River crossings in Urho Kekkonen National Park
06/14/2025Is there flooding at the Aittajärvi ford on the Suomujoki River? Is there flooding at the Kärekeoja ford on the Nuorttijoki River? Are there any bridges outside the marked trails in the national park? Where can I cross streams without bridges? This bulletin compiles information related to the questions mentioned above.
- The water level at the Aittajärvi ford is nearly normal (14.6.2025). A wading line is marked on the riverbed with orange markers. At normal water levels, the deepest point reaches just above the knee for a hiker about 170 cm tall. The deepest point is located just before the riverbank on the national park side.
- The Nuorttijoki River can be crossed using the wading cable at Kärekeoja. At normal water levels, the water reaches just above the knee for a hiker about 170 cm tall. The cable is installed at the beginning of summer and removed in late autumn. We provide updates on the installation and removal of the cable in the park’s current information.
- There are many rivers in the national park, but only a few bridges. Outside the marked trails, there are four bridges:
Kotaköngäs
Porttikoski
Aitaoja
Luttojoki - In remote areas, rivers must often be crossed by wading. Some fords are marked on topographic maps with the label “kahlaamo” (=ford in Finnish). Aerial images can also help identify shallow and deep parts of rivers.
- Up-to-date water levels in the park’s streams can be checked on vesi.fi map service.
- NOTE! Water levels vary depending on weather conditions. Heavy rain can quickly raise river levels to flood stage. In early summer, water levels are still higher than usual due to melting snow from the fells.
- NOTE! Hiking and wading in remote areas requires prior experience in wilderness hiking and water crossings.