The Yarenga is the main river of the Lensky District north of the Vychegda and collects virtually all the drain of that area.

In the village of Ust-Ocheya, where it accepts the Ocheya from the left, it turns south-east.

Yarensk is on the left bank, approximately 3 kilometres (2 mi) from the river course.

The Yarenga empties into the Vychegda about 5 kilometres (3 mi) downstream from Yarensk.

Fossils ot temnospondyl amphibians Parotosuchus komiensis, Yarengia perplexa, Batrachosuchoides ochevi and Melanopelta antiqua were found in the Lower Triassic (Upper Olenekian) deposits, near this river.