PaddlingLength41,2 km
Duration(2–3 days)
The River Ivalojoki is considered one of Finland’s finest canoeing routes. The section between Kuttura and Ivalo is the most popular part of the river for paddling. When looking for a longer trip on the Ivalojoki, Ivalon Matti is a good starting point. The section from Ivalon Matti to Kuttura mostly runs through wilderness forest landscapes. The scenery becomes more rugged towards the end of the route as you approach Kuttura. From the paddler’s perspective, the river is suitably challenging with its many rapids. The river is navigable throughout the summer, although in places it can be very shallow when the water level is low. In all rapids, one must be prepared to avoid underwater rocks. There are no hiking structures along the route. Camping is allowed under Everyman’s Right. All the sights related to the history of the gold rush are located along the canoeing section between Kuttura and Ivalo.
Length
41.1 km
Degree of difficulty
-
Duration
2–3 days
Trail type
-
Contact information
Starting pointIvalon Matti boat launch: 68° 20.313', 25° 53.162', . .
Ivalon Matti
At Ivalon Matti, by the bridge, there is a boat ramp that makes it easy to get the canoe into the water. At the boat ramp, the river flows shallow as a stream.
Ivalon Matti - Fork of the Repojoki River (18 km)
The first stage consists mostly of calm water, with some streams in between. At low water levels the streams can be shallow and rocky in places.
Fork of the Repojoki River - Jäkäläkoski (8 km)
After the Repojoki fork the first rapids begin. The trip proceeds pleasantly on this stretch. On this stage there are five rapids and streams: Kärräkoski, Karvaniva, Järnäköngäs, Kivikoski and Jäkäläkoski.
Jäkäläkoski - Kuttura (15 km)
After Jäkäläkoski there are two more rapids before Kuttura: Saarikoski and Mukkakoski. Saarikoski is the most demanding rapid on the entire route. Above the rapid there is a fall. The rapid is best descended on the left-hand side at high water, and on the right over the white water at low water. The rapid ends in a strongly flowing narrow passage, which is nevertheless easy to paddle. The last 10 kilometres consist mainly of calm, steadily flowing water. Before Kuttura there are a few long streams, where at low/normal water levels the canoe/packraft must partly be hauled downstream.
Kuttura
The landing place is before the bridge on the right bank of the river.
End pointKuttura boat launch: 68° 24.328', 26° 28.185', . .