I have made four photography trips to Kuusamo since 2003. Based on the experiences in these trips, I decided to collect here some info about my favourite photography locations in Kuusamo.

Iivaara

View from Iivaara in summer

• About 1.5 km walk from the parking lot (Google map link) is required to reach the top of Iivaara.

• Iivaara (info in Finnish) is very good location for sunset photography during summer and autumn, as you can see sun setting over several small lakes.

• I have not visited Iivaara during winter, and I assume that the road to the parking lot is not maintained during winter time.

Konttainen

Summer sunset in Konttainen

• The top of Konttainen (Google maps link) is 0.8 km from the parking lot (Google map link), and this 800 m is mostly steep uphill.

• Konttainen is good location for sunset photography.

Riisitunturi

Riisitunturi in winter

• Riisitunturi (Google maps link) is in Posio (not in Kuusamo), but Riisitunturi must be listed here as it is so good location, and only 54 km from Kuusamo centre.

• There is a new parking lot (Google maps link) at the border of Riisitunturi National Park. The top of Riisitunturi is 1.7 km from the parking lot.

• From Riisitunturi you have a excellent view to Lake Yli-Kitka. Best time for photography is sunrise, as you can see the sun rising over Lake Yli-Kitka.

Ruka Peak

View from Ruka Peak

• It is possible to drive almost to the top of Ruka Peak (Google maps link), only about 200 m walk is needed to reach the top from Restaurant Ruka Peak parking lot.

• Ruka Peak offers good view to Ruka Ski Centre and Valtavaara.

Pähkänäkallio

Kitkajoki from Pähkänäkallio

• Pähkänäkallio offers very good view to Kitkajoki.

• There is about 1 km walk from parking lot (Google maps link) to the Pähkänäkallio.

• In winter the road to parking place is not maintained.

• Note: The photography location in Pähkänäkallio may be dangerous (risk of dropping several tens of meters!), if the ground is slippery (very wet or first snow).

Kiutaköngäs

Kiutaköngäs in summer

• Kiutaköngäs Rapids are 325 metres long. Kiutaköngäs (Google maps link) is ~1 km walk from Oulanka Visitor Centre.

Niskakoski

Niskakoski in winter

• Niskakoski (Google maps link) is about 0.5 km from the parking lot in Juuma.

• In Niskakoski (Pieni) Karhunkierros hiking trail goes over the Kitkajoki with hanging bridge.

Myllykoski

Myllykoski in winter

• Myllykoski (Google maps link) is ~1.5 km from the parking lot in Juuma, or ~0.5 km from the Basecamp Oulanka.

• Myllykoski situates along the (Pieni) Karhunkierros hiking trail.

• There is an old watermill dating back to the 1930´s and camp fire place in Myllykoski.

Aallokkokoski

Aallokkokoski in winter

• Aallokkokoski (~1 km long rapids) is ~2 km from the parking lot in Juuma, or ~1.5 km from the Basecamp Oulanka.

• Aallokkokoski situates along the (Pieni) Karhunkierros hiking trail.

Jyrävä

Jyrävä in summer

• Jyrävä is the highest waterfall in the Kitkajoki river with a drop of 9 metres.

• Jyrävä is ~3 km from the parking lot in Juuma, or ~2 km from the Basecamp Oulanka.

• Jyrävä situates along the (Pieni) Karhunkierros hiking trail.