We want to reassure you that our travel service providers are adhering to all health guidelines to ensure your safe and comfortable stay with us. Once international leisure travel to Finland becomes possible again, we warmly welcome you to Wild Taiga – our area is sparsely populated and here you can stay close to nature, away from large crowds. The situation of the coronavirus epidemic in the Wild Taiga region has been calm and the number of infections has been low during the whole pandemic. Most of the Wild Taiga companies are operating normally or with certain restrictions and special arrangements, paying extra attention to hygiene and safety. For up-to-date information and detailed guidance for visitors, please check the companies’ own channels.
Suomussalmi Tourist Office and Kuhmo Tourist Information are open as well, offering guidance for travellers.
Latest update: 18 June 2021
USEFUL LINKS / LATEST COVID-19 RELATED NEWS
Visit Finland – Practical Information for Travelers to Finland during Corona Pandemic
FINENTRY digital service for managing travel to Finland
Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare
ACCOMMODATION AND RESTAURANTS
In the Wild Taiga area, there are plenty of holiday cottages and apartments to choose from, they are accepting bookings normally.
The small hotels in the area are open, offering tranquil accommodation, some offer take away -breakfast and others buffet breakfast.
Other accommodation options include campsites and guesthouses, for example, and they are open as well.
Most of the restaurants and cafés in the Wild Taiga area are open normally. The number of customer seats is reduced to ensure the safety distance. Take away option is available in most of the restaurants.
NATURE DESTINATIONS, ACTIVITIES AND GUIDED TOURS
Hossa National Park and the destinations of the Friendship Park, as well as other nature destinations in the Wild Taiga area offer countless possibilities to spend time in the middle of wilderness, away from the crowds. Nature is open to everyone. Please remember to follow the health guidelines as well as other instructions – updated information is available on www.nationalparks.fi.
The Petola Visitor Centre and the Hossa Visitor Centre are open.
Guided tours and activities are available for both winter and summer season, and they arranged in small groups. Rental equipment is available for self-guided outdoor activities. Hiking trails of the area can be found here.
On wildlife watching and photography tours, guests are able to stay in small hides accompanied only by their own family and friends. The wildlife companies are accepting bookings normally.
FESTIVALS AND OTHER EVENTS
Summer events in 2021 will be organized with special arrangements:
- Kuhmo Chamber Music
- Sommelo Ethno Music Festival
- Kainuu Orienteering Week
- Kainuu Trail Hossa National Park
We are are continuously following the latest developments with the virus and the official guidelines. For safety instructions and further information, please check the events’ own channels.
SIGHTS AND ATTRACTIONS
Sights and attractions that are open in the summer season:
- The Silent People’s Niittykahvila Café
- Juminkeko, Kalevala information centre
- Kuhmo Winter War Museum
- Tuupala Home Museum
- Kuhmo Arts Centre
- Hossa Reindeer Park
HOW TO GET TO WILD TAIGA
DAT has started operating Helsinki-Kajaani flights in May 2021. In addition to Kajaani, you can use airports in Kuusamo, Kuopio and Oulu. Please be in touch with your ground handling supplier before booking flights to check which airport is closest for the pick-up.
You can reach Kajaani (100 km from Kuhmo and Suomussalmi), Paltamo (95 km from Suomussalmi) and Nurmes (80 km from Kuhmo) by train. Further information about train connections from VR .
Information about bus connections can be found on www.matkahuolto.fi.
Please contact your accommodation / safari company for further information on transportation services from the railway stations and airports to Kuhmo and Suomussalmi.
Car rental companies operating in Kajaani, Kuopio, Oulu and Kuusamo:
GET TESTED IN KAINUU
- Every day at Central Hospital (drive in test) in Kajaani
- Only office hours in local Health Centers:
- Kuhmo, Sotkamo, Suomussalmi (speed tests)
- Hyrynsalmi, Paltamo, Ristijärvi, Puolanka (limited testing)
Call +358 40 165 0020 to book a test appointment (this number is only for booking COVID test; not a medical help line)
– if you can’t connect you can also try to call 116 117
Test result is informed by text message (SMS) – please check your mobile number when booking the test! Testing is free of charge (in arrival test or acute illness).
IN CASE OF ILLNESS
If your travel insurance includes medical insurance, please contact the health provider mentioned in the policy first for advice. Otherwise be in contact (first by phone) with the local public health center or hospital emergency department.
KAINUU (Kajaani, Sotkamo, Kuhmo, Suomussalmi, Ristijärvi, Hyrynsalmi, Paltamo, Puolanka municipalities)
Emergency care information at Hospital District of Kainuu
Call always first the toll-free Medical helpline number 116 117 before you go to the emergency clinic or local health centres. It answers 24/7.
Kainuu Central Hospital: Emergency Clinic
Address: Sotkamontie 13, 87300 KAJAANI
Health Centre addresses in municipalities
- Kuhmo Health Centre: Kirkkotie 16, 88900 KUHMO
- Suomussalmi Health Centre: Välskärinkuja 2, 89600 SUOMUSSALMI
Nationwide emergency number: 112
It is important to remember to call the emergency number only in genuine emergency situations. In an emergency situation, you will be treated even if you do not have a municipality of residence in Finland. The medical costs can be collected from you afterwards. The emergency number can be called free of charge from any phone. No area code is needed. If you have a mobile phone subscription that is based abroad you can still call the emergency number without an area code.
