What can one do in Lentua Nature Reserve?
Walk on Marked Trails
There is a connection from the Lentua Nature Information Hut to the Lentua Nature Trail (6.5 km) and the trail to the Lentuankoski Rapids (1 km), located in the shore conservation area in the eastern part of Lentua.
Go Canoeing, Rowing and Canoe Trekking
The Lentua area provides excellent opportunities for short trips and longer treks on the waters. Some of the islands have maintained campfire sites and lean-to shelters for boaters. There is also a boat launch at the Lentua Nature Information Hut.
Go Sailing or Motor Boating
- Motor boating is allowed in the area. Sailing is also an option.
- Jet skiing is not allowed in the nature reserve.
Go Bird Watching
Lentua provides good opportunities for watching shore birds and waterfowl.
See the Sights and Scenery
Lake Lentua and the Lentuankoski Rapids offer great natural experiences at different seasons and times of the day. When you go to Lentua, you should take the time to see the Lentua Nature Information Hut and, if possible, try out the thrill of river rafting.
See the Nature Information Hut
The Lentua Nature Information Hut, managed by Metsähallitus, is located in the southern part of Lentua at the head of the Lentuankoski Rapids. It hosts an exhibition about nature in Lentua, “Red and Blue Ideas”. In summer, the aim is to offer visitors an opportunity to experience the thrill of river rafting in the Lentuankoski Rapids. By the hut, there is a cabin for 20 people, suitable for holding a variety of events. For more information, contact the Petola Visitor Centre, located close to the population centre of Kuhmo. The Visitor Centre can also provide information on the Lentua Nature Information Hut and hiking opportunities in the Kainuu region.
Walk on Nature Trail
The shore conservation area in the eastern part of Lentua, which is part of the Natura 2000 network, offers an approximately 6.5-km-long nature trail introducing you to various forest and mire restoration methods. The restoration work is connected to the Life project “Natural Forests and Mires in the Green Belt of Kainuu and Koillismaa” (www.metsa.fi).
Ski Cross-country off Trails and Go Ski Trekking
You can also ski in Lentua, but there are no maintained trails in the area. On a ski trip, you may encounter a reindeer herd resting on the ice. The highlights of a trip can include seeing the tracks of a wolf or a wolverine trailing a reindeer herd.
Go Snowmobiling
Snowmobiling is allowed on frozen waters. However, since there is a large number of wild forest reindeer in the area, snowmobile safaris and snowmobiling in general should be avoided.
Go Fishing
Everyman’s right (www.environment.fi) entitles everyone to angle and go ice-fishing in Lentua. For other forms of fishing, you need to pay the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry fishing management fee (www.mmm.fi).
To fish on Lake Lentua, you need to obtain either a provincial lure fishing licence (www.mmm.fi) or the national lure fishing licence from Metsähallitus (number 1401).
The provincial lure fishing licence gives you the right to fish using one rod and lure in the province in question. However, the licence does not entitle you to fish in the rapids and currents of salmon and whitefish waters. The Ostrobothnia lure fishing licence does not limit the number of rods. It covers the state-owned waters of Lentua but not the Lentuankoski Rapids. Permits can be bought from Metsähallitus netstore (www.eräluvat.fi, in Finnish) and at the Petola Visitor Centre).
Fishing licences for the Lentuankoski Rapids are available from the local fishery association, Korpisalmen I kalastuskunta (for more information, contact Lentuankoski Camping, tel. +358 40 773 0050) and Pääkkönen & Piirainen, a dealer of sports and fishing equipment.
Go on Guided Group Tour in the Reserve
There are various activity packages for school groups and other groups of children for the purposes of nature interpretation and environmental education. They are closely connected to the Lentua area and the Lauttavaara Nature Study Forest. The Lentua Nature Trail near the Lentua Nature Reserve introduces visitors to restoration measures carried out to improve the natural state of forests and mires. The Lauttavaara Nature Study Forest is located at the starting point of Lentuankoskentie Road, some 10 km from the centre of Kuhmo and 5 km from the Lentua Nature Information Hut. For more information on group tour opportunities, contact the Petola Visitor Centre. Otherwise, there are no regular guided tours in Lentua.
Go Hunting
The islands in the nature reserve are protected from hunting. In other areas of the Lentua Nature Reserve, hunting is allowed for local residents on state-owned lands in accordance with the hunting regulations and the valid rules and regulations of the area.
Lentua is divided into two small-game hunting areas: the eastern Kuhmo area no. 5618, which includes Kotasaari, Kotaniemi, Varissalo, Niska-aho and Lentuankoski, and the western Kuhmo area no. 5617, which includes all other areas. Permits can be bought from Metsähallitus netstore (www.eräluvat.fi, in Finnish).
Go Berry and Mushroom Picking
Berry and mushroom picking is allowed in the shore areas and islands of the nature reserve.
Go Swimming
Lentua boasts attractive sandy and rocky shores that provide excellent opportunities for swimming. There are no equipped beaches.
Go Snowshoe Walking
Lentua provides good opportunities for snowshoeing.