Ruhtinansalmi offers a look at very different traces of the past: Kalmosärkkä combines archaeological finds and Winter War history with a path through the Kokkosuo mire; alongside these are natural areas, observation towers and memorials. If you are looking for a holiday rental, you can plan your stay around whichever of these themes matters most to you.
Traces at Kalmosärkkä
Traces of human life dating back as much as 10,000 years have been found at Kalmosärkkä in the village of Ruhtinansalmi. Finds include stone axes and arrowheads; the site also served as a battlefield during the Winter War. A marked path leads from the car park through the forest to Kalmosärkkä and crosses the Kokkosuo mire on walkable boardwalks before reaching the sandbank. The distance from the car park to the sandbank is about 1.3 kilometres. As route details may change, check local information before setting out.
The 3.2-kilometre Saarikylä Nature Trail offers another way to get to know the area. Information boards and visible traces in the terrain introduce the geology and past and present livelihoods. Topics include tar production, bog iron ore, watermills, hay barns and soapstone industry. The trail is not maintained in winter.
Natural Areas and Trails
Hossa National Park and the Martinselkosen Nature Reserve are designated natural areas in Ruhtinansalmi. Check current conditions before visiting. The Honkavaara winter loop runs through pine forests and lake landscapes. Fat biking, skiing or snowshoeing also offer a chance to see various features associated with reindeer herding. Seasonal trail maintenance runs from late December to late April; conditions vary.
The Joukovirta and Syrjäsalmi lean-to shelters are located along the Honkavaara winter loop; each has a dry toilet. There is also a campfire site and an open wilderness hut on the Martinselkonen section of the Hossa–Martinselkonen route. As facilities may change, check local information before setting out.
The birdwatching towers at Kulmajärvi and Kylmäjärvi are also in Ruhtinansalmi. The tower at Kylmäjärvi is about 60 kilometres from the centre of Suomussalmi. Check information about the facilities at the towers before setting out. In the wider Kainuu travel area, the remote Itäraja Summer Hiking Trail runs near the eastern border; the Hossa–Martinselkonen route is part of it.
Memorial Sites and History
The memorial in Lehtovaara commemorates the place where the first shots of the Winter War were fired on 30 November 1939. Another memorial in Lehtovaara, dedicated to III Army Corps, bears the inscription “III Armeijakunta, Tiemme taisteluihin kulki tästä 1941–44” — “III Army Corps, our path to the battles led from here, 1941–44.” The Finnish H Division began its attack in Lehtovaara.
Other places in Ruhtinansalmi also carry specific historical memories. 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 memorial is located near the Martinselkonen Wilderness Centre.
Arola’s two-day history and bear excursion package includes a history tour covering the events of the Winter War in Juntusranta in 1939–1940. As availability may change, check whether the package is currently offered before making plans.
A Glimpse of Village Life
A municipal report dated 26 January 2026 described weekly games evenings at the village hall in the village of Juntusranta in Ruhtinansalmi. The local village association organised the evenings, which were open to everyone. An open gathering place was also available in the hall’s café during the event. Check the current schedule before visiting.
When looking for a holiday rental in Ruhtinansalmi, it is worth deciding which destinations you want to visit first, then comparing the location of a specific listing with your travel plans.
Discover more destinations: Hossa, Suomussalmi, Kajaani, Jormua, Ristijärvi, Puolanka, Paltamo, Hyrynsalmi.
For the broader travel overview: Kainuu.
