For planning paddling on Äkäsjoki around Ylläs, start from the regional overview on Ylläs.fi, which describes the river as one of the area’s most popular moving-water venues, with alternating rapids and quieter pools all the way from Äkäslompolo toward the Muoniojoki and the Swedish border, and notes that early summer...
Ylläs.fi – Melonta (regional overview)+
Description
For planning paddling on Äkäsjoki around Ylläs, start from the regional overview on Ylläs.fi, which describes the river as one of the area’s most popular moving-water venues, with alternating rapids and quieter pools all the way from Äkäslompolo toward the Muoniojoki and the Swedish border, and notes that early summer is usually best when water levels are still high. Finnish Wikipedia’s Äkäsjoki article summarises Äkäsjoki as a roughly 46 km Tornionjoki tributary with a large drop over its course, and names Kuerjoki as one of the main tributaries joining upstream of Hannukainen—helpful context for where side streams meet the main stem on longer trips.
This segment—Äkäsjoki – Koskinen keskiosa—is about 16.1 km of river paddling in Kolari, Lapland. It continues downstream from the Äkäslompolo village area: the line begins near Yöpuun rantasauna and passes services and sports facilities close to the shore (Lapland Hotels Ylläskaltio, Äkäslompolon tenniskenttä, Äkäslompolon pienpalloilualue) before the river opens into forest and pool-and-rapid sequences. Roughly mid-route, Äkäsjoki kalastuspaikka marks a public fishing stretch along Ylläksentie—useful if you combine paddling with spinning or fly fishing where rules allow. The Kuerjoki confluence near Hannukainen is a major hydraulic and landscape feature; Retkipaikka describes the Kuer falls and steep gorge walls where Kuerjoki meets Äkäsjoki, including a laavu on the west bank—worth knowing if you scout or take out on foot in that area.
Independent trip reports on nearby Äkäsjoki sections stress reading water, keeping speed in riffles, and watching for shallow, stony channels as summer progresses—experience Napapiirinseikkailija gained on an upper Äkäsjoki run toward Jounin kauppa landing. That is a different put-in and distance than this middle section, but the skills and seasonal pattern (high water in spring, more exposed rock later) transfer. If you prefer instruction and a set itinerary on Äkäsjoki, Destination Lapland advertises a half-day guided trip with swimming ability required and per-person pricing, while Ylläs Experiences lists a separate guided Äkäsjoki programme with equipment coaching and a stated price band on Ylläs.fi. Neither operator’s page is specific to this exact kilometre range, but they document how commercial trips are run on the same river system.
Longer self-supported journeys can link to Äkäsjoki – Erämainen yläosa upstream, the short Äkäslompolon melonta lake loop at the village, Kesänkijoen melontareitti from Kesänkijärvi, or the lower “Rauhallisten nivojen ja suvantojen alaosa” segment toward Muonionjoki—each is a different day’s line, but they share put-ins, road access, and rental hubs around Äkäslompolo and Ylläsjärvi.
Length & route
The route is about 16.1 km along Äkäsjoki as one continuous river line. Expect a full-day or long half-day on the water depending on flow, scouting, and rest stops—regional guided programmes on the same river often quote roughly four hours for shorter segments, so budget similar energy for this longer section.
Getting there
Most paddlers stage from Äkäslompolo: village beaches and services near Jounin kauppa are widely used as landings and meeting points on Äkäsjoki trips. Lapland Hotels Ylläskaltio and the sports courts along the early part of the line sit within walking distance of the water for drivers dropping gear. For shuttle planning, compare bike or second-vehicle options along local roads—Napapiirinseikkailija’s report discusses cycling shuttles when no driver is available. Check Ylläs.fi for current regional tips before you travel.
Good to know
Spring snowmelt and early-summer floods bring the highest, fastest water; later in summer the bed runs lower and rockier, which packrafts handle more forgivingly than long canoes according to Ylläs.fi’s general paddling notes. European beavers are common in the area—look for cut sticks and slides along the banks. Guided trips on Äkäsjoki require swimming ability and weather-appropriate clothing; the same life-jacket mindset applies to private runs. If you fish from the boat or bank, use the valid permits for the Tornionjoki water system and respect seasonal rules for migratory fish in Äkäsjoki’s sea-trout and salmon spawning system described in public hydrology sources.
Where to rent kayaks
Ylläs.fi’s paddling hub links regional rental desks—Lapland Safaris at Äkäslompolo and other Ylläs operators advertise kayaks, canoes, packrafts, and SUP boards in summer; compare pickup point and day rates against your Äkäslompolo start. Ylläs Experiences’ guided Äkäsjoki trip page lists kayak, packraft, and tandem canoe options with pricing context for guided days.
Guided tours & Experiences
Destination Lapland runs a roughly four-hour Äkäsjoki programme covering about 10–12 km with group size limits and per-person pricing; swimming ability is required. Ylläs Experiences advertises a guided Äkäsjoki trip with technique coaching and a stated €75–100 price band on Ylläs.fi.
Be the first to write a review for "Äkäsjoki – Koskinen middle section"
Share a photo from a recent trip
Answers to your questions
Our data was researched from Kolari, 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.
For planning paddling on Äkäsjoki around Ylläs, start from the regional overview on Ylläs.fi, which describes the river as one of the area’s most popular moving-water venues, with alternating rapids and quieter pools all the way from Äkäslompolo toward the Muoniojoki and the Swedish border, and notes that early summer...
Ylläs.fi – Melonta (regional overview)+
Description
For planning paddling on Äkäsjoki around Ylläs, start from the regional overview on Ylläs.fi, which describes the river as one of the area’s most popular moving-water venues, with alternating rapids and quieter pools all the way from Äkäslompolo toward the Muoniojoki and the Swedish border, and notes that early summer is usually best when water levels are still high. Finnish Wikipedia’s Äkäsjoki article summarises Äkäsjoki as a roughly 46 km Tornionjoki tributary with a large drop over its course, and names Kuerjoki as one of the main tributaries joining upstream of Hannukainen—helpful context for where side streams meet the main stem on longer trips.
This segment—Äkäsjoki – Koskinen keskiosa—is about 16.1 km of river paddling in Kolari, Lapland. It continues downstream from the Äkäslompolo village area: the line begins near Yöpuun rantasauna and passes services and sports facilities close to the shore (Lapland Hotels Ylläskaltio, Äkäslompolon tenniskenttä, Äkäslompolon pienpalloilualue) before the river opens into forest and pool-and-rapid sequences. Roughly mid-route, Äkäsjoki kalastuspaikka marks a public fishing stretch along Ylläksentie—useful if you combine paddling with spinning or fly fishing where rules allow. The Kuerjoki confluence near Hannukainen is a major hydraulic and landscape feature; Retkipaikka describes the Kuer falls and steep gorge walls where Kuerjoki meets Äkäsjoki, including a laavu on the west bank—worth knowing if you scout or take out on foot in that area.
Independent trip reports on nearby Äkäsjoki sections stress reading water, keeping speed in riffles, and watching for shallow, stony channels as summer progresses—experience Napapiirinseikkailija gained on an upper Äkäsjoki run toward Jounin kauppa landing. That is a different put-in and distance than this middle section, but the skills and seasonal pattern (high water in spring, more exposed rock later) transfer. If you prefer instruction and a set itinerary on Äkäsjoki, Destination Lapland advertises a half-day guided trip with swimming ability required and per-person pricing, while Ylläs Experiences lists a separate guided Äkäsjoki programme with equipment coaching and a stated price band on Ylläs.fi. Neither operator’s page is specific to this exact kilometre range, but they document how commercial trips are run on the same river system.
Longer self-supported journeys can link to Äkäsjoki – Erämainen yläosa upstream, the short Äkäslompolon melonta lake loop at the village, Kesänkijoen melontareitti from Kesänkijärvi, or the lower “Rauhallisten nivojen ja suvantojen alaosa” segment toward Muonionjoki—each is a different day’s line, but they share put-ins, road access, and rental hubs around Äkäslompolo and Ylläsjärvi.
Length & route
The route is about 16.1 km along Äkäsjoki as one continuous river line. Expect a full-day or long half-day on the water depending on flow, scouting, and rest stops—regional guided programmes on the same river often quote roughly four hours for shorter segments, so budget similar energy for this longer section.
Getting there
Most paddlers stage from Äkäslompolo: village beaches and services near Jounin kauppa are widely used as landings and meeting points on Äkäsjoki trips. Lapland Hotels Ylläskaltio and the sports courts along the early part of the line sit within walking distance of the water for drivers dropping gear. For shuttle planning, compare bike or second-vehicle options along local roads—Napapiirinseikkailija’s report discusses cycling shuttles when no driver is available. Check Ylläs.fi for current regional tips before you travel.
Good to know
Spring snowmelt and early-summer floods bring the highest, fastest water; later in summer the bed runs lower and rockier, which packrafts handle more forgivingly than long canoes according to Ylläs.fi’s general paddling notes. European beavers are common in the area—look for cut sticks and slides along the banks. Guided trips on Äkäsjoki require swimming ability and weather-appropriate clothing; the same life-jacket mindset applies to private runs. If you fish from the boat or bank, use the valid permits for the Tornionjoki water system and respect seasonal rules for migratory fish in Äkäsjoki’s sea-trout and salmon spawning system described in public hydrology sources.
Where to rent kayaks
Ylläs.fi’s paddling hub links regional rental desks—Lapland Safaris at Äkäslompolo and other Ylläs operators advertise kayaks, canoes, packrafts, and SUP boards in summer; compare pickup point and day rates against your Äkäslompolo start. Ylläs Experiences’ guided Äkäsjoki trip page lists kayak, packraft, and tandem canoe options with pricing context for guided days.
Guided tours & Experiences
Destination Lapland runs a roughly four-hour Äkäsjoki programme covering about 10–12 km with group size limits and per-person pricing; swimming ability is required. Ylläs Experiences advertises a guided Äkäsjoki trip with technique coaching and a stated €75–100 price band on Ylläs.fi.
Be the first to write a review for "Äkäsjoki – Koskinen middle section"
Share a photo from a recent trip
Answers to your questions
Our data was researched from Kolari, 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.