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Lentua lake kayaking loop

—•Kayaking Routes

19.3 km

Route

P 1

Description

Visit Kuhmo – Lentuan järvimelontareitti+

Description

The Lentuan järvimelontareitti is a full-day lake loop on Lentua, Kuhmo’s largest unregulated lake, mostly inside Lentuan luonnonsuojelualue within Ystävyyden puisto. Visit Kuhmo lists it as an easy day trip with an indicative duration of about five hours and describes wide open water, sheltered island channels, and natural landing beaches suited to canoes and kayaks. The mapped line is about 19.3 km as one continuous circuit; some printed materials round to roughly 19.5 km. On the water you move between two kinds of scenery: longer crossings where wind can build waves, and maze-like passages between forested islands. The Finnish Wikipedia overview notes that most of the lake lies in a nature reserve established in 1990 and that the Tervareitti boating route reaches the Lentua basin from Lentiirajärvi—context that helps situate this loop inside a much larger paddling network. Three clusters stand out along the line from Lentuan parkkipaikka. After a few kilometres toward the island maze, Kotasaaren laavu offers a sheltered lean-to stop; facilities sit together with dry toilets in the same area. Around the nine-kilometre mark, Lehtosaari is the main service island: a campfire site, Lehtosaaren autiotupa (a former fishing hut), and Lehtosaari sauna sit steps from the shore—Visit Kuhmo highlights this halfway stop as the signature break on the circuit. Later, Honkisaari Lentua tulentekopaikka adds another campfire option before you close the ring back toward parking. The lake is woven into Kainuu’s cultural history—Akseli Gallen-Kallela’s Kalevala imagery and Veikko Huovisen Havukka-ahon ajattelija are tied to the landscape. Independent trip writing on Retkipaikka describes multi-day Lentua-Juttua journeys, forest reindeer on sandy beaches, and the Huuhkajankannas drag route used when moving between basins—background that also illuminates how the shorter Lentua loop connects to longer stages. The same waterbody sits on the Kainuun tervareitti long-distance paddling line, and Kalliojoen vesiretkeilyreitti reaches Lentua from the north. For lure or extra-rod fishing on state waters, check permit packages on Eräluvat. Equipment hire and shuttle-style logistics in the Kuhmo area are summarised on the Visit Kuhmo paddling hub.

Length & route

The route follows about 19.3 km as one lake loop on Lentua. Visit Kuhmo quotes roughly 19.5 km and five hours for the same circuit. There are no whitewater sections on this line; the main variables are wind on open water and navigation between islands. Dry toilets and lean-tos appear at several stops—see route timeline for spacing.

Getting there

Visit Kuhmo publishes the access point as Lentiirantie 2172, 88900 Kuhmo, aligned with Lentuan parkkipaikka at the trailhead. Carry boats a short distance from the parking area to the shore. KoeKainuu notes additional launch options around the lake (for example Hyvärisensalmi and Isojoki on opposite sides, and Lentuankoski with a boat ramp to the south) if you are staging wider trips rather than this mapped loop. The Visit Kuhmo paddling page lists rental companies that can sometimes help with shuttles or hire.

Good to know

Camp only at maintained rest sites inside Lentuan luonnonsuojelualue when staying overnight; the day loop mainly uses laavu and autiotupa stops for breaks. Forest-fire and drought warnings can restrict open fires even at established fireplaces—check the daily bulletin before lighting a campfire. Give motorboats and anglers space near public landings and fishing marks. For methods that need an area permit on Kuhmo state waters, use Eräluvat 4510. Wildlife watchers sometimes meet forest reindeer on sandy beaches; keep a respectful distance.

Where to rent kayaks

Visit Kuhmo’s paddling page lists Kuhmo-area outfitters including EräPiira for guided trips plus kayak and canoe hire; Kalevalan juhlatakomo (Kalevala Camping) for kayaks, SUP boards, and boats; Villi Metsä for SUP and logistics contacts; Lentiiran Lomakylä for kayaks, canoes, SUP boards, rowing boats, and motor boats; and Lentuankosken leirintäalue for electric-motor rowing boats. Confirm availability, seasonal hours, and prices directly with each operator before travelling.

Managed by

Kuhmo

Official Maintenance

Trail info

The loop can be paddled in either direction; wind and wave exposure on the longest fetches usually determine which way feels easier.

Route direction

Recreation Area

Island

Lake

Open / Good Condition

Activities allowed

Kayak / Canoe

Activity

Terrain & conditions

19.3 km

Distance

Visit Kuhmo suggests about five hours for the full lake loop. Actual time varies with wind, breaks at Kotasaari and Lehtosaari, and photography.

Est. Time

Loop

Route Type

Lake Paddling

Water type

Visit Kuhmo – Lentuan järvimelontareitti

Location

64.22894°N, 29.81769°E

Parking coordinates

FinlandCountry

KainuuRegion

KuhmoCity

LentuaVillage

Kayaking RoutesCategory

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Answers to your questions

CC BY-NDArto Heikkinen, Outdoors Kainuu

Our data was researched from Kuhmo, 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 Kuhmo Kayaking RoutesLentua lake kayaking loop