Discover Paakkila

Paakkila is a destination for travelers interested in mining history and distinctive dive sites. At the former asbestos open-pit mine, different types of diving come together with notable underwater features. For a diving visit, access requirements are just as important as the sights. The proximity to two large bodies of water and the landscape around the village are also useful for getting your bearings.

Location and surroundings

The village of Paakkila stretches along both sides of the main road. It is located on Highway 9, about halfway between Kuopio and Joensuu. Paakkila can be reached by boat, car, seaplane, snowmobile, on foot, or by bicycle.

Paakkila is close to the large bodies of water Rikkavesi and Juojärvi. The water at Paakkilan uimaranta beach is clear and the bottom is sandy. The terrain around Susijärvi and Tulikallio is hilly. These local landscape features help with orientation between the lakes, the beach, and the hilly terrain.

Mining history

Anthophyllite asbestos was mined in Paakkila. The village was a lively mining community before the asbestos mined there began to harm people’s lives. The asbestos open-pit mine is closed and has been reclaimed. The documentary “Asbestikylä” was filmed in Paakkila in autumn 1977, two years after the asbestos mine closed. These milestones make the mining past an important part of the village’s history.

Diving at the Paakkila open-pit mine

Scuba diving, cave diving, and freediving are listed as suitable activities at the Paakkila open-pit mine. A permit from the private landowner is required for dives. Local diving clubs have a permit valid until further notice; divers arriving from farther away must notify the owner of their arrival. Confirm access and your arrival directly with the owner before diving.

Underwater attractions include a railway carriage, a car, and a motorcycle. Another distinctive feature is the opening of a mine shaft that extends deep underground from the edge of the open-pit mine. Guide lines run between the attractions and help with orientation. This describes both individual notable objects and an underwater navigation aid.

The Paakkila open-pit mine is about 30 meters deep at the center, and visibility can reach up to 20 meters. The entrance to a tunnel is at a depth of 28 meters. The tunnel leads to a smaller open-pit mine about 160 meters away; its cave entrance is at a depth of 15 meters. These depth figures therefore refer to different points: the center of the body of water, the tunnel entrance, and the cave entrance in the smaller open-pit mine.

Facilities at the open-pit mine

There is a shelter and a fire pit on the edge of the larger open-pit mine. A reasonable amount of wood may be burned there. An information board with a map of the mine is next to the fire pit. A sturdy concrete platform with benches is available for putting on diving equipment. There is also a dry toilet; divers should bring toilet paper or litter. These facilities and tips give you practical information for planning a diving visit.

Discover more destinations: Kaavi, Pörsänmäki, Tuusniemi, Sonkajärvi, Airaksela, Nilsiä, Siilinjärvi, Varkaus.

For the regional travel overview: North Savo.