The Livojoki River paddling route is a long point-to-point river journey on one of the Iijoki system’s major free-flowing side rivers in North Ostrobothnia and Lapland, mapped at about 118 km as one continuous line. Livojoki rises from clear headwater lakes near Posio and joins the Iijoki main stem in the Pudasjärvi ch...
City of Pudasjärvi – Livojoki (water recreation)+
Description
The Livojoki River paddling route is a long point-to-point river journey on one of the Iijoki system’s major free-flowing side rivers in North Ostrobothnia and Lapland, mapped at about 118 km as one continuous line. Livojoki rises from clear headwater lakes near Posio and joins the Iijoki main stem in the Pudasjärvi church area; the full river is on the order of 130 km and is largely undeveloped, with many rapids and long lake-like pools. For rapid-by-rapid guidance on the Pudasjärvi reach—including passages such as Kilsikoski, Karjalainenkosket, Viisioikea, Seitenoikea, and Louhikoski with class I–III lines and notes on lining or wading when water is low—the City of Pudasjärvi publishes a detailed Finnish-language description aimed at canoeists and kayakers. Livojoki ry offers printable PDF maps for key segments such as Livo–Posonoja–Rytinki–Sarajärvi and for rapid clusters including Vääräkoski–Korvakoski–Hillikoski, which helps with paper backup away from mobile coverage. If you fish from the boat on the state licence area that runs from Livojärvi to Ylimmäinen Lehmikoski and includes the Mäntyjoki branch, buy the correct Eräluvat permit and respect fly-only and seasonal rules on the upper perhokalastus stretch. Independent writing on Muurahaisten poluilla describes beach camps, Hirsiniemen hiking connections, and canoe hire options on Livojärvi that pair well with trips that start in the headwater lake area. Near Syöte, commercial outfitters advertise shorter Pärjänjoki canoe stages that can be extended toward the Livojoki mouth for a staged Koillismaa week. Along the route you pass landing beaches, lean-tos, and a wilderness hut cluster suited to multi-day pacing: about 20 km in, Kynkään landing and a fire ring; in the Livon village reach near 36–39 km, landings and lean-tos at Livon and Sammalmutka; around 62 km the Jokihaara and Kilsikoski area with lean-tos and the Karjalainen autiotupa and fire ring; near 94 km Haapalan landing and lean-to; and toward 109 km Hillinsuvanto landing and lean-to before the river opens toward Iijoki. Where the bank meets the Iijoki paddling corridor, you can link onward miles on the Iijoki River paddling route or compare planning with the parallel Pärjänjoki paddling route network from the Syöte side.
Length & route
The route on our map is about 117.8 km as one continuous line along Livojoki—not a loop. The river system from Livojärvi to the Iijoki confluence is often quoted at roughly 130 km in regional summaries; your daily distance varies with flow, scouting, and portaging. The City of Pudasjärvi’s rapid table lists each koski with class and length in metres and gives practical line hints—for example Kilsikoski in upper, middle, and lower parts, Mäntyjoki joining at the head of a rocky reach, and long class II–III sections such as Viisioikea and Seitenoikea where you pick a centre line between surface boulders. At low water several reaches are shallow and stony, and the city text recommends lining or poling a canoe rather than running the full chute.
Getting there
Put-in and take-out depend on which Livojoki stretch you paddle; regional roads follow parts of the valley, and the City of Pudasjärvi links this page from its water recreation index. Sarakyläntie and other local roads reach many landings named on our map—check parking and landowner notes at the ramp. For equipment and shorter lake legs at Livojärvi, operators such as those described around Hirsiniemi and Livohka rent canoes in season. From Syöte, outfitters arrange Pärjänjoki trips that can connect toward Livojoki for a staged journey.
Good to know
Metsähallitus notes habitat work on Livojoki in Eräluvat updates—check the Kalaveden hoito section on the permit page before fishing or camping near machinery in season. Give anglers and other river users space at famous pools. On land, the snowmobile corridor Pudasjärvi–Livon kylä–Yli-ii shares some bank access points with paddlers near Livon; watch for winter trail crossings if you haul boats in the cold months.
Itinerary
Example pacing using distances along the route (adjust to flow, weather, and group): Days 1–2 — Headwater and upper Livon reach: by about 20 km you can use Kynkään landing and fire ring for the first camp; read City of Pudasjärvi notes before committing to class II–III lines in the Kilsikoski and Väljäkulkkukoski area. Day 3 — Livon and Sammalmutka: near 36–39 km, paired landings and lean-tos suit a rest day or short hikes to the bank. Days 4–5 — Jokihaara to Karjalainen: near 61–63 km, lean-tos, dry toilets, and Karjalainen autiotupa support a hut night; scout Seitenoikea and Viisioikea in advance when water is high. Days 6–7 — Mid-lower pools toward Haapalan: near 94 km Haapalan landing and lean-to. Final day — Near 109 km Hillinsuvanto landing and lean-to, then paddle the remaining pools toward the Iijoki confluence and possible handover to the Iijoki River paddling route. Treat daily kilometres as flexible—spring flood moves fast but hides rocks; late summer may mean more scraping and wading.
Where to rent kayaks
On Livojärvi, Muurahaisten poluilla mentions canoe rental from Valkean peuran valtakunta on the western lake and Lomakeskus Livohka as a shore base with boats; confirm seasonal availability and transport options before planning. Syöte area businesses advertise canoe and kayak rental and guided river programmes on Pärjänjoki with possible extension toward Livojoki.
Guided tours & Experiences
Syöte.fi lists guided summer canoe safaris on Pärjänjoki with equipment and transfers; the same visitor pages note that experienced groups sometimes continue about 30 km from Harriranta toward the Livojoki mouth for a longer Koillismaa loop.
Downstream with the main current is the usual recreational direction from headwater lakes toward the Iijoki confluence; upstream touring is possible but slower.
Route direction
River
River
Open / Good Condition
Open / Good Condition
Activities allowed
Kayak / Canoe
Activity
Terrain & conditions
117.8 km
Distance
typically several full days for the full distance at moderate touring pace; skilled groups may move faster in high water
Be the first to write a review for "Livojoki River paddling route"
Share a photo from a recent trip
Answers to your questions
Our data was researched from Pudasjärvi, 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.
The Livojoki River paddling route is a long point-to-point river journey on one of the Iijoki system’s major free-flowing side rivers in North Ostrobothnia and Lapland, mapped at about 118 km as one continuous line. Livojoki rises from clear headwater lakes near Posio and joins the Iijoki main stem in the Pudasjärvi ch...
City of Pudasjärvi – Livojoki (water recreation)+
Description
The Livojoki River paddling route is a long point-to-point river journey on one of the Iijoki system’s major free-flowing side rivers in North Ostrobothnia and Lapland, mapped at about 118 km as one continuous line. Livojoki rises from clear headwater lakes near Posio and joins the Iijoki main stem in the Pudasjärvi church area; the full river is on the order of 130 km and is largely undeveloped, with many rapids and long lake-like pools. For rapid-by-rapid guidance on the Pudasjärvi reach—including passages such as Kilsikoski, Karjalainenkosket, Viisioikea, Seitenoikea, and Louhikoski with class I–III lines and notes on lining or wading when water is low—the City of Pudasjärvi publishes a detailed Finnish-language description aimed at canoeists and kayakers. Livojoki ry offers printable PDF maps for key segments such as Livo–Posonoja–Rytinki–Sarajärvi and for rapid clusters including Vääräkoski–Korvakoski–Hillikoski, which helps with paper backup away from mobile coverage. If you fish from the boat on the state licence area that runs from Livojärvi to Ylimmäinen Lehmikoski and includes the Mäntyjoki branch, buy the correct Eräluvat permit and respect fly-only and seasonal rules on the upper perhokalastus stretch. Independent writing on Muurahaisten poluilla describes beach camps, Hirsiniemen hiking connections, and canoe hire options on Livojärvi that pair well with trips that start in the headwater lake area. Near Syöte, commercial outfitters advertise shorter Pärjänjoki canoe stages that can be extended toward the Livojoki mouth for a staged Koillismaa week. Along the route you pass landing beaches, lean-tos, and a wilderness hut cluster suited to multi-day pacing: about 20 km in, Kynkään landing and a fire ring; in the Livon village reach near 36–39 km, landings and lean-tos at Livon and Sammalmutka; around 62 km the Jokihaara and Kilsikoski area with lean-tos and the Karjalainen autiotupa and fire ring; near 94 km Haapalan landing and lean-to; and toward 109 km Hillinsuvanto landing and lean-to before the river opens toward Iijoki. Where the bank meets the Iijoki paddling corridor, you can link onward miles on the Iijoki River paddling route or compare planning with the parallel Pärjänjoki paddling route network from the Syöte side.
Length & route
The route on our map is about 117.8 km as one continuous line along Livojoki—not a loop. The river system from Livojärvi to the Iijoki confluence is often quoted at roughly 130 km in regional summaries; your daily distance varies with flow, scouting, and portaging. The City of Pudasjärvi’s rapid table lists each koski with class and length in metres and gives practical line hints—for example Kilsikoski in upper, middle, and lower parts, Mäntyjoki joining at the head of a rocky reach, and long class II–III sections such as Viisioikea and Seitenoikea where you pick a centre line between surface boulders. At low water several reaches are shallow and stony, and the city text recommends lining or poling a canoe rather than running the full chute.
Getting there
Put-in and take-out depend on which Livojoki stretch you paddle; regional roads follow parts of the valley, and the City of Pudasjärvi links this page from its water recreation index. Sarakyläntie and other local roads reach many landings named on our map—check parking and landowner notes at the ramp. For equipment and shorter lake legs at Livojärvi, operators such as those described around Hirsiniemi and Livohka rent canoes in season. From Syöte, outfitters arrange Pärjänjoki trips that can connect toward Livojoki for a staged journey.
Good to know
Metsähallitus notes habitat work on Livojoki in Eräluvat updates—check the Kalaveden hoito section on the permit page before fishing or camping near machinery in season. Give anglers and other river users space at famous pools. On land, the snowmobile corridor Pudasjärvi–Livon kylä–Yli-ii shares some bank access points with paddlers near Livon; watch for winter trail crossings if you haul boats in the cold months.
Itinerary
Example pacing using distances along the route (adjust to flow, weather, and group): Days 1–2 — Headwater and upper Livon reach: by about 20 km you can use Kynkään landing and fire ring for the first camp; read City of Pudasjärvi notes before committing to class II–III lines in the Kilsikoski and Väljäkulkkukoski area. Day 3 — Livon and Sammalmutka: near 36–39 km, paired landings and lean-tos suit a rest day or short hikes to the bank. Days 4–5 — Jokihaara to Karjalainen: near 61–63 km, lean-tos, dry toilets, and Karjalainen autiotupa support a hut night; scout Seitenoikea and Viisioikea in advance when water is high. Days 6–7 — Mid-lower pools toward Haapalan: near 94 km Haapalan landing and lean-to. Final day — Near 109 km Hillinsuvanto landing and lean-to, then paddle the remaining pools toward the Iijoki confluence and possible handover to the Iijoki River paddling route. Treat daily kilometres as flexible—spring flood moves fast but hides rocks; late summer may mean more scraping and wading.
Where to rent kayaks
On Livojärvi, Muurahaisten poluilla mentions canoe rental from Valkean peuran valtakunta on the western lake and Lomakeskus Livohka as a shore base with boats; confirm seasonal availability and transport options before planning. Syöte area businesses advertise canoe and kayak rental and guided river programmes on Pärjänjoki with possible extension toward Livojoki.
Guided tours & Experiences
Syöte.fi lists guided summer canoe safaris on Pärjänjoki with equipment and transfers; the same visitor pages note that experienced groups sometimes continue about 30 km from Harriranta toward the Livojoki mouth for a longer Koillismaa loop.
Downstream with the main current is the usual recreational direction from headwater lakes toward the Iijoki confluence; upstream touring is possible but slower.
Be the first to write a review for "Livojoki River paddling route"
Share a photo from a recent trip
Answers to your questions
Our data was researched from Pudasjärvi, 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.