KAINUU ORIENTEERING WEEK
Getting to Finland and to the Kainuu Orienteering Week 2026 in Suomussalmi is smooth and easy. The nearest airport and railway station to Suomussalmi are located in Kajaani, about a 1 hour and 20 minute drive away. You can travel to Kajaani by plane or train and continue your journey to Suomussalmi by bus or car.
Once in Kainuu, you can make use of public transportation.
The event bus offers a convenient way to travel between the competition village located in Jalonniemi near the center of Suomussalmi (Ämmänsaari), the Ruukinkangas camping area (for motorhomes, caravans, and tents), the Karhulanvaara dormitory accommodation, and the competition center in Säynäjä — and back — during each of the four competition stages. See the “Bus Transportation” section at the bottom of this page for details.
By Air:
Finnair operates direct flights from around the world to Finland and Helsinki Airport. From Helsinki, you can continue your journey by flying directly to Kajaani, Kuopio, or Oulu — the nearest airports to Suomussalmi.
From each of these airports, you can rent a car, or for example, travel by train or bus from Kuopio or Oulu to Kajaani and onward to Suomussalmi. From Kajaani Airport, you can reach Kajaani city center and Suomussalmi by scheduled public bus services.
See here for a list of countries and cities around the world with Finnair’s direct flight connections to Finland.
Check here for the upcoming summer’s flight connections between Helsinki and Kajaani.
Book your flights on Finnair’s website: www.finnair.fi
Nearest airports:
Helsinki – Kajaani (recommended)
Helsinki – Kuopio
Helsinki – Oulu
Helsinki – Kuusamo
Helsinki – Rovaniemi
There are daily bus connections from all the above airports to Kajaani, and Suomussalmi.
By Ferry:
Several international ferry companies operate routes to Finland’s main ports in Helsinki and Turku. From Sweden, you can also travel to Finland via the port of Vaasa.
By Rail:
Several daily train services arrive at the Kajaanin Matkakeskus (Kajaani Travel Centre). From the railway station, you can easily continue your journey to Suomussalmi by bus or rental car.
By Bus:
Several daily bus connections also arrive at Kajaanin Matkakeskus (Kajaani Travel Centre). From there, you can conveniently continue to Suomussalmi by bus or rental car.
www.matkahuolto.fi
www.matka.fi
Competition Bus:
A paid race bus service will operate between the Kainuu Orienteering Week Event Centre in Suomussalmi and the competition centre, and back, on each competition day.
Ticket prices, timetables, and routes will be published in the competition instructions and at the bottom of this webpage.
By Car:
Distances and approximate driving times to Suomussalmi:
Turku – 730 km – 8 h 30 min
Helsinki – 660 km – 7 h 30 min
Tampere – 570 km – 7 h 00 min
Vaasa – 480 km – 6 h 00 min
Jyväskylä – 420 km – 5 h 00 min
Kuopio – 280 km – 3 h 30 min
Rovaniemi – 280 km – 3 h 30 min
Oulu – 200 km – 2 h 40 min
Kuusamo – 140 km – 1 h 40 min
Kajaani – 110 km – 1 h 20 min
Vuokatti – 115 km – 1 h 30 min
Car Rental Locations:
Helsinki (Airport)
Kuopio (Airport)
Kajaani (Airport)
Oulu (Airport)
Rovaniemi (Airport)
Electric Vehicle Charging Points:
In Kainuu, electric car charging stations can be found in Sotkamo (Vuokatti), Kajaani, Paltamo, Kuhmo, and Suomussalmi.
See the map of electric car charging stations for details.
BUS TRANSPORTATIONS
Competition bus (COACH TRANSPORTATION)
With the event bus, you can conveniently travel from the Event Centre located in Jalonniemi, near the centre of Suomussalmi (Ämmänsaari), via the Ruukinkangas camping area (for motorhomes, caravans, and tents) and the Karhulanvaara dormitory accommodation, to the competition centre in Säynäjä, and back, during each of the four competition stages.
Competition bus route:
Will be published in October 2025
Departure route: xx km, travel time 35-40 min (route map in Google Maps)
Return route: xx km, travel time 35-40 min (route map in Google Maps)
The travel time from the starting point to the competition centre, including breaks, is approximately 35-40 minutes. The return journey, including breaks, also takes about 35-40 minutes.
From the competition bus stop at the competition centre, there is approximately a 150-meter walk to the competition centre.
Timetables
Event Centre (Suomussalmi, Jalonniemi) – Ruukinkangas (KOW Camping Area) – Karhulanvaara (KOW Dormitory Accommodation) – Competition Centre (Säynäjä)
| Sun 28.6. | Tue 30.6. | Thur 2.7. | Fri 3.7. |
| 06:00 | 06:00 | 06:00 | |
| 06:45 | 06:45 | 06:45 | |
| 07:30 | 07:30 | 07:30 | 07:30 |
| 08:15 | 08:15 | 08:15 | 08:15 |
| 09:00 | 09:00 | 09:00 | 09:00 |
| 09:45 | 09:45 | 09:45 | 09:45 |
| 10:30 | 10:30 | 10:30 | 10:30 |
| 11:15 | 11:15 | 11:15 | 11:15 |
| 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 |
| 12:45 | 12:45 | 12:45 | 12:45 |
| 13:30 | |||
| 14:15 |
Competition Centre (Säynäjä) – Karhulanvaara (KOW Dormitory Accommodation) – Ruukinkangas (KOW Camping Area) – Event Centre (Suomussalmi, Jalonniemi)
| Sun 28.6. | Tue 30.6. | Thur 2.7. | Fri 3.7. |
| 11:15 | 11:15 | 11:15 | |
| 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | |
| 12:45 | 12:45 | 12:45 | 12:45 |
| 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 |
| 14:15 | 14:15 | 14:15 | 14:15 |
| 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 |
| 15:45 | 15:45 | 15:45 | 15:45 |
| 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 |
| 17:15 | 17:15 | 17:15 | 17:15 |
| 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
| 18:45 | |||
| 19:30 |
The organizer reserves the right to change the schedule.
Prices
| One-way trip | Weekly pass | |
| Adult | x € | xx € |
| Child (under 15) | x € | xx € |
Tickets can be purchased:
- Weekly passes can be purchased from the KOW-webshop
- From the KOW info desk (card and cash payments)
- Directly from the bus (cash or online purchase only)
