. We swam in the crystal clear water of Kärkelä and enjoyed the warm sun. We were welcome in the village, where we had often spent days digging in the rock piles. The beautiful old buildings on the clear water of the rapids were always impressive, though we had no clue of the particulars of village history. We lowered the canoe in the water near the bridge upstream from the power plant. Soon we reached Lake Sikajärvi. This was still familiar scenery, since we had often come this far despite our parents’ warnings.

 

 

We paddled sideways into the stream of the rapid that starts in Lake Nummijärvi. The stream grabbed our canoe and suddenly we were far from the shore.

We continued our adventure upstream, and reached the charming Lake Nummijärvi. We pitched out tent in Raatosaari, a rocky island in the lake.

The following morning our voyage continued in the rapid north of Lake Nummijärvi. Those days, Torppi Village had a small general store called Tukkinen. How wonderful it would be to have such stores along the canoe route these days! Powered by the food bought in the store, we in turn pulled, paddled and carried the canoe upstream. Finally, we reached Lake Enäjärvi, 58 meters above sea level. What a rewarding feeling!

Following the right-hand shore and circling round Kontinpohja, we arrived in the early evening hours in Salmi Straight, and a breathtaking view of the open lake. We had reached our destination. We chose a small rocky island to stay overnight and felt truly elated in the superb Finnish summer night!

 

 

 

If I could have an island – however small!

 

Decades after our adventure, I was browsing some newspapers when a sales ad caught my attention: ”Idyllic Island in Lake Enäjärvi”. I got up, strapped my kayak on the roof of the car and paid a visit to the island. I found an island bogged with shrubbery, and a modest cabin with no modern amenities. However, there was a sauna, an outhouse, clean water and the intriguing embrace of Lake Enäjärvi.  I am a fool for nature, so my decision was easy to make, as long as the price was right…

We bought the island in the fall of 2013. It opened up a new and interesting world of nature in the labyrinths of Lake Enäjärvi. I was eager to study the lake and its history. In the recent years, I have learnt to know many interesting local people.

 

 

 

Stories in support of nature travel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Finland, tourism focuses geographically on the North and the Lake Area. Only in the past few decades have we understood that rural areas could benefit from increasing tourism, also in these parts. Holidaymakers are now seeking a new direction: they seek silence, and clean and safe environments. They seek stories and history, but also good service. People want to learn something new on their holidays.

A decade ago I had no idea how much my work and life would change based a certain decisions. We decided to buy and renovate a farm along Kurkela River in Kurkela Village in Kisko. Alongside the farm work, we started to renovate buildings for agricultural tourism. We also had to study tourism as industry, as well as marketing and sales. In addition to farming, we now were facing interesting new challenges.

Our region has many attractive features: interesting history, unblemished nature and clean water. Our society is well organized and safe. In honor of Finland’s Centennial, I could list 100 reasons to travel and spend your holidays in Finland.