Ruhtinansalmi

Ruhtinansalmi offers several specific points of interest to consider when planning a trip: Winter War history, archaeological traces, and routes through natural and cultural landscapes. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay here, you can start by choosing based on which places and activities you want to focus on. The information below can help you find a suitable focus for your trip.

Winter War history at several locations

A monument in Lehtovaara commemorates the place where the first shots of the Winter War were fired on 30 November 1939. The monument to the III Army Corps is also in Lehtovaara. Its Finnish inscription reads “III Armeijakunta, Tiemme taisteluihin kulki tästä 1941–44” — “III Army Corps, our road to the battles led from here, 1941–44.” Another historical connection is that the Finnish Detachment H began its attack in Lehtovaara.

At Paukuttajavaara, a bomb hit a potato cellar on 12 January 1940, killing eleven civilians. Three men were killed at Pirttivaara on 1 August 1944. The Pirttivaara monument is in Ruhtinansalmi, near the Martinselkonen Wilderness Centre. The precise dates help bring the distinct historical events at these locations into focus.

Archaeological traces and nature areas

Kalmosärkkä is an archaeological site in the village of Ruhtinansalmi. Traces of human life dating back as far as 10,000 years have been found at the sand ridge; finds include stone axes and arrowheads. Kalmosärkkä also served as a battlefield during the Winter War. Evidence of a long history of settlement thus meets a much more recent history of war here.

A marked trail leads through the forest from the car park to Kalmosärkkä. Before reaching the sand ridge, it crosses the Kokkosuo bog on walkable boardwalks; the distance from the car park to the sand ridge is about 1.3 kilometres. Route details may change, so check local information before your trip.

The designated nature areas in Ruhtinansalmi include Hossa National Park and the Martinselkosen Nature Reserve. If you are planning a trip there, check current conditions before travelling. This lets you include these nature destinations in your plans without making assumptions about local conditions.

Nature trails and seasonal routes

The 3.2-kilometre Saarikylä Nature Trail combines information boards with visible traces in the landscape. It covers topics in geology as well as the region’s past and present livelihoods. These include tar production, bog iron ore, watermills, hay barns, and soapstone industry. The trail is not maintained in winter, so take this into account when choosing your travel dates.

The Honkavaara winter loop passes through pine forests and lake landscapes. Fat biking, skiing, or snowshoeing offer a way to experience the landscape and various features associated with reindeer husbandry. The loop is maintained seasonally from late December to the end of April; conditions vary. The Joukovirta and Syrjäsalmi shelters are located along the route, and both have dry toilets. Facilities may change, so check local information before setting out.

At the Martinselkonen section of the Hossa–Martinselkonen route, there is a campfire site and an open wilderness hut. Here too, it is a good idea to check local information about the facilities before your trip.

Birdwatching and local activities

Birdwatching towers are located at Kulmajärvi and Kylmäjärvi. The tower at Kylmäjärvi is about 60 kilometres from the centre of Suomussalmi. If birdwatching is part of your travel plans, bear this approximate distance in mind and check the facilities before setting off.

Arola’s two-day history and bear excursion package includes a history tour covering events from the Winter War in Juntusranta in 1939–1940. As the package’s availability may change, check the offering before making plans.

A municipal report published on 26 January 2026 describes weekly game nights at the Ruhtinansalmi village hall in the village of Juntusranta, which were open to everyone. An open meeting place was also available in the village hall café during the game nights. The report describes the activities at that time; check locally for the current programme if you are planning a visit.

Discover more destinations

Puolanka, Hyrynsalmi, Sotkamo, Ristijärvi, Jormua, Paltamo, Kajaani, Vuokatti

For the broader travel overview: Kainuu.