10%

T5 Packrafting Kitkajoki Juuma - Millikoski rapids - Aallokkokoski rapids (english version)

The best 21.5 km of Packraft on a river with rapids of all levels in a dreamlike natural environment.

By Packrafting.cat

November 13^th, 2024

Original Post

You can find the original post at https://blog.packrafting.cat/packrafting-kitkajoki-river-millikoski-rapids-aallokkokoski-rapids-juuma-hrava

Oulanka National Park

See the main post with all the sections and information for Packraft and other activities in the Oulanka National Park in Finland.

https://blog.packrafting.cat/packraft-en-oulanka-national-park-finlandia

Otros tramos

I will explain the following routes in detail:

T1 Koutajoki - Savinajoki River -> Savilampi Lake. 17.5 km class I-II
T2 Oulankajoki river Upper Part Oulanka - Oulanka National Park visitor centre. 22.3 km of class II-IV rapids.
T3 Packrafting Oulankajoki lower part - Oulanka NP visitors centre Isokuusikko - Kiutakongas - Paljakka - Russian Border. 25.5 km of endless meanders!
T4 Kitkajoki Upper part. Käylä - Basecamp Oulanka. 14,5 km of Packraft class II-III.
T5 Packrafting Kitkajoki Lower part Juuma - Millikoski rapids - Aallokkokoski rapids
T6 Kuusinkijoki

If I had to choose only one I would recommend the T5 combined with the Pieni Karhunkierros Trail of 12 km, this is the route I will explain you in this post!

“The Kitkajoki River is surely one of the best rivers I have been able to paddle in Finland, but also in the whole of Europe, and it is not only remarkable for its scenic beauty, but also for its wild waters, with long, steep rapids and uncrossable waterfalls of incomparable beauty”.

T5 Packrafting Kitkajoki lower Juuma - Frontera rusa

The lower part of the Kitkajoki River continues where the upper part of the river ends, in the Juuma area, one of the most visited tourist spots in the Oulanka National Park in Finland.

In the post T4 Kitkajoki Upper part. Käylä - Basecamp Oulanka I explained the section before this route.

There are several possible starting points for this route (below you have the Google Map and Wikiloc maps of this route), so much of the decision of where to start will depend on where you are staying and how much fast walking you want to do:

Option 1. From your accommodation in the area: If you are staying in the area, for example at Oulanka basecamp, or at one of the campsites and/or cabins in the area, such as Ala-Juuma Camping or Juuman leirintäalue Camping, you can leave directly from the beaches of these accommodations.
Option 2. No accommodation in the area: there is a small car park near the Juumantie road bridge, with easy access to the river.
Option 3: Initially walk the Karhunkierros trail and start once you have passed all the difficult rapids, in the backwater after the impassable Jyrävä.

With options 1 and 2 you will run some of the most interesting sections of rapids on the Kitkajoki River. It is also possible to combine Packraft and portages and do the whole route because each rapid can be ported individually.

Whichever option you choose, you must portage the Jyrävä Waterfall (X)as it is a life-threatening pass. There is a rope with buoys across the river warning of this pass, at this point there is a drop-off beach with wooden ladders that allow you to portage the Karhunkierros trail.

If you are not an experienced Packrafter, choose option 3 or options 1 and 2 but individually portage each of the rapids according to your level of white water skill.

T5 Packrafting Kitkajoki Juuma - Millikoski rapids - Aallokkokoski rapids (english version)

Once you have decided on your bridge to the river, all that remains is to enjoy what is possibly the best Packraft route in Finland. As you can see with proper safety considerations, this is a route suitable for experts but also for beginners.

Details of the route

Distances: completely modular and adaptable, you can enter and exit in different sections of the river, you can do from only 7 km of paddling (walking back through Karhunkierros trail), 12 km in the route I propose below combining bike and car, or the 21,5 km of paddling to the Russian border (combination with two cars).
Difficulty: very varied with rapids from class I to class VI (not to say insurmountable).
Positive difference in altitude: 135 m in 21.5 km
Maximum altitude: 232 m
Minimum altitude: 135 m

The rapids you will find in this section are:

Niskakoski, class II, 150 m.
Myllykoski, class III, 150 m.
Aallokkokoski, class IV, 600 m.
Jyrävä, class VI (X)
Jyrävä-Heinäniemi, I-II, 1500 m
Heinäniemi-Kalliosaari-Harrisuvanto, I-II, 800 m
Harrisuvanto-Päähkanäkallio, I, 2000 m
Päähkänäkallio-Oulankajoki, 1400 m

In the following sections I will inform you in detail about all of them.

Plan this route well! Don't forget that it is mandatory (if you want to stay alive) to portage the Jyrävä rapid (class V,X).

Very possibly it may also be a good idea to portage the Aallokkokoski rapid as it is a very long continuous class IV rapid with very few possible stops (micro eddies).

The 18 km distance between Juuma and Oulankajoki has a difference in altitude of no less than 85 m. After the violent rapids between Juuma and Jyrävä, the river calms down and flows through a deep canyon amidst towering rocky cliffs. This section runs within the Oulanka National Park, so the environment is and will remain untouched and the scenery is truly beautiful.

Juuma y su lago (Juumajarvi)

This lake ends at the Niskakoski rapids, just after the suspension bridge at the start of the Karhunkierros trail. Take advantage of this area to warm up before reaching the rapids and enjoy the incredible scenery. Don't be fooled by the tranquillity of the river. In few places have I seen such a variety of levels, from calm waters, to impassable passes, passing through all possible levels of class I, II, III and IV rapids.

Zona del Piene Karhunkierros trail

This area starts near the suspension bridge before the Niskakoski rapid where the Pieni Karhunkierros route begins, at the car park labelled Juuma on the map:

The website asiointi.maanmittauslaitos.fi provides topographical maps which are ideal for getting to know the area before visiting it.

Niskakoski

Niskakoski is a class II rapid, about 150 m long. Niskakoski begins the section of rapids below Juuma. The rapid starts below the suspension bridge and turns sharply to the right. At the lower end of the rapid, there is a large vertical wave and rocks below the wave at the lower edge. Descending line in the middle.

This rapid is only 600 metres from the starting point at the Oulanka basecamp beach.

Aguas bravas

After Niskakoski we have some quiet time on the lake of Jyrävä. But soon we will face the most remarkable rapids. Map of the area of the 2 big rapids:
Myllykoski: the mill rapid (Mylly in Finnish) class III rapid, but beware, it has a backwater with a strong side current that tends to knock you down causing most swims. If you fall in the initial part (the most common) there is a good swim to the backwater.
Aallokkokoski: class IV rapid, very fast and long, with a significant drop, a lot of water push and few opportunities to make stops.
And an impassable one:
Jyrävä: in Finnish "roar" a very appropriate name for this waterfall.

Myllykoski class III

Myllykoski (2 km after the start) is undoubtedly the most famous rapid on the Kitkajoki River and possibly in the entire national park. It is a class III rapid with a distance of approx. 150 m. And it is not only because of its interesting characteristics as a whitewater rapid but also because of its beautiful surroundings.

Photographers and tourists can watch all the action from a balcony of the old mill from the front line. The balcony is strategically placed at the most delicate pass of the rapid.

The rapid starts with a hill descending from the right side of the centre line. At the mill, strong stop, after which the rapid turns sharply to the left. At the lower end of the rapids there is a V-shaped stopping wave that can be descended from the centre. The rapid ends in a wide backwater. Familiarise yourself from the front of the mill.

NOTE: If you are an experienced Packrafter, Myllykoski is relatively safe to swim, although be aware that the key point is right at the start and if you swim here, you will probably swim the whole 150m of the rapid. At the end of the rapid there is a backwater where you can recover.

If you wish to portage this rapid or repeat it, you can exit and or enter the river at the blue point on the map and use the Karhunkierros trail for portage and/or scouting.

There is a relatively long distance between the Myllykoski rapid and the Aallokkokoski rapid, but keep in mind that the portage of the Aallokkoski rapid is a long portage that has to be done just after Myllykoski, as the right bank of the river is a high wall with no options to get out even well before Aallokkoski.

Some of the most famous photos of the Oulanka National Park are taken from the suspension bridge, which has a privileged view of the rapid and the mill and especially snowy in winter is a very photogenic environment.

On the map you can see (white dotted lines) two lines going over the island of Puttansaari (saari is Finnish for island) on the right and on the left. I have no information about the line on the left bank, but you can scout this line very comfortably from the second bridge on the Karhunkierros road.

In both cases the bridge is a privileged place to take pictures and observe the swims and the "carnage" of rafters, kayakers and/or packrafters.

By the way, depending on the season, this area is covered by some rafting companies and you may come across the occasional boat.

Some videos of the area will help you get an idea!

Vídeos

Aallokkokoski rapids largo rápido de clase IV

Aallokkokoski (km 2.5), class IV rapid, with a lot of speed, steepness and a total length of 600 m! Aallokkokoski is recommended only for experienced paddlers. The rapid starts after Myllykoski, after the smaller branch of the river coming from the left, when the river disappears from sight. At the top of the rapid there are big waves that you have to overcome through the middle. As the river widens, the downstream line is on the left edge of the centre line (see the videos).

Aallokkokoski in Finnish is literally "storm waves".

The current is very fast, from the beginning of the rapid it is impressive when you look at the gradient and the total length of the rapid, giving you a certain feeling that you are about to go on a wave train slide! The rapid also has a lot of rocks and a swim here is surely a bad experience. After the bend to the left, there is a plug/hole in the middle.

At the end of the rapids there is an Eddie on the right bank and soon we find the escape/holding point of the Jyrävä rapid with a lifeline (a rope) across the whole river warning of the danger.

This is a very adrenaline-pumping rapid, with very few stops, only small micro eddies that it is probably best not to even try to catch, the best option is to get through the rapid in one run.

Aallokkokoski is very fast and very aggressive! Too Fast Too Furious!

Watch the rafting video below, with a high water level, the wave trains are spectacular, when I did it the water level was lower, but the danger of hitting rocks in a swim was much higher.

Rápido de Jyrävä clase VI (X)

DEADLY DANGEROUS, better to watch than to be sorry.

Jyrävä (the start of the portage is at km 3.2) is a death trap because it has a huge hole in its middle pass from which it is almost impossible to get out if it catches you. Only a few expert kayakers have been able to descend this rapid and survive.

The translation of Jyräväis "roar', an apt name.

Check the deafening noise of the water by activating the audio in the videos below.

A few hundred metres before the rapid there is a rope that crosses from one side of the river to the other with buoys, similar to the ropes that separate the lanes of a swimming pool. They are indicating the area that must not be crossed under any circumstances.

On the right bank there is a beach to disembark on, and some steep stairs down which we can access the Karhunkierros trail, and then go back down a flight of wooden stairs that will take us to the backwater after Jyrävä.

You have to carry! But you can still appreciate the beauty of this waterfall from the Pähkänänkallio viewpoint or from your Packraft:

Porteo de Jyrävä

As you can see in the video, once you have passed the "Fast&Furios" Aallokkokoski, there is a backwater where a rope across the river warns us of the danger of the fearsome Jyrävä.

De Jyrävä hasta Harrisuvanto

In Finnish, Suuvanto means backwater. This area of calmer waters, but with constant currents, runs through a deep-walled canyon where we can spend less time navigating furious rapids and more time contemplating the scenery. From the blog, https://koskimelojat.blogspot.com/2009/05/kitkajoki.html, I have obtained information on the rapids in this area. (all rapids are marked by white dotted lines even if they don't have specific names).

Jyrävä-Heinäniemi, I-II, 1500 m

The river meanders between steep rock faces. Downstream line in the middle, avoiding the larger rocks. At Heinäkoski, a couple of bigger waves before a sharp left turn, followed by a backwater. Going ashore is difficult due to the steep cliffs.

Heinäniemi-Kalliosaari-Harrisuvanto, I-II, 800 m

The river flows gently in the wide Vattumutka, followed by a rocky rapid. Mainly descending line in the middle.

This stretch of river is possibly one of the most beautiful stretches in Finland and in all of Europe, at least for me it really impressed and enchanted me!

When you get to the backwater of Harri (Harrisuvanto) you should stop for a moment to look at the most photogenic suspension bridge in the area. We are at kilometre point 6.7.

This bridge is part of the Karhunkierros trail but also of the 12 km circular route called Piene Karhunkierros. At this point there is a shelter and we can return to the car park at the start of the route along a path that runs along the left bank of the river.

Here you have to decide if you want to continue paddling (the stretch of river that follows is well worth the effort) or if you want to take advantage of the lightness of your Packrafts to walk back to the starting point.

Further on there are still options to walk back along the path. But beware that if you get to the end of the Kitkajoki River, where it joins the Oulankajoki just before entering the Russian border, here the options for walking back are much more complicated and a taxi service or two cars are recommended.

Päähkanäkallio

As you can see on the topographic map with a long dotted line, these 2 km are a pleasure to sail with continuous current, but no difficulty, rivers, so we can be sailing all day without getting tired and enjoying the scenery, a joy!

Harrisuvanto-Päähkanäkallio, I, 2000 m

After Harrisuvanto, there are a couple of bigger waves depending on the water level. If the water level is low, you will hit rock on the weeping waves you will encounter along the way. The line of descent is along the main current, which is usually on the outside bends.

This was my starting point, right at the Päähkanäkallio hut (km 11.2), on a beach where several fishermen were enjoying the sunny day I caught.

The access to the car park is by a steep wooden staircase, you can't get lost. In the car park my bike was waiting for me, previously hidden and tied up in the forest. See below this circular route combining Packraft and bike that I did and uploaded to Wikiloc.

The Päähkanäkallio hut indicates the end of the route if you want to return along the track and the car park is accessible from this hut.

Parking PAHKANA

Päähkänäkallio-Oulankajoki, 1400 m

After Päähkänäkallio, the river meanders in a lush valley and through forests with a constant current or in small streams that you have to know how to negotiate. At the end the Kitkajoki River merges with the Oulanka River at kilometre 19.1, here we still have about one and a half kilometres to go until we reach the last bridge before the Russian border (20.7 km), here there is a path that takes us to the end of the road.

Frontera rusa

The river gradually slows down in the last stretch, but maintains a certain current that makes navigation to the Russian border very pleasant.

Do not enter the border area! Having a conflict with the Russian border patrol is not a good idea at all.

Keep an eye out for the last exit bridge! We have different possibilities to disembark at Kitkajoki in the border area, from where a few hundred metres to Kuusinkiniemi forest road or a couple of kilometres by kayak on Oulankajoki upstream to Jäkälämutka, where after the beautiful natural sandy beach,a landing place on the right and road access to Kiutakönkää and Käylä.

Sketch of the last section and information on the return route by car from Google Maps.

Vídeos

Ruta Wikiloc Packraft + bicicleta:Kitkajoki Juuma - Millikoski rapids - Aallokkokoski rapids.

All GP coordinates of the Packraft route along the Kitkajoki river from Oulanka basecamp beach to the Russian border.

From Olen Caj Koskinen's blog we know that they did it at a flow rate of 32 m³/s measured at Savilampi. The flow rate is available at https://wwwi2.ymparisto.fi/i2/73/q7300100y/wqfi.html

Blog de Olen Caj Koskinen

This stretch is very well explained in Olen Caj Koskinen's blog, the article is:

The river Oulankajoki lower part

An inspiration, thanks to Caide78 and his Instagram account, I got to know this wonderful place that is the Oulanka National Park.

Vídeos de Caj Kosninen

Pieni Karhunkierros Trail

Beyond the Karhunkierros trail, the national park has many interesting short hikes. On this section I recommend:

Pieni Karhunkierros Trail (PDF File, 4.2 MB, julkaisut.metsa.fi).

If you could only do one hike in the entire national park, this would be my recommended route:

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/little-bear-trail-oulanka-np-finland--2?u=m

Tramo anterior

T4 Packrafting Kitkajoki Upper part

Tramo posterior

T6 Packrafting Kuusinkijoki Oulanka National Park

See you at the River, Motas!

The river is a living environment, changing and subject to permanent development. The publishers of the river sketches and the creators of this website cannot be held liable in any case of inaccuracy, omission or error in the river sketches. The topos editors and website creators disclaim all liability in case of any accident that may occur on the rivers described in this guide.