89920 Ruhtinansalmi
Established in honor of Finland’s 100th year of independence, Hossa National Park enchants visitors with its magnificent ridges and crystal-clear fishing lakes — a landscape that already fascinated Stone Age people. The northern location of the area is clearly visible in the nature of Kainuu, giving the scenery a distinctly Lapland-like atmosphere.
Hossa’s forests and waters are easy to access. There are numerous trails for hiking and cycling, and the waters invite you to paddle and fish. The prehistoric rock paintings at Värikallio lead you into the world of shamanism, and at Julma-Ölkky you can admire a dramatic canyon either from the cliff edges or from the water.
The Hossa region has long been a remote wilderness area. Ancient water routes passed through here from Lake Ladoga to the Arctic Ocean, and from the Gulf of Bothnia to the White Sea — and vice versa. The oldest dwelling sites found in the park are nearly 10,000 years old. The Värikallio rock paintings are among Finland’s largest prehistoric rock art sites, and are at least 3,500 years old.