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· Arctic Lakeland Kainuu
Kainuu Tar route water trekking route 180 km, 3 stages, Kainuu
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Lentiirajärvi, KuhmoPhoto: Fadecreative, CC BY-ND, Outdoors Kainuu
The Kainuu Tar Route water trekking route leads from the upper waters of Kuhmo through Sotkamo to Kajaani, covering a total distance of over 180 km through unique wilderness and stunning lake landscapes.
Tar used to be Finland’s most important export product. In Kainuu, tar burning flourished in the 19th century, when Oulu rose to become one of the world’s largest tar ports. The peak of tar production was in 1865, when the area was the world’s center of tar burning.
Tar burning was hard and rough work. Around 40-50 barrels of tar (1 barrel = 125 liters) were obtained from a single tar pit. The tar was mainly transported to the Oulu tar yard for sale by rowing boats. A long and narrow tar boat, called palta, could carry just over 20 tar barrels at once. The round trip lasted about 2-3 weeks.
The tar trade began to decline at the end of the 19th century as the value of forests increased and at the same time the era of iron ships began.
After steamboats appeared in the late 19th century, waterways were still the best routes. People had traveled by waterways in Kainuu for thousands of years. The Kainuu Tar Route follows an ancient waterway between Viena and Oulu, through which, among others, the Bjarmians made their trade trips westward. The history of Kainuu’s settlement is largely a history of waterways.
Nowadays, water routes serve recreational use, providing experiences for travelers.
Author’s recommendation
The entire route can be paddled at once or in stages.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
- The route is suitable for experienced paddlers as a trekking destination.
- Note that this route passes through extended sections of wilderness.
- The lake sections include wind-exposed areas which may cause waves.
- The paddling route should be planned according to your own skills. On lake sections, paddle close to the shore and scout rapids from the shore in advance.
- There may be some motorboat traffic in summer. Paddlers must give way to other water traffic.
- Wear a life jacket while paddling and preferably paddle near the shore.
- Secure all equipment well to the canoe, preferably in a packing bag or container.
- Pack waterproof first aid supplies, spare clothing, and matches with you.
- Pack a waterproof phone and power bank.
- It is safest to travel on the water with a buddy or group, especially if unfamiliar with the water area.
- Check weather forecasts before a paddling trip. Note wind direction and strength on open lakes.
- Bring spare clothes as well as snacks and drink; there are often no opportunities to replenish supplies on the route.
- Bring sufficient clean drinking water and/or water purification tools. Refill your water supply whenever possible.
- Each paddler makes their own route choices and decisions regarding rapids at their own risk. The situation must be assessed on site based on observations and relative to skills.
- If you get into trouble on your trip, call 112 and make an emergency call—use the 112 app.
Tips and suggestions
Kayaks and canoes can be inquired for example at:
Roadbook
The Kainuu Tar Route water trekking route is divided into three stages.
Stage 1 Änätti - Kuhmo
- 4 days
- Wilderness lakes and easy rapids.
- Portages assisted by rails to ease transfers.
- Two wilderness huts, one with a sauna.
- Lentua Nature Reserve.
Stage 2 Kuhmo - Sotkamo
- 3 days
- Easy rapids and magnificent lakes.
- Bypasses of hydroelectric power plants.
- Maze-like waters.
Stage 3 Sotkamo - Kajaani
- 2 days
- Lakes and fell landscapes of Sotkamo and Vuokatti.
- Big Nuasjärvi and versatile resting places on Rehjansaari.
Sääskenniemen veneenlaskuluiska ja lähtöpaikka, Änättijärvi, Kuhmo
Laajanlahden melonnan lähtöpaikka, Lentiira, Kuhmo
The Änättikoski rapid, Lentiira Kuhmo
Änättikoski covered fireplace, Kuhmo Finland
The Church of Lentiira, Kuhmo
Käntinsalmen veneranta ja veneenlaskupaikka, Lentiira Kuhmo
Monument of the Church of the Axe People, Lentiira Kuhmo
Lentiira Holiday Village
Rytäniemi lean-to, Kuhmo Finland
Ränkänsaari, autiotupa, Iivantiira Kuhmo
Vuonteenkoski rapid, Kuhmo Finland
Vuoteenkoski lean-to, Kuhmo Finland
Nivan virrat, Kuhmo
Kaarneenkoski rapid, Kuhmo Finland
Ukonsaari lean-to, Kuhmo Finland
Huuhkajanlampi-Juttua boat portage railway, Kuhmo Finland
Vitikkosaari Island boat towing track, Kuhmo Finland
Vetotaival fireplace, Lentua Nature Reserve, Kuhmo Finland
Lehtosaari wilderness hut, Lentua Kuhmo Finland
Lehonnenä fireplace, Lentua Nature Reserve, Kuhmo Finland
Kaarneenkoski rapid boat towing track, Kuhmo Finland
Selkäsaari lean-to, Lentua Nature Reserve, Kuhmo Finland
Kallioniemi lena-to, Lentua Nature Reserve, Kuhmo Finland
Lentuan veneluiska ja -ranta, Kuhmo
Lentuankoski rapids, barrier-free nature and fishing site, Kuhmo Finland
Lentuankoski rapid boat portage railway, Kuhmo Finland
Lentuankoski rapids lean-to, Kuhmo Finland
Lentuankosken Camping Area
Maakunnanranta, Kuhmo
Pajakkasuvannon melontalaituri, Kuhmo
Pajakkakoski rapids möljä, Kuhmo Finland
Pajakkakoski accessible rapids fishing site, Kuhmo Finland
Pajakkakoski Suvanto lean-to, Kuhmo Finland
Akonkoski rapid, Kuhmo Finland
Saarikoski rapid, Kuhmo Finland
Paloniemen veneranta, Kuhmo
Ylä-Honkinen lean-to on the island Ontojärvi, Kuhmo Finland
Ärjä grilling hut, Lake Ontojärvi, Kuhmo Finland
Katerman veneranta ja melonnan rantautumispaikka, Kuhmo
Katerman Suituan melontalähtö (voimalaitoksen alapuolinen), Kuhmo
Kallioisen yläpuolinen veneluiska, Sotkamo
Kallioisen alapuolinen Kiikarilammen rantautumispaikka, Sotkamo
Ontojoen Kurikkalahden veneranta ja veneenlaskuluiska, Sotkamo
Ontojoen Kurikkalahden venerannan laavu, Sotkamo
Lehtosaaren laavu Kiimasjärvi, Sotkamo
Aholanrannan laavu, Sotkamo
Kaitainsalmen veneenlaskupaikka, Sotkamo
Eskonsaari lean-to, Sotkamo Finland
Sotkamo marina, Sotkamo Finland
Sotkamon venesataman esteetön melontalaituri, Sotkamo
Hirvenniemen tankkauslaituri, Sotkamo
Yrittäjäpuiston uima- ja veneranta, Sotkamo
Hirvenniemen veneenlaskupaikka, Sotkamo
Tenetin uimaranta- ja laituri, Vuokatti - Sotkamo
Tikkalansalmen esteetön melontalaituri, Vuokatti Sotkamo
Naapurinvaaran venesataman esteetön kota, Sotkamo - Vuokatti
Naapurivaaran Lomakeskuksen venelaituri ja ranta, Vuokatti-Sotkamo
Kaarreniemi lean-to shelter, Vuokatti Finland
Rural tourism Niemelä holiday cottages, Vuokatti - Sotkamo
Rehjansaaren laavu, Kajaani
Rehjansaaren Kummelinniemen keittokatos, Kajaani
Rehjansaaren uimaranta ja keittokatos, Kajaani
Rehjansaaren Telkännokan puolikota, Kajaani
Rehjansaaren Kuuselan puolikota, Kajaani
Rehjansaaren Kuuselan tulentekopaikka, Kajaani
Rehjansaaren Sosiaalistenniemen keittokatos, Kajaani
Rehjansaaren Sosiaalistenniemen tulentekopaikka, Kajaani
Petäisenniska fire place
Kuurna kajak boat house
Kesäniemen melontalaituri ja rantautumispaikka, Kajaani
Public transport
There is no public transport to the start point at Lentiira’s Änättijärvi. There is regular bus service between the centers of Kajaani, Sotkamo, and Kuhmo.
Get Timetable to destination
Directions
Starting point: guidance to the shore at Lentiirantie 4699, western shore of the lake.
Parking
Free parking available by the shore.
Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Author’s map recommendations
Equipment
The route can be navigated by canoe and kayak and mostly also by smaller boats, e.g., rowboats (which are light enough to be carried).
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Weather at the starting point
Statistics
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