Kainuu: Discover the lake region, culture and nature

Kainuu is the northernmost part of the lake region. The region’s tourism areas work together under the name Arctic Lakeland. Culture, music, regional specialities and nature experiences each offer a different emphasis: Kuhmo is known for literature, Kalevala heritage and music, while the Hiidenportti and Hossa national parks provide distinct geographical points of reference. There are also cycling and mountain biking routes, cross-country ski trails and seasonal water experiences. If you are looking for a hotel, first consider which places and themes will shape your trip.

Kainuu at a glance

• Kainuu is the northernmost part of the lake region; its tourism areas work together under the name Arctic Lakeland.
• Juustoleipä is a regional speciality; Ristijärvi hosts the annual Juustoleipämessut.
• Kuhmo is Finland’s only City of Literature in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
• Hiidenportti National Park is in the southeast of the municipality of Sotkamo, on the border with Kuhmo and Valtimo.
• Hossa National Park is in the north of Suomussalmi and also extends partly into Kuusamo and Taivalkoski.

Music, literature and Kalevala culture

Kuhmo offers several different ways to explore literature and music. As Finland’s only City of Literature in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, it has a distinct literary character. Juminkeko preserves and presents the cultural heritage associated with the Kalevala. The Runolaulu-Akatemia is a cultural and research centre for rune singing and related forms of song and music. Together, the three institutions represent different but interconnected themes: literature, Kalevala heritage and traditional forms of singing.

The festivals in Kuhmo also differ in their focus and timing. The Sommelo Folk Music Festival takes place each year around the turn of June and July and also includes courses. The two-week Chamber Music Festival is held in July and attracts thousands of music lovers. The exact dates and programmes vary from year to year. Summer is therefore a particularly notable time for music events when planning a trip.

Turjanlinna, the former home of writer Ilmari Kianto, is in Suomussalmi. Visits take place as part of guided summer cruises on Lake Kiantajärvi; dates may vary. Wild Taiga’s cultural programme also includes festivals, the history of the Winter War and Kalevala heritage. In the Kuhmo and Suomussalmi areas, Wild Taiga also offers wildlife watching and wildlife photography excursions.

Kainuu’s museums cover the region’s history, art, literature and life across several centuries. The cultural themes range from historical and artistic perspectives to literature and music. If you want to plan your stay around a particular interest, the specific places and activities can help you choose a focus rather than giving equal weight to every theme.

Cycling, cross-country skiing and wildlife watching

Kainuu’s cycling and mountain biking routes range from leisurely rides to more challenging trails. Hossa offers a variety of mountain biking routes year-round; trail conditions vary by season. In winter, cross-country ski trails in all of Kainuu’s municipalities are in very good condition, though conditions can vary from year to year. This means there are different ways to spend an active day: cycling at various levels of difficulty and cross-country skiing as a winter activity across the region.

Geography also matters when planning your activities: the information about cross-country ski trails applies to all of Kainuu’s municipalities, while the year-round mountain biking routes are specifically associated with Hossa. Wild Taiga’s wildlife watching and wildlife photography excursions in the Kuhmo and Suomussalmi areas are another option. This gives you a choice between getting active on the routes and taking part in guided wildlife-watching experiences.

Locating Hiidenportti and Hossa

The locations of the two national parks can be described in relation to different municipalities and boundaries. Hiidenportti is in the southeast of the municipality of Sotkamo, directly on the border with Kuhmo and Valtimo. Hossa National Park lies between Highway 5 (E63) and the Suomussalmi–Murtovaara road (No. 843), in the north of the municipality of Suomussalmi. Parts of the park also extend into Kuusamo and Taivalkoski. If you plan to include one of the parks in your trip, these place names provide a specific geographical reference point for deciding where to look for accommodation.

Juustoleipä, cruises and cultural heritage in Kajaani

Juustoleipä is a regional speciality of Kainuu. In Ristijärvi, the annual Juustoleipämessut celebrates this regional cheese bread. The exact dates of the fair may vary. This brings a regional food theme together with a recurring event in a specific municipality.

On Lake Oulujärvi, the steamship Kouta regularly runs cruises to Paltaniemi and Ärjänsaari in July. The service is seasonal; exact departure dates may vary. In Kajaani, a different part of the cultural heritage takes centre stage: the Kajaaninjoki tar canal is the only operating tar canal in the world. Rowing demonstrations take place there in summer. Kainuu’s water experiences therefore differ considerably: Kouta is associated with regular July cruises, while the tar canal hosts summer demonstrations.

Choose accommodation based on your travel interests

The locations of the experiences can serve as a starting point when looking for a hotel. Kuhmo brings together several of the literature and music themes mentioned above; Suomussalmi is associated with Hossa and Turjanlinna, while Kajaani is known for the tar canal. Ristijärvi brings the regional speciality into focus with its Juustoleipämessut. Decide which of these themes matter to your trip, then focus your search on the relevant part of Kainuu. The other sub-destination pages lead to Vuokatti, Vaala, Hyrynsalmi, Ruhtinansalmi, Jormua, Paltamo and Puolanka.

Frequently asked questions about Kainuu

What is Juustoleipä?

Juustoleipä is a regional speciality of Kainuu. The annual Juustoleipämessut in Ristijärvi puts this cheese bread in the spotlight; dates may vary.

What music events are there in Kuhmo?

Sommelo combines folk music with courses and takes place each year around the turn of June and July. The Chamber Music Festival lasts two weeks in July and attracts thousands of music lovers.

Where are Hiidenportti and Hossa national parks?

Hiidenportti is in the southeast of Sotkamo, on the border with Kuhmo and Valtimo. Hossa is in the north of Suomussalmi and also extends partly into Kuusamo and Taivalkoski.

When do the Kouta cruises take place?

The steamship Kouta regularly runs cruises on Lake Oulujärvi to Paltaniemi and Ärjänsaari in July. Exact departure dates may vary.