When did huts.fi research the data for Kuusamojärven Melontareitti?

Huts.fi

Kuusamojärven Melontareitti

—•Kayaking Routes

45.3 km

Route

Description

City of Kuusamo – Kuusamojärven Melontareitti+

Description

Kuusamojärven Melontareitti is a long lake paddling tour on Kuusamojärvi east of Kuusamo in North Ostrobothnia. The City of Kuusamo publishes stage distances, landing places, and optional detours on its Kuusamojärven Melontareitti page—start there for the latest local guidance. The same story in English appears on the City of Kuusamo’s English Kuusamojärvi canoeing route page. On our map the route follows about 45.3 km as one continuous line along the water; the city’s published ring is often described as four main legs totalling roughly 31 km (about 8.6 km + 7 km + 9.3 km + 6.1 km) between Lahdentaus, Raatesalmi, Lahtela, Tolpanniemi marina, and Kelaranta, with room to add shorter island loops or a longer optional Porosari circuit when you plan from the official map. Paddling unfolds through Pikku-Vihtasalmi, Tolpansalmi, and Kirkkolahti-style sheltered channels, with longer open crossings such as Mustanselkä where island groups give shelter before you reach the next landing. Along the mapped line you pass Raatesalmen laavu, Lahtelan kota, Tolpanniemen uimapaikka, Lahdentauksen uimapaikka, Kelanrannan rantauimala, Vihtasalmen lintutorni, and Nilojoen lintutorni—useful waypoints for breaks and wildlife watching. Near Lahtela, the Salpalinja, Lahtela-Vanttajan polku route is highlighted as a worthwhile shore walk from the water. By Ronkaisenniemi, Ronkaisenniemen pallokenttä sits early on the line for those orienting from the south shore. Shoreside walking options near the sports complex include Historiapolku, Kirkkosaaren ulkoilureitti, and Kirkkosaaren kierros; Taajaman ympäryslatu is the winter ski circuit that shares some shoreline context. Ruka.fi notes that beginners can also start a shorter Kuusamojärvi outing from near the sports field shore in the town area, and that the wider Ruka–Kuusamo destination lists many kilometres of classified paddling routes and programme providers. For calmer practice and SUP, the city points to Samostenperä and the Kelaranta side of the lake, including the pontoon-bridge boating channel that creates a more sheltered paddling space for newcomers. Luontoon.fi carries the same route name as a national outdoor route listing so you can cross-check the feature against other Finnish paddling data.

Length & route

The mapped paddling line on our page is about 45.3 km as one continuous track on Kuusamojärvi. The City of Kuusamo describes a ring of four main legs totalling roughly 31 km between principal landings, with optional add-ons such as a roughly 3.7 km circuit around Kamosensaari or a longer Porosari route on the guide map.

Getting there

Plan landings and road access from Lahdentaus, Raatesalmi, Lahtela, Tolpanniemi marina, or Kelaranta as described by the City of Kuusamo. Ruka.fi mentions launching near the town sports field shore for a Kuusamojärvi outing. Kuusamon eräkauppa in Kuusamo lists kayak, canoe, SUP, and rowing-boat rental tiers on its equipment rental price list. Programme companies across Ruka–Kuusamo arrange guided paddling; see Ruka.fi’s paddling page for current operators.

Good to know

The City of Kuusamo’s lake fishing pages describe the Järvi-Kuusamo area as a large joint-permit lake district where Kuusamojärvi and Muojärvi form the core; the text stresses that routes are well marked on the water, rocks and shallows are few, and shores are mostly low for easy landing—useful background for trip planning even when you are not fishing. For permit rules and the state fisheries management fee, the City of Kuusamo’s fishing permits summary points to Eräluvat’s online shop and explains when the fee applies. Motor traffic can share some winter routes on the ice; in summer focus on safe distance from motorboats and changing wind on open bays.

Itinerary

Using the City of Kuusamo’s stage splits, a classic two-day ring might look like: day 1 from the Kirkkosaari / Lahdentaus side to Raatesalmi (about 8.6 km) and on to Lahtela (about 7 km) with time for Raatesalmi lean-tos and optional short shore detours; day 2 from Lahtela to Tolpanniemi (about 9.3 km) and back toward Kirkkosaari and Lahdentaus (about 6.1 km), optionally looping Kamosensaari or finishing via Samostenperä or Kelaranta. Stronger crews can compress the ring into a single long day; slower groups can add a third day for Salpalinja walking and birdwatching stops.

Where to rent kayaks

Kuusamon eräkauppa lists kayaks, canoes, SUP boards, and rowing boats with per-day pricing tiers on its rental price list—check the page for current amounts and included gear. Ruka.fi’s paddling overview links programme providers and rental hubs across Ruka–Kuusamo, including operators such as Kuusamo Safaris and Outdoor Passion Finland for wider gear and guided options.

Guided tours & Experiences

Ruka.fi lists several programme companies that arrange guided paddling and related water activities in the Ruka–Kuusamo area; names include Kuusamo Safaris, Basecamp Oulanka, Outdoor Passion Finland, and others—confirm seasonal programmes and languages on Ruka.fi’s paddling page.

Managed by

Kuusamo

Official Maintenance

040 860 8365

Trail info

The City of Kuusamo describes the ring as Kirkkosaari–Raatesalmi–Lahtela–Tolpanniemi–back toward Kirkkosaari and Lahdentaus; you can paddle the stages in the order that fits wind and shuttle logistics.

Route direction

Recreation Area

Lake

Open / Good Condition

City of Kuusamo – Kuusamojärven Melontareitti+

Activities allowed

Kayak / Canoe

Activity

Terrain & conditions

45.3 km

Distance

Allow one long day to three shorter days depending on wind, whether you paddle the full mapped line or only the city’s roughly 31 km ring, and how much time you spend on shore at lean-tos, kota, and bird towers.

Est. Time

Loop

Route Type

Lake Paddling

Water type

City of Kuusamo – Kuusamojärven Melontareitti+

Location

65.96636°N, 29.19495°E

Approximate location

FinlandCountry

North OstrobothniaRegion

KuusamoCity

Kayaking RoutesCategory

Explore nearby

Liikuntakeskuksen ulkoilu- ja urheilupuiston beachvolleykentät (2)

231 m

Free

Liikuntakeskuksen ulkoilu- ja urheilupuiston koripallokenttä

217 m

Free

Liikuntakeskuksen frisbeegolfrata

345 m

Free

Liikuntakeskuksen kaukalo Kuusamo

330 m

Free

Kuusamon liikuntahallin kuntosali

471 m

Liikuntakeskuksen ulkoilu- ja urheilupuiston pallokentät

280 m

Free

Liikuntakeskuksen ulkoilu- ja urheilupuiston moukarihäkki

271 m

Liikuntakeskuksen ulkoilu- ja urheilupuiston tenniskentät

263 m

Rate & Review

Be the first to write a review for "Kuusamojärven Melontareitti"

Share a photo from a recent trip

Answers to your questions

Our data was researched from Kuusamo, 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 North Ostrobothnia Kuusamo Kayaking RoutesKuusamojärven Melontareitti