The River Route- A paddling route in the heart of Rovaniemi

Starting and ending point: Ounaspaviljonki

The recommended direction for The River Route is to paddle upstream along the Ounasjoki River heading north, following the eastern shores of Suutarinsaari, Selkäsari, and Lietesaari islands. This route offers the best shelter from the wind and allows for easy shortcuts between the islands. The map shows different route options. The full length of the River Route is approximately 8 km, and the estimated paddling time is about 1.5 hours.

Between the islands, there are pleasant sandy banks where you can take breaks and even dip into the river to cool off. After the Revontuli lean-to shelter, the route continues through the scenic canal in Arktikum Park. In front of the Arktikum museum, there’s a sheltered spot to pause in your kayak before entering the Kemijoki River. There, the route follows the shoreline of Koivusaari island upstream for about one kilometer. The final stretch of the loop goes along the north side of Koivusaari via the Kulpinväylä channel, heading back toward Ounaspaviljonki.

In summer water levels, the route is easy. The most challenging section is the crossing of Isoväylä right after departing from Ounaspaviljonki, as the area can be busy with boat traffic and windy, especially on sunny days. When passing under bridges, be cautious of strong eddies that form behind the bridge pillars. It's recommended to pass through the center of the spans, paying attention to other water traffic. During high water, the current under the bridge at Kulpinväylä can be strong, and paddling upstream there requires some effort.

In spring and early summer, be mindful of the bird nesting season — the sheltered areas around the islands are popular with nesting birds.