Kainuu Tervareitti / Stage 3: Sotkamo - Kajaani 36 km

Day stages (this is an example - you can plan a more precise schedule according to your wishes and skills)

Day 1: Sotkamo, harbor - Niemelän holiday cottages (20 km)

The stage's starting point is at Sotkamo harbor by the breakwater at the accessible paddling pier. Paddle northwest through Pirttijärvi. The southern shore is densely populated, with several landing spots at Hirvenniemi. You can also detour to the northern shore of Ammonsaari lake. 

Pirttijärvi narrows to Teneti stream, where you paddle downstream. After heavy rains, the current can be stronger and locally swirling. Midway through the wider initial section is the Teneti swimming pier and boat landing for a break. After the railway bridge, the southern shore is densely populated. At the end of Teneti stream in Tikkalansalmi, before the road bridge, there is a paddling pier on the east shore. 

Teneti stream discharges its waters into Mujethoulu, which in some places is referred to as a lake, in others as a river, and in others as a bay. Immediately at the start on the northern shore are the Halola cliffs with faintly visible rock paintings. Mujethoulu's northern shore is populated and filled with cottages. The southern shore landscape is dominated by Katinkulla golf courses. 

The strait between Kaarreniemi and Huuskonniemi to Rimpilänniemi at Niemelän holiday cottages is about 8 km. 

TIP: Take a break before heading to the large Nuasjärvi; good rest spots include e.g. Naapurinvaara boat harbor, which has a glass kota (hut), or Kaareniemi lean-to shelter.

Nuasjärvi is a large open water body exposed to winds. Waves can rise high. The northern shore is in many places shallow and sandy for a long distance. If you want to paddle along the southern shore, you have to cross a large open water section at first (about 3 km to Petäjäniemi on the opposite shore). 

On Nuasjärvi, paddle initially near the Huuskonniemi shore and proceed past Pikkukylä. In calm weather, you can aim directly past Muurausaari to Rimpilänniemi at the farm tourism Niemelän Holiday Cottages shore.

Day 2: Niemelän holiday cottages - Kesäniemi beach, Kajaani (16 km)

On the second day, head around Rimpilänniemi towards the shores of Korvaniemi. The shore is in places very shallow and sandy far out. 

Note that the distance from Niemelä shore to Rehjansaari is about 11 km. The shores are mostly private, with a lot of settlement and cottages. Landing is allowed under general access rights, but plan your destination carefully.

Before crossing Rehjanselä, there is a small island Hämeensaari, from which it is good to aim for Rehjansaari. The Rehja crossing is about 1.5 km. 

TIP: If wind conditions require, you can change to paddling immediately at the tip of Rimpilänniemi to the southern shore towards Korholanmäki and Lontaniemi. The strait crossing is less than one kilometer long. The trip to Rehjansaari is about one kilometer longer. 

Rehjansaari has several campfire sites and cooking shelters around the island. At the easternmost point is first encountered the Rehjansaari Kummelinniemi cooking shelter with a pier on its shore. In summer, there are also rentable cottages. There are also boat piers around the island. On the east shore in the bay's end is a sandy-bottomed beach.

From Rehjansaari to Kajaani, paddle along the shore of Purnunniemi. Soon you face a small archipelago. The route is drawn to pass between Pukkisaari and Linnasaari, but Pukkisaari is divided into two small and narrow but paddleable waterways. 

After Pukkisaari, move to paddle along the northern shore. You soon reach Kuurna paddling stable area. The lake narrows into the Kajaani River. Ahead, you see the highway embankment. It is pierced by a small bridge under which you can access the Nälkä canal. It is one-way. At the canal's end is Pyörteen farm. Immediately afterward, turn left where a beach is visible. On the east side of the beach in the bay's end is the Kesäniemi paddling pier. 

Passable by paddling (kayak, canoe).

The route is drawn to pass through shallow water areas, so when traveling by boat, follow guided waterways.

Follow Sotkamo signs. The harbor is just before the center on the north side of the road when coming from Vuokatti. 

Bus traffic between Kajaani and Sotkamo passes by Sotkamo harbor. The bus station is within walking distance. 

Local traffic between Sotkamo and Vuokatti is SotKatti.

Free parking in the harbor area.

Alternative starting point: Katinkulla beach. The distance to Kajaani is then about 29 km, so it is possible to paddle it in one day.

Tip: with a south wind, it is advisable to travel on the southern shore of Nuasjärvi (distance roughly the same).

Rehjansaari is only 5 km before Kajaani, but it offers plenty of different rest and overnight options. So you can paddle there overnight.