The frontier town of Kuusamo in Northeast Finland is known for its natural beauty and hosts one of the largest ski resorts in Finland. It is an energetic tourism destination with a great variety of natural attractions and outdoor activities, including excellent possibilities for hiking, skiing and fishing along its many rivers and lakes. Furthermore, rafting, wildlife watching and dogsled tours are popular and this year-round resort region also has a golf course and a spa.
An outdoor wonderland located in northeastern Finland in the province of Oulu, Kuusamo is a small town that hosts many nearby attractions and a vast amount of outdoor activities. The sparsely inhabited municipality was founded over 300 years ago, but town was destroyed during the World War II. Today, Kuusamo is a modern wilderness town with a good amount of services, making it one of the most popular year-round tourist resorts in Finland. Kuusamo receives a million visitors a year, and hosts major winter sports competitions and events.
Summer activities. Fishing in Kuusamo is excellent along many rivers and lakes of the area. Canoeing and rafting in Kuusamo are also available, with classified routes in four major rivers. Hiking, biking, horseback riding, hunting and rock climbing are also available.
Nature attractions in Kuusamo include vast wilderness areas and a variety of lakes, rivers and canyons. The Oulanka National Park and the popular hiking route Karhunkierros (the trail of the bear) offer excellent trekking in Kuusamo. Autumn is also a nice time for hiking in Kuusamo, with beautiful colours. The varied wildlife in Kuusamo can be seen for example on bear watching safaris along the border zone with Russia, and birdwatching in Kuusamo is also popular.
Culture & Entertainment. Kuusamo hosts a cultural centre with concerts and an open-air museum. Kuusamo also has a new Nature Photography Center, and surprises its visitors with a 9-hole golf course in Ruka and a spa called Kuusamon Tropiikki. Both Ruka and Kuusamo town center host several bars and pubs.
An outdoor wonderland located in northeastern Finland in the province of Oulu, Kuusamo is a small town that hosts many nearby attractions and a vast amount of outdoor activities. The sparsely inhabited municipality was founded over 300 years ago, but town was destroyed during the World War II. Today, Kuusamo is a modern wilderness town with a good amount of services, making it one of the most popular year-round tourist resorts in Finland. Kuusamo receives a million visitors a year, and hosts major winter sports competitions and events.
Sights and activities in Kuusamo: skiing & winter sports, trekking, rafting & fishing
Kuusamo is prominently a year-round center for outdoor activities. This wilderness town set in beautiful natural settings hosts a great array of activities from skiing to trekking. The popular ski resort of Ruka is the main attraction of Kuusamo during the winter, with excellent services, trails and great possibilities for both downhill and cross-country skiing in Kuusamo. Skiing in Ruka is possible even during the summer! Ruka also hosts many international winter sports competitions. Dog sled riding and snowmobile tours in Kuusamo are popular during the winter.Summer activities. Fishing in Kuusamo is excellent along many rivers and lakes of the area. Canoeing and rafting in Kuusamo are also available, with classified routes in four major rivers. Hiking, biking, horseback riding, hunting and rock climbing are also available.
Nature attractions in Kuusamo include vast wilderness areas and a variety of lakes, rivers and canyons. The Oulanka National Park and the popular hiking route Karhunkierros (the trail of the bear) offer excellent trekking in Kuusamo. Autumn is also a nice time for hiking in Kuusamo, with beautiful colours. The varied wildlife in Kuusamo can be seen for example on bear watching safaris along the border zone with Russia, and birdwatching in Kuusamo is also popular.
Culture & Entertainment. Kuusamo hosts a cultural centre with concerts and an open-air museum. Kuusamo also has a new Nature Photography Center, and surprises its visitors with a 9-hole golf course in Ruka and a spa called Kuusamon Tropiikki. Both Ruka and Kuusamo town center host several bars and pubs.
Photo: timo_w2s, used under Creative Commons License (By SA 2.0)
While the town center of Kuusamo has not much touristic interest besides some shops and restaurants, the real attractions of Kuusamo lie outside the town area.
Kuusamo travel information and practical tips
Situated close to the Arctic Circle, Kuusamo has a cool climate that is more continental than in most other parts of the country. It has long, cold and snowy winters perfect for winter sports. In contrast, summers in Kuusamo are short but comfortable. Some rainfall (or snowfall) is received throughout the year, and Kuusamo has a continuous snow cover usually from the end of October until the middle of May.How to get there. The easiest way to travel to Kuusamo is by air. The town has a small airport with regular daily flights to Kuusamo from Helsinki, as well as charter flights during the winter season. If you have the time, travelling to Kuusamo is also easy by car or bus from other parts of Finland. Several local and international tour operators sell package tours to Kuusamo. Local transportation is available by buses and taxis, and car rental in Kuusamo is also a good option.
Visitor Services. Hotels in Kuusamo are available especially in the Ruka area, that is famous as a ski center, but you can find hotels also in the town center. Other accommodation options in Kuusamo include popular rental cottages and apartments. Restaurants in Kuusamo can be found in both Ruka and Kuusamo town center, serving a variety of local and international cuisines, and both places also host several bars and pubs. Kuusamo is a safe small destination, where many local speak some English.
