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Geonivora
Region

Kainuu

Located in Finland Coordinates: 64°30′00″ N 28°30′00″ E

Map showing the location of Kainuu Kainuu
Location in Finland
Population
72,306
72.3K
Elevation
183 m
above sea level
Local time
UTC+02:00
Europe/Helsinki · UTC+02:00
Places inside
24
listed under Kainuu
When to go
June–August
See the climate
Airports
KAJ Kajaani Airport46 km
OUL Oulu Airport157 km

About Kainuu

Kainuu is a region. Location: Finland. Population: 72,306. The best months to visit are June–August. The nearest airport is Kajaani Airport (46 km).

Travel notes for Kainuu

From Wikivoyage

Kainuu is a region in Northern Finland. For practical purposes, the easternmost parts of Northern Ostrobothnia are also included in this article. Natural landscapes are omnipresent – this is the region where people go to see wildlife of the deep forests. But there are also historical and cultural attractions; the Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival draws a big audience from all of Finland and from abroad.

Understand+

Kainuu and the Eastern Oulu region, together known by the geographical name Koillismaa ("Northeast Finland"), is a peaceful and natural place with little or no pollution problems. In fact, Kainuu was one of the first regions in Finland to start taking care of the environment and nature and stop consuming natural resources. Nature is omnipresent and outdoor activities in the wilderness are present in the daily life of most people. Even in the largest city Kajaani, you do not have to travel far from the city centre to the forest.

Climate:

The winters can be harsh, with heavy snowfall and cold temperatures; in Kiutaköngäs −46 °C (−51 °F) has been recorded (typical winter temperatures are much more moderate, though). For wilderness adventures in winter, use a programme service or an appointed guide (check in advance whether you need any preparations yourself), or be sure you know what you are doing. Day trips along trails are often possible independently also in winter, in good weather (but check forecasts and what to expect from the trail itself).

Get in+

There are flights from Helsinki-Vantaa to Kajaani Airport and Kuusamo Airport. The eastern north-south line of the Finnish train network connects Kajaani to southern Finland, and there are also trains from Oulu. Further north, intercity bus is the only mode of transportation if you aren't driving. The Finnish road network is dense and the roads are generally in good shape.

From Russia there are the border crossings of 1 Vartius from Kostomuksha and 2 Kuusamo (Kuusamo-Суоперя) from northernmost Russian Karelia. There are no passenger trains over the border at Vartius.

There is a rail line Kouvola–Pieksämäki–Kuopio–Iisalmi–Kainuu–Kontiomäki–Paltamo–Vaala–Utajärvi–Oulu. The railways from Kontiomäki to other directions don't carry passengers.

For coaches, see Matkahuolto. E.g.:

Rukan Taksi ja Huoltopalvelu and Koillismaan Liikenne (☏ +358 40-756-9095, service possibly only in Finnish) drive from Rovaniemi to Kuusamo.

Pohjolan Matka serves a route between Oulu and Joensuu via Kajaani and a route between Oulu and Kuusamo.

Saaga Travel serves a route from Oulu to Kajaani via Vaala.

By car:

The main road to the region from the south is highway 5 from Helsinki via Savonia and Iisalmi to Kajaani, Hyrynsalmi, Suomussalmi and Kuusamo, and on to Kemijärvi. Road 81 leads from Rovaniemi to Kuusamo, road 78 via Posio to Pudasjärvi. Road 20 leads from Oulu to Pudasjärvi, Taivalkoski and Kuusamo, road 22 to Utajärvi, Vaala, Paltamo and Kajaani. Road 28 leads from Kokkola via Kärsämäki and Pyhäntä towards Kajaani.

Moose alert! If you are continuing your trip towards north or east from Kajaani, watch out for elk and reindeer that may run out of nowhere to the road. Be cautious particularly in dusk and dawn when driving through vastly uninhabited areas.

Source: Wikivoyage · CC BY-SA 4.0 · abridged

Climate of Kainuu

Best months for sightseeing

Best months for sightseeing: June–August.

This month · November

A cold month

Day -2° · Night -7° · Rain 54 mm

Hottest month
July (day 20°)
Coldest month
February (night -15°)
Wettest month
August (81 mm)
Driest month
February (32 mm)

Bars: average monthly low and high temperature. Below: precipitation. Monthly averages for 1970–2000 at about 18 km resolution, adjusted for elevation. Highlighted months are mild and relatively dry. Source: WorldClim 2.1 (CC BY 4.0).

Show values as a table
Climate of Kainuu
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average high (°C)-7°-7°-1°5°12°18°20°17°11°4°-2°-5°
Average low (°C)-15°-15°-9°-4°2°8°11°8°4°-1°-7°-12°
Precipitation (mm)383234344565778165605444

Other places to visit in this season: June July August

How to get to Kainuu

The nearest airport is Kajaani Airport (KAJ), 46 km to the southwest as the crow flies. For international flights: Oulu Airport (OUL) (157 km).

Airports

  • Kajaani Airport (KAJ) Kajaani 46 kmsouthwest
  • Oulu Airport (OUL) Oulu / Oulunsalo 157 kmwest
  • Kuusamo Airport (KAO) Kuusamo 169 kmnorth

Straight-line distances; road distances are longer. Airport data: OurAirports.

Places in Kainuu

24 places

Countries & regions2

Mountains & nature1

Lakes, rivers & coasts21

Largest cities and towns

  • Kajaani Municipality, Kajaani
    36.5K
  • Sotkamo Municipality, Kajaani
    10.3K
  • Kuhmo Municipality, Kehys-Kainuu
    7.9K
  • Suomussalmi Municipality, Kehys-Kainuu
    7.5K
  • Paltamo Municipality, Kajaani
    3.2K
  • Puolanka Municipality, Kehys-Kainuu
    2.4K
  • Sotkamo Town, Sotkamo
    10.2K
  • Vaala Municipality, Kajaani
    3.4K

Nature and heritage in Kainuu

Sources & licences

Data last updated: