Kainuu Tar route / Stage 1: Änätti - Kuhmo town centre 70 km

Daily stages (this is an example - you can plan a more precise rhythm according to your wishes and skills)

Day 1: Änättijärvi - Lentiira holiday village (10 km)

• Alternative starting point at the north end of Lentiirajärvi / Laajanlahti paddling starting point (daily distance 12 km), route description Paddling through Lentiirajärvi. 
• Alternative starting point on the eastern shore of Änättijärvi / Vartius village shore and boat ramp (daily distance 16 km)

The route starts from Sääskenniemi shore. Sääskenniemi has a fine sandy beach, an impressive fireplace spot, and a boat ramp by the shore. At first, paddle about three kilometers south on Änättijärvi's Niskanselkä. It is advisable to paddle near the western shore. At the southern end of the lake, you will encounter Änättikoski. It is popular among fishermen. Midway through the rapid, on the west side shore, there is a covered fireplace spot.

The rapid is paddlable only during high water levels.

ÄNÄTTIKOSKI:

• Rapid classification II, length 600 m, drop height 7.4 m.
• Must be pre-checked! The rapid is rocky and fast.
• Bypass on the right shore (fishermen's paths).

AITTOKOSKI:

• After the pool, rapid classification I, length 160 m, drop height 1.5 m.

After the river and rapid section (total about 2.5 km), you arrive at Lentiirajärvi. On the lake, turn towards the south, and soon after Melaniemi, Lentiira church can be seen on the east shore along with Kääntinsalmi bridge ahead. 

After the bridge, it is possible to land at Kääntinsalmi boat landing. 

From here, continue southwest between Sutelanniemi and Katiskaniemi. West of Sutelanniemi along the shore is Lentiira's Kirveskansa church memorial and an old cemetery. 

Soon after this, you reach Petäjäniemi and Lentiira holiday village. 

Day 2: Lentiira holiday village - Ränkänsaari wilderness hut (15 km)

From Lentiira holiday village, paddle first on Lentiirajärvi towards the west. After just under three kilometers, the lake narrows into the Lentiira river. The river is wide and calm, about two kilometers long. 

This is followed by three small lakes and somewhat narrower water areas between them. First Autiojärvi, then Tervajärvi, and finally Puhakanjärvi, whose northern shore hosts Rytäniemi lean-to - about 9 km from the start of the daily stage. The lean-to shore is rocky. 

From Rytäniemi, the route continues as a sheltered lake route passing through small lakes: Patojärvi, Hirsijärvi, Kotijärvi, and Aidasjärvi. The lakes are intricate with several peninsulas and small islands. The shores are mostly private property. Before Aidasjärvi, you pass under Salmela highway bridge, after which the final point of the day's stage, Ränkänsaari, is visible.

Ränkänsaari wilderness hut is located on the island's west shore. Landing is easiest through the sheltered bay on the west side. The southern shore is rocky. 

Day 3: Ränkänsaari wilderness hut - Lehtosaari wilderness hut (25 km)

From Ränkänsaari, the route continues to Iivantiirajärvi towards the south. Iivantiira is a larger lake with two open waters connected by the Hiekkalansalmi strait. Before the strait are several small islands that can serve as wind shelters. 

Soon after Hiekkalansalmi, the route splits into eastern and western options. 

Eastern route option - Juttuanjärvi (more wilderness-like - daily distance about 25 km)

After Hiekkalansalmi, the route turns east toward the Hoikka-named strait. Before that, Keräsensaari island is passed. The long and narrow strait can channel wind and cause waves. 

After the strait, you arrive at Juttuanjärvi, whose northern end hosts Ukonsaari lean-to - about 12 km from the start of the daily stage. The lean-to is on the west shore. The shore is shallow and rocky. 

On Juttuanjärvi, paddle southeast for over 5 km. At the southern end of the lake, at Huuhkajankangas, is the route's first rail portage (vetotaival). The rails carry you about 600 meters to Huuhkajanlampi connected to Lentua. Note that the cart may be at the other end of the rails.

Huuhkajanlampi leads to Laukanjärvi, where the route continues east of Vitikkonsaari island towards the southeast. On Laukanjärvi, the route joins the Kalliojoki paddling route starting from the Iso-Palonen nature reserve. After Olkisalmi, still following the shores of Vitikkonsaari, the route turns west. Vitikkonsaari and Kotasaari are separated by the narrow isthmus Vetotaipale. In the middle of it is the namesake portage, about 200 meters long (no rails).

On the west shore of Vetotaipale is a beautiful, long sandy beach and the Vetotaipale fireplace spot.

From Vetotaipale, it is only about 3 kilometers to the Lehtosaari wilderness hut. The hut is situated on the southern shore of a small island, with a beautiful sandy beach. The sauna by the shore rewards the day.

Alternatively, from Laukanjärvi, you can also circle Vitikkonsaari north and west to Lentua or circle Vitikkonsaari and Kotasaari south. At Kotasaari's southeast end is a lean-to. Between Kotasaari and Varissalo island is a narrow, dug waterway (even though the name is Vetokannas).

Western route option - Niva (settlements and rapids - daily distance about 22 km)

After Hiekkalansalmi of Iivantiirajärvi, the route follows the lake's west shores southwards towards the village of Niva. Before Niva, you pass a low, beautiful ridge running through the lake. In Niva, it is possible to land at the Iivantiirajärvi side Onkilahden boat landing. 

Water from Kuhmo's Lentiira and Iivantiira rivers flow to Lentua via Niva rapids. At the village, there is a small, straightforward rapid (niva). A highway bridge crosses over it. After Isovirta and Pienivirta, the route continues via Tolpanlampi towards Vuonteenkoski. 

VUONTEENKOSKI

Vuonteenkoski is a 170-meter long, straight and narrow rapid. On its southern shore is a fish farm facility, where access is not permitted.

• Rapid classification I, easy. Length 125 m, drop height 1.4 m.
• The drop channel is near a stony shallows area on the right side.
• The rapid can be bypassed via the shallows.

Just after the rapid in the pool area is Vuonteenkoski lean-to. 

From Vuonteenkoski, the route continues through the small Niskajärvi lake. The water flows towards Kaarneenkoski, but travelers should head towards the Kaarneenkoski portage located at the southern end of the lake. The portage rails take you about 200 meters to the shore of Lehmisalmi in Lentua. 

KAARNEENKOSKI

Kaarneenkoski is an approximately 200-meter very difficult and fast-flowing rapid, with a drop height of 4.2 meters. The lean-to on its shore primarily serves fishermen. NOTE: There is a fish farm on the north shore, and access is prohibited.

• Rapid classification II-III. Length 200 m, drop height 4.1 m.
• Absolutely must be pre-checked! The rapid is fast and rocky.
• A low bridge at flood level prevents running the rapid.
• RECOMMENDATION: Bypass via the Kaarneenkoski portage.

After the Kaarneenkoski portage, you arrive at the northern waters of Lentua at the mouth of Lehmisalmi. Koponen lake is not very large and has islands and peninsulas providing wind shelter. From the portage, it is about 4.5 km to Lehonnenä rest stop on Salonsaari (gravel beach).

From Lehonnenä, continue through Lentua's Kotaselkä towards Lehtosaari. With a west wind, first paddle along the shore of Rytikkaarte's island. 

Kotaselkä is a large lake area sensitive to wind. The distance from Lehonnenä to the Lehtosaari wilderness hut shore is about 2.5 km. The hut is on the southern shore of a small island, with a beautiful sandy beach. The sauna on the shore rewards the day.

Lentua Nature Reserve presents Kuhmo’s largest unregulated lake and its rugged, wilderness-like nature.

Day 4: Lehtosaari wilderness hut - Kuhmo town centre (20 km)

From Lehtosaari wilderness hut, the route continues across Lentua towards Lentuankoski located on its southern shore. Lentua is a large lake, and its southern open water is a wind-sensitive area. Plan your route considering wind direction and strength. In calm weather, you can head straight to Selkäsaaren lean-to, about 4 km paddling directly. In windier weather, it is better to seek shelter around Kuivatsaaret and Torvisaaret islands or even detour via the Varalahti bay and head from there to Kallioniemi's kota (distance about 5-6 km).

Selkäsaaren lean-to is located in the middle of Lentua’s southern open water. Overnighting is possible but it is advisable to carefully check the wind forecast for the next day. The lean-to is located in a bay on the island’s western edge. The sandy beach deepens quickly, making landing easy.

Kallioniemi’s semi-kota is on Lentua’s eastern shore. You can drop by here from Selkäsaaren on your way to Lentuankoski or come directly from Lehtosaari. 

LENTUANKOSKI

The famous Lentuankoski consists of two parts, Big Lentuankoski and Small Lentuankoski. Before the rapid on the east shore is Lentua boat landing, a launch site, and a rental kota with an outhouse. From here also starts the accessible Lentuankoski trail. After Big Lentuankoski, on the east shore, is Välisuvanto lean-to. 

Big Lentuankoski

• Rapid classification II, length 300 m, drop height 3.3 m.
• Must be pre-checked!
• Possibility to bypass by portage.
• Large waves at the top. The drop channel is on the left near shallows, and narrow in the lower part when the water is low.

Small Lentuankoski

• Rapid classification I, length 400 m, drop height 1.8 m.
• Rocky shallows on the right side with a boat drag channel beside it.
• Run downstream with the main current. Stay inside on the right-turning curve at the end. At high water, it tends to push against the rocky shallows.

To ease bypassing Big Lentuankoski, a portage rail has been built on the west shore. The rails take you from the head of the rapid at Lentua lake to the Välisuvanto pool between rapids.

After Small Lentuankoski, on the east shore is Lentuankoski campsite. You can land at the river side boat landing or near the sauna pier.

After Lentuankoski rapids is the maze-like northern end of Lammasjärvi, Poroselkä. The route continues southwest towards Kuhmo town centre, about 7 km away. The route is relatively straightforward though has several peninsulas and islands. You can seek wind shelter from them.

In Kuhmo town centre, the stage ends at Maakunnanranta, which has a boat ramp and a canoe and guest boat dock.

In addition to the described landing places, landing is possible with everyman’s rights, but please consider shore housing. There is quite a lot of it in places, but also a great amount of uninhabited shores.