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Matkusjoki kayaking route

—•Kayaking Routes

38.3 km

Route

Pitkäkosken retkisatama

Boat RampsAlue sijaitsee Koukunjoen suulla varsinaisen jokiosuuden alkukohdassa. Merkitty veneväylä loppuu satamasta noin 4 km länteen sijaitsevan Tikkakosken yläpuolelle. Iisalmen satamasta on matkaa Pitkäkoskelle venereittiä pit...

Pitkäkosken erityiskalastuskohde

5.1 km|Free

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Description

Municipality of Sonkajärvi – Matkusjoen reitti+

Description

For the wider Matkusjoki waterway, the Municipality of Sonkajärvi describes Matkusjoen reitti as a demanding challenge for paddlers and anglers: the corridor includes thirteen rapids and roughly one hundred kilometres of boating from the Raudanvesi launch on Sukevanjärvi through Lapinkoski to Venäänjärvi, then via Sonkakoski to Lake Sonkajärvi, and onward through Aittokoski, Savonvirta, Mansikkavirta, and Madesalmi to Pitkäkoski, then Koukunjoki toward Viitaanjärvi. The City of Iisalmi explains how Iisalmen reitti connects south to the Saimaa system, west toward Runni and Kiuruvesi, and east toward Koukunjoki and Viitaanjärvi for long water journeys. The Iisalmen reitti recreation overview lists regional paddling clubs and names Pitkäkoski among notable special fishing sites on the network. This kayaking route is about 38.3 km point-to-point as one continuous paddle in North Savo; it is not a loop. It follows the Matkusjoki and Hernejärvi water toward Sonkajärvi town, starting from the Iisalmi side of the system. After a few kilometres you reach Pitkäkosken retkisatama, a landing and staging point that also lies on Iisalmen venereitit, so you can combine planning with that longer municipal boating route if you want a linked trip. Pitkäkosken erityiskalastuskohde sits on the same reach for fly and spin fishing where rules allow. Around nine kilometres along the line, the shore at Hernejärvi pairs a disc golf course with an outdoor rink—handy landmarks if you are meeting people on land. The eastern end approaches Sonkajärvi town near local sports fields and paths, so finishing feels like a town landing rather than a remote wilderness take-out. Equipment and advice sit with operators and clubs rather than on the water itself. Ruukin Tupa rents expedition-style sea kayaks from its Jyrkkä base with daily pricing and shuttle options by arrangement. Ylä-Savon Mela is an Iisalmi-based touring club with a boat harbour base on Brofeldtintie for members and local contacts. If you fish from the boat, treat Matkusjoki as a river fishery with seasonal rules and permit sales through listed outlets; fishing.fi summarises the water and links to licence purchase paths. For current water levels, hazards, and closures, rely on the Municipality of Sonkajärvi’s Matkusjoen reitti page and the City of Iisalmi’s water-route pages rather than informal summaries.

Length & route

The route is about 38.3 km point-to-point as one paddling line. Municipal copy for the full Matkusjoen reitti often cites roughly 100 km and thirteen rapids for the entire corridor from Raudanvesi to Viitaanjärvi, which is a much longer expedition than this segment. Expect a mix of river current, lake bays, and rapids sections where the official description calls the whole waterway demanding.

Getting there

Treat this as a shuttle paddle: stage vehicles or use commercial shuttles where operators offer them. The Municipality of Sonkajärvi lists Raudanveden veneenlaskupaikka at Raudanjärventie 402, Kalliosuo, as one official access point for the long Matkusjoen reitti description. For the Iisalmi–Sonkajärvi link, the City of Iisalmi points travellers to Iisalmen reitti and the city marina for network-scale planning. Ruukin Tupa advertises kayak hire from Jyrkäntie 1882, Jyrkkä, with shuttle enquiries by phone or email.

Good to know

Angling from the water follows river rules on Matkusjoki: fishing.fi lists permitted methods and points to licence purchase; additional permits can apply beyond the state fisheries management fee. Rapids and motor traffic near bridges demand conservative lines and good safety gear. The Iisalmen reitti water-quality pages remind readers that many local lakes are humic and nutrient-rich—visibility and algae vary by season.

Itinerary

At about 38 km, many groups treat this as one long summer day in calm weather, or split it into two relaxed days with an overnight near Hernejärvi or Sonkajärvi depending on wind. Early on, Pitkäkosken retkisatama and the Pitkäkoski fishing reach are natural breaks roughly five kilometres into the route. Mid-route, Hernejärvi’s shore facilities sit near nine kilometres. The final section approaches Sonkajärvi town and local sports areas—plan landing permissions and parking before you commit to a town finish.

Where to rent kayaks

Ruukin Tupa rents Expedition Åfjord sea kayaks from Jyrkäntie 1882, Jyrkkä, with sprayskirt, vest, helmet, and paddle included from about €35 per day; shuttle transport can be arranged separately. Ylä-Savon Mela is a touring-focused club based in Iisalmi with storage at Brofeldtintie harbour—contact the club for training and member trips rather than casual walk-in hire.

Managed by

Sonkajärvi

Official Maintenance

Trail info

The Municipality of Sonkajärvi describes progress from Raudanvesi and northern lakes toward Pitkäkoski and Koukunjoki; paddlers may run sections in either direction with matching current and wind.

Route direction

Lake

River

Open / Good Condition

Municipality of Sonkajärvi – Matkusjoen reitti

Activities allowed

Kayak / Canoe

Activity

Terrain & conditions

38.3 km

Distance

Typically one long day to two shorter days for the 38 km segment in summer conditions; the full hundred-kilometre municipal description is a multi-day expedition for most groups.

Est. Time

Point-to-Point

Route Type

Class II (Moderate)

Rapids class

Lake Paddling

Water type

River Paddling

Water type

Municipality of Sonkajärvi – Matkusjoen reitti

Location

63.57144°N, 27.34463°E

Approximate location

FinlandCountry

North SavoRegion

IisalmiCity

Hernejärvi; SonkajärviVillage

Kayaking RoutesCategory

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Answers to your questions

Our data was researched from Sonkajärvi, 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 Savo Iisalmi Kayaking RoutesMatkusjoki kayaking route

Matkusjoki kayaking route38.3 km

Route

Pitkäkosken retkisatama

4.9 km|Free

Pitkäkosken erityiskalastuskohde

5.1 km|Free

Description

Municipality of Sonkajärvi – Matkusjoen reitti+

Description

Length & route

Getting there

Good to know

Itinerary

Where to rent kayaks

Managed by

Sonkajärvi

Official Maintenance

Trail info

Location

The Municipality of Sonkajärvi describes progress from Raudanvesi and northern lakes toward Pitkäkoski and Koukunjoki; paddlers may run sections in either direction with matching current and wind.

Route direction

Lake

River

Open / Good Condition

Municipality of Sonkajärvi – Matkusjoen reitti

Location

63.57144°N, 27.34463°E

Approximate location

FinlandCountry

North SavoRegion

IisalmiCity

Hernejärvi; SonkajärviVillage

Kayaking RoutesCategory

Activities allowed

Kayak / Canoe

Activity

Terrain & conditions

38.3 km

Distance

Typically one long day to two shorter days for the 38 km segment in summer conditions; the full hundred-kilometre municipal description is a multi-day expedition for most groups.

Est. Time

Point-to-Point

Route Type

Class II (Moderate)

Rapids class

Lake Paddling

Water type

River Paddling

Water type

Municipality of Sonkajärvi – Matkusjoen reitti