Duration: 2-3 hours one way
Difficulty level: Easy
Suitability: Suitable for families and beginners, since there are no river rapids on the way.
Trail description
The Unijoki canoeing route is 10 kilometers long and goes along River Unijoki, which has a slow steady flow making it a safe route for paddlers of all experience levels. The route can be paddled both ways or back and forth. Unijoki flows from Pond Unilampi to Lake Kynsijärvi. The route passes through wilderness in varying forest and mire landscapes. There are many beautiful deserted beaches in Lake Kynsijärvi, where you can pull your canoe up and enjoy a packed lunch onshore.
Good to know
There is a lean-to shelter with a fireplace in the starting point of the trip and also in the opposite shore across the pond. The end point is in Lake Kynsijärvi, at the end of the road Koivulahdentie, where canoes are easy to pull up.
Lake Kynsijärvi often has strong winds making the waves large. In windy weather, paddling the river can also turn out to be surprisingly tiring. This route can be paddled with any equipment ranging from Indian canoes to kayaks. The best time to paddle is early summer during the spring floods. Spring is also the best time to observe wildlife in their natural habitat.
To start the trail
The starting point of the trail is in southern Posio in the famous blacksmith village of Sirniö, about 40 km from the center of Posio.
Drive 34 km from Posio in the direction of Taivalkoski. Turn left to road Sirniöntie, drive 1.5 km and turn left again to road Koivulahdentie. Drive 200 m and turn right to road Aimolantie. Leave your car in road Aimolantie and walk to the shore of Pond Unilampi. There is a lean-to shelter in the starting point of the route. There are no parking areas or signposts in the starting point. You can reach the point with a car or taxi (Tel: +358 16 3721 555).
From the end point, you can take a taxi, paddle back or walk 3-4 km along road Koivulahdentie back to the starting point.
Starting point
Address: Aimolantie, 97970 Sirniö
WGS84
lat: 65° 50.9937'
lon: 28° 9.9371'
ETRS-TM35FIN
P: 7303673m
I: 553212m
KKJ
P: 7306728m
I: 3553405m
End point
Address: Koivulahdentie 38, 97970 Sirniö
WGS84
lat: 65° 52.3529'
lon: 28° 12.6874'
ETRS-TM35FIN
P: 7306237m
I: 555255m
KKJ
P: 7309294m
I: 3555450m