[1] The Ponoy's source lies in the western end of the Keivy Uplands, 50 km east of Lake Lovozero, in the middle of the Kola Peninsula.

The river then flows towards the east, threading a winding path through a landscape of hilly and marshy taiga for most of its course.

Below its confluence with the Purnach, 77 km from the sea, the river changes character and flows down a steep-sided, canyon-like valley with many rapids.

It finally flows into the White Sea at Cape Korabelny, at the eastern end of the Kola Peninsula.

The river freezes over in late October to early November, and stays frozen until the first half of May.