Kairijoki Services

Two smiling persons carrying a canoe at the river shore.

Customer Service and Guidance

Meals, Where to Buy and Prepare

The closest food stores are located in Savukoski and Tanhua village.

Campfire Sites, Cooking Shelters and Toilets

Along Kairijoki river there are several lean-to shelters and cooking shelters of Metsähallitus with firewood maintenance and composting dry toilets:

It is prohibited to light campfires even in the designated campfire sites if the wildfire warning is in effect. Check the current warnings (ilmatieteenlaitos.fi).

  • The prohibition does not apply to cooking shelters at Yläkairi, Vasasuvanto, and Saunavaara.
  • More information about lighting campfires can be found at Hiking in Finland.
  • The toilets in the area are composting dry toilets. Do not insert bottles, cans or any sort of waste in the toilets. The general guideline in the nature is to hike litter-free: take back with you everything you have brought along.

Drinking Water

Surface water of Kairijoki should be boiled for a couple of minutes before consumption, as the water quality may have variation in different areas and in relation to the water temperature. 
A kettle boiling over open fire.

Waste Maintenance

Compostable trash can be put into the dry toilet. Small amounts of paper and cardboard can be used to make a fire. Everything else you have brought should be also taken back. There are no waste maintenance in the area. Every hiker and fisher should take care of their own waste. Read more on Visitor guidelines and Outdoor Etiquette.

Overnight Stay and Other Services in the Area

In the Kairijoki area, visitors may camp on the lean-to shelters and in accordance with Everyman's Right elsewhere.

Kairijoen eräkeskus (Kairiver Oy, kairiver.com) offers cabin rental and a camping area for trailers.

In Savukoski there are several local companies offering accommodation. More information can be found from the Savukoski municipality tourism pages (korvatunturi.fi).

More information on the other nature destinations in Savukoski area can be found from Savukoski visitor center Korvatunturi. 
There are no accessible marked routes or services in Kairijoki area. 

Services Offered by Enterprises in Kairijoki Area

The following enterprises offer services in the Kairijoki area. They have a cooperation agreement with Metsähallitus and they follow the principles of sustainable nature tourism (metsa.fi) when operating in protected areas.

Savukoski Wilderness Rivers Brochure


(pdf 985 kb, julkaisut.metsa.fi)

112 Emergency Number

If you have an emergency during your trip, such as getting lost, injured or finding a wildfire, call 112. Read more detailed emergency instructions.

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Download the 112 Finland application (112.fi) to your phone. When an emergency call is made through the 112 Finland application, the emergency centre attendant is automatically informed of the caller's location.

It is recommended to keep the mobile phone warm and to bring extra food and water with you. There are many excursion locations with no mobile coverage and some mobile phones does not work in sub-zero temperatures, that is why it is always a good idea to let someone know about your itinerary and timetable.

Outdoor Etiquette

A cartoon picture of a family walking on a summer path.

1. Respect nature.

2. Mainly use marked trails.

3. Camp only where it is allowed.

4. Light your campfire only where it is allowed.

5. Do not litter.

Read more