Kaartjoki paddling route

The starting point of the route, the Sähkönokka boat harbor, is excellent. The boat harbor has a parking lot, a swimming pier, a changing cabin for clothes, and restroom facilities. At the renovated campfire site, you can still pour yourself coffee before heading out on the water.

The majestic scenery at the southern end of Kaartjärvi with long ridge-like islands charms the paddler immediately at departure. After about twenty minutes of paddling, the mouth of the Kaartjoki becomes visible through the reeds and the floating markers confirm the direction. The strong spring flow pulls the canoe into the channel framed by alder trees, and after half an hour of river paddling, you arrive at the Kaartlampi campfire site. If you just want a brief visit to the river nature, there is a good opportunity here to paddle back upstream. The river continues past the campfire site, where there's again a floating marker guiding paddlers.

After Kaartlampi, the river flows quietly winding in the forest shade, and the scenery sometimes opens up due to logging. Besides the bends, your progress is slightly slowed by trees fallen across the river, but all of these can be crossed over or under during the spring flood. After about an hour of weaving and a few calm pools, you reach the beautiful Kurtlamminmäki shelter hut, which also has a dining shelter and toilet. Here you can enjoy your packed lunch with a wonderful shore view before the last one and a half hour leg to Kalamylly.

From the Kurtlammi shelter, the river continues winding and the first bridges force you to lift the canoe out of the river and bypass them over dry land. However, most of the oncoming bridges can also be passed under during flood time with a little acrobatic skill. The river also crosses cottage yards in its lower section, and there are man-made bottom dams here. Depending on water conditions, you may have to lift the canoe at some bottom dams. Approaching Kalamylly, the field landscape becomes more common and creates a whole new atmosphere as the old cultural landscape with pastures prevails.

A few hundred meters before Kalamylly, a bridge crosses the river and marks the end of the paddling section. To crown the trip, you can enjoy coffee and doughnuts at Kalamylly before driving back to the starting point by car.

Paddling services:

Multievent Oy

The Sähkönokka boat harbor has a parking lot, a swimming pier, and a changing cabin for clothes as well as a campfire site and restroom facilities.

At the Kalamylly parking lot, paddlers are asked to park their cars on the left side of the parking area.

Meal services:

Kalamylly

Marskin Maja

Accommodation services:

Ilpola 

Laakasalo Camping

Lopen Erähuvila and Räyskälä's Great Villa

Marskin Maja 

More information about the route:

DigiTrail