Lemmenjoki Route

Length: 70 km Rapids: Lemmenjoki: few, class 0-I, Juutuanjoki, class III-V Maps 1:200 000: Road Map of Finland GT 16 and 19 Hiking Maps 1:50 000: Inari-Menesjärvi and Lemmenjoki

The river Lemmenjoki (Leämmi) begins from lake Lemmekäs (Lemmekäsjärvi, Leammegasjavri) and ends to lake Paatari (Paatari, Påådåår). There are no big rapids. The river flows in Lemmenjoki National Park and the whole area is very beautiful. Free waters and beautiful mountains If we mark the lake Lemmekäs as zero point (0 km) we will found the lake Morgam and its Gold Harbour at 18 km point. The river from Lemmekäs to Morgam is to small for paddling, but after that suitable. Village Lemmenjoki (Njurgalahti, Njurgoiluohta) lies down at 36 km point and is the place you can begin the trip. Paddling 18 km up streams to Morgam and back to Village Lemmenjoki takes three days. It is also possible to rent a boat and a driver from the village and make the trip up streams easy. Four kilometers down streams from Village Lemmenjoki you will come to lake Äivih (Äivihjärvi, Aivvekjavri) at 40 km point. After that you have more than 12 kms river to lake Paatari (52 km). 10 km to northeast and you will find peninsula Lusma (Lusmaniemi, Lusmenjarga) at 62 km point. Eight kilmometers to southeast via Matkajoki and you can end the trip to east coast of lake Solo (Solojärvi, Solojavri) at 70 km point. The road to Inari is nearby. It is possible to continue the trip from lake Solo to lake Inari via river Juutua (Juutuanjoki, Juvduujuuha), but be warned that there are several difficult rapids like Juutuankoski, Ritakoski and Jäniskoski. This river is suitable only for experienced kayakists and can not be recommended to an average paddler. (26 m / 10 km) Joki=river, koski=rapid, niva=small rapid, köngäs=short and steep rapid, suvanto=still water, järvi=lake, lampi=small lake, saari=island, niemi=peninsula Copyright © Juhani Keinonen 1998-2001. Back