Suomussalmi

Gateway to Hossa National Park and Winter War Museum Raatteen Portti
Suomussalmi is located in the province of Kainuu in eastern Finland, with close proximity to the Russian border. Magnificent wooded hills, marked nature trails, and four distinct seasons are unique characteristics of the area. Winter is still a proper winter. Suomussalmi offers visitors a variety of activities to meet many interests; whether one is interested in history, outdoor adventures or observing the rich culture of neighbouring Viena, one can find plenty to do.

The most significant natural sites are Hossa National Park, Martinselkonen Nature Reserve and Yli-Vuokki Recreation Area. In winter, Suomussalmi offers great opportunities to go cross-country skiing. Well-maintained and illuminated trails lead from downtown to ski resorts in Haverinen and Hossa, with a comprehensive traditional ski trail network. Snowmobile trails total about 530 km.

Exhibitions depicting the battles of the Winter War in Suomussalmi, and especially on the Raate Road, attract tens of thousands of people every year. The Winter War Museum is a good retrospective of the war between Finland and Russia, and close to the Raatteen Portti is the Winter War Monument. Along the museum road is the Russian monument, the restored Purasjoki station, the Raate battle monument in Likoharju, and the Frontier Guard Museum located at the eastern end of the road.

In the summer, guided cruises take visitors to the landscapes of Turjanlinna, home of the famous Finnish author, Ilmari Kianto. A few small buildings and ruins remain in the area where the writer spent his summers from the late 1940s. The Kianto exhibition in the Main Library contains material and objects related to the life of Ilmari .

In co-operation with Visit Suomussalmi, we welcome You to Suomussalmi!
Juuri sitä parasta

Kohokohtia

Hossa National Park

Landscapes & Sceneries

The magnificent wilderness of Hossa is an excellent destination: the trails running along pine heaths invite you to hike and cycle, and the crystal-clear lakes to go canoeing and fishing. The rock paintings of Julma-Ölkky and Värikallio depict stories of shamanism, dating back thousands of years.

Bear Watching

Wildlife & Nature

The Bear Finland’s national animal is the bear. It is the largest predator in the whole of Europe. The number of bears in Finland varies between 800 – 1000, with the largest number of individuals inhabiting regions located in eastern Finland and Lapland. A bear’s most important attributes are its excellent sense of smell and hearing. While bears can’t see very well, they are able to detect movement very easily. Using these senses, the bear avoids people as much as possible, and it is extremely rare to see a bear in its natural habitat.

Winter War Museum

History & Architecture

The Winter War exhibition tells about Suomussalmi before the Winter War, evacuation preparations, the impact of the bitterly cold winter on the course of the war, the fate of the Red Army, the valuable spoils of war Finland gained from Raate Road and the conditions to which people returned after the war.

Musical Forest

Landscapes & Sceneries

The unique Soiva Metsä (“Musical Forest”), a fascinating exhibit set in a forest filled with large musical instruments that can be played, as well as observed as art. Combining nature, art and music, and delightful scenic paths to explore, Soiva Metsä is the perfect destination for people of all ages. The area consists of approximately one hectare of land on the esker of Kaunisniemi, conveniently located about half a kilometre from the summer theatre, and approximately 3 km from Suomussalmi. The Musical Forest is accessible by wheelchair.

Silent People

Landscapes & Sceneries

Silent People travellers on Highway 5 are greeted by a unusual sight – people-like figures with heads of hay. These “hay heads” appeared in Suomussalmi for the first time in 1988 when dancer and choreographer Reijo Kela created them as part of his “Ilmarin kynnös” performance. He created the People as part of the performance in the Lassila field at Suomussalmi. The People were not meant to live this long, but they truly earned the right to survive. The Silent People are clothed with new, clean clothes twice a year.

Tämä reitti kulkee kohteen läpi

Reitin varrella

Experience the Finnish National landscape in the heart of Koli National park, capital of North Karelia, Joensuu and nature of Nurmes and Karelian Holiday Resort Bomba. Driving in Finland is easy and stress-free, there are no traffic jams and very little traffic in rural areas. Stop by little villages, find a public beach on a lake and go for a swim. The national parks are easiest to reach with your own car.

5 - 10 days

Via Karelia