Location: Suomussalmi
Top Things to do in Suomussalmi
Top Hotels in Suomussalmi
Top 6 Things to do in Suomussalmi, Finland
Suomussalmi is a municipality in Finland and is located in the Kainuu region. The municipality has a population of 8,086 (31 August 2017) and covers an area of 5,857.60 square kilometres (2,261.63 sq mi) of which 587.03 km (226.65 sq mi) is water. The population density is 1.53 inhabitants per square kilometre (4.0/sq mi). The municipality is unilingually Finnish. Ämmänsaari is the biggest built-up area in the municipality.
Restaurants in Suomussalmi
1. Martinselkonen Wilds Centre
Overall Ratings
5 based on 26 reviews
Bear watching from safe wooden hides. Different hides for tourist and photographers. Other speacies Moose and birds. Also meal and accommodation services. In winter: ice fishing, snow shoe walking,skiing etc.
Reviewed By Barbarita76
Wonderful concept - different hide options - two large hides and three types of pro-hides with less comfort but more interesting surroundings.
First the pond pro-hide (for pictures with reflections, unfortunately closed before the others, so not accessible at the end of season and not as many bear sightings and not as close up as in other hides). Then the swamp (can be really quite swampy - you might want to bring wellies) in a rather open area with more light than in the forest. As a downfall of this completely open space you don't get to see any cubs here because they would feel unprotected here.
And the third option is the forest hide which we liked best - great surroundings, tress for bears and especially cubs to climb on and for bears to rub their backs on and to lean on to. This pro-hide is in a more natural environment than the large hides (which make you think of a zoo and which seem rather a bit staged with bears already waiting for you once you arrive there...).
The biggest advantages of the large hides seemed to us the fact that there were so many bears which could be observed interacting, their relative cleanliness as compared to the quite dirty and overall unhygienic smaller hides as well as their "comfort" - "toilet" with a door, bunk beds... Another plus in the larger hides is the fact that there is a guide who can give you additional information about the bears. However the hides can get quite cramped if full and can then only be used for observational purposes and not as well for photography since you will then only be entitled to one opening for your camera and you are situated much higher than the bears. So photography on eye- level is only possible in the pro-hides.
One final remark about the food pack you get when in the hides: overall ok with sandwiches, biscuits and hot drinks - water bottles however have been used before and then refilled, so having to drink from unsealed bottles came quite as a shock... At that price, new water bottles should be included.
But most importantly we obviously came for the bears and weren't disappointed at all - we were spoiled with sightings and rather good shots of 10-15 bears in the swamp, roughly 20 in the large hide and about 15 in the forest - the closest in the forest just some metres away - what an incredible adventure!!! Would have loved to stay longer!!!
2. The Silent People
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
The crowd of almost thousand figures that make up the Silent People suddenly emerges before the passing motorist like some great stroke of magic. In the morning with light behind them, this motionless army appears morose, even menacing. However, as the day progresses their countenance brightens up and with the setting of the sun they present a distincly jolly and colourful picture. When the wind blows their straw hair and clothes begin to flap rhythmically, it is as if they had suddenly sprung into life.
Reviewed By Ignacio G - Vuokatti, Finland
Being living in Kainuu for some time, wanted to visit since it is the #2 attraction in Kainuu. However I disagree with its placement in the list, there are definitely more interesting things to see around here. First of all its far from everything about 20-30min from Suomussalmi, and ok it may be peculiar to see all these figures in the field, somewhat nice, but it just isn't worth to make a trip just for this, I don't know maybe if you are on the way to Kuusamo and happen to want a rest, a snack or a bathroom you can stop and take a couple of pictures, but definitely don't plan a trip based on this. Also the cafe was closed.
3. Winter War Museum Raatteen Portti
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By nobo - Chicago, IL
Very good narrative of the events before, during, and after the Winter War, particularly in the Suomussalmi area. Documentary w/subtitles available in several languages. The staff will set you us for the right language. The monument outside is really special too. The cafe is nice, and although we had just be ought sandwiches, we noticed it looked like they were setting up a soup lounas/buffet lunch.
4. Hossa National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By Pitchulina - Prague, Czech Republic
Wonderful place for ski touring with very well prepared facilities, fire places, cottages, ski routes
5. Hossan Lomakeskus
Overall Ratings
4 based on 4 reviews
more than a restaurant and a hotel, our base proposes many activities:- in summer: swimming in the lake, fire camp, hiking, fishing and canoe renting, sauna- in winter: dog-sledding, snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, back-country skiing, sauna
Reviewed By Joan D - Barcelona, Spain
Apparently French owned, with a lot of noisy French groups as guests.
Unfinished hotel, better wait like 6 months before they finish all work.
No tv, no wifi, view to works, dirty view to lake...
Quite isolated area but nice.
nice room, modern hut with comfortable beds
6. Suomussalmen Kotiseutumuseo
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
