The Kainuu Tar Route
The Kainuun tar route water hiking trail runs from Kuhmo via Sotkamo to Kajaani, a total of over 180 kilometres through unique wilderness areas and stunning lake scenery. The Kainuun Tervareit water hiking route is divided into three stages
Stage 1: Änätti – Kuhmo
The first stage of the Kainuu Tar Route is planned to last four days. The first night can be spent in a holiday village cottage and the next two in deserted cottages. The daily distances vary between 12 and 25 km.
Alternatively, you can take accommodation with you and make use of several official landing sites, often with a hut or cabin, or find a suitable place to stay according to your rights.
- 70 km
- 4 days
- Wilderness lakes and easy rapids
- Trails with rails to make the passage easier
- Two deserted huts, one with a sauna
- Lentua nature reserve
Stage 2: Kuhmo – Sotkamo
This varied kayaking route starts with the descent of the easy rapids of the free-flowing Pajakka River. You then reach Lake Ontojärvi, the first large lake to be crossed through the southern archipelago. The first campsite is at the home of the sandy island of Ärji.
After Ontojärvi you reach Sotkamo and the second big lake, the eastern end of Lake Kiimasjärvi. At its western end is another campsite at the Lehtosaari lodge. The long Kiimasjärvi lake leads finally to Kaitainsalmi, once a famous salmon fishing spot. Before arriving in Sotkamo, you paddle through two smaller, pretty lakes with mazes.
- 75 km
- 3 days
- Easy rapids and stunning lakes
- Hydroelectric power station bypasses
- Mazelike waters
STAGE 3: Sotkamo – Kajaani
From the labyrinthine waters of Sotkamo towards Kajaani, the route takes you via the Tenetinvirta river to the large Nuasjärvi lake. At its eastern end is Vuokatti with its dunes and at its western end Kajaani.
The stage between Sotkamo and Kajaani is 36 km long and is divided into two day stages. Experienced paddlers can, of course, also do the route in a day. The route starts in the centre of Sotkamo, but the starting point can also be in Vuokatti.
- 36 km
- 2 days
- Lakes and dunes of Sotkamo and Vuokatti
- Iso Nuasjärvi and Rehjansaari’s varied rest areas
Water routes
Along the Tar Route in Kajaani, Sotkamo and Kuhmo
