Historical sights

Both Riutukka logging museum and Joutsijärvi Bunker are always open with no entrance fees.

They are interesting destinations for independent explorers year around.

Riutukka logging museum
Kemijoki was the last river in Finland and Europe, where logs were transported in traditional methods by letting them freely float down the river as recently as 1992.

Riutukka is an open museum area and a day shelter. In the area, we can still see how lumberjacks individually floated logs down small streams through woods. The old timber framed logging shoots and the buildings were renovated 1991-92. The museum includes the sauna, the stables, pantry-cellar and the outhouse. Reindeer herders are still using the wooden main building and it required no maintenance. A new lean to shelter was added for day-trippers’ comfort.

You reach Riutukka by driving 5km along Raakuntie from Highway E 63 turning east from Suomun Mökkivälitys, then turn right (south) and drive further 4km along logging road.

There is a marked cross-country skiing and hiking trail from Tuulenpesä Café. This demanding 8km route can be walked in the summer, skied in the winter.

Riutukka is in the wilderness and ‘Everyman’s rights and responsibilities’ are observed here.

You are to leave the place tidy and take your rubbish away with you. Please reserve enough time to enjoy this peaceful wilderness setting where the little stream still sings its age-old song.

Joutsijärvi Bunker

Joutsijärvi village was a big German commander post during the Second World War. On the other hand, the Joutsijärvi bunkers were part of the Finnish inner defence line. One of the bunkers has been renovated and is located in the middle of the village by the Hunajalampi-pond. The local shop also sells fishing permits to the pond, which is stocked with trout.