Ruka – Kuusamo

Renowned for its natural beauty, a region of fells and forests in an almost untouched wilderness adorned by lakes, rivers and rapids, Kuusamo is one of Finland’s major holiday destinations, attracting almost a million tourists annually.

Many of these arrive in winter to enjoy the excellent skiing available at the nearby ski resorts, especially Ruka Ski Resort, one of the largest in Finland and of international standing. Indeed, Ruka hosts numerous international competitions in ski-jumping, cross-country skiing, and Nordic combined competitions. The city is situated on a plateau approximately 250m above sea level, and from here the waters flow in five different directions, connecting it to the Barents Sea, the Gulf of Bothnia, and the Baltic. Surrounding Kuusamo there are literally thousands of lakes, rivers, rapids, canyons, and ancient forests that have remained untouched, all hemmed in by some of the most striking fells in all of Finland.

This beautiful wilderness is home to some Finland’s rarest species of animals and plants, including the large predators of the forests such as wolves, bears, and wolverines, and provides the nature lover with the chance to experience something truly unique. Because of its proximity to Russia, fauna and flora are diverse, comprising arctic, Siberian, and Southern species. One of the key areas in the Kuusamo region is the magnificent Oulanka National Park which covers 270 square km, and stretches to the Russian border.