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Ruka Ski resort

Kuusamo is a town in Northern Finland. The high season for tourism is the winter when people head to the ski resort Ruka just north of the town. However Oulanka national park located in the municipality is also fairly popular and can be visited around the year.

Understand

Tourist Office

Get in

By car

Most people travel to Kuusamo by car. Expect a 10 h drive from the southern part Finland, more in the winter when there's snow and ice.

By train

The nearest train station is in Oulu, from where there are connecting buses timed to train arrivals.

By bus

It takes 3 hours by bus from Oulu to Kuusamo. There are regular connections from Rovaniemi and Kajaani, too.

By plane

There are scheduled flights to Kuusamo airport (KAO IATA) from Helsinki.

Get around

Having your own car is the most practical way of getting around in Kuusamo itself; this isn't the Capital Region and aside of a few intercity buses a day public transport is non-existent. You can also get around by taxi, but just like elsewhere in Finland it's pretty expensive.

Driving around the during weekend is popular among the youth. Snowmobiling is wery popular in Kuusamo so there are hundreds of kilometres snowmobiling routes. In Ruka village, in Kuusamo, there is no need for cars. The new Ruka Pedestrian Village was finished in November 2010. You can now walk to the slopes from the hotels without any crossings.

See

Oulanka National Park
  • Oulanka National Park.
  • Fell Konttainen. 407 meters, about half a kilometre from Karhukierros Trail
  • Fell Pyhävaara. 461 meters, you need a special license to get there.
  • Fell Rukatunturi. 500 meters, Karhunkierros Trail starts from here.
  • Fell Valtavaara. 491 meters, Surmankuru gorge (40 meters) is located here, on the north side.
  • Oulanka National Park Visitor Center (Oulangan Luontokeskus), Liikasenvaarantie 132, 93999 Kuusamo, +358 205 64 6850. 10-18. Here you can get information on hiking, camping and the National Park. There is also an exhibition in the center. Entrance is free-of-charge.

Do

  • Ruka. One of the biggest ski centers in Finland is situated in the municipality of Kuusamo and is its main tourist attraction.
  • Karhunkierros (The trail of the bear). Is the most popular hiking trail in Finland. The 80 km long trail leads through two beautiful national parks. There are also several shorter variations of the trail. The trail is easily accessible from Kuusamo airport with a bus that takes you to the beginning of the trail. Although the difficulty level is quite easy, you should still be prepared with a decent map and enough food. Water is not a problem, as there are plenty of rivers that have clean and drinkable water. There are several open wilderness huts (autiotupa), where you can stay for free. The huts tend to get full during peak season (end of June to beginning of August), so you should consider bringing your own tent.
  • Cross Country Service Kontio.
  • Kuusamo Safaris, Kotatie 1, Rukatunturi, +358 8-853 196. Tailor made activities for families and small groups. For example: snowmobile-, husky-, ice-fishing-, reideer sleigh-, snowshoe trekking and cross-country skiing safaris, canoeing, cycling, white water rafting and rowing trips.
  • Wilderness Wolf Nature Safaris, Rukajärventie 30, Rukatunturi, +358 40-5700 279. Husky farm with over 200 sledge dogs. Prices start from 36 euros/2 km/person..
  • Stella Polaris Adventures, Mestantie 1, Rukatunturi, +358 408433425. Wilderness safaris with high quality services, private safari company, DMC

Buy

There are many handicraft stores at the Ruka resort and in central Kuusamo.

  • Shopping Center Kumpare (Kauppakeskus Kumpare), Rukakyläntie 8, Rukatunturi, +358 8 8600250. 9.30-19. Here you can find the Ruka info, Internet terminals, WLAN, groceries store, Alko (liquor store), souvenir shops, gym, child park etc.
  • Kuusamon Uistin, Kemijärventie 44-46, +358 8-860 3450. 10-18 (Sat-Sun 10 16). The famous spoon lure manufacturer Kuusamon Uistin has a shop located on the factory premises. There is also a cafe.
  • Supermarket Prisma Kuusamo, Huoparintie 1, +358 1076 33100. 9-21, Sat 9-18, Sun 12-18. Big supermarket in Kuusamo city. Daily items, clothing, sport equipment etc.
  • K-Citymarket Kuusamo, Luomantie 1-3, +358 207204100. 9-21, Sat 9-18, Sun 12-18. Big supermarket. Here you can buy almost anything.

Eat

Local specialties

  • Leipäjuusto a regional fresh cheese. Also known as Finnish squeaky cheese because the cheese is "squeaking" when one's chewing it.
  • Poronkäristys, sauteed reindeer. A speciality of Lapland, but also available in the northern part of the Oulu province.

Restaurants

  • Restaurant Mango (Ravintola Mango), Kylpyläntie 1, 93699 Kuusamo, +358 8-859 6440. Different opening hours every day. The restaurant in the spa hotel offering healthy food.
  • Spa Coffee (Spa Cafe), Kylpyläntie 1, 93600 Kuusamo, +358 8-859 6000. 10-21.30. The restaurant has a la carte meals, pizza, toast, salad and different kinds of snacks on their menu.
  • Sokos Hotel Kuusamo Restaurants, Kirkkotie 23, 93600 Kuusamo, +358 20 1234 693. From 9 until at least 23 (some days until 4 am). Three different restaurants: Torrero for really good meal, Ollin Baari for drinks and Hotku Club for dancing.

Drink

There are many bars and pubs in Ruka and Kuusamo, Ruka is famous for its dance and karaoke bar ZONE.

  • SportBar & Arena (Sporttibaari), Kylpyläntie 1, 93600 Kuusamo, +358 8-852 1909. 15-22(24). This place is for sport fans. You can can go bowling, play billiards, watch sports or just enjoy a drink.

Sleep

  • Kuusamon tropiikki, Kylpyläntie 1, +358 20 1234 906. A spa hotel.
  • Hotel Rantasipi Rukahovi, Rukakyläntie 15, Rukatunturi, +358 8 85 910. The hotel is located in the middle of Ruka ski resort. Hotel has twin rooms, superior panorama rooms, suites, one room for disabled and apartments for 3-6 persons.
  • Ski-Inn Hotel RukaVillage, Rukakyläntie 6, Rukatunturi, +358 8-8600 300, . Especially for skiing travellers. Each room has cooking facilities.
  • Sokos Hotel Kuusamo, Kirkkotie 23, +358 20 1234 693. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Hotel is located in the centre of Kuusamo but there's a bus connection to Ruka. Free wired Internet in the rooms.
  • Isokenkäisten Klubi, Heikinjärventie 3, +358 400-972260. Different kinds of accommodation in the peace of wilderness. Private restaurant, smoke sauna, meeting facilities and a typical Lappish hut.
  • Oivangin Lomakartano, Junganjoentie 3-4, +358 40-5284 787. Oivangin Lomakartano has three log villas. They are all located near lakes known for their clean waters and variety of fish.
  • Holiday Village Petäjälampi (Petäjänlammen lomakylä), Petäjälammentie 6, 93600 Kuusamo, +358 8 852 11 11. Accommodation in cottages, camping area and hotel rooms (Hotelli Kuusanka). Cottages for example in the summer time 120 euros per day.
  • Ollila Holiday Cottage (Ollilan Lomamajat), Sossonniementie 216, +358 40 4868 322. 8 well-equipped cottages around the lake Välijärvi. Every cottage has its own sauna, boat and swimming area. from 50 to 80 euros per night.
  • Rukan Salonki, Kemijärventie 235 (93825 Rukatunturi), +358 40-5349183. High quality chalets by lake Salonkijärvi only two kilometers from Ruka.

Respect

Locals don't like arrogant tourists, especially when they are intoxicated, so be polite to them and they are polite to you. All you need is common sense.

Go next

This city travel guide to Kuusamo is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.