Kuhmo’s ski trails offer excellent conditions for both beginners and experienced skiers. The trails wind through forests near the town center, along Pajakkakoski Rapids, across frozen lakes, and on competition tracks. Along the trail network, you’ll find sights, points of interest, a ski café, restaurants, and even six lean-tos where you can enjoy your own packed meals.
For those seeking a bit of luxury, the ski trails start right near the hotel, and Hotel Kalevala also has a ski café. Kuhmo’s trails truly offer a luxury experience as you can relax in the fresh air on uncrowded trails, immersing yourself in your own thoughts.
Carefully maintained urban free-style and classic tracks total about 30 kilometers early in the winter season and extend up to 80 kilometers as the season progresses. You can easily access the trails, for example, from Kalevala Sports Center, Unski Trail / Sports Center, or near the Tulijärvi lean-to parking area. Each year, a sledding hill is maintained at Kalevala Sports Center.
From the shore of Hotel Kalevala, a walking and kick sled route leads over the ice to Harakkasaari Island. The ridges of Harakkasaari are also great for snowshoeing.
The 80-kilometer continuous trail network around the town center includes Kalevala Sports Center, Kanninvaara Trail, Unski Trail, Hepokangas, Tulijärvi, Multikangas, and Lake Trails.
Sunny Lake Trails
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Tervansoutaja – Hankaranta – Kauppisenniemi – Harakkasaari – Hotel Kalevala – Tervansoutaja: 15 km
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Sylväjänniemi – Sylväjä Bridge: 3.2 km
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Akonpoukama: 10.5 km (Route: Kauppisenniemi – Akonlahti – Sormula – Pajakka)
Starting points for these trails include Ruukinranta, Suvanto lean-to, Kalevala Sports Center, and Hotel Kalevala.
Kalevala Sports Center
The Kalevala Sports Center offers illuminated ski trails of 1, 2, and 3 kilometers, as well as an unlit 5-kilometer loop and a 4.5-kilometer intermediate trail between Kalevala Sports Center and Unski Trail. From the Kalevala heath trail, you can access the 1.9-kilometer additional loop at Kanninvaara.
The ski trails at Kalevala Sports Center include hilly, competition-level tracks as well as easy, flat trails. From the sports center, there is good access to easy lake trails totaling 15 kilometers.
Next to Kalevala Sports Center is Hotel Kalevala, which features a ski café. Along the trails, at the top of Pohjolanmäki, you’ll find the Café Torilla restaurant. The area also has the Hyvinvointi Sampo lunch restaurant.
Starting points: Kalevala Sports Center, Unski Trail.
Unskin Trail / Sports Center
Unskin Trail offers an easy, illuminated ski track about 5.5 kilometers long, which includes a 3-kilometer loop. On this loop, there is a lean-to shelter, and from the trail, you can also access the 10-kilometer Hepokangas loop. From the Hepokangas loop, the 10 km Tulijärvi loop continues.
Starting points: Unskin Trail, Kalevala Sports Center.
Hepokangas Loop
Along the Hepokangas trail, you’ll find forest, marsh, and rural landscapes, as well as a beautiful lean-to shelter about halfway through. Together with the Unskin Trail, the Hepokangas loop totals 15 kilometers. The Hepokangas lean-to is a great spot for a campfire, even with little children.
Starting point: Unskin Trail / Sports Center.
Hepokankaan lenkillä on erämaamainen tuntu. Kuva: Risto Takala
Tulijärvi Loop
The 30-kilometer Tulijärvi loop offers a mix of forest, marsh, and rural landscapes. The trail is moderately difficult with a varied profile including flat and hilly terrain. There is also a 10-kilometer multi-use trail near the Tulijärvi lean-to, suitable for skiing and mountain biking. Access to this multi-use trail is from the parking area near the Tulijärvi lean-to.
Starting points: Unskin Trail, parking near Tulijärvi lean-to.
Multikangas Loop
The Multikangas loop is 2.2 kilometers long and features moderately challenging rolling terrain.
Starting points: Access is possible from the lake trails or directly from the parking area near the trails.
Village Trails
At Lentiira Holiday Village, maintained traditional ski trails run through forests, marshes, and partially over frozen lakes. These trails include:
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Lentiira Kolmonen (3 km)
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Lentiira Vitonen (5 km)
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Village Route (7.5 km)
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Torvilampi Ten (10 km)
The Lentiira trails are primarily aimed at tourists. If you plan to visit Lentiira, it’s good to inform them in advance about your interest in cross-country skiing so trail conditions can be checked beforehand. Ski equipment for cross-country and forest skiing can be rented for a few hours or a full day. It’s recommended to notify about equipment needs when booking a cabin.
Lentua Village Association maintains a roughly 15 km out-and-back trail. For the status of village trails, contact the local village associations or committees.
Spring Skiing on Ice
In spring, when the snow is hard-packed or frozen solid, you can ski freely over lake ice and open water areas using cross-country skis. However, be mindful of warming weather conditions to avoid sinking on the return trip. Always check the ice conditions and currents beforehand. Skiing across the ice offers a wonderful sense of freedom, especially when using skating or freestyle technique.
Annual Ski Events in Kuhmo
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Peurahiihto
- Held annually around February-March, Peurahiihto offers skiing on routes of various lengths. The longest route is the 30-kilometer Tulijärvi loop. The start is at Unskin Trail / Sports Center, where participants can register and pick up their race numbers. Along the route, at lean-tos and fire spots, as well as after the race at the sports center, warm juice and light snacks are served. This communal event is organized by the local ski club Kuhmo-Ski and the City of Kuhmo.
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Moonlight Ski (Kuutamohiihto)
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Held once a year during the full moon, this atmospheric event features trails lit by torches and, weather permitting, the full moon. At Kalevala Sports Center, there is a campfire where you can enjoy your own snacks. Companies may offer catering during the event, and the evening ends relaxing in the candlelit swimming hall. This event is organized in cooperation with Kuhmo-Ski and the City of Kuhmo.
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Jämäsvaaran Ski
- This ski takes place in the stunning landscapes of Jämäsvaaran. Skiers enjoy changing scenery including old forests, rocky slopes, small water bodies, and marshlands. The destination is Jämäshovi wilderness hut, where campfires are lit and it’s a great spot to enjoy your own packed meals.