Saunajärven vesiretkeilyreitti is a long point-to-point paddle of about 42.5 km in Kainuu, starting from central Kuhmo and running south-east through the Lammasjärvi–Lentua lake landscape toward the Saunajärvi area. Visit Kuhmo groups Kuhmo’s paddling ideas, rental contacts, and shorter day-trip suggestions on its padd...
Visit Kuhmo – Canoeing and stand-up paddling+
Description
Saunajärven vesiretkeilyreitti is a long point-to-point paddle of about 42.5 km in Kainuu, starting from central Kuhmo and running south-east through the Lammasjärvi–Lentua lake landscape toward the Saunajärvi area. Visit Kuhmo groups Kuhmo’s paddling ideas, rental contacts, and shorter day-trip suggestions on its paddling page; the same organisation’s kayaking routes hub lists printable route PDFs and longer classics such as the Lentua–Juttua–Iivantiira wilderness paddle. The City of Kuhmo describes Lentua village as sitting on Lentuanjärvi, part of one of Kainuu’s most valued lake systems, with hiking networks, laavus, Lentuankoski fishing, and access to Lauttavaara trails on Luontoon.fi. Toward the route’s southern end, the Saunajärvi village page notes a roadside boat launch, Winter War memorial landscapes, and links to fishing information via kuhmonkosket.fi.
From the water, the first major cluster after the town shore is the Petola–Kalevala outdoor belt: about 5 km from the start you pass Kuhmon luontokeskus Petola, then Kalevalan Laavu and sports facilities near Kalevan liikuntakeskus—useful if you combine paddling with a visit to the nature centre before heading into more open lake country. Around 7 km along the route, Harakkasaaren laavu and the island’s campfire spots make a natural first long break on the water; dry toilets sit with the laavu area. Farther out, Honkisen kota on the Lammasjärvi–Honkinen shore (about 13 km) offers a wilderness-style shelter stop. The second half of the trip is quieter lake paddling: Lahnasuvannon laavu (about 28 km) and Saunakosken laavu (about 29 km) sit a few kilometres apart as you approach the Saunakoski narrows and Saunajärvi end of the line—plan food, water, and wind exposure for long open crossings between these stops.
On the town waterfront before you commit to the long leg, Maakunnanranta Kuhmo and Pajakkasuvannon melontalaituri are practical put-in options; Ruukinrannan uimaranta and nearby parking are close to the centre if you need a swim or a meet-up point. The long Tervantien retkipyöräily Lentiirasta Kajaaniin cycle route shares the same Kuhmo shore infrastructure—handy if someone shuttles by bike while you paddle. For equipment, Koe Kainuu Adventures publishes FitNord inflatable tandem kayak day and multi-day prices and picks up or delivers gear by arrangement from Lammasperä. The paddling page also names EräPiira, Kalevalan juhlatakomo, Lentiiran Lomakylä, and other local renters if you need canoes, single kayaks, or guided trips.
Length & route
The route is about 42.5 km point-to-point along the mapped water line from the Kuhmo town shore toward the Saunajärvi end—not a loop. Distance comes from the trail geometry; treat it as a full-day to two-day lake tour depending on wind, skill, and how long you stop at Harakkasaari, Honkisen kota, Lahnasuvanto, and Saunakoski. Visit Kuhmo’s route hub lists many other Kuhmo paddles (for example about 19.5 km on Lentuan järvimelontareitti and 50 km wilderness links) if you want to compare trip scale in the same region.
Getting there
Stage put-in from central Kuhmo using Maakunnanranta Kuhmo, Pajakkasuvannon melontalaituri, or nearby Maakunnanranta Kuhmo parkkipaikka and Kuhmon kaupunginkirjasto parkkipaikka for car access. Visit Kuhmo notes five new recreation and canoe docks including Maakunnanranta and Pajakka (library) locations—check their paddling page for the current list. For take-out toward Saunajärvi, use the roadside boat launch and local road access described on the Saunajärvi village page, and arrange a car shuttle before you start—the line is one-way over tens of kilometres. If you rent gear, Koe Kainuu Adventures stores equipment in Lammasperä and can deliver to town by agreement.
Good to know
Check wind and thunder forecasts before long open-lake legs; carry signalling gear, spare clothes, and repair kit. Spring flood season can make some stream mouths faster—Visit Kuhmo highlights faster water for whitewater-oriented paddlers in that window on its paddling page. If you fish from the boat, confirm permit areas and seasons on the regional pages the City of Kuhmo links from Saunajärvi and Lentua. Wood fires only where structures and fire warnings allow; respect shore landowners and border-zone guidance near the Russian frontier on Saunajärvi roads.
Itinerary
Day 1 (about 7–15 km water pace depending on wind): Launch from Maakunnanranta or Pajakkasuvannon melontalaituri, pass Petola and Kalevalan Laavu, and aim for Harakkasaaren laavu or Honkisen kota for the night—both sit well inside the first half of the 42.5 km line. Day 2 (about 15–28 km): Cross the broad Lentua–Lammasjärvi complex toward Lahnasuvannon laavu and Saunakosken laavu, finishing near Saunajärvi access roads. Adjust daily distances if weather shortens your days; the laavu spacing matches roughly two full paddling days for many groups.
Where to rent kayaks
Koe Kainuu Adventures rents inflatable FitNord tandem kayaks in Kuhmo (about €40 per day, €90 for three days, €140 per week including pump, paddles, and life vests as of their published list), with pickup in Lammasperä or delivery to the town centre by arrangement. Visit Kuhmo lists EräPiira for guided paddling trips and single kayaks and canoes, Kalevalan juhlatakomo and Hotelli Kalevala for kayaks and boards, Lentiiran Lomakylä for kayaks, canoes, and motor boats, and several other local operators on its paddling page—compare who serves your put-in and take-out ends.
Guided tours & Experiences
Visit Kuhmo mainitsee EräPiiran opastetuista melonnoista Kuhmon seudulla; ota yhteyttä kausiohjelmista ja ryhmäkoista.
Point-to-point from central Kuhmo toward Saunajärvi along the mapped lake and sound corridor; wind and logistics determine whether you prefer this direction or a supported reverse shuttle.
Route direction
Recreation Area
Recreation Area
Lake
Lake
Open / Good Condition
Open / Good Condition
Activities allowed
Kayak / Canoe
Activity
Terrain & conditions
42.5 km
Distance
Most parties allow two full summer days on the water with the mapped 42.5 km distance and shelter stops, or one very long day in calm conditions with an early start—Visit Kuhmo’s other route PDFs show how locals split similar lake distances.
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Answers to your questions
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.
Saunajärven vesiretkeilyreitti is a long point-to-point paddle of about 42.5 km in Kainuu, starting from central Kuhmo and running south-east through the Lammasjärvi–Lentua lake landscape toward the Saunajärvi area. Visit Kuhmo groups Kuhmo’s paddling ideas, rental contacts, and shorter day-trip suggestions on its padd...
Visit Kuhmo – Canoeing and stand-up paddling+
Description
Saunajärven vesiretkeilyreitti is a long point-to-point paddle of about 42.5 km in Kainuu, starting from central Kuhmo and running south-east through the Lammasjärvi–Lentua lake landscape toward the Saunajärvi area. Visit Kuhmo groups Kuhmo’s paddling ideas, rental contacts, and shorter day-trip suggestions on its paddling page; the same organisation’s kayaking routes hub lists printable route PDFs and longer classics such as the Lentua–Juttua–Iivantiira wilderness paddle. The City of Kuhmo describes Lentua village as sitting on Lentuanjärvi, part of one of Kainuu’s most valued lake systems, with hiking networks, laavus, Lentuankoski fishing, and access to Lauttavaara trails on Luontoon.fi. Toward the route’s southern end, the Saunajärvi village page notes a roadside boat launch, Winter War memorial landscapes, and links to fishing information via kuhmonkosket.fi.
From the water, the first major cluster after the town shore is the Petola–Kalevala outdoor belt: about 5 km from the start you pass Kuhmon luontokeskus Petola, then Kalevalan Laavu and sports facilities near Kalevan liikuntakeskus—useful if you combine paddling with a visit to the nature centre before heading into more open lake country. Around 7 km along the route, Harakkasaaren laavu and the island’s campfire spots make a natural first long break on the water; dry toilets sit with the laavu area. Farther out, Honkisen kota on the Lammasjärvi–Honkinen shore (about 13 km) offers a wilderness-style shelter stop. The second half of the trip is quieter lake paddling: Lahnasuvannon laavu (about 28 km) and Saunakosken laavu (about 29 km) sit a few kilometres apart as you approach the Saunakoski narrows and Saunajärvi end of the line—plan food, water, and wind exposure for long open crossings between these stops.
On the town waterfront before you commit to the long leg, Maakunnanranta Kuhmo and Pajakkasuvannon melontalaituri are practical put-in options; Ruukinrannan uimaranta and nearby parking are close to the centre if you need a swim or a meet-up point. The long Tervantien retkipyöräily Lentiirasta Kajaaniin cycle route shares the same Kuhmo shore infrastructure—handy if someone shuttles by bike while you paddle. For equipment, Koe Kainuu Adventures publishes FitNord inflatable tandem kayak day and multi-day prices and picks up or delivers gear by arrangement from Lammasperä. The paddling page also names EräPiira, Kalevalan juhlatakomo, Lentiiran Lomakylä, and other local renters if you need canoes, single kayaks, or guided trips.
Length & route
The route is about 42.5 km point-to-point along the mapped water line from the Kuhmo town shore toward the Saunajärvi end—not a loop. Distance comes from the trail geometry; treat it as a full-day to two-day lake tour depending on wind, skill, and how long you stop at Harakkasaari, Honkisen kota, Lahnasuvanto, and Saunakoski. Visit Kuhmo’s route hub lists many other Kuhmo paddles (for example about 19.5 km on Lentuan järvimelontareitti and 50 km wilderness links) if you want to compare trip scale in the same region.
Getting there
Stage put-in from central Kuhmo using Maakunnanranta Kuhmo, Pajakkasuvannon melontalaituri, or nearby Maakunnanranta Kuhmo parkkipaikka and Kuhmon kaupunginkirjasto parkkipaikka for car access. Visit Kuhmo notes five new recreation and canoe docks including Maakunnanranta and Pajakka (library) locations—check their paddling page for the current list. For take-out toward Saunajärvi, use the roadside boat launch and local road access described on the Saunajärvi village page, and arrange a car shuttle before you start—the line is one-way over tens of kilometres. If you rent gear, Koe Kainuu Adventures stores equipment in Lammasperä and can deliver to town by agreement.
Good to know
Check wind and thunder forecasts before long open-lake legs; carry signalling gear, spare clothes, and repair kit. Spring flood season can make some stream mouths faster—Visit Kuhmo highlights faster water for whitewater-oriented paddlers in that window on its paddling page. If you fish from the boat, confirm permit areas and seasons on the regional pages the City of Kuhmo links from Saunajärvi and Lentua. Wood fires only where structures and fire warnings allow; respect shore landowners and border-zone guidance near the Russian frontier on Saunajärvi roads.
Itinerary
Day 1 (about 7–15 km water pace depending on wind): Launch from Maakunnanranta or Pajakkasuvannon melontalaituri, pass Petola and Kalevalan Laavu, and aim for Harakkasaaren laavu or Honkisen kota for the night—both sit well inside the first half of the 42.5 km line. Day 2 (about 15–28 km): Cross the broad Lentua–Lammasjärvi complex toward Lahnasuvannon laavu and Saunakosken laavu, finishing near Saunajärvi access roads. Adjust daily distances if weather shortens your days; the laavu spacing matches roughly two full paddling days for many groups.
Where to rent kayaks
Koe Kainuu Adventures rents inflatable FitNord tandem kayaks in Kuhmo (about €40 per day, €90 for three days, €140 per week including pump, paddles, and life vests as of their published list), with pickup in Lammasperä or delivery to the town centre by arrangement. Visit Kuhmo lists EräPiira for guided paddling trips and single kayaks and canoes, Kalevalan juhlatakomo and Hotelli Kalevala for kayaks and boards, Lentiiran Lomakylä for kayaks, canoes, and motor boats, and several other local operators on its paddling page—compare who serves your put-in and take-out ends.
Guided tours & Experiences
Visit Kuhmo mainitsee EräPiiran opastetuista melonnoista Kuhmon seudulla; ota yhteyttä kausiohjelmista ja ryhmäkoista.
Point-to-point from central Kuhmo toward Saunajärvi along the mapped lake and sound corridor; wind and logistics determine whether you prefer this direction or a supported reverse shuttle.
Most parties allow two full summer days on the water with the mapped 42.5 km distance and shelter stops, or one very long day in calm conditions with an early start—Visit Kuhmo’s other route PDFs show how locals split similar lake distances.
Be the first to write a review for "Saunajärvi water touring route"
Share a photo from a recent trip
Answers to your questions
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.
