At the Hossa Visitor Centre visitors learn about the area’s history,
nature and hiking possibilities. Visitors are informed and offered versatile
hiking services and information about Metsähallitus services.
Opening Hours in
2010
9.8. - 30.9. daily 9 am - 8 pm
1.10. -
31.10. daily 9 am - 4 pm
1.11. - 31.12. closed
Opening Hours in 2011
1.1. - 14.2. closed
15.2. - 20.4. daily 9 am - 5
pm
21.4. - 25.4. daily 9 am - 8 pm
26.4. - 2.6. daily 9 am - 5 pm
3.6.
- 7.8. daily 9 am - 10 pm
8.8. - 30.9. daily 9 am - 8 pm
1.10. - 31.10.
daily 9 am - 4 pm
1.11. - 31.12. closed
Other times by appointment.
Entrance
There is no entrance fee. Groups and those wishing a guided
tour are advised to inform us of their arrival in advance.
Contact Information
Address: Hossa Visitor Centre,
Jatkonsalmentie 6, 89920 Ruhtinansalmi, Finland
Tel. int.
+358 205 64 6041
Fax: +358 205 64
6040
E-mail: hossa(at)metsa.fi
The Visitor Centre is managed by Metsähallitus.
Directions 
By Car
- From the south, take road 5 (E 63) from Ämmänsaari in Suomussalmi north
about 70 kilometres to Peranka. From there, take road 9190 east 25 kilometres.
Continue along road 843 north for 8 kilometres, past the village of Hossa. The
Visitor Centre is 700 metres from the main road.
- From the north, take road 5 (E 63) for 70 kilometres south from Kuusamo to
Peranka and follow before mentioned directions. From the north an alternate
route is through Murtovaara, and it is 20 kilometres shorter than the Peranka
route. 3 kilometres north of Peranka a road called Pistonlehdontie turns east
and goes directly to the hiking area. It is not recommended during spring for
heavy vehicles, as there is a weight limit.
By Public Transportation
- A local coach drives daily from Suomussalmi to Hossa. This coach stops
outside Hossan lomakeskus, a tourist lodge. From the tourist lodge it is a 5
km walk along road 843 and then a further 700 metres from the intersection.
There is also a path, which leads from the tourist lodge to the visitor
centre. The path is 4.5 kilometres long.
- Several coaches travel between Kajaani and Kuusamo and stop at Peranka.
There is a marked trail from Peranka to the Visitor Centre, which is 38
kilometres away. The closest open wilderness hut is about 9.5 kilometres from
there at Kukkuri.
- The closest
airports
(www.finnair.com) are in Kuusamo (85 km) and Kajaani (210 km)
- The closest
railway station
(www.vr.fi) is in Kontiomäki (175 km).
- Timetables can be found under hikers’
links.
Services
- Information on
the Hossa hiking area
and possibilities in Hossa and its surrounding areas.
- Information on the products and services of Metsähallitus.
- Information on rental cabins in Hossa and a place to pick up the keys.
- Reception for the
Karhunkainalo
Camping Ground (www.villipohjola.fi).
- Fishing permits and fishing permit vending machine.
- Rental of boats, canoes, kayaks, hiking and fishing gear.
- We sell:
- Hossa - Martinselkonen ulkoilukartta Hossa - Martinselkonen
outdoor
map 1:50 000, Hossa hiking area map, Hossa Waterway Guide
- Metsähallitus maps, books, posters etc.
- Metsähallitus brochures and other publications.
- Cafe-Restaurant and other food stuff.
- Conference services.
Events
We arrange a variety of events and exhibitions.
10 000 Years of Land, Tree and
Man Exhibition
This exhibit tells by pictures and words of the history, livelihood and
plant, animal and fish life of Kainuu and Hossa. The exhibit also tells of the
area’s hiking possibilities. Also on display: a miniature tar pit.
Auditorium and AV Presentations
- The auditorium seats 50 and can be rented for events at 30 € per day from
the Visitor Centre.
- A continuous slideshow of which one cycle lasts 15 minutes is run daily.
If you would like to have it accompanied by a commentary, please reserve it in
advance.
Reference Library
Nature guides (plants, birds, etc) and books on the history of Kainuu can be
found in our reference library. Travel brochures, a Metsähallitus publication
series and various recreation and hobby magazines are also found here.
Children’s Play Corner and Activity Yard
The children’s play corner has wooden toys, books, magazines, games and
colouring books. There is also an activity yard at the side and partially behind
the visitor centre with a sandbox, toys, swings, rope ladders and other
playground equipment with slides.
Nature Trail
About 150 metres from the visitor centre begins a 3-kilometre nature trail.
Along this trail there are information boards, camp fire sites and Europe’s
largest lean-to shelter. The lean-to has an eating area, cooking shelter, toilet
for the disabled, firewood shed and campfire site. The trail circles a
salmon-filled lake. Fishing permits can be bought at the Visitor Centre.
Where To Make A Fire
The Visitor Centre has an indoor and an outdoor fireplace. The closest
campfire site and lean-to shelter are by a nature trail about 500 metres from
the Visitor Centre. The hiking area has several campfire sites, lean-to
shelters, open wilderness huts and two Lappish kota hut.
Cafe and Restaurant
The Visitor Centre cafe-restaurant is run by Hossanretki Oy
(www.hossanretki.com), Tel. int: +358 50 384 4692. The cafe-restaurant is open
at the same hours as the visitor centre. At other times by special arrangement.
The restaurant has full alcohol privileges. During summer a lunch buffet is
available daily, during other times by order. Meals in the open and other
arranged activities are available by reservation. The cafe-restaurant also sells
foodstuff, fishing equipment and souvenirs.
Services for the Disabled
- The Visitor Centre is accessible by car all the way to the yard. All areas
in the visitor centre are accessible by wheelchair and the building has a
toilet for the disabled. Electric wheelchair batteries can be recharged inside
the Visitor Centre.
- About 600 metres of the nature trail is suited for the physically
disabled. There is a lean-to by the trail equipped with cooking shelter,
eating area and toilet for the disabled. The trail circles a salmon-filled
lake. There are fishing piers along the trail which are also suited for the
physically disabled. Fishing permits can be purchased at the visitor centre.
Another 800-metre trail turns off the main nature trail and leads to
Huosiusjärvi
rental cabins (www.villipohjola.fi). This trail is suited for the
disabled.
- The disabled have been considered when many of the structures in the
hiking area have been constructed.
