A raging torrent surges through Imatra rapids soon after the dam is opened.

Back at the Finnish end of the canal, it’s well worth a detour to see the Imatra Rapids, the natural outlet of the whole Saimaa Lake system. Overlooked by the beautiful romantic-style Castle Hotel (Valtionhotelli), this spectacular rocky gorge has been a tourist attraction for more than two centuries.

Since the 1920s, the waters of the mighty River Vuoksi have been lucratively diverted through a nearby hydropower station, but huge sluice gates in the dam above the rapids are opened for 30 minutes daily on summer evenings to release the waters. “The bridge by the hotel is the best place to watch the water rushing out of the dam and on through the gorge,” says Pentti Miikki of Imatra Tourism Services, who organise the events. “We have to compensate the power company for the water we use, but it’s well worth it, as the rapids attract thousands of people to Imatra.”

Thrill-seekers can even ride a zip-line over the gorge to experience a unique form of rapid transit. The music played loudly through speakers on the bridge (Sibelius, Nightwish or Darude on alternating nights) seems a superfluous addition to the awesome natural spectacle of the raging rapids.

FRAN WEAVER - HT