Rehjansaaren Melontareitti is about 8.9 km as a loop on Nuasjärvi near Kajaani in Kainuu, circling Rehjansaari from the Kuurna paddling base. It is a well-known local day trip that also works for an overnight if you use the island’s lean-tos and campfire sites. For route description, safety on open water, parking at Ku...
Visit Kajaani – Rehjansaaren melontareitti 9 km+
Description
Rehjansaaren Melontareitti is about 8.9 km as a loop on Nuasjärvi near Kajaani in Kainuu, circling Rehjansaari from the Kuurna paddling base. It is a well-known local day trip that also works for an overnight if you use the island’s lean-tos and campfire sites. For route description, safety on open water, parking at Kuurna, and links to the downloadable PDF map, Visit Kajaani’s Rehjansaaren melontareitti page is the clearest official overview. The City of Kajaani lists the same route among Kajaani paddling options and hosts the printable A4 map. Visit Kajaani’s Rehjansaari page adds detail on island services—free tent camping under everyman’s rights, firewood at wood sheds, two large kota-style lean-tos with dry toilets nearby, and recent upgrades to docks and cooking shelters.
From Kuurna melontalaituri the line crosses the lake toward Pukkisaari and continues along the shore toward Purnuniemi and Rehjansaari; you can paddle the island either way and land at several jetties. Most beaches are rocky; the eastern side has a sandy swimming beach. Mid-loop, around 3.5–4.5 km from the start, you pass Kuuselan kotalaavu and Telkännokan puolikota, then Rehjansaaren uimaranta ja keittokatos, Rehjansaari Camping, Rehjansaaren laavu and its jetty, Rehjansaaren laituri, Kummelin Tulipaikka, and Purnunniemen keittokatos—good clusters for a break, swim, or meal. Nearer the finish, Petäisenniskan venesatama and the Petäisenniska boat ramp and fireplace sit close to the north shore before you close the loop at Kuurna melontalaituri.
Rehjanselkä is exposed to wind and chop can build quickly; summer motorboat traffic is possible—give way and stay near shore in a life jacket. Paddle with a partner or group if you are new to the area, check wind forecasts, pack spare clothes and a phone in a dry bag. From Rehjansaari you can extend north toward Kuluntalahti or south toward Venäänniemi or Karankalahti on separate trips described on the same pages. The route shares its start with Pukkisaaren melontareitti Kuurnan tallilta and Kuurna/Kuluntalahti melontareitti, and lies on the long Kainuun tervareitti stage toward Sotkamo for multi-day planners.
Kajaanin Latu runs courses and weekly evening paddles from Kuurna in season; contact them for schedules, skill requirements, and fees. Commercial kayak rental in Kajaani is also listed by local operators on their site.
Length & route
The route is about 8.9 km as one loop on our map. Official pages describe it as roughly 9 km around Rehjansaari on Nuasjärvi, with no portages—open-lake paddling with landing options on jetties around the island.
Getting there
Put in at Kuurna melontalaituri (Kuurnantie 97–99 area, 87250 Kajaani). Visit Kajaani notes free gravel parking at the end of the access road beside the paddling barn. Petäisenniskan venesatama is nearby on the Petäisentie shore for context; the mapped loop returns to Kuurna melontalaituri.
Good to know
Wear a life jacket, respect private shorelines, and follow everyman’s rights for camping and fires. Wood for shared fireplaces is taken from marked wood sheds. Some cottages on the island are rented out—choose tent spots with care near buildings. For the latest island maintenance and transport options from Pyörteen tila, see the city and Visit pages. If you fish from the kayak, Eräluvat’s area page for Oulujärvi state waters explains when you need a regional vapalupa in addition to the national kalastonhoitomaksu for anglers aged 18–69; licence durations and prices are shown when you select a product in the Eräluvat online shop.
Where to rent kayaks
Luonnollisesti Oulujärvi hires kayaks, canoes, SUP boards, bikes, and more in Kajaani; rental points include Rikulantie 10 (open year-round by arrangement), Ärjänsaari summer kiosk (1 June–15 August 11–16 daily), and Pyörteen tila (call 050 340 3013 for opening hours). A single kayak with paddle, spray deck, and 50N buoyancy aid costs 20 € per hour, 30 € per three hours, or 40 € per day; a tandem kayak 30 € / 40 € / 60 € for the same durations; open canoe and SUP prices are on the same page. Visit Kajaani also mentions kayak hire and transport from Pyörteen tila toward Rehjansaari.
Guided tours & Experiences
Kajaanin Latu offers the Meloja 1 beginner kayak course (85 € for members of Kajaanin Latu or Oulujärven Melojat, 110 € for others); register on the Meloja 1 sign-up page when enrollment opens. Tuesday evening paddles from Kuurna (about 5–15 km) are free for members; non-members pay a 10 € guidance fee—use the weekly paddles sign-up form. General contacts and announcements are on the Melonta page.
The island can be circled in either direction; choose based on wind and landing preferences.
Route direction
Recreation Area
Recreation Area
Island
Island
Lake
Lake
Open / Good Condition
Open / Good Condition
Visit Kajaani – Rehjansaaren melontareitti 9 km
Activities allowed
Kayak / Canoe
Activity
Terrain & conditions
8.9 km
Distance
Allow about half a day for a relaxed loop with breaks on the island; experienced paddlers complete the distance in roughly two to three hours without long stops.
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.
Rehjansaaren Melontareitti is about 8.9 km as a loop on Nuasjärvi near Kajaani in Kainuu, circling Rehjansaari from the Kuurna paddling base. It is a well-known local day trip that also works for an overnight if you use the island’s lean-tos and campfire sites. For route description, safety on open water, parking at Ku...
Visit Kajaani – Rehjansaaren melontareitti 9 km+
Description
Rehjansaaren Melontareitti is about 8.9 km as a loop on Nuasjärvi near Kajaani in Kainuu, circling Rehjansaari from the Kuurna paddling base. It is a well-known local day trip that also works for an overnight if you use the island’s lean-tos and campfire sites. For route description, safety on open water, parking at Kuurna, and links to the downloadable PDF map, Visit Kajaani’s Rehjansaaren melontareitti page is the clearest official overview. The City of Kajaani lists the same route among Kajaani paddling options and hosts the printable A4 map. Visit Kajaani’s Rehjansaari page adds detail on island services—free tent camping under everyman’s rights, firewood at wood sheds, two large kota-style lean-tos with dry toilets nearby, and recent upgrades to docks and cooking shelters.
From Kuurna melontalaituri the line crosses the lake toward Pukkisaari and continues along the shore toward Purnuniemi and Rehjansaari; you can paddle the island either way and land at several jetties. Most beaches are rocky; the eastern side has a sandy swimming beach. Mid-loop, around 3.5–4.5 km from the start, you pass Kuuselan kotalaavu and Telkännokan puolikota, then Rehjansaaren uimaranta ja keittokatos, Rehjansaari Camping, Rehjansaaren laavu and its jetty, Rehjansaaren laituri, Kummelin Tulipaikka, and Purnunniemen keittokatos—good clusters for a break, swim, or meal. Nearer the finish, Petäisenniskan venesatama and the Petäisenniska boat ramp and fireplace sit close to the north shore before you close the loop at Kuurna melontalaituri.
Rehjanselkä is exposed to wind and chop can build quickly; summer motorboat traffic is possible—give way and stay near shore in a life jacket. Paddle with a partner or group if you are new to the area, check wind forecasts, pack spare clothes and a phone in a dry bag. From Rehjansaari you can extend north toward Kuluntalahti or south toward Venäänniemi or Karankalahti on separate trips described on the same pages. The route shares its start with Pukkisaaren melontareitti Kuurnan tallilta and Kuurna/Kuluntalahti melontareitti, and lies on the long Kainuun tervareitti stage toward Sotkamo for multi-day planners.
Kajaanin Latu runs courses and weekly evening paddles from Kuurna in season; contact them for schedules, skill requirements, and fees. Commercial kayak rental in Kajaani is also listed by local operators on their site.
Length & route
The route is about 8.9 km as one loop on our map. Official pages describe it as roughly 9 km around Rehjansaari on Nuasjärvi, with no portages—open-lake paddling with landing options on jetties around the island.
Getting there
Put in at Kuurna melontalaituri (Kuurnantie 97–99 area, 87250 Kajaani). Visit Kajaani notes free gravel parking at the end of the access road beside the paddling barn. Petäisenniskan venesatama is nearby on the Petäisentie shore for context; the mapped loop returns to Kuurna melontalaituri.
Good to know
Wear a life jacket, respect private shorelines, and follow everyman’s rights for camping and fires. Wood for shared fireplaces is taken from marked wood sheds. Some cottages on the island are rented out—choose tent spots with care near buildings. For the latest island maintenance and transport options from Pyörteen tila, see the city and Visit pages. If you fish from the kayak, Eräluvat’s area page for Oulujärvi state waters explains when you need a regional vapalupa in addition to the national kalastonhoitomaksu for anglers aged 18–69; licence durations and prices are shown when you select a product in the Eräluvat online shop.
Where to rent kayaks
Luonnollisesti Oulujärvi hires kayaks, canoes, SUP boards, bikes, and more in Kajaani; rental points include Rikulantie 10 (open year-round by arrangement), Ärjänsaari summer kiosk (1 June–15 August 11–16 daily), and Pyörteen tila (call 050 340 3013 for opening hours). A single kayak with paddle, spray deck, and 50N buoyancy aid costs 20 € per hour, 30 € per three hours, or 40 € per day; a tandem kayak 30 € / 40 € / 60 € for the same durations; open canoe and SUP prices are on the same page. Visit Kajaani also mentions kayak hire and transport from Pyörteen tila toward Rehjansaari.
Guided tours & Experiences
Kajaanin Latu offers the Meloja 1 beginner kayak course (85 € for members of Kajaanin Latu or Oulujärven Melojat, 110 € for others); register on the Meloja 1 sign-up page when enrollment opens. Tuesday evening paddles from Kuurna (about 5–15 km) are free for members; non-members pay a 10 € guidance fee—use the weekly paddles sign-up form. General contacts and announcements are on the Melonta page.
Allow about half a day for a relaxed loop with breaks on the island; experienced paddlers complete the distance in roughly two to three hours without long stops.
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.