Iisalmen venereitit is about 53 km long on our map as a point-to-point boating and paddling line through North Savo, from the Runnin and Kiurujoki area toward Pitkäkoski retkisatama and the Pitkäkosken erityiskalastuskohde fishing site. The trace follows lake and river channels that belong to the wider Vuoksi and Iisal...
Iisalmen reitti – Virkistyskäyttö (paddling and rivers)+
Description
Iisalmen venereitit is about 53 km long on our map as a point-to-point boating and paddling line through North Savo, from the Runnin and Kiurujoki area toward Pitkäkoski retkisatama and the Pitkäkosken erityiskalastuskohde fishing site. The trace follows lake and river channels that belong to the wider Vuoksi and Iisalmi route water system—Kiurujoki, open water on Porovesi, and the Koljonvirta reach past Iisalmi—rather than a single named slalom on one river. The Iisalmen reitti programme groups Matkusjoki, Kiurujoki, Vieremänjoki, Murennusjoki, and Rotimojoki as examples of river kilometres for paddlers in the headwaters area, names the classic Juhani Aho paddling line from Salahmi through Vieremä harbour, Mansikkaniemi, Iisalmi harbour, and Iiranta at about 35 km as an illustration, and points to Ylä-Savon Mela for local club information on places. That published Juhani Aho line overlaps part of this longer mapped trace; our geometry extends farther downstream. On land near the same shores, Runnin ladut and Ylä-Savon pyöräreitti serve skiers and cyclists where the water trace passes Runnin and later the Koljonvirta waterfront.
From the water you pass Runnin services and Runnin retkisatama-style landings early on, then Väätäjänsaari with Väätäjän laavu and Väätäjänsaaren retkisatama, and Kihlonvirran kota/laavu where a short shore break is easy. The mid section toward Iirannan retkisatama and Kyhjönsaaren retkisatama adds guest-harbour-style stops on Porovesi before the Koljonvirta town shore: Mansikkaniemen nuotiopaikka and swim spots sit beside the same built shoreline as the history trail and outdoor hubs described by the city’s outdoor pages. In central Iisalmi the fairway runs past Haukiniemi, Kaupungin uimaranta (EU-ranta), and the city guest harbour, where the City of Iisalmi lists showers, toilets, fuel, pump-out, and day guest berths. The Kiurujoki description on Iisalmen reitti notes Saarikosken regulation dam and the hand-operated Saarikoski museum canal beside it—paddlers must plan a canal passage rather than shooting the dam. The Melontakuvia paddle blog documents carrying a kayak through that museum lock with a rope and spending time on the lock machinery, and stopping at a Kihlovirta kota with lean-to, firewood, and slip—useful colour for what the portage feels like on the ground.
For equipment, Ruukin Tupa near Jyrkkä rents expedition-style sea kayaks with sprayskirt, paddle, helmet, and PFD from a stated starting price, aimed at lake and river outings in the Iisalmi area. Ylä-Savon Mela is Iisalmi’s expedition canoe club with a base at Brofeldtintie boat storage—contact the club for peer trips and coaching rather than commercial hire. If you fish from the water, Kiurujoki lies in the Ylä-Savon fisheries district; check whether you need a regional state-waters licence on top of the national fisheries management fee via Eräluvat Ylä-Savo state-waters products for area 6101.
Length & route
The route is about 53 km on our map as one continuous boating line. It is not a loop. Published descriptions of shorter named tours (for example the roughly 35 km Juhani Aho line on Iisalmen reitti) cover part of the same water system but not this full trace—use our figure for this mapped geometry. Expect at least one canal portage at Saarikoski on Kiurujoki: the museum lock is hand operated and paddlers typically line boats through rather than running the regulated dam.
Getting there
Put in or join the line at Runnin retkisatama and swimming beach beside Spa Hotel Runni, or use other public slips and beaches marked along the trace. Central Iisalmi’s guest harbour offers fuel, pump-out, and showers for visiting boaters and paddlers tying up for town services. Broader shore access and city-maintained lean-tos appear on Metsähallitus Retkikartta and the city’s Fluent Outdoors layers as linked from the City of Iisalmi outdoor pages. Ruukin Tupa publishes kayak rental pick-up at Jyrkkä for regional paddling.
Good to know
Watch motorboat traffic especially near Iisalmi harbour and developed shores. Respect private yards and public event closures on beaches. For fishing, carry the right permits for the district and water type. After heavy rain, humic water colour and pollen on the surface are typical on these lakes and rivers—filter drinking water at wilderness stops.
Itinerary
Day 1: Runnin to Väätäjänsaari or Kihlonvirran kota (about 2–12 km) for spa-country landings and the Saarikoski canal portage. Day 2: Across Porovesi to Iiranta and Kyhjönsaari (roughly 28–29 km along the line) for guest-harbour stops and lean-tos. Day 3: Koljonvirta and Iisalmi waterfront (Mansikkaniemi, Haukiniemi, city harbour), then onward to Pitkäkoski (total about 53 km)—adjust daily distances to wind, motorboat traffic, and lock delays.
Where to rent kayaks
Ruukin Tupa (Jyrkkä, Iisalmi area) rents Expedition Åfjord sea kayaks with sprayskirt, paddle, helmet, and PFD; pricing starts from a published base level on the Iisalmi ja tienoot rental page. Ylä-Savon Mela does not advertise public hire but offers club trips and contacts from its Iisalmi base.
The line is drawn from Runnin toward Pitkäkoski; you may paddle it in either direction, but wind on Porovesi and lock hours at Saarikoski should decide daily planning. Motorised boating traffic is heavier near Iisalmi than on upper Kiurujoki.
Route direction
Recreation Area
Recreation Area
Lake
Lake
River
River
Open / Good Condition
Open / Good Condition
City of Iisalmi – Harbour (Satama)+
Activities allowed
Kayak / Canoe
Activity
Terrain & conditions
53 km
Distance
Most groups spread the full 53 km over two or three calm-weather days with the stops listed in route_stops; strong headwinds on Porovesi or time lost at Saarikoski lock can add hours.
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Answers to your questions
Our data was researched from Iisalmi, 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.
Iisalmen venereitit is about 53 km long on our map as a point-to-point boating and paddling line through North Savo, from the Runnin and Kiurujoki area toward Pitkäkoski retkisatama and the Pitkäkosken erityiskalastuskohde fishing site. The trace follows lake and river channels that belong to the wider Vuoksi and Iisal...
Iisalmen reitti – Virkistyskäyttö (paddling and rivers)+
Description
Iisalmen venereitit is about 53 km long on our map as a point-to-point boating and paddling line through North Savo, from the Runnin and Kiurujoki area toward Pitkäkoski retkisatama and the Pitkäkosken erityiskalastuskohde fishing site. The trace follows lake and river channels that belong to the wider Vuoksi and Iisalmi route water system—Kiurujoki, open water on Porovesi, and the Koljonvirta reach past Iisalmi—rather than a single named slalom on one river. The Iisalmen reitti programme groups Matkusjoki, Kiurujoki, Vieremänjoki, Murennusjoki, and Rotimojoki as examples of river kilometres for paddlers in the headwaters area, names the classic Juhani Aho paddling line from Salahmi through Vieremä harbour, Mansikkaniemi, Iisalmi harbour, and Iiranta at about 35 km as an illustration, and points to Ylä-Savon Mela for local club information on places. That published Juhani Aho line overlaps part of this longer mapped trace; our geometry extends farther downstream. On land near the same shores, Runnin ladut and Ylä-Savon pyöräreitti serve skiers and cyclists where the water trace passes Runnin and later the Koljonvirta waterfront.
From the water you pass Runnin services and Runnin retkisatama-style landings early on, then Väätäjänsaari with Väätäjän laavu and Väätäjänsaaren retkisatama, and Kihlonvirran kota/laavu where a short shore break is easy. The mid section toward Iirannan retkisatama and Kyhjönsaaren retkisatama adds guest-harbour-style stops on Porovesi before the Koljonvirta town shore: Mansikkaniemen nuotiopaikka and swim spots sit beside the same built shoreline as the history trail and outdoor hubs described by the city’s outdoor pages. In central Iisalmi the fairway runs past Haukiniemi, Kaupungin uimaranta (EU-ranta), and the city guest harbour, where the City of Iisalmi lists showers, toilets, fuel, pump-out, and day guest berths. The Kiurujoki description on Iisalmen reitti notes Saarikosken regulation dam and the hand-operated Saarikoski museum canal beside it—paddlers must plan a canal passage rather than shooting the dam. The Melontakuvia paddle blog documents carrying a kayak through that museum lock with a rope and spending time on the lock machinery, and stopping at a Kihlovirta kota with lean-to, firewood, and slip—useful colour for what the portage feels like on the ground.
For equipment, Ruukin Tupa near Jyrkkä rents expedition-style sea kayaks with sprayskirt, paddle, helmet, and PFD from a stated starting price, aimed at lake and river outings in the Iisalmi area. Ylä-Savon Mela is Iisalmi’s expedition canoe club with a base at Brofeldtintie boat storage—contact the club for peer trips and coaching rather than commercial hire. If you fish from the water, Kiurujoki lies in the Ylä-Savon fisheries district; check whether you need a regional state-waters licence on top of the national fisheries management fee via Eräluvat Ylä-Savo state-waters products for area 6101.
Length & route
The route is about 53 km on our map as one continuous boating line. It is not a loop. Published descriptions of shorter named tours (for example the roughly 35 km Juhani Aho line on Iisalmen reitti) cover part of the same water system but not this full trace—use our figure for this mapped geometry. Expect at least one canal portage at Saarikoski on Kiurujoki: the museum lock is hand operated and paddlers typically line boats through rather than running the regulated dam.
Getting there
Put in or join the line at Runnin retkisatama and swimming beach beside Spa Hotel Runni, or use other public slips and beaches marked along the trace. Central Iisalmi’s guest harbour offers fuel, pump-out, and showers for visiting boaters and paddlers tying up for town services. Broader shore access and city-maintained lean-tos appear on Metsähallitus Retkikartta and the city’s Fluent Outdoors layers as linked from the City of Iisalmi outdoor pages. Ruukin Tupa publishes kayak rental pick-up at Jyrkkä for regional paddling.
Good to know
Watch motorboat traffic especially near Iisalmi harbour and developed shores. Respect private yards and public event closures on beaches. For fishing, carry the right permits for the district and water type. After heavy rain, humic water colour and pollen on the surface are typical on these lakes and rivers—filter drinking water at wilderness stops.
Itinerary
Day 1: Runnin to Väätäjänsaari or Kihlonvirran kota (about 2–12 km) for spa-country landings and the Saarikoski canal portage. Day 2: Across Porovesi to Iiranta and Kyhjönsaari (roughly 28–29 km along the line) for guest-harbour stops and lean-tos. Day 3: Koljonvirta and Iisalmi waterfront (Mansikkaniemi, Haukiniemi, city harbour), then onward to Pitkäkoski (total about 53 km)—adjust daily distances to wind, motorboat traffic, and lock delays.
Where to rent kayaks
Ruukin Tupa (Jyrkkä, Iisalmi area) rents Expedition Åfjord sea kayaks with sprayskirt, paddle, helmet, and PFD; pricing starts from a published base level on the Iisalmi ja tienoot rental page. Ylä-Savon Mela does not advertise public hire but offers club trips and contacts from its Iisalmi base.
The line is drawn from Runnin toward Pitkäkoski; you may paddle it in either direction, but wind on Porovesi and lock hours at Saarikoski should decide daily planning. Motorised boating traffic is heavier near Iisalmi than on upper Kiurujoki.
Most groups spread the full 53 km over two or three calm-weather days with the stops listed in route_stops; strong headwinds on Porovesi or time lost at Saarikoski lock can add hours.
Be the first to write a review for "Iisalmen venereitit"
Share a photo from a recent trip
Answers to your questions
Our data was researched from Iisalmi, 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.