The Naarajoki–Kyyvesi–Puula kayaking route is a long inland paddling corridor in the Kymijoki headwaters, registered in national outdoor data and published on Luontoon.fi as the Naarajoki-Kyyvesi-Puula melontareitti Mikkeli entry. As mapped here the line is about 43.4 km point-to-point: it runs along Naarajoki into...
The Naarajoki–Kyyvesi–Puula kayaking route is a long inland paddling corridor in the Kymijoki headwaters, registered in national outdoor data and published on Luontoon.fi as the Naarajoki-Kyyvesi-Puula melontareitti Mikkeli entry. As mapped here the line is about 43.4 km point-to-point: it runs along Naarajoki into Lake Kyyvesi, crosses the narrow strait and channel network between Kyyvesi and Puula near Läsäkoski, and ends at Reposaari on Puula. That is one segment of the same waterway network that Pieksämäen Kanoottiseura documents as roughly 110–130 km from Naarajärvi in Pieksämäki to Puula at Kangasniemi, with easy class I–II rapids and no need for spray decks in open canoes on the river sections. Sport Pieksämäki lists the full Naarajoki corridor at about 110–130 km with last clearing work noted for 2007 and describes it as paddlable through the summer. Early on the mapped line you reach Koskentila on the river; around 9 km from the start, Ruunavuori viewpoint sits above the shore, and the Häkkilä Trail’s northern branch passes close enough that shore parties often combine water and land. Near 14 km the Vavesaari cluster groups a lean-to, campfire sites, a jetty, and a landing—dry toilets are available in that area without needing every structure named. Mid-lake, Ohenvuori and Emäsalonniemi landings break up open-water crossings; Keronvuori viewpoint and the Keronlahti cooking shelter sit on the Häkkilä hiking network where the Naarajoki–Kyyvesi–Puula line meets the shore. Approaching Haukivuori, the route passes the Haukivuori harbour beach and cooking shelter before the final stretch to Reposaari. The shorter Naarajoen melontareitti in our database overlaps the same river reach for part of the way. Independent trip reports on Naarajoki describe multi-day pacing with overnight stops at lean-tos and easy wildlife viewing in spring and autumn. For equipment and shuttle questions on the wider system, Pieksämäen Kanoottiseura advertises canoe rental and transport services from the Pieksämäki end of the corridor.
Length & route
The mapped kayaking line is about 43.4 km point-to-point along Naarajoki, Lake Kyyvesi, and Puula. Allow a full long day for fit groups or two shorter days if you explore landings and viewpoints. The wider Naarajoki–Puula system is often quoted at about 110–130 km end to end. Plan a short carry at Läsäkoski between Kyyvesi and Puula: Pieksämäen Kanoottiseura notes that part of the rapid must be passed on land and that Läsäkoski is the largest rapid on the Kyyvesi–Puula transition—check conditions before committing to a line. Spring flood can change which arches are passable under road bridges on the upper Naarajoki; low summer water can slow the river sections.
Getting there
Treat this as a one-way water journey: stage vehicles at put-in and take-out along public roads near Koskentila and Reposaari, or arrange a shuttle. Haukivuori local nature tourism pages list several named landing places on Lake Kyyvesi—Vavesaari, Emäsalonniemi, Iso-Repo, and Keronvuori primeval-forest berthing among them—and note that one former landing point is no longer available, so confirm current access before planning. Pieksämäen Kanoottiseura offers rental and transport services from the Pieksämäki end of the full corridor if you need boats or car moves. Mikkeli publishes general outdoor route maps and lean-to indexes that help plan services around the shore zone.
Good to know
Angling from a kayak requires the national fisheries management fee and any regional lure licence where applicable; check Eräluvat before fishing from the boat. Private shorelines and forestry roads are common—land only at marked rest sites and respect landowners. Wind on Kyyvesi and Puula can build chop quickly; carry spare clothes and a reliable tow line. The Haukivuori nature tourism pages mention smartphone map layers for landing information; treat operational details as subject to change and confirm locally.
History
The Läsäkoski canal cut between Lake Kyyvesi and Lake Puula in the 1860s is part of the area’s timber-floating and water-level history; public canal histories describe several metres of head between the lakes and a short natural channel below the canal before water reaches Puula. Naarajoki itself has supported log driving, mills, and the long-distance canoe route now promoted by municipalities and clubs.
Where to rent kayaks
Pieksämäen Kanoottiseura ry advertises Melamestari rental and transport services for the Naarajoki corridor; phone 040 503 8324 as listed on the club’s Naarajoki page. Confirm boat types, shuttle pricing, and pick-up points before your trip.
Point-to-point along Naarajoki into Lake Kyyvesi and across to Puula as mapped toward Reposaari; many groups run the full Naarajoki–Puula system downstream from Pieksämäki toward Kangasniemi instead.
Route direction
Lake
Lake
River
River
Open / Good Condition
Open / Good Condition
Activities allowed
Kayak / Canoe
Activity
Terrain & conditions
43.4 km
Distance
Typically one long day to two days at a touring pace for the mapped 43.4 km, depending on wind, scouting at Läsäkoski, and time on shore.
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Answers to your questions
Our data was researched from Mikkeli, 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 Naarajoki–Kyyvesi–Puula kayaking route is a long inland paddling corridor in the Kymijoki headwaters, registered in national outdoor data and published on Luontoon.fi as the Naarajoki-Kyyvesi-Puula melontareitti Mikkeli entry. As mapped here the line is about 43.4 km point-to-point: it runs along Naarajoki into...
The Naarajoki–Kyyvesi–Puula kayaking route is a long inland paddling corridor in the Kymijoki headwaters, registered in national outdoor data and published on Luontoon.fi as the Naarajoki-Kyyvesi-Puula melontareitti Mikkeli entry. As mapped here the line is about 43.4 km point-to-point: it runs along Naarajoki into Lake Kyyvesi, crosses the narrow strait and channel network between Kyyvesi and Puula near Läsäkoski, and ends at Reposaari on Puula. That is one segment of the same waterway network that Pieksämäen Kanoottiseura documents as roughly 110–130 km from Naarajärvi in Pieksämäki to Puula at Kangasniemi, with easy class I–II rapids and no need for spray decks in open canoes on the river sections. Sport Pieksämäki lists the full Naarajoki corridor at about 110–130 km with last clearing work noted for 2007 and describes it as paddlable through the summer. Early on the mapped line you reach Koskentila on the river; around 9 km from the start, Ruunavuori viewpoint sits above the shore, and the Häkkilä Trail’s northern branch passes close enough that shore parties often combine water and land. Near 14 km the Vavesaari cluster groups a lean-to, campfire sites, a jetty, and a landing—dry toilets are available in that area without needing every structure named. Mid-lake, Ohenvuori and Emäsalonniemi landings break up open-water crossings; Keronvuori viewpoint and the Keronlahti cooking shelter sit on the Häkkilä hiking network where the Naarajoki–Kyyvesi–Puula line meets the shore. Approaching Haukivuori, the route passes the Haukivuori harbour beach and cooking shelter before the final stretch to Reposaari. The shorter Naarajoen melontareitti in our database overlaps the same river reach for part of the way. Independent trip reports on Naarajoki describe multi-day pacing with overnight stops at lean-tos and easy wildlife viewing in spring and autumn. For equipment and shuttle questions on the wider system, Pieksämäen Kanoottiseura advertises canoe rental and transport services from the Pieksämäki end of the corridor.
Length & route
The mapped kayaking line is about 43.4 km point-to-point along Naarajoki, Lake Kyyvesi, and Puula. Allow a full long day for fit groups or two shorter days if you explore landings and viewpoints. The wider Naarajoki–Puula system is often quoted at about 110–130 km end to end. Plan a short carry at Läsäkoski between Kyyvesi and Puula: Pieksämäen Kanoottiseura notes that part of the rapid must be passed on land and that Läsäkoski is the largest rapid on the Kyyvesi–Puula transition—check conditions before committing to a line. Spring flood can change which arches are passable under road bridges on the upper Naarajoki; low summer water can slow the river sections.
Getting there
Treat this as a one-way water journey: stage vehicles at put-in and take-out along public roads near Koskentila and Reposaari, or arrange a shuttle. Haukivuori local nature tourism pages list several named landing places on Lake Kyyvesi—Vavesaari, Emäsalonniemi, Iso-Repo, and Keronvuori primeval-forest berthing among them—and note that one former landing point is no longer available, so confirm current access before planning. Pieksämäen Kanoottiseura offers rental and transport services from the Pieksämäki end of the full corridor if you need boats or car moves. Mikkeli publishes general outdoor route maps and lean-to indexes that help plan services around the shore zone.
Good to know
Angling from a kayak requires the national fisheries management fee and any regional lure licence where applicable; check Eräluvat before fishing from the boat. Private shorelines and forestry roads are common—land only at marked rest sites and respect landowners. Wind on Kyyvesi and Puula can build chop quickly; carry spare clothes and a reliable tow line. The Haukivuori nature tourism pages mention smartphone map layers for landing information; treat operational details as subject to change and confirm locally.
History
The Läsäkoski canal cut between Lake Kyyvesi and Lake Puula in the 1860s is part of the area’s timber-floating and water-level history; public canal histories describe several metres of head between the lakes and a short natural channel below the canal before water reaches Puula. Naarajoki itself has supported log driving, mills, and the long-distance canoe route now promoted by municipalities and clubs.
Where to rent kayaks
Pieksämäen Kanoottiseura ry advertises Melamestari rental and transport services for the Naarajoki corridor; phone 040 503 8324 as listed on the club’s Naarajoki page. Confirm boat types, shuttle pricing, and pick-up points before your trip.
Point-to-point along Naarajoki into Lake Kyyvesi and across to Puula as mapped toward Reposaari; many groups run the full Naarajoki–Puula system downstream from Pieksämäki toward Kangasniemi instead.
Be the first to write a review for "Naarajoki–Kyyvesi–Puula kayaking route"
Share a photo from a recent trip
Answers to your questions
Our data was researched from Mikkeli, 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.