Sodankylä Kayaking Routes

The Riipijoki river in Sodankylä is a long wilderness-style paddling corridor in Central Lapland. For route planning, distances, and put-in ideas along Sodankylä waterways, Visit Sodankylä’s canoeing and paddleboarding pages are the best regional starting point(1). On our map this line is about 69.9 km point-to-point along the Riipijoki system from the Riipi end toward Unari. The same corridor is described on Visit Sodankylä as a suggested Riipijoki paddling route of about 70 km from Riipi to Unari: you can paddle shorter sections, and the full through-trip is aimed at independent paddlers who want a multi-day adventure(1). Between Riipijärvi and Unari the water passes a scenic lake-and-village landscape; Riipijoki itself runs through open forest and mire country, with Kierinki and Kukasjärvi along the way toward Unari(1). In low water, rapids can show exposed stone—especially in the upper part of the route—so scout landings and expect to line or short-carry where the channel is shallow(1). Practical access points named on the official page include starting from Riipijärvi or from Kaarron silta, where a road crosses the river next to a large campfire site—convenient for staging boats and shuttle cars(1). The described finish is at Unarinjärvi Moulusjokisuulla, with a small-boat harbour and a lean-to for a break before take-out(1). In winter the surrounding fells carry an extensive snowmobile network; routes such as the Riipijärvi–Sivakkarova and Sivakkarova–Kierinki snowmobile corridors follow the same general area on land when the river is ice-covered. Near the southern end of the water line, Mitkasjärvi Nature Trail offers a short hiking alternative if your group splits time between shore and water. Kayaks, canoes, and SUP boards are available in Sodankylä from Sompion Samoilijat ry and Loito Oy; booking for Sompion Samoilijat is handled through their online rental system(2)(3). If you fish from the boat, check which permits apply for the waters you use and buy the national fisheries management fee when your age group requires it(4)(5).