recommended route
Kalliojoki canoeing route 33 km, Kuhmo Finland
Canoeing
· Arctic Lakeland Kainuu
-
Canoeing on the riverPhoto: Urpo Piirainen, CC BY-ND, Eräpiira
The Kalliojoki canoeing route, which starts from the Iso-Palonen nature reserve, is a river and lake route that offers great wilderness experiences, where smaller rapids follow one another.
moderate
Distance 33.2 km
8:00 h
1 m
1 m
206 m
155 m
The Kalliojoki canoeing route strings together a wonderful combination of river rapids and lakes in Kuhmo. Just outside the eastern border of the Iso-Palonen nature reserve, at the western end of Lake Iso-Palonen, the Kalliojoki canoe route runs through 16 samller rapids ending in Lentua. From here the water route connection continues either as the so-called Sotkamo route (Sotkamon reitti) or Tar route (Tervareitti). The trail is an all-summer canoeing trail with easy rapids and stream as well as lake sections. The river sections between the lakes of the trail are short and the rapids follow one after another. The hight difference between the starting point at Iso-Palonen and the end at Lentua is 21 meters. The route runs almost all the way through uninhabited wilderness area. Only the small village Kauronkylä and the region around Kattilakoski are somewhat inhabited. There are several lean-tos and campfire sites along the route to take breaks.
Author’s recommendation
The waterways of the route are part of the water connection between the Gulf of Bothnia and the White Sea, which has been in use since prehistoric times.
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
206 m
Lowest point
155 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
- Plan your canoeing tours according to your own skills
- Rule of thumb: a calm paddling speed is about 4 kilometers per hour (not flowing water)
- The difficulty level of the rapids varies - it is advisable to check out the best paddle way from the shore beforehand
- Safety instructions for paddlers
- Valid warnings for land and sea areas
- In an emergency, call 112
Tips and hints
If you want to paddle even further, you can combine the route with the Lentua canoeing route or paddle to Kuhmo on the Tar route (Tervareitti).Start
Matokangas parking area - Matokankaan pysäköintialue (192 m)
Coordinates:
DD
64.323498, 30.046985
DMS
64°19'24.6"N 30°02'49.1"E
UTM
36W 357273 7136379
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Destination
Lentiirantie 2766, 88900 Kuhmo
Turn-by-turn directions
The Kalliojoki canoeing route starts from Iso-Palonen Lake, where also the area's hiking routes start. On the Kalliojoki route, the river sections between the lakes are short and the rapids follow one after another. Between the starting point Iso-Palonen and the end at Lentua 21 Meters of hight difference are overcome. The river sections of the route are Saavanjoki, Juolunkajoki and Kalliojoki. The most significant rapids are Kalastonkoski, Lohikoski, Nurronkoski, Poronkoski, Törmäkoski, Pystykoski and Kattilakoski. The Kalliojoki route is best suited for canoeing and there is a launching site at the western end of Lake Iso-Palonen. Regarding the route, the difficulty level is I - III depending on the rapids (16 rapids before Lentua). Most of the rapids are classified as category 1, ie easy. Still, their degree of difficulty varies, and at longer rapids, it’s advisable to check an appropriate paddling route in advance from the shore. You can end your canoeing trip at Lentiirantie (Road number 912), at Sumsa Bridge (parking area) or paddle all the way to Lentua.
Note
all notes on protected areas
Public transport
No public transport.Getting there
The Iso-Palonen - Maariansärkät Nature Reserve is located in the northeastern part of Kuhmo near the Russian border.
By Car
- From the centre of Kuhmo, take the Kuhmo - Suomussalmi road (No. 912) and drive for 35 km. Turn right (to the east) to a forest road leading to Iso-Palonen. Drive for about 8 km and you will find signposts to the parking areas of the hiking trails. The parking areas are the Matokangas parking area on the western side of Lake Iso-Palonen and the Valkeiskangas parking area on the northeastern side of Lake Iso-Palonen.
- The forest road leading to Iso-Palonen is not ploughed in winter.
- If you begin from Kylmänsärkät, drive from the centre of Kuhmo on road Kuhmo - Suomussalmi (No. 912) for 30 km and turn right (to the east) to the road Viiksimontie (No. 9122). The starting point is found after about 25 km.
Parking
The parking areas are Matokangas parking area on the west side of Iso-Palonen and Valkeiskangas parking area on the northeast side of Iso-Palonen.
The parking areas have signboards in Finnish, English and Russian.
Coordinates
DD
64.323498, 30.046985
DMS
64°19'24.6"N 30°02'49.1"E
UTM
36W 357273 7136379
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Arrival by train, car, foot or bike
Book recommendation by the author
Information about the Nature Reserve area Iso-Palonen
Author’s map recommendations
Map of Iso-Palonen Nature Reserve
Equipment
Canoes and kayaks for rent, transport and guided excursions: Eräpiira/WildsPiira program services.
Related Offers
Canoeing
· Arctic Lakeland Kainuu
Self-guided canoeing and wilderness cabin holiday in Kuhmo, Finland
from €145.00
10 Days
This holiday is for you, who want away from the crowds and explore taiga forests on your own. First 4 - 7 days you paddle on our peaceful lakes or ...
Provider:
EräPiira-Wilds Piira
|
Source:
Outdoors Kainuu
Difficulty
moderate
Distance
33.2 km
Duration
8:00 h
Ascent
1 m
Descent
1 m
Highest point
206 m
Lowest point
155 m
Statistics
2D
3D
Maps and trails
- 6 Waypoints
- 6 Waypoints
Distance
km
Duration
: h
Ascent
m
Descent
m
Highest point
m
Lowest point
m
Questions and answers
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