“This river offered the most beautiful scenery a painter could wish for when depicting a gentle painterly style. As we approached the mountain, we came to the large lake that forms the source of the river.”
Giuseppe Acerbi – Journey through Lapland 1799
An explorer, Acerbi wrote well in his day. The River Jerisjoki is a beauty, one of the best canoeing routes in Muonio. The river has its source in Lake Jerisjärvi, near the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. Flowing through peaceful Finnish landscapes, sometimes splashing through lush foliage and occasionally accelerating into rapids, it finds its way through several picturesque lakes all the way to the village of Muonio. The 25-kilometer Jerisjoki is a great destination for a two-day trip, but you can also make a long day trip to the river. Shorter stages are also available as an option. The route starts at Kutuniva in Jerisjärvi and flows down to the traditional village of Torassiep, with the fellscape as its backdrop. You can end the trip in Torassiep or alternatively start from there and continue paddling to Muonio.
The rapids of the Jerisjoki are 1 (2) class, fun and can be paddled with careful route selection. Those starting the route should have previous experience of paddling in flowing water. Water levels change the conditions of the river and in mid-summer the rapids are usually low water and rocky, making them more challenging to negotiate. In addition, due to the measures taken on the river, it is sometimes difficult to find a clear descent line, especially on the lowest rapids, because of the large rocks on the route (Juurikka, Vääräkkä). In these rapids it may be necessary to land and wade. During high water, the river’s speed increases and the wave height rises, so that Torvikoski, for example, can be said to be a class 2 rapids.
For the most varied adventure and the richest experience, join a guided canoe trip.
