Ruhtinansalmi: Nature, Birdwatching and History

Ruhtinansalmi offers a range of themes for a trip, from nature areas and birdwatching to archaeological traces and sites associated with the Winter War. When planning, you can consider which discoveries you and your family would like to focus on: nature, history or a mix of both.

Nature Areas and Birdwatching

Hossa National Park and the Martinselkosen Nature Reserve are two named natural areas in Ruhtinansalmi. The names refer to different places and types of protected areas. If nature is your main focus, you can include both in your travel plans without treating them as a single place.

There is a birdwatching tower at Lake Kulmajärvi and another at Lake Kylmäjärvi. Both towers are in Ruhtinansalmi; the names of the lakes help distinguish the two birdwatching locations. If birdwatching is one of your interests, these are specific destinations to consider alongside the nature areas.

Martinselkonen also has a practical landmark: there is a campfire site and an open wilderness hut along the Hossa–Martinselkonen route. The route is therefore associated with two specifically named facilities. If you are interested in this part of the area, you can keep these details in mind when planning your outing.

Archaeological Traces and Winter War History

Kalmosärkkä is an archaeological monument in the village of Ruhtinansalmi. Traces of human life dating back as far as 10,000 years have been found at the site. This makes Kalmosärkkä a destination for anyone interested in early traces of human life. The place brings together two aspects: its archaeological significance and its location in the village of Ruhtinansalmi.

The history of the Winter War is also associated with specific memorial sites. The Lehtovaara monument commemorates the place where the first shots of the Winter War were fired on 30 November 1939. The exact date and the monument’s connection to this place give the stop a clearly defined historical context.

Another monument is located at Paukuttajavaara. A devastating air raid took place there during the Winter War on 12 January 1940: a bomb hit a potato cellar, and 11 civilians died. The monument commemorates this event. If you want to visit historical sites, it is a separate stop from Lehtovaara and commemorates a distinct, tragic event.

Arola’s two-day history and bear excursion package includes a history tour about the events of the Winter War in Juntusranta in 1939–1940. This is another way to learn about that period. The tour focuses on Juntusranta and the events there; the monuments in Lehtovaara and at Paukuttajavaara each commemorate the events associated with their respective locations.

Choose a Focus for Your Stay

If you are looking for a holiday apartment or holiday cottage in Ruhtinansalmi, this thematic focus can help guide your choice of destination. Consider whether you mainly want to plan for nature and birdwatching or whether historical memorial sites and archaeological traces matter more to you. For families, it may be helpful to discuss the different interests of those travelling together in advance: the destinations mentioned range from observation and nature to history, without forming a single shared excursion route.

More destinations: Vuokatti, Hossa, Suomussalmi, Vaala, Jormua, Sotkamo, Ristijärvi and Paltamo.

For the broader travel overview: Kainuu.