Lentua lake paddling route, 19.5 km, Kuhmo

The launch site at the beginning of the route is located along the Kuhmo-Vartius road at the Isojoki bridge. The exact address is Lentiirantie 2172, 88900 Kuhmo. Using the ramp, you can reverse all the way to the shore, and you can leave your car at the parking spot next to the launch site. The paddling route heads west under the bridge and follows the Isojoki River to Lentua. Upon reaching Lentua and when paddling the route counterclockwise, it follows Syvänniemi shore northwest towards Multisaari. Continue along the side of Multisaari towards Kotasaari, where the route turns back west. About 4.5 kilometers of paddling will be behind you in Kotasaari, and the lean-to located in the bay offers a great place for a break. At the end of Kotasaari, there is a narrow channel, Vetokankangas, which is passable by paddling through. After Kotasaari, the route opens up on the Lentua open water and continues west towards Lehtosaari and the Lehtosaari wilderness hut, where you can also spend the night. On the approximately 1.5 kilometer-long Järvi open water, it can be windy, so make use of the wind shelter provided by Tynisaari or Varissalo if needed. The main attraction of the old fishermen’s hut converted to a wilderness hut in Lehtosaari is the traditional lakeside sauna on the shore. In strong winds from the south or southwest, the route can be returned via the inbound route. After the Lehtosaari islands, the route heads south if the winds allow and then turns east after Varisniemi, following the shores of Varissalo island. After about 6 kilometers of paddling, Honkisaari offers a good place for a break at the wilderness hut. The final part of the route continues east either on the south or north side of Varpusaari back towards the mouth of Isojoki and the starting point.