Suomu Cross Country Trails – 70km (45 miles)

Suomu cross-country trail network is perfect for day trips; you can enjoy the changing countryside views and have relaxing stops at beauty spots. We ask you to check out the recommended direction of skiing on the trails to add enjoyment for all. 17km of the trails are electrically lit. There are 30 numbered info spots with maps along the routes for your convenience. You have good access to the trail network from most Suomu accommodations whether hotel or a cabin.

Groomed cross-country trails …. 70km (45 miles)
Lit & groomed trails…………….17km (10 miles)
The lighting is automatically on during dark, but is turned off around 10pm.

Suomu cross country trails are free for everyone to use according to an old Finnish tradition. The trail maintenance crew is organised and supported by a joint venture, which local government, private cabin owners and business enterprises have established.

Suomu trails of 2008:

Suomu pine forest trail. Lit and 4km, suitable for traditional and skate skiing.
Short but demanding trail, good for a workout and great for before sauna quick burst. There is also pretty scenery with cliffs, boulders and far away hills.

Bolder hill trail. 6,5km, suitable for traditional and skate skiing.
Easy, flat trail for the whole family, also very skiable in icy conditions. Half way after 3,9km you can stop at Tuulenpesä café for refreshments including delicious doughnuts.

Lit around Suomu trail. 13,6km, suitable for traditional and skate skiing
Trail winds its way trough changing landscapes. There are cliffs, small streams, variety of forest types and a deep valley between Suomu and its neighbouring hill. Be aware of large birds belonging to old growth forests. At Nurkkalampi-lake, there is a tepee for a lunch break with possibilities for open fire. There could be ice on the trail in places.

Suomu – Räisälä - Suomu trail. 15km, of which 9,2km is lit, suitable for traditional and skate skiing
This is your route to Räisälä village to check out the local shop and a chapel. The village is on Lake Kemijärvi and there is a summer ferry across the lake, but in the winter, an ice road is ploughed for crossing the narrows. This shortens the road trip to Kemijärvi town by 10km. After 4,4km from Suomu, you can rest at Myllyoja tepee.

Suomu-Räisälä trail has an overpass for the road crossing.

Myllyoja Tepee is along Suomu-Räisälä trail, but also within short distance to the around the Suomu trail.  It is a great shelter for brewing coffee on open fire and roasting sausages.

Tuulenpesä-Riutukka-Tuulenpesä 16,4km, traditional skiing only
This is single-track traditional trail going from Tuulenpesä cafe to Riutukka logging museum. The trail winds it way trough untouched wilderness and it is good idea to keep your eyes open for tracks in the snow. You might spot something exciting.

Logging museum is on protected places listing and shows us how logging used to be done in the wilderness.

Riutukka is located along the Raakku-stream and you can reach it along the trail, in the winter skiing and during summer hiking. Raakku, a fresh water clam, and trout are still found in the stream.

The five hill trail. 24,1km, suitable for traditional and skate skiing
Many hills and small lakes are along this trail. Good viewing points over Lake Kemijärvi from Lehtovaara and Kotivaara hills. There is a connecting 1km trail to Räisälä village along this route.

Along Suomu trail network, there are friendly tepees and information boards to keep you on right track and to provide you with warm shelters.