Tag: hossa

Exploring Hossa National Park with Children – Accessible Adventures for the Whole Family

Hossa National Park is known for its crystal-clear lakes, pine forests and easily accessible trails. Many visitors are pleasantly surprised by how well the area can be explored with strollers – and how many destinations are barrier-free. This makes Hossa an excellent choice for families travelling with both younger children and older adventurers.

From the Visitor Centre to the trail

The easiest starting point for families is the Hossa Nature Trail, which begins right next to the Visitor Centre. The trail is easy to follow with strollers and leads to the Huosilampi area, where you’ll find lean-tos, campfire sites and fishing piers. All of these are accessible, so strollers and wheelchairs can be taken along without difficulty.

The Visitor Centre provides indoor facilities, toilets and a café just a stone’s throw away. It’s convenient for taking care of younger children, and there is also a playground and a resting spot for families. It’s no wonder many families start their adventure here.

Muikkupuro – one of Hossa’s most photographed spots

Just 1.5 kilometres away lies Muikkupuro, one of the most popular and photographed sites in Hossa National Park. The route takes you through beautiful pine forest and along lakeside scenery, and even the walk itself feels like a special experience.

At the end you’ll find a clear stream, a lean-to with a campfire site and an accessible toilet. Parking is located close to the starting point of the trail. Muikkupuro is a place where many want to pause, enjoy the scenery and capture memories – both in photos and in their hearts.

Lihapyörre lean-to – an easy trip to the riverbank

Another easy destination for families with children is the Lihapyörre lean-to. The walk is only about 300 metres, leading directly to the riverside. At the site you’ll find a lean-to and a large pier where you can admire the view, listen to the flowing water or try fishing.

Casting a rod is an exciting activity for many children, and here it can be done easily and safely – without the need to climb over rocks along the rapids. There is also an accessible toilet at Lihapyörre, making the trip smooth for the whole family.

Easy to reach, unforgettable to experience

The strength of Hossa lies in its ability to offer experiences for everyone, including families and visitors who need accessible routes. The proximity of the Visitor Centre, clear paths and barrier-free sites make the park easy to explore. At the same time, the scenery and tranquillity of nature provide exactly what people seek in a national park – unforgettable moments together outdoors.

✨ Embark on an adventure with your children – Hossa warmly welcomes families!

Read more:
Camping Karhunkainalo
Accommodation in Hossa

Lunch at Hossa Visitor Centre – Week 38

At Hossa Nationalpark Visitor Centre you can enjoy a hearty Finnish lunch every day from 12:00 to 16:00. The menu for week 38 features traditional home-style dishes, with oven-baked vendace and a vegetarian option available daily.

Weekly lunch menu:

Mon: Ham casserole
Tue: Chicken stew
Wed: Meatballs
Thu: Lindström’s beef patties
Fri: Minced meat sauce
Sat: Karelian stew
Sun: Kebab casserole

The lunch includes salad, bread, beverage, dessert, and coffee or tea.

The Visitor Centre is open daily from 10:00 to 19:00. The café serves throughout the opening hours, and you will also find a grocery kiosk and souvenir shop. The same building also houses the campsite reception and provides further visitor information.

📍 Location: Jatkonsalmentie 6, Hossa, Suomussalmi

Reindeer rutting season has begun

Autumn brings the reindeer rutting season. Male reindeer (bulls) gather females around them and may be more protective of their herd and territory than usual.

If you encounter reindeer in the wild:

Respect their peace
Keep a safe distance, especially from bulls with antlers
Do not disturb or approach too closely

It is important to be cautious and give the animals their space.

Reindeer are an essential part of the nature in Hossa and Kylmäluoma. Let’s enjoy the sights and share the trails respectfully – there is room for all of us.

Autumn Magic in Hossa and Kylmäluoma

When the forest dresses in the bright colors of autumn and the air turns crisp and clear, Hossa and Kylmäluoma invite you to explore. Autumn is the perfect season for hiking along the ridges, fishing in crystal-clear waters, and canoeing on the beautiful lakes and ponds framed by rugged cliffs.

After a day outdoors, it feels wonderful to return to the warmth of a cabin or spend the evening by the campfire. You can choose from a wide range of accommodation options:

Cabins for every group size – from cozy small cottages to spacious holiday cabins
Campsites – for caravans, motorhomes, and tents, complete with services and saunas
Wilderness escapes – remote huts and hideaways for those seeking peace and solitude

🌲 Hike through varied landscapes
🚣 Paddle across scenic lakes and ponds, surrounded by autumn colors
🎣 Enjoy fishing in well-stocked waters
🔥 Relax in a cabin or by the fire under the starry sky

Welcome to discover peace, silence, and the best moments of autumn in Hossa and Kylmäluoma.

Main photo: Canoeing at Julma-Ölkky | Photo: Visit Suomussalmi | Eva & Damon
Photo: Hiking in Kylmäluoma | Photo: Visit Taivalkoski | Brave Teddy

Lunch Menu for Week 37 – Hossa Visitor Centre

At Hossa Visitor Centre lunch is served daily from 12:00 to 16:00.

Week 37 lunches:

Monday: Sausage sauce
Tuesday: Salmon casserole
Wednesday: Cabbage rolls
Thursday: Stew (palapaisti)
Friday: Liver casserole
Saturday: Pork neck
Sunday: Chef’s choice

Every day we also serve oven-baked vendace and a vegetarian option.
The lunch includes salad, bread, beverage, dessert, and coffee/tea.

Prices:

Adults €16
Children 6–12 yrs €8
Children under 6 yrs free

Location: Hossa Visitor Centre, Jatkonsalmentie 6, Suomussalmi

Welcome to enjoy a delicious lunch in the heart of nature!

Winter Adventures in Hossa and Kylmäluoma

Every winter, international visitors gather in Hossa and Kylmäluoma to experience the authentic Finnish winter. Upitrek organizes week-long ski and snowshoe treks as well as multi-activity winter weeks, where guests can join alone, with a friend, or as a group. Days are spent outdoors – with meals either prepared over an open fire or enjoyed in the lodges, taken care of by the Hossa–Kylmäluoma staff from breakfast to dinner.

“Our trips combine diverse activities with the peace of nature,” says Niina from Upitrek. “One day the guests go skiing or snowshoeing in the forest, the next they try fatbiking. Along the way, they learn new skills and share an adventure together as a group.”

The program also includes husky sled rides, ice fishing, igloo building and visits to reindeer farms. Evenings often end in a warm sauna – and for the bravest, a plunge into icy water. “A lunch cooked over an open fire, or simple tasks at a wilderness hut like carrying water and chopping firewood, stay in people’s minds just as strongly as the northern lights.”

Snowy trails through the forest offer a unique cycling experience.

Visitors from across Europe

Upitrek’s groups include many kinds of travelers: families, young people, outdoor enthusiasts, school groups, and even visually impaired groups. Most guests come from abroad – from the Netherlands, the UK, Germany, the Czech Republic, Belgium and France.

The age range is broad, but the majority are between 45 and 65 years old. Snowshoe treks often attract summer hikers, while ski treks appeal to more experienced skiers. “As a new option next winter, we are also organizing beginner ski treks, which have been in high demand,” Niina explains.

Sitting quietly on the ice and waiting for a catch – ice fishing is both calming and fascinating.

The strengths of Hossa and Kylmäluoma

Many visitors are looking for an alternative to Lapland’s busy resorts. “In Hossa and Kylmäluoma you can do the same winter activities, but the atmosphere is calmer and the environment more authentic. Forests, clear waters, pure snow and quiet trails always leave a lasting impression,” Niina describes.

After the sauna, a dip into icy water is often the highlight of the week.

The importance of cooperation

Upitrek’s activities rely on close cooperation with local partners. “Without the staff of Hossa and Kylmäluoma, we couldn’t organize our trips on this scale. They take care of accommodation and meals from breakfast to dinner, as well as equipment. The cooperation is smooth and flexible – that’s what makes the whole experience work.”

Treks often include visits to atmospheric wilderness huts in Hossa and Kylmäluoma.

Simple moments, unforgettable experiences

Many travelers say that the best memories come from simple moments: a lunch break by the fire, a night in a wilderness hut, carrying water or chopping firewood. The northern lights and ice swimming leave a deep impression time after time.

One visitor described their trip to Kylmäluoma like this:

“It may have been the best trip I’ve ever been on. Everything seemed to run like a well-oiled machine, and the guides looked after every participant. The atmosphere was warm and all the arrangements worked seamlessly.”
A hot drink indoors gives warmth and energy during a winter day.

Responsibility in practice

Upitrek encourages guests to use direct flights to Kuusamo whenever possible and has developed transfers so that groups can be combined efficiently. Direct bookers receive “10 sustainability tips” before their trip. Upitrek also participates in the international Travelife program for tour operators and has achieved Travelife Partner status, which requires meeting more than 100 sustainability criteria.

The most magical moments are often in the evening, when the Arctic sky glows green.

Warmly welcome

The Upitrek team welcomes all travelers to experience the winter of Hossa and Kylmäluoma. Many return again – either to the same trek or to try something new.

👉 You can easily book your own winter adventure directly on Upitrek’s website: www.upitrek.com

Trails and beautiful scenery invite both beginners and experienced skiers.

Simple everyday tasks, like preparing firewood, are part of the adventure.

📸 Photos: Upitrek

An Evening Trip to Muikkupuro

August once again brought to Muikkupuro the peace and atmosphere that always makes you want to return. The silence of the forest, the warmth of the fire, and the friendly encounters with fellow hikers make this place special – in any weather.

At the campfire site, I met some wonderful hikers who had come all the way from the coast. They had already spent several nights exploring the trails of Hossa and decided to set up their tent by the stream of Muikkupuro. This wasn’t their first time in Hossa – the landscapes and atmosphere keep calling them back, no matter the distance.

*Muikkupuro is located along the **Kolkalmus Trail**, one of the most popular mountain biking routes in Hossa National Park.*

Sitting by the fire and chatting made me reflect once again why it feels so good to return to these forests and streams. Muikkupuro is one of my own favorite places. Even if you don’t have much time, you can always come here – in any season. It’s a place to slow down, enjoy the spirit of the national park, and be a little out of reach of the world – as the phone doesn’t catch signal everywhere.

*Muikkupuron laavulla on mukava istua iltaa ympäri vuoden. Laavulle pääsee esteetöntä reitiä pitkin ja myös talvella tänne on avoinna monitoimiura, kunhan lumitilanne sallii sen polkemisen.*

As the evening grew darker, another couple arrived with their tent, and soon the fire was shared by more hikers. Even though the weather was grey and drizzly, the atmosphere was warm. Eventually, as I walked back towards my own overnight stay, a smile spread across my face – it’s moments like these where the magic of Hossa lies. ✨

This bridge is one of the most photographed spots in Hossa National Park. The shallow stream with its crystal-clear water amazes visitors with its beauty. Only in the coldest winter does it freeze – otherwise it quietly flows between two lakes.

The accessible trail to Muikkupuro is easy to walk even in the dusky evenings of August. The gravel path is firm, making it suitable also for wheelchairs, as long as descents are assisted for speed control. Slopes are gentle up and down.

There are also resting spots along the trail. And even if you don’t need a break, the benches are a perfect place to admire the scenery. In spring, you might spot woodpeckers, listen to the calls of loons and ravens – or even see reindeer passing by.

The Muikkupuro bend is an accessible 1.5 km route (one way) in Hossa National Park. Both at the starting point and at the Muikkupuro lean-to you’ll find accessible toilets. The total distance is about 3 km.

Experience Julma-Ölkky – One of the Most Impressive Destinations in Hossa National Park

Towering cliffs rising up to 50 metres, a deep, dark mirror-like canyon lake, and a sense of tranquillity that stops you in your tracks. Julma-Ölkky is Finland’s largest canyon lake and one of the most famous sights in Hossa National Park.

Challenging but Rewarding Trail

The hiking trail around Julma-Ölkky is demanding – with steep ascents, descents, and rocky paths – but the reward is breathtaking views and an unforgettable nature experience.

Discover It from the Water

You can also admire the canyon lake from a completely different perspective – on the water. Rent a canoe from us and set off at your own pace to explore the dramatic cliffs and shores of the canyon lake. A canoe trip is a perfect choice if you want to experience the canyon in peace and at your own rhythm. You can also join a boat tour if you prefer not to paddle yourself.

Routes for Every Taste

From Julma-Ölkky, you can continue your journey by water via Ala-Ölkky to the Hossa Visitor Centre – along the way, you’ll pass crystal-clear lakes and beautiful campsites. You can also reach the Värikallio Cliffs, famous for their prehistoric rock paintings, via hiking trails from Julma-Ölkky.

📌 Find trail maps and more information: Luontoon.fi – Hossa National Park

🚐 Transport to the starting point can be arranged – contact us for details!

Hossa Visitor Centre
📞 +358 50 384 4692

Group Trip to Hossa – Nature Experiences and Accessibility All Year Round

Hossa National Park and the nature of Suomussalmi invite groups to enjoy unforgettable moments – all year round. Whether it’s a senior trip, an association, a work team, a hobby group, or a special needs group, Hossa offers beautiful nature, functional services, and accessible solutions.

Easy to Reach – Easy to Enjoy
Hossa is easily accessible from both the north and the south. Spacious parking areas are available for bus groups, and the programme can be tailored to your schedule – from a day trip to a multi-night holiday.

Accessible Services for Groups
Getting around Hossa is easy, even for people with reduced mobility:

Accessible accommodation – for example, Kukkuri and Aitto are equipped with accessible toilets, grab rails, and ramps in individual apartments. Jatkonsalmi’s main lodge with lakeside saunas offers space for larger groups.
Accessible nature trail – the Huosilampi loop is suitable for wheelchairs and walkers.
Muikkupuro accessible route – an outdoor route to Muikkupuro suitable for wheelchairs and walkers.
Visitor Centre – accessible entrance and toilet.
Auditorium – ideal for presentations and national park introductions (max. 25 people at a time).

Ready-Made Programme Packages
A group day can start with morning coffee at the Visitor Centre, continue with a guided tour in the national park, and end with a delicious home-cooked lunch. The programme can include:

National park introduction indoors or outdoors.
Campfire coffee and sausage grilling during the trip.
Forest yoga and moments of relaxation in nature.
Boat trip to Julma-Ölkky.
Local stories and nature guiding.
Sausage grilling by the campfire.

More Experiences from the Surrounding Area
Your Hossa visit can also be combined with other attractions in Suomussalmi:

The Silent People and the Niittykahvila Café along Highway 5.
Raatteen Portti Winter War Museum and battle sites.
Cultural trip along the Viena route.

Request a Quote for Your Group
Just tell us the date, group size, and wishes – we will tailor the programme and meals for you. Special diets are also catered for.

📩 hossa@retkeilykeskus.fi