Poet’s Way

The Poet's Way is a boat service that travels 135 kilometers across a linked system of lakes, canals, and waterways from Tampere to Virrat in central Finland. The route connects three major lakes through engineered waterways designed for passenger navigation during warmer months.

The route takes its name from poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg, who lived in Ruovesi during the 1800s and drew inspiration from these northern lakes. Steamship service later developed on these waterways as a vital transportation link for communities scattered across the region.

The route is named after the poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg, whose formative years in the region shaped his literary works. Travelers today experience the same waterways that inspired his writing and see how traditional lake navigation remains part of local life.

Boats depart from Laukontori harbor in central Tampere and operate during the summer season when the lakes are free of ice. Travelers should check local schedules ahead of time since service is tied to seasonal conditions.

A historic steamship called the S/S Tarjanne still operates along this route, representing a rare continuation of 20th-century steam navigation that has largely disappeared from other European waters. Passengers can ride aboard this working vessel and experience how travelers journeyed through these lakes decades ago.