Hossa National Park

National Park Of Clear Lakes, Eskers And Canyon Lakes, With The Varikallio Rock Paintings; Opened As Finland'S Centenary Park In 2017 · Suomussalmi, Kainuu

Hossa is a remote wilderness national park in northern Kainuu, in the municipality of Suomussalmi, close to the Russian border. It was opened in 2017 as Finland's centenary national park, protecting an old hiking and fishing area that had long been state-managed. The landscape is classic northern taiga: pine heaths on long sandy eskers, clear lakes and ponds so transparent you see the bottom, streams with rapids for fly fishing, and bogs. Two sights draw most visitors. The Varikallio rock paintings on the shore of Lake Somerjarvi are red ochre figures of people, elk and symbols, often dated to roughly 3,500-4,500 years ago and among the best-known rock art in Finland. Julma-Olkky is a narrow canyon lake between steep cliffs, walked along the rim or seen from a summer boat. Around them run roughly 90 km of marked trails, free lean-tos and campfire sites, canoe routes and ski tracks. The honest caveat: Hossa is far from everything, there is no useful public transport, services are few, and summer brings mosquitoes in force.

Hossa National Park, Suomussalmi, near the Russian border, Suomussalmi, Kainuu, Finland

The park itself is open all year, day and night, with no gate and no entry fee. The Hossa visitor centre is open daily in summer and on a reduced schedule, often closed some weekdays, in autumn, winter and spring - check the current schedule before driving out. Julma-Olkky boat trips run only in the summer season, roughly June to August. Access is by car: Hossa lies roughly 90 km north-east of Suomussalmi village and about 100 km south-east of Kuusamo on minor roads; there is no practical bus. Book rental huts, cabins and guided trips ahead in July and in the autumn colour weeks; lean-tos and open huts cannot be booked.

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