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Honkinen and Pikku-Palonen kayaking loop

—•Kayaking Routes

12.3 km

Route

Description

City of Vaala – Paddling+

Description

This loop on Lake Oulujärvi ties together the Sahanranta paddling hub, the Honkinen island service cluster, and Pikku-Palonen—classic day-trip stops inside Finland’s only inland-water recreation area. For launch sites, the canoe hall, and what to expect on the big lake, City of Vaala’s paddling pages are the practical starting point. The Oulujärvi recreation area pages spell out island facilities: Honkinen, Kaarresalo, and Kuosto have landing docks, shelters or campfire sites with firewood, and dry toilets; Pikku-Palonen has a bookable hut and sauna plus a kayak dock. On our map the line is about 12.3 km as a closed loop on open lake water east of Vaala centre. You leave the busy Sahanranna shore near Sahanrannan vieraslaituri and Sahanrannan uimapaikka, cross wide selkä water toward Honkinen, and return toward Uiton sataman vieraslaituri and Uiton avantouintipaikka—so the day mixes urban-edge launching with island landings on Metsähallitus-managed recreation shoreline. Around the Honkinen cluster you can tie up at Honkinen laituri, use Honkisen retkisatama, and take a longer break at Honkisen kota Vaala or the Honkinen kota and nearby campfire spot; dry toilets are available in the same cluster. Pikku-Palonen is a natural pause for groups who reserve the island sauna and hut. Retkipaikka’s long-form Manamansalo guide captures how vast and exposed Oulujärvi can feel—worth reading for the “Kainuu sea” atmosphere even though that article follows hiking trails on Manamansalo rather than this kayak line. On water, plan for wind and fetch: the lake is Finland’s fourth largest by area and open bays can build chop quickly. From Uiton harbour the Kauvonsaaren lenkki kayaking circle continues on our site if you want another short Vaala loop; the Vaala–Rokua hiking trail passes near the Ahmala parking area inland from the same shore. Oulujärven Melojat ry runs courses, trips, and the canoe hall cooperation at Vaala Sahanranta—contact them for coaching or club storage rather than expecting an unannounced rental at the dock.

Length & route

The mapped route is about 12.3 km as one continuous loop on Lake Oulujärvi. There are no portages or whitewater on this line; time on the water depends on wind, stops at Honkinen and Pikku-Palonen, and paddling pace—typically a half-day to full-day outing for touring kayaks in calm to moderate conditions.

Getting there

The usual launch cluster is Vaala Sahanranta at the end of Uitontie, where City of Vaala describes Oulujärven Melontakeskus: a restored timber canoe hall with space for many kayaks and canoes, a slip for getting boats in and out, and association-run activities. Guest docks and beaches along Sahanrannantie support staging before you follow the loop toward Honkinen and back toward Uiton harbour. Honkinen and Pikku-Palonen are served by marked kayak docks on the recreation area islands. If you arrive by car, combine with parking near Sahanranta or plan a shuttle if you paddle one way only; the municipal pages link onward PDF maps of the wider Oulujärvi recreation area for context.

Good to know

Fishing from a kayak on Oulujärvi may require the national fisheries management fee and any regional lure permits that apply to your chosen water; check Eräluvat for current rules before fishing from the boat. Respect everyman’s rights and private shore strips when landing. In wind or thunder, wait for calmer conditions—open fetches on large lakes are unforgiving.

History

The Oulujärvi recreation area on the Vaala side was established in 1993 and covers about 78 km²; Metsähallitus nature services maintain routes and structures on the area. It is Finland’s only statutory inland-water recreation area.

Where to rent kayaks

Oulujärven Melontakeskus at Vaala Sahanranta (end of Uitontie) uses a restored timber hall with rack space for private kayaks, a slip to the lake, and room to rig boats indoors; Oulujärven Melojat ry runs the hall, organises trips and courses, and answers questions about paddling on “Kainuu’s sea”.

Managed by

Vaala

Official Maintenance

Trail info

Closed loop on lake water; paddle direction follows personal preference and wind—no mandatory one-way corridor is stated on the municipal overview.

Route direction

Open / Good Condition

City of Vaala – Paddling

Activities allowed

Kayak / Canoe

Activity

Terrain & conditions

12.3 km

Distance

About 3–5 hours of paddling for many groups on a ~12 km loop, plus breaks; strong headwinds or detours can add time.

Est. Time

Loop

Route Type

Lake Paddling

Water type

Location

64.55107°N, 26.83135°E

Approximate location

FinlandCountry

KainuuRegion

VaalaCity

SahanrantaVillage

Kayaking RoutesCategory

Explore nearby

Sahanrannan uimapaikka

234 m

Free

Uiton sataman vieraslaituri

267 m

Free

Uiton avantouintipaikka

283 m

Sahanrannan ulkoilureitti

271 m

Free

Vaala–Rokua Trail

395 m

Free

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Answers to your questions

Our data was researched from Vaala, 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 Vaala Kayaking RoutesHonkinen and Pikku-Palonen kayaking loop