Discover Kaavi: history, lake and ski trails

Kaavi combines the history of its church village with winter trails and a location on Lake Kaavinjärvi. A 19th-century granary now houses the local heritage museum; between this building and the heroes’ cemetery, a memorial stone commemorates the village’s early churches. If you want to spend time outdoors, the church village has several ski trails. The municipality offers more cultural and nature experiences, including Telkkämäki Farm and the Vaikkojoki area.

Kaavi at a glance

• The Eloaitta Local Heritage Museum is in Kaavi’s church village, in a granary completed in 1845.
• The memorial stone at the site of the former churches was erected in 1953.
• The ski trails in the church village are about 1.6, 3 and 5 kilometres long; the shortest trail and the 3-kilometre trail are suitable for both classic and skate skiing.
• The church village beach is at the northern end of Lake Kaavinjärvi.
• The Vaikkojoki nature tourism area is about 30 kilometres from the church village.

In the church village: a granary, church site and memorial

The Eloaitta Local Heritage Museum offers insights into the lives of people in Kaavi in the past. The building itself tells part of the village’s history: the granary was completed in the 1840s and built to supplement the local loan granaries. Today, the museum is housed in this granary. The church village thus brings together a historic building and memories of everyday life in earlier generations.

The site of Kaavi’s first churches lies between the heroes’ cemetery and the granary. The memorial stone erected there in 1953 commemorates the cemetery dating from 1650 and two churches: the first stood from 1671 to 1749, and the second from 1749 to 1816. The stone itself also has details to discover: engraved on it are three crowns, the year 1595 and a corresponding Russian symbol; a memorial plaque stands beside it. The site is signposted as a place of interest and is 1.24 kilometres west of Kaavi Church.

Another historical exhibition is located in Kaavi School. The Sotaveteraanien perinneaula (War Veterans’ Heritage Room) displays war memorabilia collected by Kaavi veterans and relating to the years 1939–1945. Together, the museum, church site and exhibition offer different ways to explore history: life in the village, its early places of worship and memories of the war years.

Ski trails of different lengths

The church village has three winter routes of different lengths. Peltolatu is about 1.6 kilometres long and can be used for classic or skate skiing. A groomed 3-kilometre trail offers the same two techniques. There is also a 5-kilometre illuminated ski trail and fitness route. The main differences to consider are therefore the length and features of each route: the illuminated route is the longest of the three, while Peltolatu is the shortest. Seasonal trail grooming may vary.

When choosing a ski trail, you can consider your preferred distance and skiing style. If it is important to have a choice between classic and skate skiing, Peltolatu and the 3-kilometre trail are specifically designated for both. The 5-kilometre route combines skiing with a fitness trail and is illuminated. This makes it easy to compare the options by distance and the features listed.

Lake Kaavinjärvi and the harbour facilities

The church village beach is at the northern end of Lake Kaavinjärvi. The lakeshore is therefore a point of interest in its own right, alongside the historic sites and winter routes. If you want to make use of boating facilities during your stay, the harbour has a guest berth, a boat launch and a water connection. It also has two piers with gates and onshore berths. Toilets are available during events.

More boat berths and storage areas can be found in the church village on Kuikkatie; additional storage spaces are located on Puustellinpolku.

Culture and nature in Kaavi municipality

One cultural highlight is the Juutila Foundry Museum in Vehkalahti, in Kaavi municipality. It is housed in the old Juutila foundry. Copper has been cast traditionally at the Juutila farm since 1881. The museum is open by appointment, so plan your visit in advance.

Telkkämäki Farm is also in Kaavi municipality, in the Telkkämäki Nature Reserve. Traditional slash-and-burn farming is preserved there, and the farm is still worked using traditional methods. Clouds of smoke from slash-and-burn farming can still be seen in summer. During summer cultural events and traditional demonstrations, visitors can take part in activities such as sowing turnips and rye, threshing rye in the threshing barn and harvesting turnips. The farm grounds and nature reserve are open to visitors year-round.

The Rietulan kierto nature trail has information boards explaining the traces of slash-and-burn farming in Telkkämäki’s natural environment and landscape. The visit therefore combines a walk with insights into the traditional land use preserved there. It is useful to distinguish between the seasons when planning: the smoke from slash-and-burn farming and the hands-on activities mentioned take place in summer, while the farm grounds and nature reserve can be visited year-round.

The Vaikkojoki area offers opportunities for hiking and cycling. The nature tourism area is about 30 kilometres from the church village and covers several thousand hectares of varied landscape along the river and in its surrounding area. The Vaikkojoki is a protected waterway about 50 kilometres long. It begins at Lake Vaikkojärvi in Juuka and flows into Kaavi municipality. The river and its surroundings offer opportunities for canoeing and fishing. The nature tourism area and the places in the church village offer different experiences: trails and landscapes across the wider municipality on one hand, and local history, lakeshore and ski trails on the other.

Choose accommodation to suit your travel plans

When looking for accommodation in Kaavi, it helps to start by prioritising the experiences you have planned. If your focus is on the local heritage museum, church site, beach and ski trails, you can use the church village as a starting point for your search. If you are also planning trips to the Juutila Foundry Museum, Telkkämäki or the Vaikkojoki area, include those destinations in your plans too. The distance of about 30 kilometres refers to the Vaikkojoki nature tourism area and the church village. Accommodation availability and amenities depend on the individual property.

Discover more destinations: Tuusniemi, Varpaisjärvi, Säviä, Kuopio, Lapinlahti, Vehmersalmi, Tuusjärvi and Kiuruvesi.

Frequently asked questions about Kaavi

Where is the Eloaitta Local Heritage Museum?

The local heritage museum is in Kaavi’s church village, in a granary completed in 1845.

What ski trails are there in the church village?

Peltolatu is about 1.6 kilometres long. There is also a groomed 3-kilometre trail for classic and skate skiing, as well as an illuminated 5-kilometre ski trail and fitness route.

Can I visit the Juutila Foundry Museum without an appointment?

The museum in Vehkalahti is open by appointment, so plan your visit in advance rather than dropping in spontaneously.

What does the Vaikkojoki area offer?

The nature tourism area is about 30 kilometres from the church village. You can hike and cycle there; the Vaikkojoki and its surroundings offer opportunities for canoeing and fishing.

For the regional travel overview: North Savo.