The two main lakes of the Pälkäne area — Pälkänevesi to the north and Mallasvesi to the south — are connected by the Kostianvirta channel. Together they form a significant lake system in the Tampere region, popular for swimming, rowing, canoeing, and fishing. The water is clean enough for swimming from June through August, when temperatures reach around 20°C on warm summer days.
Boat hire is available in summer. The lakes are part of a larger network of waterways that connects to the Pyhäjärvi lake near Tampere. You can fish for pike, perch, and pike-perch (zander) throughout the fishing season. The shoreline is largely forested with summer cottages dotted around the banks; motor boats are restricted on some sections to preserve the quiet.