Paddle the River Tankajoki
The River Tankajoki with its endless bends flowing through the wilderness, is perfect for paddling. Jungle-like sections along the river create a true sense of adventureRiver Tankajoki
The River Tankajoki with its endless bends flowing through the wilderness, is perfect for paddling. Jungle-like sections along the river create a true sense of adventure. The 15 km route flows right through Lapland’s gold rush sites: from here it’s easy to take in and enjoy the purity, silence and beauty of nature. The River Tankajoki can be paddled by kayak or canoe. It is suitable for both beginners and families, as the flow is gentle with no tricky white water sections between Tankapirtti and Purnumukka. In a few places, easy white water patches only help speed up the journey a little. Set aside the whole day for this trip!
The River Tankajoki is not in the Sompio Strict Nature Reserve area, rather the paddling route starts at Tankapirtti, near the Route 4/E75 road. It’s easy to launch a canoe from Tankapirtti and start gently paddling downstream towards Purnumukka, a small Sami village in Lapland’s wilderness. The village population relies heavily on reindeer husbandry for their livelihood. Accommodation in Purnumukka is offered by Purnumukka Cabins.