Author’s recommendation
Safety information
Wear a helmet and a lifejacket at all times.Tips and hints
Guided rafting tours ruka.fi
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
Niskakoski II : Niskakoski starts from under the hanging bridge, and there's a sharp turn to the right. At the end of the rapid there is a big, straight wave and under that wave are lots of rocks. Niskakoski is paddled down in the middle part, and it's 150 meters long.
Myllykoski III : Myllykoski is paddled down from the right side, and it starts with a small rapid. There's a strong stopper next to the mill of Myllykoski, and after that there's a sharp turn to the left. At the end of the rapid there is a V-shaped stopper wave, which you can paddle down from the middle. The rapid widens at the end. Please get to know Myllykoski from the mill's side before you start paddling.
Aallokkokoski IV : This rapid requires lots of previous experience from paddling. After Myllykoski and the river on the left after Myllykoski disappear from sight, that is where Aallokkokoski starts. Aallokkokoski is paddled down in the middle, and in the upper part of Aallokkokoski there are some big waves. As the river widens, it should be paddled down from the left part. The rapid is very fast-paced and 600 meters long. There are lots of rocks in the rapid. After a turn to the left, there is a stopper which is meant to be paddled down from the middle. After Aallokkokoski, it is absolutely necessary to get back to the shore, get up the stairs on the right side, and walk past Jyrävä by land. There is a rescue wire before Jyrävä waterfalls.
Jyrävä VI : DANGER TO LIFE. It is safer to admire Jyrävä waterfalls from the shore. Jyrävä is a 9 m high waterfall and it is absolutely not suitable for paddling in any way!
Jyrävä - Heinäniemi I-II : 1,5 km long Jyrävä-Heinäniemi route starts from a river in between high cliffs. Paddle down from the middle part while avoiding big rocks on the way. Getting ashore is difficult due to the high cliffs. There are a couple of bigger waves in Heinäkoski rapid before a sharp turn to the left.
Heinäniemi - Kalliosaari - Harrisuvanto I-II : This 800 m long river descends evenly, as it widens in Vattumutka, which after the rapid is rocky. Paddle down from the middle.
Harrisuvanto - Pähkänäkallio I : After Harrisuvanto, there are a couple of bigger waves, but besides that the rapids are flat (rocky at some points). Paddle down the mainstream which is usually on the outer curve. 2000 meters.
Pähkänäkallio - Oulankajoki : After Pähkänäkallio, the river flows through a beautiful valley mostly as a flat stream.
Note
Public transport
Arriving to Kuusamo ruka.fi
Getting there
Drive from Kuusamo city center along Kemijärventie road (E63) until you see a sign on the right to Juuma village (Juumantie road). Drive 12 km all the way to the end of Juumantie road until you see the starting point of the Small Bear's trail and a parking lot.Parking
Parking lot is located at the starting point of Small Bear's trail.Coordinates
Equipment
Helmet, lifejacket, canoe/kayakStatistics
- Waypoints
- Waypoints
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