Paddle and hike on a circular route in Sonkajärvi
Savonia University of Applied Sciences Verified partner Explorers Choice
The route starts from the idyllic Ruukin Tupa Café where you can also get kayaking equipment rental and transport services as well as accommodation. The easy-to-follow canoe route runs in narrower straits and also wider lake areas. As you paddle, you may spot a beaver or osprey in its nesting trees. There are nice resting places along the canoeing section (15 km). If you want to stay overnight on the route, book the fisherman's hut at Savisaari island beforehand at Ruukin Tupa. The island is then reserved just for your use.
A bit after Savisaari island you leave the canoe aboard and continue on foot along the wonderful Volokinpolku route, which runs in diverse, beautiful sceneries. You hike along swamps, eskers and open landscapes. Comfortable rest stops provide a moment of rest on this hike of about 15 kilometers, which leads back to Ruukin Tupa.
Author’s recommendation
Rest stops
Museum of Ironworks and the Café Ruukin tupa at Jyrkän RuukkiSafety information
Paddle all the time along the right coast to stay on the route and to avoid the open water. Make sure that your kayaking skills are adequate to the ever-changing weather conditions. The weather forecasts and weather changes must be monitored. Wear shoes that do not slip on slippery rocks and avoid lace-up shoes, especially when paddling a kayak, so that the laces do not get caught in the pedals.
When hiking, follow the marked route and duckboards and notice that they can be slippery, especially in rainy weather. At the end of the hike you will walk along a road that has some traffic - pay attention to the cars and stay on the side of the road.
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
The route starts from Ruukin Tupa, from where you paddle along Niskalahti towards Kiltuanjärvi. It is easy to stay on the canoeing route, following the coast on your right at all times. At Käänninniemi, the route continues along the right bank to the south. Shortly after Käänninniemi, you arrive at Huhtinhiekka, which is a beautiful sandy beach. Here you can take the first break. The beach has a campfire site but no firewood maintenance, so you can pick fallen branches and twigs from the ground.
The route continues towards Haajaistensalmi, where there is also a nice resting place. There is a boat landing place, a lean-to and a campfire site with firewood supply. You continue towards Haajaistenjärvi and paddle under a small bridge at Haajaistensalmi. Following the shore on the right, you will reach Savisaari, where you can see the fisherman's hut. After Savisaari, the route continues south along the right bank until you reach the Ipo-Kiusala boat strip. There is also a lean-to, a dry toilet and firewood service. Here the canoe is left ashore (remember to arrange pick-up in advance!) and the journey continues on foot.
Shortly after the Ipo-Kiusala lean-to, it is worth visiting the Hankalampi bird tower, which is a nationally significant bird-watching place. This is a nesting area for example for cranes and swans. The route continues through vast swamps and is covered with duckboards. After a 7 km hike you reach the lean-to of Lake Salminen, which has a campfire site and a dry toilet.
The route then takes you across a varying landscape with eskers, swamps and small ponds. The distance to Kangaslampi eskers, the sand ridge between the swampy ponds, is 4 km. At Kangaslampi eskers, you can take a break by the small pond, where you will find a campfire site, a dry toilet and a pier. There you can take a dip in the cool water. This resting stop is not marked on the maps along the route. From Kangaslampi eskers the distance to Ruukin Tupa is 4.5 km. The route runs partly on paths, but you also have to walk a short distance along a road with some traffic.
Note
Public transport
No public transportation.Getting there
Arriving from South or North along road nr 5, turn to road nr 5862 and continue straight until you reach Ruukin Tupa in address Jyrkäntie 1881, 74380 Jyrkkä.Parking
There is a free parking lot at Ruukin Tupa.Coordinates
Equipment
Canoeing equipment, if necessary overnight equipment (the fisherman´s hut has equipment equivalent to a desert hut), hiking equipment, food. Please remember to take enough water. The is no running water in the hut.Related Offers
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- 15 Waypoints
- 15 Waypoints
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