The Rehjansaari/Venäänniemi kayaking route is about 7.1 km as a loop on Nuasjärvi near Kajaani in Kainuu. It starts from the Venäänniemi paddling launch on Rehjanselkä, circles Rehjansaari, and returns to the same bay—shorter than the Kuurna-based Rehjansaaren melontareitti because you begin south of the island. For is...
Visit Kajaani – Rehjansaari+
Description
The Rehjansaari/Venäänniemi kayaking route is about 7.1 km as a loop on Nuasjärvi near Kajaani in Kainuu. It starts from the Venäänniemi paddling launch on Rehjanselkä, circles Rehjansaari, and returns to the same bay—shorter than the Kuurna-based Rehjansaaren melontareitti because you begin south of the island. For island services, camping etiquette, firewood, kota-style lean-tos, and rental cottages, Visit Kajaani's Rehjansaari page is the clearest overview. The City of Kajaani lists Nuasjärvi paddling options and hosts downloadable brochures and PDF maps for the wider area. Visit Kajaani's Rehjansaaren melontareitti page describes how paddlers link Venäänniemi, Kuluntalahti, and Karankalahti on separate trips from the same lake system.
From Venäänniemen melonnan lähtöpaikka, follow the shoreline toward Rehjansaari; the crossing to the island is short, so you avoid long open-water crossings compared with starting farther north. Once on the island, the line runs past Kuuselan kotalaavu and Telkännokan puolikota, then Rehjansaaren uimaranta ja keittokatos, Rehjansaaren laavu and Rehjansaaren laavun laituri, Rehjansaaren laituri, Kummelin Tulipaikka, Rehjansaari - veneenlaskupaikka and Rehjansaari Camping, and Purnunniemen keittokatos—good clusters for a swim, meal, or break. Most shores are rocky; the eastern beach is sandier. You can circle the island in either direction and land at several jetties.
Rehjanselkä is exposed to wind and chop can build quickly; summer motorboat traffic is possible—give way and stay in a life jacket near shore. Paddle with a partner or group if you are new to the area, check wind forecasts, and pack spare clothes and a phone in a dry bag. From this launch you can also plan Venäänniemi/Karankalahti melontareitti or connect to the long Kainuun tervareitti stage toward Sotkamo. If you prefer the classic Kuurna start and a longer loop on the map, see Rehjansaaren Melontareitti.
Kajaanin Latu runs courses and weekly evening paddles in season; check their Melonta page for schedules and fees. Kayak rental in Kajaani is available from operators linked on Visit pages and through Luonnollisesti Oulujärvi, including Pyörteen tila services on Rehjansaari.
Length & route
The route is about 7.1 km as one loop on our map. Tour descriptions for the Venäänniemi start place the full island circuit at roughly 7 km with about two hours’ paddling time and no portages—open-lake paddling with landing options on jetties around the island.
Getting there
The put-in at Venäänniemen melonnan lähtöpaikka is a small sandy bay on the Venäänniemi peninsula east of central Kajaani; road access is described from the Kylmä area via Kehräämöntie and Myötärinteentie, with parking beside the road and no public transport to the shore. The launch has no services—plan firewood, food, and toilets on Rehjansaari.
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. 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 fisheries management fee for anglers aged 18–69; licence options and prices appear 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 on Rehjansaari (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 the island.
Guided tours & Experiences
Kajaanin Latu publishes contacts and seasonal paddling activities on the Melonta page; ask about beginner courses and weekly group paddles from Kuurna if you want instruction before trying open-lake routes.
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.
The Rehjansaari/Venäänniemi kayaking route is about 7.1 km as a loop on Nuasjärvi near Kajaani in Kainuu. It starts from the Venäänniemi paddling launch on Rehjanselkä, circles Rehjansaari, and returns to the same bay—shorter than the Kuurna-based Rehjansaaren melontareitti because you begin south of the island. For is...
Visit Kajaani – Rehjansaari+
Description
The Rehjansaari/Venäänniemi kayaking route is about 7.1 km as a loop on Nuasjärvi near Kajaani in Kainuu. It starts from the Venäänniemi paddling launch on Rehjanselkä, circles Rehjansaari, and returns to the same bay—shorter than the Kuurna-based Rehjansaaren melontareitti because you begin south of the island. For island services, camping etiquette, firewood, kota-style lean-tos, and rental cottages, Visit Kajaani's Rehjansaari page is the clearest overview. The City of Kajaani lists Nuasjärvi paddling options and hosts downloadable brochures and PDF maps for the wider area. Visit Kajaani's Rehjansaaren melontareitti page describes how paddlers link Venäänniemi, Kuluntalahti, and Karankalahti on separate trips from the same lake system.
From Venäänniemen melonnan lähtöpaikka, follow the shoreline toward Rehjansaari; the crossing to the island is short, so you avoid long open-water crossings compared with starting farther north. Once on the island, the line runs past Kuuselan kotalaavu and Telkännokan puolikota, then Rehjansaaren uimaranta ja keittokatos, Rehjansaaren laavu and Rehjansaaren laavun laituri, Rehjansaaren laituri, Kummelin Tulipaikka, Rehjansaari - veneenlaskupaikka and Rehjansaari Camping, and Purnunniemen keittokatos—good clusters for a swim, meal, or break. Most shores are rocky; the eastern beach is sandier. You can circle the island in either direction and land at several jetties.
Rehjanselkä is exposed to wind and chop can build quickly; summer motorboat traffic is possible—give way and stay in a life jacket near shore. Paddle with a partner or group if you are new to the area, check wind forecasts, and pack spare clothes and a phone in a dry bag. From this launch you can also plan Venäänniemi/Karankalahti melontareitti or connect to the long Kainuun tervareitti stage toward Sotkamo. If you prefer the classic Kuurna start and a longer loop on the map, see Rehjansaaren Melontareitti.
Kajaanin Latu runs courses and weekly evening paddles in season; check their Melonta page for schedules and fees. Kayak rental in Kajaani is available from operators linked on Visit pages and through Luonnollisesti Oulujärvi, including Pyörteen tila services on Rehjansaari.
Length & route
The route is about 7.1 km as one loop on our map. Tour descriptions for the Venäänniemi start place the full island circuit at roughly 7 km with about two hours’ paddling time and no portages—open-lake paddling with landing options on jetties around the island.
Getting there
The put-in at Venäänniemen melonnan lähtöpaikka is a small sandy bay on the Venäänniemi peninsula east of central Kajaani; road access is described from the Kylmä area via Kehräämöntie and Myötärinteentie, with parking beside the road and no public transport to the shore. The launch has no services—plan firewood, food, and toilets on Rehjansaari.
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. 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 fisheries management fee for anglers aged 18–69; licence options and prices appear 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 on Rehjansaari (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 the island.
Guided tours & Experiences
Kajaanin Latu publishes contacts and seasonal paddling activities on the Melonta page; ask about beginner courses and weekly group paddles from Kuurna if you want instruction before trying open-lake routes.
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.