Discover Hossa: rock art, trails and water

Hossa brings together ancient rock paintings and a national park whose trails can be explored in different ways on foot, by bike and in winter. Lakes, ponds and the Hossanjoki River also make water-based hikes and recreational fishing part of the picture. To plan your trip, start with a simple question: should your stay focus mainly on hiking, cycling routes, water or winter trails?

Hossa: rock art, hiking trails and winter routes

• Hossa National Park was established in 2017, the centenary of Finland’s independence.
• At Värikallio, 61 individual rock paintings can be identified; they are approximately 3,500 to 4,500 years old.
• The national park has about 90 kilometers of hiking trails, mostly laid out as loops.
• Four marked mountain biking routes run through the national park; one of them is Finland’s only mountain biking route marked IMBA EPIC.
• The 30-kilometer Hossanjoki River is developed for water-based hiking and recreational fishing.
• In winter, snow-covered trails can be used on skis, snowshoes and fat bikes, and some can also be walked.

Värikallio: rock paintings with a wealth of motifs

The rock paintings at Värikallio bring Hossa’s long history to life. The images, approximately 3,500 to 4,500 years old, include deer and people, bear paw prints, and lizard-like patterns. In all, 61 individual paintings can be identified there. For anyone interested in archaeology, this offers not just an indication of their age but also a varied world of motifs to discover as you look closely.

The national park itself is younger than these images: it was established in 2017, when Finland marked the centenary of its independence. In Hossa, two different periods of time meet—the prehistoric depictions at Värikallio and the creation of a national park in modern-day Finland. This combination of cultural heritage and nature experiences can shape your stay just as much as the activities you plan.

Choosing between hiking trails and mountain biking routes

With about 90 kilometers of hiking trails, Hossa National Park offers a broad choice of routes. Most are loops, and connecting trails let you link them into longer hikes. This means you can plan your route around whether you prefer a single loop or a longer connected hike.

There is also a marked network for mountain bikes: the national park has four routes. One is the only mountain biking route in Finland to carry the IMBA EPIC designation. If you are deciding between hiking and cycling, you can plan for two clearly different ways of getting around: a network of loop trails and connecting hiking paths on the one hand, and marked mountain biking routes on the other. The IMBA EPIC route’s unique designation may be a reason in its own right for cycling visitors to include Hossa in their plans.

Water-based hiking and recreational fishing

With its many lakes and ponds, Hossa is an area for water-based hikes. The Hossanjoki River offers a specific route: it is 30 kilometers long and has been developed for water-based hiking and recreational fishing. Trout are stocked in the river. A day on the water can therefore bring together two different interests—traveling along the river and fishing.

The facilities in the national park are also intended for users of different types of watercraft. Open wilderness huts, shelters, lean-to shelters and campfire sites are available not only to hikers but also to canoeists, kayakers and SUP users. If you want to focus your trip mainly on water activities, this information can help you understand what the national park offers.

Winter trails and a seasonal visit

Hossa’s winter trail network makes day trips to the national park’s best-known attractions possible, as well as longer winter hikes. Depending on the route, snow-covered trails can be explored on skis, snowshoes or fat bikes; only some trails can be walked. This distinction matters when choosing when to travel: winter is not just a different season, but also brings different ways of getting around and, in some cases, different trail access.

Another seasonal experience is the reindeer farm at Seipiniemi. Visits are offered there only during the winter season. If you would like to include a visit in your stay, plan it as a winter experience rather than a year-round offering. Together with the winter trails, it creates a distinct focus that differs clearly from hiking, cycling or water activities.

Visitor information and accommodation choices

Hossa Nature Centre welcomes visitors to the leisure centre and offers information and guidance about the national park. It is a place to get your bearings and learn about the park. The national park also has five open wilderness huts available to all hikers free of charge. Stays of one or two nights are possible; advance reservations are not available. These huts are a separate accommodation option for hikers and should be distinguished from searching for a hotel.

When choosing accommodation in Hossa, you can start by deciding what kind of trip you want: hiking, mountain biking, water activities or winter trails each bring a different focus to your stay. The Värikallio rock paintings and the seasonal reindeer farm can be additional points of interest. If you are planning a trip with other people, it may help to identify your shared priorities rather than trying to fit every activity into one day.

Discover more destinations: Hyrynsalmi, Vuokatti, Jormua, Kajaani, Puolanka, Vaala, Ristijärvi, Suomussalmi.

Frequently asked questions about Hossa

How old are the Värikallio rock paintings?

They are approximately 3,500 to 4,500 years old. At Värikallio, 61 individual paintings can be identified, including depictions of deer and people, bear paw prints, and lizard-like patterns.

What are the hiking trails in Hossa like?

The national park has about 90 kilometers of hiking trails. Most are loops; connecting trails can be combined into longer hikes.

How many marked mountain biking routes are there?

Hossa National Park has four marked mountain biking routes. One of them is Finland’s only route marked IMBA EPIC.

What can you do in winter?

The winter trail network allows day trips to well-known national park attractions and longer winter hikes. Snow-covered trails can be used on skis, snowshoes and fat bikes, and some can also be walked.

When can you visit the reindeer farm at Seipiniemi?

Visits are offered there only during the winter season.

Can you stay overnight in the open wilderness huts?

Five open wilderness huts in the national park are available to hikers free of charge. Stays of one or two nights are possible; advance reservations are not available.

Go to the main travel overview: Kainuu.