Crystal-clear waters and beginner-friendly paddling adventures in a fell landscape await in Ylläs. Nestled at the foot of the fells, you’ll find routes perfect for the whole family – peaceful paddling experiences that require no prior experience.
In this article, we’ll explore the best beginner-friendly paddling spots in Ylläs and get inspired to enjoy the water. We interviewed Saku Nummi, a local guide from Ylläs Experiences, who takes visitors paddling around the area during the summer. We asked him for his top tips for safe and memorable paddling adventures.
What makes paddling in Ylläs so special?
The nature around Ylläs is diverse and beautiful – and its waterways are no exception. Saku especially enjoys paddling on flowing water: “Around every bend, a new landscape opens up, and the current is always changing.”
“When we guide customers, we often paddle the same routes, but the river is different every day. The flow, the plants, the birds, the fish, the insects, and the mammals – they all change a little from day to day,” he continues. If the current is strong, there’s less time to observe the surroundings – then it’s the splashing water and speed that become the most exciting part of the experience.
Saku has explored the nature of Ylläs for many years. His greatest motivation for guiding people here, summer and winter, is to share the joy and love he feels for the nature of Ylläs – emotions that this place has always inspired in him.
Ylläs is a great place to start your paddling journey
The Ylläs region offers waterways suitable for paddlers of all levels – from easy routes to more challenging ones. Our interviewee points out that if you expand your search just a bit beyond the immediate area, you’ll find nearly every type of waterway imaginable to paddle.
Saku also mentions how even seasoned visitors to Ylläs, who are already somewhat accustomed to the area’s stunning scenery, are often pleasantly surprised by how different the landscape looks when viewed from the water. It offers a fresh and unique perspective that’s hard to experience from land.
Best paddling routes in Ylläs for families and beginners
Paddling is a great activity for families and first-timers – as long as you know where you’re going and what to do if something unexpected happens.
Next, we’ll get Saku’s tips for the best beginner-friendly paddling routes in Ylläs. “There are a few really great options for first-timers that are suitable for paddling throughout the summer,” he promises.
Top 3 paddling spots in Ylläs for beginners
- Kesänkijoki river – This scenic river can be paddled in either direction, making it a flexible choice for beginners. Along the way, you’ll enjoy tight bends, signs of beaver activity, and breathtaking views of the surrounding fells.
- Kesänkijärvi lake is a spectacularly beautiful lake that can be paddled as a standalone trip or easily combined with a journey along the Kesänkijoki river. Its calm waters and mountain backdrop make it ideal for a peaceful outing.
- For families and first-timers looking for a bit more excitement, the lower section of the Äkäsjoki river offers a livelier ride. While it’s more logistically challenging, a guided tour is the most convenient and enjoyable way to experience it.
According to our local guide, the upper sections of the Äkäsjoki river – from Äkäsmylly to Äkäslompolo and onward to Hannukainen – offer fun, scenic, and at times truly remote paddling experiences. These routes are ideal for those with more experience and a taste for adventure.
The area also features smaller rivers that invite exploration, but these require high water levels, meaning the paddling season is very short and typically limited to early summer.
Discover the joy of paddling safely on a guided tour
Is it easier to start paddling with a guided tour? According to Saku, absolutely – and not as a sales pitch, but as genuine advice. He strongly recommends using a local guide for your first paddling experiences, especially in unfamiliar areas.
“On a guided tour, you’ll get essential tips on technique and safety, you won’t have to worry about navigation, and the guide takes care of all the logistics,” he explains. “In fact, because of the logistics, a guided tour can sometimes end up being cheaper than organizing rentals and transport on your own,” he adds.
What’s included in a guided paddling tour?
Depending on the tour, the starting point is reached either on foot or by car. According to Saku, a typical paddling trip begins like this: “The guide explains the route, technique, and other important things to keep in mind. With the guide’s help, we get on the water and start off slowly, getting a feel for the paddlecraft. Once everyone gets the hang of it, we paddle onward and enjoy the water and the surrounding nature.”
The guide will also inform the group in advance if there are any sections that require special attention and explain how to navigate them safely. And would it even be a real trip without a snack break? At a suitable moment, there’s time to enjoy a well-deserved treat.
“When we reach the endpoint, we load the paddlecraft onto a trailer or carry them a short distance to the roadside or parking area. Then we give ourselves and each other a pat on the back and agree – that was a great trip,” Saku says with a warm smile.
A nature experience from the water
A paddling trip is a truly immersive nature experience – and it offers something new even for seasoned outdoor enthusiasts. What might you see or feel on a paddling adventure? Wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, the calming silence of nature?
Our local guide shares how, for example, paddling along the Äkäsjoki river almost guarantees sightings of birds, various insects, and at the very least, signs of beaver activity – even if you don’t spot the flat-tailed architect itself. “Especially on sunny days, you can often see beautiful grayling swimming in the clear water,” he adds. Other mammals such as otters, reindeer, hares, foxes, and even moose are also spotted regularly by those who spend time on the river.
According to Saku, paddling on calmer waters can feel almost meditative and grounding: “The flowing river draws your thoughts in – it’s like being in your own little bubble.” No wonder it makes you want to grab a paddle and head out. Among his personal favorites in Ylläs are the high-water spring routes of upper Äkäsjoki river, as well as the peaceful and scenic Kesänkijärvi lake and Kesänkijoki river.
Tips for first-time paddlers in Ylläs
Consider joining a guided tour. You can take part in a ready-made day trip or hire a guide just for your own group. According to our interviewee, there’s no need to worry about massive crowds on these tours. Saku recommends at least asking for the latest tips on routes and conditions when renting paddling equipment. “If you’re wondering whether you dare to try it, you definitely do,” he encourages.
The best feedback from customers often comes from river paddling trips, where initial nervousness has turned into wide smiles after just a few kilometers. Saku is often delighted to hear comments like: “It was absolutely worth it.”
Feeling the urge to paddle yet?
After reading this article, it should be clear that paddling is definitely an activity worth trying in Ylläs just like all the others. The stunning natural surroundings provide a setting so impressive, it’s bound to leave no one untouched.