Kuusamo is a rapidly growing tourist town and well known for its beautiful hilly landscape, its rapids, valleys, fells and large lakes. Nature here is exceptionally varied and rich.
	Oulanka National Park is 270 km² and situated in the highland area. The most important sights of Kuusamo can be found in the National Park: Oulankajoki River with its rapids, Kiutaköngäs and Taivalköngäs and Jyrävä with its waterfall in Kitkajoki River. The impressive rapids are the most exciting and breathtaking experience in the National Park. There are many different bird species and rare plant species here, like the calypso and lady’s slipper orchids. The Oulanka National Park has been awarded one of the four PAN Parks certificates. The 80 km long Karhunkierros Trail can be a demanding hiking trail at times and is located in the northern part of Kuusamo. Along the trail there are resting areas and wilderness cottages where you can spend the night. The Juuma village is located at the trail and is very popular with visitors. You can view the foaming Myllykoski, Niskakoski and Aallokkokoski rapids from a suspension bridge. You can also go whitewater rafting on Kitkajoki River in a rubber raft or a canoe. In the Oulanka Visitor Centre you will find a customer service desk managed by the Forest and Park Service and a café. You will also find a permanent nature exhibition, a reference library and an auditorium, where visitors can view multivision and video displays. Liikasenvaarantie 132, tel. +358 (0)20 564 685. Ruka Holiday Village. Rukatunturi (500 m) is the highest fell in Kuusamo and the most well known site to visitors. In the summertime, Rukatunturi is the starting and ending points for the Karhunkierros Hiking Trail. Finland’s longest toboggan run, 1 001 metres, starts at the top of Rukatunturi. Julma Ölkky is a beautiful ravine lake. The rock walls on the shores rise up to 50 metres above the water surface. In Tourist Centre Karhuntassu you will find the town’s tourist information and central booking, a gift shop and a café. There is also a customer service desk by the Forest and Park Service. Torangintaival 2, tel. Booking Centre +358 (0)306 502 530, Tourist Information +358 (0)306 502 540. The Hannu Hautala Nature Photography Centre is a new, international culture and tourist attraction situated in Tourist Centre Karhuntassu. The Nature Photography Centre serves people of all ages who are interested in nature in Kuusamo, nature photography and research. Torangintaival 2, tel. +358 (0)40 860 8364. In the Kuusamo large predator centre “Kuusamon Suurpetokeskus”, they have specialised in large predatory animals and there you can admire brown bears, foxes, lynx and wolverines. The Centre is located 33 km south of Kuusamo along route 5 to Kajaani, Keronrannantie 31, tel. +358 (0)8 861 713. The Open Air Museum: The 20 buildings at the Open Air Museum have been brought to the museum from various parts of Kuusamo, and they form a typical farmyard of a Kusamo farmer in the old days. Kitronintie 6, tel. +358 (0)40 860 8717. The Holy Cross Church is open every day in the summer, Kirkkotie 1 B, tel. +358 (0)8 859 9500. ACTIVITIES: The weekly programme throughout the summer offers a number of activities of different kinds, every day of the week. Whitewater rapids, hiking, fishing, paddling, nordic walking, etc. More information at www.ruka.fi/english/summer. Ruka-Golf: Nine-hole golf course south of Lake Rukajärvi, café. Rukajärventie 48 G, tel. +358 (0)8 868 1619. Kumpare Shopping & Fitness Centre: The sport activities here include a gym, tennis, indoor bandy, badminton, squash, golf simulator, massage, hairdresser and many more. Rukatunturintie 9, tel. +358 (0)8 860 0200.
	SHOPPING: Kuusamon Uistin: Fishing equipment, factory outlet, café and aquarium with local fish species. Kemijärventie, tel. +358 (0)8 860 3400. Bjarmia: Ceramics, gift shop, café with home-baked goods, Marimekko products. Vienantie 1, tel. +358 (0)8 853 869. Pentik-Kuusamo: Factory outlet, ceramics, gifts. Ouluntie 2, tel. +358 (0)8 852 2622. Sawieli: Ceramics and factory outlet. Kitkantie 25 B, tel. +358 (0)40 568 1326. Riipinen Factory Shop for game delicacies, Järvenpääntie 1, tel. +358 (0)400 177 627.
KUUSAMO > POSIO (about 60 km) Take route 81 to Posio and take a detour to Pentikmäki where you will find a museum with an exhibit of Sámi ceramics and factory outlet, tel. +358 (0)16 321 0530. Rock climbing is a popular sport in Korouoma, tel. +358 (0)16 320 5111.
POSIO > KEMIJÄRVI (about 100 km) From Posio, you can continue towards Kemijärvi, first along route 81 and then by turning north towards Autti on route 944 that runs along Kemijoki River, which is Finland’s largest river, and Lake Kemijärvi. There are small villages of Luusua and Juujärvi with services for small groups by the side of the route. The two parking lots by the route E5/E75 are excellent places for the visitors to stop and admire the beautiful landscape of water and fells.
	In Kemijärvi there are opportunities for ship cruises, fishing, nature excursions and hikes to Pyhä-Luosto National Park. You can see wood sculptures in the Art Centre Puustelli, outdoor sculptures and historical boards and visit Snowmobile Museum and Suomu the Arctic Circle Resort. North of Kemijärvi you can drive along route 5/E63 to Pelkosenniemi and Sodankylä. Ship Cruises / Hotel Mestarin Kievari, tel. +358 (0)16 813 577 Pyhä-Luosto National Park, nature centre, tel. +358 (0)20 564 7302 Art Centre Puustelli, tel. +358 (0)16 815 222 Snowmobile Museum, tel. +358 (0)400 290 751 Suomu the Arctic Circle Resort / Arctic Circle Hotel, tel. +358 (0)20 162 0670 Additional tour: Suomu – Salla – Kemijärvi After a short drive towards Kemijärvi from Suomu, the route 82 will take you to Salla. In Salla you can experience the peacefulness of northern nature. Salla offers a tranquil break from the normal everyday hustle and bustle. Try e.g. fishing, hiking and trekking. www.salla.fi
KEMIJÄRVI > SODANKYLÄ (about 110 km) About 47 km north of Kemijärvi is Pyhätunturi fell (first take route 5 and then route 962) and from Pyhätunturi about 25 km is Luosto fell. These two fells (Pyhä-Luosto National Park) have an exceptional geology - the bedrock is part of the oldest in the world - and they are the roots of ancient, very high mountains. The fells hide their true treasures very deep. The basic zone of the Pyhä-Luosto National Park is formed of Finland’s most southern fell chain. The area has many functions; it is for conserving nature, preserving indigenous people’s culture and serving as a destination for hiking and tourism.
	Aittakuru gorge is a wonderful outdoor-theatre of Pyhätunturi to visit, by the road 962. Lots of concerts are held there during the summer season. Mettiäinen Farm in the village of Suvanto, on the Pelkosenniementie road 9621 from Pyhätunturi, consists of a collection of buildings in traditional Ostrobothnian style. Accommodation in the main building and in timber cottages on the shore of River Kitinen, Mettiäinen Farm, tel. +358 (0)16 854 112.
From Luosto, you can connect to route E75/5 north towards Sodankylä village, where you can visit the Aurora House. Research around the phenomenon of northern lights, Aurora Borealis, performed by Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory, has long traditions in Sodankylä. The northern lights are one of nature’s most colourful sights. The displays in Corona Borealis guide you through ancient beliefs to the very latest scientific facts. Arctic Academy, tel. +358 (0)40 514 2858.
	Sodankylä Old Church, built in 1689, is one of the oldest preserved wooden churches in Lapland. Only open in the summer. Museum-gallery Alariesto is located close to the old wooden church. Andreas Alariesto, a representative of both Finnish and Sámi culture, was one of the foremost naïvist artists in Finland. Jäämerentie 3, tel. +358 (0)400 393 770. The Tankavaara Gold Village is located about 96 km north of Sodankylä, along E75/4. Here you can experience the atmosphere from the time of the big gold rush. You can also pan for gold yourself under the guidance of skilled gold panners. The Golden World exhibit tells the history of gold prospecting all over the world. The Wanha Waskoolimies restaurant serves local specialities and accommodation services are also available. Tankavaara Gold Prospector Museum is open to visitors daily during the summer, tel. +358 (0)16 626 171 and +358 (0)16 626 158/restaurant and accommodation. The Urho Kekkonen National Park is located in the municipalities of Savukoski, Sodankylä and Inari between route E 75 and the Russian border. It is one of the last wilderness areas in Western Europe. The area has excellent hiking trails and provides opportunities for shorter and longer excursions. Koilliskaira Visitor Centre is located in Tankavaara. There is a permanent exhibit about the park, its nature and recreational opportunities. Open daily during the summer, tel. +358 (0)20 564 7251.