Finland

K - Kitkajoki

Posted in Kuusamo on Oct 1st, 2008 11 Comments »

In Mrs. Nesbitt’s 3rd round of ABC Wednesday, we are currently on K. On this round K is for Kitkajoki, which is 35km long river in Kuusamo. Kitkajoki starts from Käylä and after 35km it merges with Oulankajoki and flows into Russia. This river is strange mixture of adrealine rush and peaceful nature.
If you start from paddling or rafting from Käylä, you will first come across with some class I rapids, then you will face couple class II rapids. These class I and II rapids are nice, because actual rapids are relatively short and they all have peaceful stream pools for rescuing, if needed.
Once you’ve gone through class I and II rapids, you will reach Myllykoski, which is class III rapid. Myllykoski seems to be relatively easy for rafting boats (as you can see from below), but it can be quite nasty for paddlers on kayaks. After Myllykoski there is only something like 200-300 meters before you will reach upper parts of Aallokkokoski, which is class IV rapid. If you would continue on this course, you would end up into Jyrävä, which is class V or VI. Class V and class VI are so demanding that rafters are not allowed to go through them. After Jyrävä, you’ve gone through all the exciting parts, but there is still something like 10-15km that you can paddle with kayaks and/or canoes..
Even if whitewater paddling and/or rafting is not your thing, you can still enjoy from seeing them from a shore. Short version of Bear’s Ring (called Pieni Karhunkierros) hiking trail is only 12km long, but will take you to Niskakoski, Myllykoski, Aallokkokoski and Jyrävä. On this trail, you will also come acrorss with three suspension bridges (one over Niskakoski, one over Myllykoski and one in Harrinsuvanto).
If you are hiking longer version of Bear’s Ring (called Karhunkierros), which is 72-80km long, you will also see calmer parts of the Kitkajoki and whole lot of other things.