Places to Visit in Kuhmo: Pajakkakoski Rapids

August 25, 2026 - By pinoyupnorth

Living in Kuhmo has slowly taught us to appreciate the simple beauty of being surrounded by nature. Sometimes, you don’t need to travel far or plan an entire weekend getaway to find somewhere beautiful. A short drive, a little walk, and perhaps a thermos of coffee are sometimes all you need.

Kuhmo, located in the Kainuu region of eastern Finland, has become our second home. It is a quiet and peaceful place to live, especially if you enjoy forests, lakes, fresh air, and being close to nature.

One thing I have come to appreciate about living here is how easy it is to escape into nature.

You don’t necessarily need to plan an entire weekend away. Sometimes, you simply pack some coffee and snacks, get into the car, drive for a short while, and suddenly you are surrounded by trees, water, and silence.

Kuhmo has an abundance of forests and lakes, and wildlife is also an important part of this region. Depending on where you go, and with a bit of luck, you may encounter animals such as reindeer, moose, and other wildlife.

Living here has given our family many opportunities to discover places we probably would never have known about otherwise.

One of those places is Pajakkakoski Rapids (Pajakkakoski).

We have visited Pajakkakoski during different seasons, and each visit has shown us a different side of the place. From glowing ice lanterns in the darkness of winter to the peaceful scenery of early spring, it is one of those places in Kuhmo that is worth returning to.

Discovering Pajakkakoski Rapids

Pajakkakoski is one of the natural attractions close to the center of Kuhmo. What makes it particularly nice for us is that visiting doesn’t have to become a whole-day activity.

You can simply come for a walk, enjoy the sound of the flowing water, breathe in some fresh air, take photographs, and spend a little time away from the usual routine.

There is something relaxing about standing beside moving water. During winter, the contrast between the snow, ice, dark water, and surrounding forest creates a completely different atmosphere. As the seasons begin to change, the same place gradually transforms.

That is one thing I love about Finland.

You can visit exactly the same place several times throughout the year, but somehow it doesn’t feel exactly the same.

pajakkakoski kuhmo — Image Source: Koe Kainuu

Our Winter Visit — January 2025

Our first memorable visit to Pajakkakoski was in January 2025, right in the middle of the Finnish winter.

And yes… it was cold!

The outdoor temperature was below zero, the surroundings were covered in snow, and the winter darkness made everything feel even colder.

But there was something very special waiting for us.

The Beautiful Ice Lanterns of Pajakkakoski

During winter, beautiful ice lanterns are placed along the trails and banks of Pajakkakoski. Hundreds of them are traditionally made and lit by local volunteers, bringing warmth and light into the darkness of the Finnish winter.

Seeing them in photographs is beautiful, but seeing them personally was something else.

The little glowing lights stood against the white snow while the dark water of the rapids continued flowing nearby. As evening came and the surroundings became darker, the lanterns became even more noticeable.

Their warm glow reflected against the snow and water, transforming an otherwise dark winter landscape into something almost magical.

It was such a simple thing – ice, candles, snow, water, and darkness – but together they created such a beautiful atmosphere.

No wonder many people come to Pajakkakoski to see them during this time of year.

images — Image Source: Lakeland_Hideaway

Seeing It Through Our Daughter’s Eyes

One of the reasons we wanted to visit was because we knew our little one would probably love seeing the ice lanterns.

And we were right.

When we arrived, her eyes seemed to glow almost as brightly as the lanterns themselves.

It was her first time seeing something like that, and watching her reaction made the experience even more special for us.

Sometimes, visiting a beautiful place becomes even more memorable when you experience it with a child. Things that may seem simple to us can feel completely magical to them.

We walked along part of the trail together and enjoyed looking at the different lanterns.

However, we didn’t stay outside for very long.

The wind was strong that evening, and combined with the below-zero temperature, it felt extremely cold. After walking around for a while and enjoying the lights, we decided it was better to head home and warm ourselves up.

It may have been a short visit, but it was certainly a memorable one.

20250112 154631 — Our little one’s eyes seemed to glow almost as brightly as the lanterns themselves

20250112 154623 — Our little one’s eyes seemed to glow almost as brightly as the lanterns themselves

It felt extremely cold at that time, with the below-zero temperature.

A Completely Different Pajakkakoski — March 2026

More than a year later, we returned to Pajakkakoski in March 2026.

This visit felt very different from our winter experience.

My parents had come from the Philippines to visit us in Finland, and naturally, we wanted to take them around Kuhmo and show them some of the places we had grown to love.

Pajakkakoski was one of the places we couldn’t resist showing them.

By March, winter was slowly beginning to loosen its grip. The scenery was changing, and Pajakkakoski no longer looked exactly like the place we had visited during the darkest part of winter.

There were no glowing ice lanterns this time.

There was less snow and ice around the trail, and the temperature was noticeably higher than during our January visit.

Still, the air was cool.

For us, it didn’t feel nearly as cold as the middle of winter, but for my parents, who had just come from the tropical climate of the Philippines, it was another story!

They were still wearing their winter clothes even though the coldest part of the season was almost over.

I couldn’t blame them.

Coming from the Philippines, where warm and humid weather is normal throughout most of the year, even Finnish spring can feel like winter.

Showing My Parents Our Second Home

This particular visit wasn’t really about doing anything extraordinary.

We simply wanted to walk, enjoy the surroundings, breathe in the fresh air, and let my parents experience another part of Kuhmo.

And sometimes, those are the best kinds of outings.

There was no need for an elaborate itinerary.

No rushing.

No long list of attractions that we needed to see before the day ended.

We simply walked together and enjoyed where we were.

Pajakkakoski looked peaceful and serene. The sound of the flowing rapids, the cool breeze, and the quiet surroundings made it a lovely place to spend some time outdoors.

For me, it was also meaningful to show my parents a glimpse of the place that has become our second home.

They have known the Philippines their whole lives. Now, they were standing with us in this small town in eastern Finland, surrounded by a completely different landscape and climate.

Those are the moments that make living abroad feel a little more special.

You get to share your new home with the people who knew your old home first.

The Same Place, Different Seasons

One thing that makes Pajakkakoski interesting is how much its atmosphere can change depending on when you visit.

Our January experience was about snow, winter darkness, freezing temperatures, and glowing ice lanterns.

Our March visit was quieter and simpler. The season was beginning to change, the temperatures were becoming milder, and instead of admiring lanterns, we simply enjoyed the landscape and the company of our family.

Both visits were beautiful in completely different ways.

And that is something we have noticed about many places in Finland.

A place you visited in winter can look completely different during spring or summer. Return again during autumn, and you may feel as though you’ve discovered another place entirely.

It gives us a reason to revisit familiar locations rather than always searching for somewhere new.

A Simple Place for a Peaceful Walk

Not every destination needs to have amusement rides, restaurants, souvenir shops, or dozens of activities.

Sometimes, a beautiful place is simply somewhere you can walk and breathe.

Pajakkakoski is one of those places for us.

It is somewhere we can visit when we want to get outside for a while, enjoy the sound of the rapids, take photographs, and spend time together as a family.

For someone visiting Kuhmo, especially someone who enjoys nature, it is another place worth adding to the list.

And if you happen to visit when the ice lanterns are glowing during winter, the experience can be even more special.

Tips When Visiting Pajakkakoski

Based on our own visits, here are a few simple things I would keep in mind:

Dress according to the weather. Finnish temperatures can change considerably depending on the season, and areas close to water can feel colder because of the wind.
Wear comfortable footwear. Trails can become snowy, icy, wet, or slippery depending on the weather.
Be extra careful during winter. Snow and ice can make some areas more difficult to walk on.
Bring your camera or phone. The rapids and surrounding scenery offer plenty of opportunities for beautiful photographs.
Take your time. This isn’t the kind of place you need to rush through. Enjoy the sound of the water and the peaceful surroundings.
If you’re visiting specifically for the ice lanterns, check current local information first. Events and conditions can change from year to year.

And, of course, respect the surroundings and leave the area as beautiful as you found it.

Final Thoughts

Our visits to Pajakkakoski have reminded me that exploring doesn’t always have to mean traveling somewhere far away.

Sometimes, beautiful places are already close to home.

Our winter visit in January 2025 gave us the magical experience of seeing the ice lanterns glowing against the snow and darkness. More than a year later, our March 2026 visit became special for an entirely different reason – we were able to share the place with my parents while they were visiting us from the Philippines.

Same place.

Different season.

Different memories.

And perhaps that is one of the things I appreciate most about living in Kuhmo. Nature changes constantly throughout the year, giving us something different to appreciate every time we step outside.

Pajakkakoski may be a simple place to visit, but sometimes simplicity is exactly what we need.

Fresh air, flowing water, a quiet trail, and the people we love beside us.

What more could we ask for?

We will surely visit Pajakkakoski again, perhaps next time in another season, when the familiar scenery has transformed once more.

If you’ve also visited Pajakkakoski, I would love to hear about your experience. Which season did you visit, and what did you enjoy most about the place?

“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” — John Muir

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” — Psalm 19:1 (NIV)

Sometimes, we search far away for something beautiful while forgetting to notice what is already around us. Living in Kuhmo has reminded me to appreciate these simple places and simple moments – a walk beside the water, a winter evening illuminated by tiny lanterns, or an afternoon spent showing our parents the place we now call home.

The seasons change, children grow, families come and go, and life continues moving forward. The places we visit may remain, but every visit becomes a different memory.

Perhaps that is why these little family adventures are worth remembering, and worth writing about. 🧡

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Explore More Places to Visit in Kuhmo

Kuhmo may be a small town, but there are so many peaceful and beautiful places to discover. From lakes and rivers to walking trails, beaches, cultural landmarks, and quiet family spots, each place has given us a different memory of life here in Finland. If you’re planning to visit Kuhmo, or simply want to see more of the places our family has explored, you can browse our growing collection below.

This list will continue to grow as our family discovers more of Kuhmo. Some places may be well known, while others are simply quiet corners that have become special to us. Either way, I hope these stories help you discover a little more of the beauty of our second home. 🧡

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