Province of
Oulu, Kainuu Region
Municipality of Suomussalmi
(www.suomussalmi.fi)
Mire Reserves of Juortanansalo - Lapinsuo and
Vieremänsuo, Nature Reserves of Murhisalo, Viisriihinen, Karsikkovaara,
Vaskenvaara, Martinselkonen and Housuvaara, Hossa National Hiking Area
The Itäraja Hiking Route
consists of 160 km of trails and travels along through wilderness-like landscape
the eastern boundary of Kainuu. It is intended for summertime hiking. There is
plenty to see along the route, for example Viena Karelian villages as well as
the wilderness-like areas of Murhisalo and Martinselkonen. There are also Winter
War memorials along the route. The route’s end point is at Hossa Hiking Area,
where hikers can admire, for example, the Hossa Värikallio rock paintings.
The summer hiking route is suited for wilderness trekking. During winter
visitors may try their hand at cross-country skiing without trails along the
route. In addition to the summer hiking route, there is an Itäraja winter hiking
route, which is not regularly maintained. The winter and summer hiking routes
connect at points and even lead along the same trails at times.
The Itäraja summer hiking trails can be divided into section for hikes
lasting a day or two. The route can be travelled in its entirety or visitors can
pick section to travel. The starting and end points of these sections are all
the points along road 912 (Kuhmo - Suomussalmi) and road 843 where they
intersect with small side roads or the hiking route trails.
Take a look at Itäraja Summer Hiking Route related products at
the Outdoors.fi online shop (kauppa.luontoon.fi).
