Your trip

Experience the wild taiga in the northeast of Finland in the Kainuu region.

This secluded area is a wonderful place to experience true wilderness. Our snowshoe tour leads through white forests and over frozen lakes in Hossa National Park.

They are accommodated in rustic Map Finland log cabins, whose shared rooms convince with their simplicity and cozy atmosphere. For relaxation in the evening invite the fireplace and sauna.

You will hike with your English speaking guide in an international group of maximum 12 participants.

Requirements

> The daily routes of about 6 hours are mostly hiked in deep powder snow.

> The terrain varies, but is mostly flat with some short climbs and descents.

> The difficulty level of this tour is easy to moderate. You should be fit for long hikes in the snow.

> Experience in snowshoeing is not required, good physical condition is nevertheless desirable.

Together with your group you will manage the overnight cabins in the wilderness mostly by yourself. The material is transported. However, they lend a hand in chopping wood, heating the sauna and everyday life in the hut. Please note: The trip is not suitable for persons with reduced mobility. Please contact us for detailed information if needed.

Equipment

> You can rent snowshoes and hiking poles.

> Please wear your own well-worn winter hiking boots. You can also rent suitable snowboats if you wish.

> You will receive a list of what things you should bring with your travel documents.

Arrival

Meeting point of the trip

The meeting point of the trip is Kuusamo airport.
On request we can also arrange the bus station in Kuusamo as a meeting point.

Airport transfer

Transfer from Kuusamo airport to the first accommodation and return transfer from the last accommodation to Kussamo airport is included in the price. Flights are not included in the tour price. Please book your flight yourself e.g. with Finnair.

Please note that there is only one transfer per day. The times are each coordinated with a specific flight. If you miss the departure, any extra private transfer is payable locally.

Please be sure to coordinate the times for the transfer with us before booking your flight. Between the bus transfer and the flight should not be less than 1 h. Please do not miss the transfer bus.

Accommodation

They are on the road in the wilderness. You will be accommodated in rooms with two, three or more beds in simple but cozy log cabins in the forest. Single rooms are not available.

The cabins each have cozy common areas.
Wood stove and sauna await you in the evening.

The first three and the last night you are accommodated in the game lodge
Jatkonsalmi
.

Jatkonsalmi is a traditional, well-equipped log cabin on the shore of Lake Jatkonjärvi. It has 8-bed rooms with bunk beds, shared toilets and showers, a kitchen, dining room and central heating, sauna and fireplace. Possibility of ice swimming.

The fourth night you will sleep – depending on the size of the group – in one of the two forest lake huts Peurapirtti or
Hirvastupa
.

The two cabins each stand about a hundred meters from the shore of Lake Iso-Valkeinen next to each other in the forest. Each house has a double room and dormitories for four. You will find a sauna in the same building, but no showers.

The houses do not have electricity and can be heated with a wood stove.

The fifth night you will be accommodated – depending on the group size – in one of the two forest lake cabins Huosiusjärvi or
Likoski
.

Huosiusjärvi is a log cabin on the shore of lake Huosiusjärvi. The house has a living room and two shared rooms with a total of 8 beds. A neighboring building houses a sauna. No showers. No electricity, wood stove.

Iikoski hut is located about 200 meters from Huosiusjärvi hut on the bank of Iikoski rapids. The cottage offers a room for 2 people and dormitories for 4 people. Sauna in the same building, no showers. No electricity, wood stove heating.

Catering

Your trip includes full board.

Around 8 o’clock we have breakfast.
Breakfast is served in the cottage. It consists of plenty of bread, cheese, ham, porridge, cereal, yogurt, coffee, tea.

We usually broke for lunch between 11 and 12.
Lunch is usually served at a fireplace in the forest. It consists of hot soup, sandwiches, sausages, coffee & tea with chocolate and cookies.

Around 3 to 4 p.m. we are usually at the destination accommodation. A small snack awaits you.

Dinner is usually a buffet. It includes typical Finnish dishes “homemade style”. Mostly it consists of a main course
with meat / fish, potatoes / rice , fresh salad / warm vegetables and a dessert.

We provide you first of all with genuine Finnish products. They are always our first choice. In winter, all fruit is imported, so there is little fresh fruit and only at base camp.

We are also happy to provide you with vegetarian food. For people with celiac disease we also prepare gluten-free meals. For people with lactose intolerance we also prepare lactose-free meals. Please let us know when booking if you would like to eat vegetarian or even gluten-free. Please take into account that your choice is valid for the entire tour. A change on the way is no longer possible.

Tap water is good to drink in Finland. Huts where tap water is not available are supplied with large jerry cans. You can always fill your own water bottle.

Please provide yourself with snacks for the walking times according to your comfort.

Country information

Please see our entry information for Finland on our Country Information page.

We recommend that you take out travel cancellation insurance. you can find a quote on our travel insurance page.

What you can look forward to

Peace, space, light and air
A hike across the frozen lakes in Hossa National Park
A group experience in the winter wilderness that you will not forget

Arrival :

Sunday

Individual arrival to Kuusamo – transfer to first accommodation

Arrival at Kuusamo airport. You will meet your tour guides. About 1 hour bus ride to Jatkonsalmi log cabin, your first accommodation. The lodge is isolated in the middle of the forest of Hossa National Park.

Dinner

Other accommodation

Lounatkoski rapids (7 km snowshoe hike, approx. 6 hours) :

Monday

Lounatkoski rapids: ~ 7 km snowshoe hike

After breakfast, discuss the week’s program. After a short introduction to the technique of snowshoeing, it’s time to set off for the first day’s excursion: to the frozen rapids and the Old Mill of Lounatkoski.

In the distant past, these rapids provided water power for the old grain mill. The mill building still stands on the shore and is open to visitors. Other traces of the past can also be seen here, such as wooden remains of rafting.

Today we will have a picnic break by the open fire near the rapids and then hike back to the hut over the Jatkonvaara hill on snowshoes.

In the evening we can relax in a beach sauna. And – if you like, you can also try your hand at ice hole swimming!

6 hours

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Other accommodation

Rock paintings (7 km snowshoe hike - approx. 6 hours) :

Tuesday

Rock paintings: ~ 7 km snowshoe hike

Today it’s time for a look into the past. By car we first drive to the starting point, from where our snowshoe hike to the “Colored Rock” begins. The rock paintings you can admire there are up to 4000 years old. Lunch is served at a covered fireplace, not 300 meters from the paintings. The coffee is made over an open fire and served with sandwiches. In the afternoon we return to the log cabin Jatkonsalmi for the last night.

6 hours

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Snow-white forests: Jatkonsalmi - Peurapirtti /Hirvastupa (7 km snowshoe hike - about 6 hours). :

Wednesday

Snow-white forests: Jatkonsalmi – Peurapirtti / Hirvastupa, ~ 7 km snowshoe hike.

Today’s route takes us along a ridge between two frozen lakes through the beautifully snow-covered pine, spruce and birch forest. It is more likely that we will meet reindeer here than people.

After about 7 km on snowshoes we will reach the northern shore of the lake Iso-Valkeinen and the cabins where we will spend the night.

6 hours

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Other accommodation

Ridges and lakes: Peurapirtti/Hirvastupa - Huosiusjärvi/Iikoski (8 km snowshoe hike, approx. 6.5 hours) :

Thursday

Ridges and lakes: Peurapirtti / Hirvastupa – Huosiusjärvi / Iikoski, ~ 8 km

After breakfast we will hike again on snowshoes along the ridges and lakes. The surrounding forest provides habitat for many animals such as moose, wolves, lynx and hares, which are often shy and true masters of camouflage and therefore you rarely see them.

Halfway we have lunch at the campfire of a shelter. The cottage is located on a rapids. In the afternoon we will reach Lake Housiusjärvi, where we will spend the night in log cabins for the last time. Iikoski rapids is only 200 meters away.

7 hours

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Other accommodation

End of the snowshoe hike :

Friday

End of snowshoe hike ~ 5 km snowshoe hike

The last day of snowshoeing brings us back to the starting point. Following the ridge we will first reach the Hossa Visitor Center – a lunch in civilization!

There is even the possibility to buy souvenirs. Our snowshoe hike ends with the arrival at the log cabin. Here in Jatkonsalmi we will have a last sauna, maybe swim in the ice hole and enjoy our last evening together with a delicious farewell dinner.

Today we spend the night again in Jatkonsalmi, like the first 3 nights.

4 hours

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Other accommodation

Transfer to Kuusamo and individual departure :

Saturday

Transfer to Kuusamo and individual departure

Breakfast and transfer to Kuusamo airport.

Questions

Expand all

Is there a minimum or maximum number of participants

No. The trip is carried out in principle. However, if the group is only 3 people or less in total, there may be changes in the itinerary or planned accommodations. We will inform you before the start of the trip. The maximum number of participants is 12.

Can I book an extra night near the airport?

Yes. Please inquire if you would like an extra night in Kuusamo. Please note that the bus transfer to and from the tour is to the airport. An individual pick-up at individual hotels is unfortunately not possible for logistical reasons.

What do the accommodations offer?

They are on the road in the wilderness. You will be accommodated in rooms with two, three or more beds in simple but cozy log cabins in the forest. Single rooms are not available. The cabins each have cozy common areas. A wood-burning sauna awaits you in the evening.

WLAN?

WiFi is available at the Jatkonsalmi cottage. Not in the forest cabins.

What kind of weather can we expect?

We start the tours from the end of January, when the sun is already high enough for all-day hikes. At the beginning of February there are about 9 hours of daylight: from 8:00 to 17:00. At the beginning of March already about 12 hours from 6:30 to 18:30.
The daytime temperature usually varies between -5 and -20 C. However, higher temperatures are also reached – or falls to -35 C. Even if the nights are very cold, the temperature usually rises quite quickly during the day.
The weather during these months can be cloudy or sunny. In general, sunshine is more likely in March than in February. It can be very windy. Snowfalls may also occur.

What is the best thing to wear?

Your clothing is a personal choice, of course, but you should prepare for cold. During snowshoeing your body usually generates enough heat, but during breaks you will quickly get cold. Therefore, it is very important to wear a warm coat or vest during the stops. It is best to wear several thin layers than few thick ones. The outer skin should be windproof. Please pay special attention to warm feet, fingers and face.
We recommend the following equipment:
– Underwear – Synthetic underwear (polypropylene, polyester), wool or silk is better than cotton. Skin tight underwear removes moisture from the skin.
– Midlayer clothing – eg. Fleece or wool clothing. Mid-layer clothing allows thermal adjustment, insulation depending on the weather and physical activity.
– Outerwear – windproof coat and pants (it is not necessary to be waterproof like Gore-Tex).
– Head – Windproof hat that also protects the ears. Remember to protect your face as well. A balaclava or scarf can be useful.
– Hands – Windproof mittens protect your fingers better than gloves. For the breaks you have another pair with you. Large mittens that you put over the other.
– Feet – wool blend socks are the best choice. Cotton sports socks are not good for cold weather!
– Winter shoes should have thick soles and be one size larger than your summer shoes. Ideal shoes have enough space even for knitted wool socks, which can be pulled over the other socks.

What other equipment should I have with me?

– Backpack (15-20 l)
– Thermos bottle
– Water bottle
– Headlamp, flashlight
– Lunch box
– Toiletries
– Personal medical care, plaster
– antibacterial wrist
– Earplugs against the snorers
– Sunglasses & Glasses
– Snowshoes and poles
as well as
– Jacket and pants for snowshoe hikes
– warm jacket for breaks
– Thermal Long John pants and shirt, synthetic, wool or silk
– Midlayer clothing for cold weather like fleece or wool clothing
– Mittens or gloves and a pair of large mittens that can be pulled over the others
– Winter boots for snowshoeing
– Warm socks
– a hat, earmuffs can also be useful
– Scarf or balaclava
– Slippers or thick wool socks for the cabins
– Casual clothing
– Swimwear for ice swimming

Please note: Your luggage will be transported in the car to the cabins. We recommend leaving clothes and items that you do not need on a daily basis at base camp. The cabins offer only limited space. You can bring a smaller bag for the road or rent it on site.

Our tip: Occasionally luggage can be misplaced during transport. Therefore, we recommend that you always take some clothes and shoes in your hand luggage so that you can participate in the first day of activity without any problems, even if your luggage has not arrived yet.

What time zone is Finland in?

Finland is 1 h ahead of Berlin. So it’s 6:30 pm in Finland when it’s 5:30 pm in Berlin.

Sauna?

Sauna! The sauna is considered a sacred place. Body and soul are washed. A traditional Finnish sauna is available every evening during the tour, except on the evening of arrival. Traditionally, people do not go in mixed groups or in bathing suits. Your hosts usually organize sauna shifts – usually the ladies go first. After that it’s men’s shift.
Modern saunas have separate bathrooms with showers. In saunas without running water as in the cottages, you can wash in the sauna. There is hot water, buckets and shovels. Sauna in Jatkonsalmi is located on the lake shore. So there is a possibility of ice swimming.

Tip?

Tipping is generally not expected in Finland. But if you want to say thank you to your tour guide or for a good service, feel free to put something together….