War years in Kuusamo and the Salpalinja fortress area

• Duration approx. 5-6 h (depending on stops and walking routes included)
• Length 63 km (plus walking routes 4.5 km and 2 km)

Departure & Return

A. Karhuntassu Tourism and Culture Center (Matkailukeskus Karhuntasu), Torangintaival 2, Kuusamo

See current exhibitions here https://www.karhuntassu.fi/en/

(distance 12.5 km)

B. Salpalinja fortress area / Lahtela area, Vanttajankannas (Salpalinjan linnoitusalue / Lahtela, Vanttajankannas), Lämsänkyläntie 62, Kuusamo

Salpalinja was a defense line built near the eastern border after the winter war. It stretched from the shores of the Baltic Sea from Virolahti all the way to Savukoski in Lapland. In Kuusamo, the Salpalinja structures of the Lahtela fortress area have been restored to reflect the situation in the fall of 1944. The area also has a 4.5 km long Salpalinja fortress trail (Lahtelan-Vanttaja path), along which there are several signposts. There is also a memorial to fallen German soldiers near the parking lot on the shore of Lake Kuusamojärvi in the area.

(distance 34 km)

C. Commemorative plaques of the border station of Kuolio and the victims of the partisans (Kuolion raja-aseman ja desanttien uhrien muistomerkki), Ouluntie 217, Kuusamo

(distance 24 km)

D. History trail in the center of Kuusamo (Historiapolku Kuusamo), walking route 2 km, see additional information https://atla.fi/en/kuusamo/kohde/kuusamon-historian-kaannekohtia#13.85/65.96687/29.19299, Kelantie 10, Kuusamo

(distance 2 km)

E. III Army Memorial (III ARmeijakunnan muistomerkki), in front of the Karhuntassu Tourism and Culture Centre, Torangintaival 2, Kuusamo

Other points of interest and nearby cafes/restaurants and various accommodation options are also marked on the route map.

More information: https://www.visitkuusamo.fi/en/