
Hossa National Park, located in the municipality of Suomussalmi in Kainuu, Finland, offers stunning landscapes, from clear lakes to the rugged cliffs of Julma-Ölkky canyon lake. The park boasts trails for hiking, mountain biking, and paddling, making it a fascinating destination for domestic travel.
Just driving through the national park is a pleasure, as the roads wind along the lakeshores, where, in sunny weather, the clear waters shimmer beautifully amidst the forests. Hossa lies above the reindeer line, so you might even spot some charming reindeer roaming the area.
Hossa Visitor Center
A great way to start your visit is at the Hossa Visitor Center, which provides information and tips on the park’s attractions. Even if you have a clear itinerary, the visitor center often offers fascinating additional insights about the area.
The visitor center includes a café-restaurant, restrooms, an information desk, and rentals for canoes and mountain bikes. Various hiking and biking trails also begin at the visitor center.
Hossa Visitor Center Address: Jatkosalmentie 6, 89920 Suomussalmi.


A Gem of Hossa – The Crystal-Clear Muikkupuro (Accessible Trail)
Muikkupuro is a stunningly clear stream connecting two crystal-clear ponds, Iso-Valkeainen and Keski-Valkeainen. The stream winds between the ponds, and excellent facilities have been built around it for hiking.
Muikkupuro is located close to the Hossa Visitor Center, with a parking area about six kilometers away. The Muikkupuro trail is accessible, with the trailhead at the Hossalaislampi parking lot (Pistonlehdontie 225, Suomussalmi). This accessible trail is about 1.5 kilometers each way, though there are some elevation changes to be aware of.


We only partially explored the accessible trail, as our GPS led us to the Pitkä-Hoilua parking area, a smaller sandy road by Lake Pitkä-Hoilua. From there, you can walk a shorter trail to the main route. This parking area also has a fire pit, an outhouse, and a pier, making it a great spot to rest or even camp overnight.


Muikkupuro itself is perfect for a day outdoors, surrounded by a pleasant landscape, and is said to be one of Hossa’s most beautiful spots. At Muikkupuro, you’ll find a lean-to with a fire pit, a wood storage area, an outhouse, and plenty of space to pitch a tent.
The stream itself is shallow, with water reaching ankle height, and is so clear that it invites you to wade in and refresh your feet. The water remains quite cold, even in the middle of summer. The area offers lovely terrains for walking through pine forests and ridges, with beautiful, sparkling lakes all around. Altogether, Muikkupuro is an ideal destination for a day trip or an overnight camping adventure.




Julma-Ölkky – Majestic and Narrow Canyon Lake
Julma-Ölkky is a long and narrow canyon lake on the northern edge of Hossa National Park, featuring dramatic, cliff-like scenery with ancient rock paintings. It is easily accessible by car, though the gravel road leading there is in varying condition, located about 15 kilometers from the Hossa Visitor Center, with a large parking area available.
At the trailhead, there is a kiosk offering snacks and tickets for a boat trip on the lake. There are also picnic tables and a fire pit for enjoying your own refreshments, with outhouses between the parking area and the kiosk.
Julma-Ölkky can be explored by hiking around the lake or by going out on the water. The kiosk offers boat tours, where you can relax and enjoy the views with a guide. Tickets are 17€ for adults, 11€ for children ages 5-12, and free for children under 5. Kayaking is also popular here, with several kayaks seen on the lake. The hiking options include the full Ölökyn Ähkäisy trail, which circles the lake at about 10 kilometers, or the shorter Ölökyn Ylitys route, a 5-kilometer loop that includes a suspension bridge halfway along the lake.


We planned to take the route with the suspension bridge, but unfortunately, it was closed for repairs this summer, so we opted for a hike along the western shore to enjoy the striking cliff views and then returned on the same path.
The Julma-Ölkky trail is considered challenging, with some tricky sections and significant elevation changes. The trail we took was a typical forest path, with rocks and roots in places and occasional boardwalks. We took the left (western) path along the lake, which led us to an impressive view of the canyon lake from atop a cliff. The canyon lake is just 10 meters wide at its narrowest point, with cliffs rising as high as 50 meters, creating an impressive view. The lake itself is also about 50 meters deep, so if it were to drain, it would leave quite a chasm.


The rock paintings of Julma-Ölkky aren’t visible from the shore, so if you want to see them, it’s best to go on the water by boat or kayak. In winter, however, the paintings are visible from the frozen lake. For those interested in rock art, the Värikallio rock paintings are also accessible on foot from the same parking area as Julma-Ölkky, making it easy to combine both destinations.




Peace and Excellent Options for Different Activities
Hossa National Park offers beautiful and diverse trails, whether you prefer hiking, mountain biking, or paddling. The rolling ridges, pine forests, and clear lakes provide scenic views throughout the park. Many of the park’s attractions are easily accessible, making it suitable for nearly all experience and fitness levels.
Hossa felt like a rather peaceful area, with only a few other visitors, even though we visited during the busiest time in Finland, around mid-July.
Hossa National Park can definitely be recommended as a great and peaceful travel destination.
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