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Places to Visit in Kuhmo: Exploring the Beautiful Kalevala Area

August 21, 2026 - By pinoyupnorth

A Peaceful Lakeside Escape in Kuhmo

Living in Kuhmo for the past few years has given our family many opportunities to explore the natural beauty of Finland. What I love about living here is how nature is never really far away. Sometimes, all it takes is a short drive from home to find ourselves surrounded by tall trees, quiet forests, peaceful walking paths, and beautiful lakes.

Each season also gives us a completely different view.

During summer, everything becomes green and alive. The trees are full of leaves, the grass is vibrant, and the lakes reflect the bright Finnish sky. During winter, the same places transform into quiet landscapes covered in snow and ice.

One of the places we discovered shortly after moving to Finland was the Kalevala area in Kuhmo.

Located only a few kilometers from Kuhmo’s town center, the area surrounding Hotel Kalevala sits beside Lake Lammasjärvi and offers opportunities for walking, outdoor recreation, swimming, and simply spending time surrounded by nature.

We first visited in the summer of 2024, only a couple of months after arriving in Finland. Since then, we have returned at different times of the year, and each visit has given us another beautiful family memory.

So, if you’re visiting Kuhmo, or if you live nearby and are simply looking for somewhere peaceful to spend an afternoon, come with me as I share our experiences exploring Kalevala.

Our First Visit to Kalevala – June 2024

Our first visit to Kalevala was on June 30, 2024, not long after we arrived in Finland.

At that time, almost everything around us was still new. We were adjusting to our new home, discovering Kuhmo little by little, and trying to explore some of the places recommended by our friends.

Kalevala was one of them.

Our friends told us that it was a beautiful and peaceful place where we could walk beside the lake and enjoy nature. Naturally, we became curious and decided to see it for ourselves.

And they were right.

The first thing I noticed was how peaceful the area felt. There was no need for an elaborate itinerary or a long list of things to do. Sometimes, being able to walk beside the water, breathe fresh air, and enjoy the scenery is already enough.

There were also places where people could sit and spend time outdoors.

It was exactly the kind of simple afternoon that we were beginning to appreciate after moving to Finland.

Walking Down Toward Lake Lammasjärvi

After parking our car, we walked toward the lakeside.

From where we parked, it took us around five to ten minutes, depending on how quickly we walked. Of course, when you’re walking with a small child, everything can take a little longer, and that’s perfectly fine!

Part of the way toward the lake goes downhill.

The slope can become slippery when the ground is wet or when snow and ice are melting, so I would recommend walking carefully, especially if you’re visiting with children or during colder months.

There is also a wooden staircase leading toward the lakeside, which we found to be another convenient option.

And then comes my favorite part.

Once you reach the bottom and the trees begin to open up, Lake Lammasjärvi comes into view.

On a calm day, the water can look almost like a mirror, reflecting the sky above it.

It was one of those simple views that made me stop for a moment and appreciate where we were.

The sky above.

The lake below.

The forest around us.

Oh, how beautiful it was!

Summertime at Kalevala

Summer is probably one of the easiest times to explore this area.

During our first visit, the weather was pleasant and the lake was calm. The wind coming from the water made the afternoon feel refreshing.

My husband, our daughter, and I simply enjoyed being together.

That’s one of the things I have come to appreciate about living in Finland. You don’t necessarily need to spend money every time you want to enjoy your day. Sometimes, you can prepare something to eat, bring coffee or snacks, drive somewhere surrounded by nature, and spend a few peaceful hours together.

Those simple moments can become some of the best memories.

The Kalevala area also has plenty of recreational opportunities. Official Kuhmo tourism information lists activities and attractions around the area, including trails, skiing opportunities during winter, the Winter War Museum and other nearby attractions.

Our Recent Visit to Kalevala – March 2026

Almost two years later, we returned to Kalevala under very different circumstances.

This time, it was March 2026, and my parents were visiting us here in Finland.

And I was actually pregnant!

In fact, my due date was already getting very close.

At that stage of my pregnancy, I enjoyed walking as part of my daily activity. It gave me a reason to get outside, move my body gently, and enjoy some fresh air.

So revisiting Kalevala was perfect.

We weren’t there to rush or accomplish anything. We simply wanted to walk a few kilometers, breathe the fresh air, and spend some time together.

But this particular visit was special for another reason.

I finally had the opportunity to show my parents some of the beauty of Kuhmo – our second home, far away from the Philippines.

Showing My Parents Our Second Home

It felt different walking beside the lake with my parents.

These were places my husband, daughter, and I had already experienced as part of our life in Finland. But for my parents, everything was new.

I loved watching them take in the scenery.

They enjoyed the quiet surroundings and were mesmerized by the frozen lake and the peaceful Finnish landscape.

It also made me think about how different Finland and the Philippines can be.

The Philippines is blessed with countless beautiful beaches, tropical islands, and seas. Finland, meanwhile, is famously a land of forests and lakes.

Both countries are beautiful, but in completely different ways.

And perhaps that’s one of the wonderful things about living abroad. You begin to appreciate not only the beauty of your new home, but also the things that make your home country unique.

As we walked along Lake Lammasjärvi, we enjoyed the cool air and peaceful scenery.

There was no need to hurry.

We simply walked, talked, looked around, and enjoyed being together.

Hotel Kalevala

One of the most recognizable landmarks in the area is Hotel Kalevala.

We have passed and walked around it several times, but we still haven’t actually stayed there.

Maybe someday, when the budget allows. Haha!

The hotel sits beside Lake Lammasjärvi, only a few kilometers from the center of Kuhmo. According to Visit Kuhmo, its design was inspired by an eagle spreading its wings, and its story is connected to the Kalevala, Finland’s national epic. The hotel has accommodation, a restaurant, saunas, wellness facilities, and other services.

We haven’t experienced the hotel itself yet, so I won’t pretend to review it. But its lakeside location certainly adds to the character of the area.

And who knows?

Maybe one day we’ll finally go inside for a meal… or perhaps even stay overnight.

That can be another blog post. 🙂

The Kuhmo Winter War Museum

Another place worth knowing about is the Kuhmo Winter War Museum (Talvisotamuseo), which is located nearby.

We’ve seen it many times because of its proximity to the area where we usually park our car, but we haven’t explored the museum properly yet.

The museum tells the story of the Winter War in Kuhmo through photographs, authentic objects, scale models, and sound effects. Its exhibitions cover the experiences of civilians as well as Finnish and Soviet soldiers during the war.

As of 2026, adult admission is €5, children’s admission for ages 4–12 is €3, and a family ticket is €13. The museum operates throughout the year, although opening days and hours vary by season.

Since prices and opening hours can change, I would always recommend checking the official information before visiting.

This is still on our list.

Perhaps on one of our future visits, we’ll finally explore the museum, and that deserves its own story too.

A Beautiful Sandy Beach by the Lake

One of my favorite discoveries in this area was the sandy beach. It was the Harakkasaaren uimaranta.

The official Visit Kuhmo website confirms that there is a sandy public swimming beach at Hotel Kalevala by Lake Lammasjärvi.

From where we usually spend time by the lake, reaching the beach involved quite a walk along the shoreline.

And I mean a real walk, especially when you’re bringing a young child!

We followed the lakeside, passing through peaceful surroundings until we eventually reached the sandy area.

At certain points, we had to walk very close to the water. Depending on the water level, parts of the shoreline may be wet or submerged, so appropriate footwear would definitely help.

There were also slopes along the way, so this isn’t somewhere I’d rush through.

But when we finally reached the beach, it was worth it.

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It Almost Felt Like Our Own Private Beach

The beach was incredibly peaceful during our visit.

There was sand beneath our feet, water in front of us, and forest surrounding the area.

We even went swimming there once.

And during that particular visit, we didn’t see anybody else around.

For a moment, it almost felt like we had discovered our own private little beach in the middle of Finland.

Of course, it wasn’t actually ours!

But that feeling of having such a peaceful place almost entirely to ourselves was wonderful.

There were no crowds.

No traffic.

No city noise.

Just the sounds of nature, the lake, and our family enjoying the moment.

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Walking There With a Toddler

One thing I would mention to parents is the walking distance.

If you’re planning to explore farther along the lakeside with a toddler or young child, prepare for little legs to get tired.

Bring water, snacks, comfortable shoes, and perhaps be ready to carry your child for part of the journey.

Although apparently, our daughter didn’t get that memo!

I was genuinely amazed at how well she managed the walk when she was only around three years old.

Sometimes children surprise us.

We adults are already thinking:

“That’s far. She’s going to get tired.”

Meanwhile, the child is happily walking, exploring, picking things up, looking at the trees, and turning the entire journey into an adventure.

That was exactly what happened with our little one.

And looking back, her excitement made the walk even more memorable.

Kalevala in Different Seasons

One reason I’d like to continue visiting Kalevala is to experience it throughout the changing seasons.

Our first visit was during the beautiful green Finnish summer.

Our later visit was in March, when the landscape and atmosphere were completely different.

That’s something I love about Finland.

You can visit the same exact place four times in one year and feel as though you’re visiting four different places.

Summer brings greenery, long days, and opportunities for swimming.

Autumn transforms the forest with changing colors.

Winter covers everything in snow and ice.

And spring slowly brings the landscape back to life.

The destination hasn’t changed.

Nature has.

And that gives us another reason to return.

Is Kalevala Worth Visiting?

For us, definitely.

I wouldn’t describe it as the kind of destination where you need an entire day packed with activities.

That’s actually part of its appeal.

Kalevala is somewhere we can go when we simply want to walk, breathe, talk, take photographs, spend time beside the lake, or enjoy a peaceful afternoon as a family.

And because it is only a few kilometers from Kuhmo’s center, it doesn’t require a major road trip. Visit Kuhmo places Hotel Kalevala approximately 3–4 kilometers from the center of town.

For visitors staying in Kuhmo, the area can also be combined with nearby attractions such as the Winter War Museum.

If you’re visiting during warmer months, the sandy beach or Harakkasaaren uimaranta is another reason to explore the lakeside.

Just remember that this is nature. Conditions can change depending on the season and weather, so wear suitable footwear and take extra care on wet, snowy, or icy slopes.

Final Thoughts

Kalevala has become another one of those places in Kuhmo that holds several memories for our family.

Our first visit came shortly after we moved to Finland, when everything around us still felt unfamiliar and exciting.

Then, almost two years later, I returned while pregnant, this time walking beside the lake with my parents, my husband, and our daughter.

The place was the same, but our family story had already changed so much.

Perhaps that’s why certain places become special.

It isn’t always because they’re famous tourist destinations.

Sometimes they’re special because we remember who was walking beside us when we were there.

Kalevala gave us beautiful views, fresh air, peaceful walks, a little adventure to the beach, and most importantly, time together.

There are still parts of the area we haven’t fully explored. We haven’t stayed at Hotel Kalevala. We haven’t properly visited the Winter War Museum. And I’m sure there are still trails and little corners waiting for us to discover.

So this certainly won’t be our last visit.

After all, one of the joys of calling Kuhmo our second home is knowing that we don’t have to see everything at once.

We can always come back.

“The best journeys are not always about how far we travel, but about the memories we make along the way.”

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

Whenever I stand beside a quiet lake surrounded by Finland’s forests, I am reminded that some of life’s most beautiful moments don’t need to be complicated.

A walk with family. Fresh air. A peaceful lake. A child happily exploring. Parents seeing a new place for the first time.

These moments may seem ordinary while they are happening, but one day, they become the memories we treasure most.

And perhaps that’s another reason why we should occasionally slow down and simply look around.

There is so much beauty already waiting for us.

Have you visited the Kalevala area in Kuhmo?

I’d love to know what you explored there. And if there’s another beautiful place around Kuhmo that you think our family should visit next, feel free to share it in the comments. We might add it to our next adventure!

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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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