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Thematic Trail
· Kuhmo
Pajakkakoski rapid trail 1 km, demanding accessible, Kuhmo
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Pajakkakoski rapids foam, KuhmoPhoto: Sari Rusanen, CC BY-ND, Kuhmofestival
Kainuu's largest free-flowing rapid, Pajakkakoski, roars near the center of Kuhmo. Along the fast-flowing rapid runs an easy-to-walk rapid trail.
The Pajakkakoski is just under half a kilometer long and is a popular destination near the town center. In addition to enjoying outdoor activities and nature, the rapid is a popular fishing spot offering opportunities especially for trout and grayling bites. Fishing at the rapid requires a separate permit. At the rapid, you may also encounter birdwatchers or those enjoying adventure services as rapid guides.
The rapid trail starting from the Pappila parking area north of the bridge is an easy-to-walk route, which depending on the direction, first runs along a wide gravel path in the riverside forest or on an accessible boardwalk structure built on top of the dam (a stone structure dividing the rapid). Along the route, there is also a shelter and benches for breaks. After the rapid section, a narrower nature trail continues to the Suvanto lean-to, about one kilometer away, where you can enjoy refreshments by the campfire. The lean-to is also accessible by car and has a parking area next to it.
See the route accessibility description on the Accessibility tab.
Author’s recommendation
The rapid trail is part of the Kuhmo cultural promenade, which loops more widely around the landscapes of Lammasjärvi and Pajakkakoski as well as the streets of the center.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Safety information
The boardwalk and stones by the rapid's edge can be slippery, especially when wet.
In winter, the path is often packed down, but the route is not maintained.
Roadbook
There are guide signs along the entire route. When traveling clockwise, from the parking area head towards the shore and the walking and fishing pier that runs on a stone structure. The pier runs on top of the stone structure dividing the rapid for about 500 meters. At about 350 meters, the route crosses the dam and the frozen water section of the shore via a wooden walking bridge. The walking bridge leads through a shelter onto a gravel-surfaced path along the riverbank, which rises to the light traffic route of Hyryntie and along it back to the starting point.
Pajakkakoski Suvanto lean-to, Kuhmo Finland
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
There are several daily bus connections from Kajaani, Sotkamo, and Vuokatti to Kuhmo. Check schedules on the Matkahuolto website.
Get Timetable to destination
Directions
About one kilometer from Kuhmo center along Hyryntie (no. 900) towards Hyrynsalmi. The Pappila parking area is north of the bridge.
Parking
Pappila parking area, Hyryntie 24, 88900 Kuhmo.
Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Book recommendations for this region:
Reasonably usable, but not completely accessible.
Arrival and parking
The parking area for the route is located at Hyryntie 24. There are no signs guiding to the parking place at Hyryntie. There are no designated accessible parking spaces in the parking area. The same car park is also used for escorted transport. The parking area has a flat gravel/stone surface. The trail starts at the edge of the parking area. At the starting point there is an information sign about fishing. There is no separate signage for the route. A rest area will be built near the trailhead in 2022, but was not ready at the time of mapping.
Accessibility description of the route
The route is classified as a demanding accessible route. The route is a circular trail, described here in a clockwise direction. The recommended direction of rotation for users of assistive devices is counter-clockwise. The route is signposted but not waymarked. The surface material of the route in the terrestrial areas is solid gravel/stone ash with a width of 1,2 m. The 95 cm wide wooden duckboard and fishing pier on the stone structure is boarded lengthwise with board spacing of about 0.5 cm. The platform has a protective border but no railings. The longitudinal gradient of the route is up to 23% on land and 15% on the duckboards. The maximum lateral gradient on the platform is 8 %. There are no significant lateral gradients on land.
The gravel track at the beginning of the route is flat, but narrows before the footbridge and fishing pier due to grassing. The descent to the pier is about 20 m, with a maximum gradient of 15 % for a short distance. After this, the duckboards and fishing pier continues flat for 450 m to the end of the stone structure. This section of the pier features two seated passing/resting areas with an operating width of 1.6 metres. At the end of the duckboards there is a platform 1.5 m wide and 2 m long to allow turning with a wheelchair/assistive device. The end of the platform does not have a protective border.
From the pier to the gravel path you get via a wooden bridge that is located about 350 m from the starting point. The bridge is also 95 cm wide. It has guard rails on both sides, but no protective border. At the end of the bridge there is a 3 m long ramp to a wooden shelter with a slope of 10 %. A ramp of about 2 m in length with a gradient of 10 % leads from the shelter to the shore path. One side of the ramp has a guardrail and the other a protective border.
After the bridge, the pebbled ash track leading back to the starting point is wide and flat. Before Hyryntie street, the track rises steeply for about 25 m and has a maximum gradient of 23 %. The route returns along the Hyryntie street pedestrian and cycling path back to the car park.
Rest area and other destinations
There is no rest area with a fire pit on the route. There is a spacious shelter halfway along the route. The table in the wooden shelter is accessible by wheelchair, but the table top is significantly too high. A fixed bench runs along the walls of the shelter.
Completely accessible and fully usable.
Things to note in addition to the general accessibility description of the route
There is no advance material in sign language produced for the route.
Reasonably usable, but not completely accessible.
Things to note in addition to the general accessibility description of the route
No prior information has been produced for the route in Braille.
The route signposts have good colour contrast.
Access to the lean-to is limited due to the sloping roof.
The lack of colour contrast makes it difficult to use the constructions of the route.
No protective border at the turning point of the wooden platform.
Completely accessible and fully usable.
Things to note in addition to the general accessibility description of the route
No advance material in plain language has been produced for the route.
In terms of length and clarity, the route is safe but the absence of guard rails in the river section should be taken into account.
Equipment
Normal outdoor clothing and footwear.
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
User Questions