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Paltamo to Melalahti kayaking route

—•Kayaking Routes

12.9 km

Route

Description

Luontoon.fi – Paltamosta Melalahteen+

Description

Luontoon.fi publishes this point-to-point kayaking line on Lake Oulujärvi from the Paltamo shore toward the Melalahti village area on the Pältaselkä basin, with the full route profile on their paddling map entry. The trip is about 12.9 km as mapped: you leave from Paltamon melontakeskuksen laituri beside Metelinniemen uimaranta and the Metelinniemi recreation shore, pass Käärmeniemen vieraslaituri after the first few kilometres, then cross open water toward Ukkosaaren retkisatama roughly mid-route—a natural lunch stop on an island before the run continues along the northwest shore to Melalahden vieraslaituri, Melalahden rannan kota, and Melalahden uimapaikka at the head of the bay. City of Paltamo notes that Vaarankylä and Melalahti count among Finland’s nationally valuable landscape areas: traditional ribbon settlement, active farming, and rich heritage features around the bay. That cultural backdrop pairs with a straightforward lake paddle: no whitewater or carries on this line, but wind over open Pältaselkä can raise waves, so plan weather and skills accordingly. Oulujärven Melojat maintains the municipally owned Paltamo Melontakeskus at Uimarannantie 1, next to the launch area: the association runs courses, Wednesday-evening club paddles from Paltamo, kayak storage slots, and keeps the centre’s fleet for instruction and events. Visit Kajaani summarises the same centre for visitors. If you are looking for equipment or a guided start, contact them for current options rather than assuming walk-up rental. At Melalahti, Lahtela operates a summer café and simple accommodation in an old co-op building near the village—useful for combining paddling with a meal or an overnight when open. The same beach and dock cluster connects to several other mapped kayak loops that start here—Paltamo-Mieslahti-Paltamo, Mulkkusaaren lenkki, Volon kierto, and the Jormualta Paltamoon line from the north—so you can extend a weekend by chaining days on the water. Closer to the Melalahti shore, Melalahti-Varisjokisuu-Melalahti is a short local circuit when you want a gentler outing after the crossing.

Length & route

The mapped line is about 12.9 km point to point on Lake Oulujärvi with no portages or rapids on this route. Mid-route, Ukkosaaren retkisatama sits near the crossing toward the Melalahti shore; the destination cluster includes Melalahden vieraslaituri, a kota, and a swimming beach.

Getting there

Launch from Paltamon melontakeskuksen laituri at Uimarannantie 2 beside the Metelinniemi beaches—this matches the mapped start beside Paltamo Melontakeskus (Uimarannantie 1 area). For the kayaking centre, storage, courses, and club paddles, Oulujärven Melojat lists Paltamo contact details and weekly Wednesday paddles on their activities page. Visit Kajaani summarises the centre address and the association’s role for visitors. At Melalahti, step ashore at Melalahden vieraslaituri and use the village services as signed; Lahtela describes seasonal café and lodging contact via their site.

Good to know

Watch wind on Pältaselkä; carry signalling gear and dress for cold water. Respect private shores when landing outside public spots. Fishing may require permits on Oulujärvi; check Eräluvat for the water body you fish. Melalahti’s landscape status highlights sensitive banks and heritage structures—land lightly.

History

In 2025 the Government identified new nationally valuable landscape areas; Paltamo’s news article highlights Vaarankylä and Melalahti among them, citing traditional agricultural mosaic, biotopes, and traces of lime burning and milling history.

Where to rent kayaks

Oulujärven Melojat operates Paltamo Melontakeskus (Uimarannantie 1) with kayak storage, instruction fleets used on courses and club nights, and Wednesday-evening group paddles from Paltamo—contact the association for reservations, course dates, and whether day rental is available in season.

Managed by

Paltamo

Official Maintenance

Trail info

Described as Paltamo toward Melalahti along the mapped line; paddlers often plan wind so the open crossing is as sheltered as practical.

Route direction

Open / Good Condition

Activities allowed

Kayak / Canoe

Activity

Terrain & conditions

12.9 km

Distance

Allow roughly half a day at touring pace with breaks; strong headwinds can add time on the open crossing.

Est. Time

Point-to-Point

Route Type

Lake Paddling

Water type

Location

64.40092°N, 27.85570°E

Approximate location

FinlandCountry

KainuuRegion

PaltamoCity

MelalahtiVillage

Kayaking RoutesCategory

Explore nearby

Käärmeniemen vieraslaituri

597 m

Leppikosken pyöräilylenkki

385 m

Free

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Answers to your questions

Our data was researched from Paltamo, 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 Paltamo Kayaking RoutesPaltamo to Melalahti kayaking route