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.
Kuusamo is a major winter sports destination in Finland. Its Ruka ski centre is one of the largest in the country and hosts international competitions. If you hire a car in Kuusamo you'll find that the hills around the town serve as popular hiking spots in the summer and provide renowned views overlooking the area. The town itself is modern, having been rebuilt after the Second World War. The highlights for visitors include an outdoor museum on an old farm, a school museum in an old school and a modern church housing the old village bells, which had been buried underground during the war.
