The small town of Kuusamo stands amid the hills, lakes and forests of eastern Finland. It is 5 miles north of Helsinki but only 3 miles from the Russian border and 37 miles south of the Arctic Circle. Visitors who explore the region by hiring a car in Kuusamo will note the characteristic reindeer farms. The surrounding countryside includes the pine forests of the Oulanka National Park where eagles and wolves roam free. It’s the site of Finland’s most popular hiking route, the Karhunkierros. Another highlight is a boat trip of the Julma Ölkky lake canyon. Kuusamo Airport is four miles to the northeast.