Canoeing on River Merikarvia

On the Merikarvia River canoeing route, you will experience exciting moments rafting and enjoying the tranquility of nature in quiet water sections and resting places. Pack a lunch with you and experience this memorable canoeing trip!

Good to Know

Merikarvia River 22 km canoe route includes 11 rapids and quiet waters. The trip is expected to take about 6 hours, depending on the amount of water, breaks and canoeing speed. There are resting places with toilets and lean-tos at rapids, the majority of which are easy to come ashore. Along the route there are suspension bridges (Stäävitkoski and Piinukoski) and Purupakka Beach. Fishing and eating in the nature can be combined with canoeing trips. Riverside vegetation is lush and beautiful, such as Lankoski grove area (a nature reserve). Merikarvia is the northernmost area in the west coast where hazel, maple and Hepatica grow.

Suitability

Without a guide, the conoeing route is suitable for experienced paddlers. The rapids are graded as 2 or 3 in the international river difficulty scale. Novice paddlers may paddle a shorter route by participating in a guided canoe trip (arranged by Purolomat). The best time for canoeing is the beginning of summer and autumn. When there is plenty of water, paddling is easier, but the added flow rate brings challenges. During the low tide, the river might be rocky, and this might bring challenges, but canoeing is more peaceful. You can check the amount of flow on Finnish Environment Institute’s web pages. If you want to shorten the route, you can start the route at Puukoski or Purupakka and finish at Holmankoski; this way, paddling in total is 7-11 km, depending on your point of departure.

Route Description

The route passes by forest, farming and cottage landscapes to Merikarvia center, ending at the river estuary. When paddling, you get close to nature: songs of birds, river noise, plops of fish and birds as travel companions are a great way to relax. After the paddling trip, it is nice to continue your holiday using the versatile tourism services of Merikarvia, for example by staying at a cottage, fishing or cycling.

Map Points (1-8) that indicate resting places

At Lankoski (1), there is a resting place, accommodation and restaurant services. The safest point of departure is the fishermen’s resting place below the rapids, Voimalauoma. Only those who possess very good rafting skills may leave from Luonnonuoma, on top of the rapids. About 6 km from Lankoski, after the island in Konihaara, when turning left, there is a resting place (2), which has a beautiful view of the river and the farming landscape. After Konihaara, you pass Tuori River on the right side, which can be used for paddling due to its small size only in October and during spring floods. About 1 km from Konihaara there is Puukoski (3): fishermen’s favored area which can be reached by car. From there, you can launch the canoe to the river, but you can find an easier place at the upstream (Niittyniemi Cottages; fees apply in the area).
Purupakka, Stäävitkoski and Vaaditkoski are located about 4 km downstream from Puukoski(4): in addition to a resting place, Purupakka also has a beach. Purupakka and Stäävitkoski Rapids are separated only by 150 m of quiet waters. Stäävitkoski Rapids is above the suspension bridge, Vaaditkoski is below the bridge: Turn left towards Vaaditkoski at the river bend; about 3 km from Vaaditkoski, the river flows to Piinukoski (5). Paddle below the suspension bridge, and you arrive at a resting place, from where there is a beautiful view of the river. About 4 km from Puukoski you arrive at Holmankoski(6). Approximately 300 m before Holmankoski the river splits into two branches. Choose the right-hand side branch (the left-hand side branch at Health Center is dangerous!). This branch is singposted with arrows. A part of Holmankoski may be closed from time to time (check this beforehand at Merikarvianjoki tourist information office). There is a landing place at Holmankoski, as well as Eumer Fishing Center services. Shortly after Holmankoski you will arrive at Lehtisenkoski, from where 1 km away is the Änkikoski (7): Both small rapids have resting places. A good ending point for the route is about 2 km from Änkikoski, Salmelankoski(8): Mantanranta in Alakylä is below Salmela bridge.

Services

Merikarvia Tourist Information
Tel. in the summer +358 (0)44 7246 310
Tel. other times +358 (0)44 7246 333
www.merikarvianmatkailu.fi/english

Merikarvia River
Tel. +358 (0)44 7246 440
www.merikarvianjoki.fi

Purolomat (paddling trips, cottage accommodation)
Tel. +358 (0)41 4666 774
www.purolomat.net

Environment.fi (water altitude and flowing information)
www.ymparisto.fi/en-US/Waters/State_of_the_surface_waters