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Hevossaari/Pöyhölänniemi melontareitti

—•Kayaking Routes

17.8 km

Route

Description

City of Kajaani – Kajaanin melontareitit+

Description

Hevossaari/Pöyhölänniemi melontareitti is a point-to-point paddle of about 17.8 km on Lake Oulujärvi in Kajaani, Kainuu. On our map it runs from Hevossaaren melontalaituri on Hevossaari across Paltaselkä toward Pöyhölänniemi on the eastern shore, with a natural pause at Selkä-Honkisen suojasatama early in the trip and a beach and boat-launch cluster at Pöyhölänniemi at the finish. The City of Kajaani publishes regional paddling hubs, brochures, and links to water-trail materials for planning trips on Oulujärvi. Metsähallitus describes the Oulujärvi hiking area as a large-lake paddling environment with islands, landing places, and services—useful background for open-water legs on this line. Yle reports on Kajaani paddling and notes that Oulujärvi is beautiful but weather-sensitive: check forecasts, expect big water and wind-built chop on the selät, and treat skills and safety accordingly. Minne melomaan?’s long-form notes on Oulujärvi stress long fetches, shallow water amplifying waves, and the need for experience and not paddling alone on big-lake days. At the start, Hevossaaren melontalaituri pairs with the short Paltaniemi / Hevossaari melontareitti if you want to stage from Paltaniemen uimaranta and parking first. About 1.5 km into this route you pass Selkä-Honkisen suojasatama on Selkä-Honkinen—a sheltered harbour stop on the way across Paltaselkä. The middle section is open lake: plan crossings with wind direction, stay within your group’s comfort in swell, and keep shore options in mind. Toward the end, Pöyhölänniemen uimapaikka and Pöyhölänniemen Veneenlaskupaikka sit together at Pöyhölänniemi for swimming, hauling out, or meeting a shuttle. The separate Pöyhölänniemen melontareitti is a short local loop that shares the same landing area if you want an extra lap after the main crossing. The longer Jormualta Paltamoon kayaking route also meets this shore at Pöyhölänniemi for multi-day planners linking toward Paltamo. Respect private shores, use a life jacket, and carry communication and spare clothing in dry bags. Commercial traffic and recreational motorboats may be present on Oulujärvi—give way and stay visible.

Length & route

The route is about 17.8 km as one continuous line on our map. It is a point-to-point crossing of Paltaselkä from Hevossaari to Pöyhölänniemi, not a loop. There are no portages on the mapped water line. Open-water distances and shallow shores on Oulujärvi can make landing tricky in wind; plan crossings conservatively.

Getting there

Put in at Hevossaaren melontalaituri on Hevossaari (address context Hevossaari, 87800 Kajaani). Take out at Pöyhölänniemen Veneenlaskupaikka or the adjacent Pöyhölänniemen uimapaikka on Pöyhölänniementie. For a two-vehicle or shuttle plan, free parking beside the beach access is typical at Paltaniemen uimaranta if you also use the short Paltaniemi–Hevossaari link—Satamatie 19 area with parking on the right descending toward the shore. Confirm access and any local parking rules before leaving a car at either end.

Good to know

Wear a life jacket, pack weather-appropriate spare layers, and monitor wind forecasts on Oulujärvi. Respect private shorelines and everyman’s rights when landing or camping. If you fish from the kayak, Eräluvat’s area page for Oulujärvi state waters explains when you need a regional permit in addition to the national fishing management fee for eligible ages; product options and prices appear in the online shop.

Where to rent kayaks

Luonnollisesti Oulujärvi hires kayaks, canoes, SUP boards, and bikes in Kajaani; rental points include Rikulantie 10 (year-round by arrangement), Ärjänsaari summer kiosk (June–August), and Pyörteen tila on Rehjansaari (call ahead for hours). Example day rates for solo and tandem kayaks are listed on their equipment page. Kajaanin Latu runs courses and weekly paddles from Kuurna and posts contacts on their Melonta page. Paltamo Melontakeskus (Uimarannantie 1) hosts Oulujärven Melojat and uses its fleet for guided introductions; details on the Visit Kajaani Melontakeskus listing.

Guided tours & Experiences

Kajaanin Latu offers beginner courses (Meloja 1) and Tuesday evening paddles from Kuurna in season; see their Melonta page for registration and fees. Oulujärven Melojat operate from Paltamo Melontakeskus for club-led sessions and boat storage.

Managed by

Kajaani

Official Maintenance

08 6155 2555

Trail info

The mapped line runs from Hevossaari toward Pöyhölänniemi (northeast to eastward along Paltaselkä depending on exact track). You may paddle the leg in either direction if you arrange put-in and take-out accordingly; pick the direction that matches wind and shuttle plans.

Route direction

Recreation Area

Island

Lake

Open / Good Condition

Activities allowed

Kayak / Canoe

Activity

Terrain & conditions

17.8 km

Distance

Allow most of a summer day for an 18 km open-lake crossing with breaks; fit paddlers may complete the distance in roughly four to six hours in calm conditions, but add margin for wind and shuttle logistics.

Est. Time

Point-to-Point

Route Type

Lake Paddling

Water type

Yle – Oulujärvi melonta (Kajaani)+

Location

64.32381°N, 27.68389°E

Approximate location

FinlandCountry

KainuuRegion

KajaaniCity

Hevossaari – PöyhölänniemiVillage

Kayaking RoutesCategory

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Answers to your questions

Our data was researched from Kajaani, and other trusted sources, in March 2026. Our route / place GPX data comes from Metsähallitus / Lipas, last updated March 2026. Always check their official website for safety-critical updates.

Finland Kainuu Kajaani Kayaking RoutesHevossaari/Pöyhölänniemi melontareitti