Canoeing Routes

There are two paddlers in a canoe on one side of the picture. Two kayakers can be seen in the middle of the picture. The river shores are covered in forest.

Starting Points and Parking Areas for the Canoeing Routes

  • Savilampi parking area on the border of Salla and Kuusamo, at the end of a forest road. 
    The parking area has no official address, but it is located at the end of a forest road that branches off from Teeriahontie Road.
  • Parking area for the Könkään kuohu Trail, Mataraniemi (in the central part of the park, along Liikasenvaarantie Road)
    The parking area has no official address, but it is located at the end of a forest road that branches off from Liikasenvaarantie Road (Liikasenvaarantie 138, Kuusamo).

Other Maps

Oulanka National Park Map © Parks and Wildlife Finland

Oulanka provides you with outstanding opportunities for canoeing. You can canoe along both of the rivers that run through the national park: the River Oulankajoki and the River Kitkajoki. Further information on the canoeing routes, the services and water safety is available in the Canoeing Guide on the River Oulankajoki (julkaisut.metsa.fi). It is sold at the visitor centres.

Lower Part of the River Oulankajoki: Mataraniemi – Jäkälämutka, 25 km

Available in June‒October, in the period of unfrozen waters. Estimated travel time 5‒7 h. Suitable for beginners and families with children
Category: easy. 

This canoeing route is suitable for families with children and for novice canoeists, as, apart from the short stretches of strongly flowing waters, there are no rapids. The route ends at the Jäkälämutka pool of quiet waters where you can find a canoe launching site. A rope prevents you from entering the state border zone.

Two happy paddlers in a canoe coming towards the camera. Lush vegetation can be seen on the shore behind the canoe.

Starting Point
Mataraniemi / the parking area for the Könkään kuohu Trail (in the central part of the park, along Liikasenvaarantie Road).

Services
Ansakämppä (open wilderness hut), the lean-to shelters in the Sirkkapuro and Alaniemi areas, the campfire sites in the Kiutaköngäs and Nurmisaarenniemi areas. The Karhunkierros Trail runs along the riverbank, all the way to Ansaoja (6 km from the starting point).

The canoe launching sites are located at Nurmisaarenniemi (a campfire site) and at Jäkälämutka (Jäkälämutka is not part of the Oulanka National Park).

Sights
The herb-rich forests on the shores of the Purkuputaanoja stream and at the mouth of the Merenoja stream, the sandy shores of the River Oulankajoki.  

Further Information
A description (in Finnish) of the River Oulankajoki at the Kuusamon koskimelojat website (koskimelojat.blogspot.fi).

A kayaker in the middle of a river. There is a tall sandy riverbank in the background with coniferous forest growing on top.


 

Upper Part of the River Oulankajoki: Savilampi – Oulanka Visitor Centre, 13 km

Available in June‒October, in the period of unfrozen waters. Estimated travel time 2‒4 h. Suitable for experienced canoeists.
Category: intermediate demanding. Rapids scale: I-IV

The first part of the canoeing route runs in between the rugged cliff walls and the final part meanders peacefully in the landscape of flood meadows. From the Savilampi Open Wilderness Hut, you can walk to see the Oulanka Canyon. You must bypass the Taivalköngäs Rapids by land. The route has sections of fairly short rapids, so it is meant for experienced canoeists.

Starting Point
The Savilampi parking area on the border of Salla and Kuusamo, at the end of a forest road.

Services
The Savilampi and Taivalköngäs Open Wilderness Huts, the Runsulampi campfire site. The canoe launching sites are located by the Savilampi Open Wilderness Hut, the Taivalköngäs Open Wilderness Hut and at the Runsulampi camping site.

Sights
Oulanka Canyon, the Taivalköngäs Rapids

Further Information
A description (in Finnish) of Canoeing Route Savilampi ‒ Oulanka Visitor Centre at the Kuusamon koskimelojat website (koskimelojat.blogspot.fi).