Hossa National Park hiking and paddling in the wilderness vaellus Hossan kansallispuisto Julma Ölkky

This film presents the nature in the northern Finland old taiga forest: Hossa National Park. We we hiking, paddling and camping in the woods along crystal clear lakes. Reindeers were visiting our campsites. Retkeilyä ja melontaa Hossan kansallispuistossa ja Ölökyn Ähkäsy.

Hossa is situated 760 kilometers north of Finnish capital Helsinki, close to the Russian border. Hossa park was officially opened in 2017.

We visited Hossa at the end of summer 2017. We spent several days in that area hiking, camping and paddling with our kayaks. Those late summer days were exceptionally warm. Day temperatures were rising over +25°C (77°F). Despite the hot days, the water temperature in the lakes was still rather refreshing.

The last ice age has carved ridges and valleys into the Hossa landscape. Three main rivers cross the area, which has 130 crystal clear lakes and ponds. The area is covered with dense northern taiga forest with old spruce and pine trees.

10 000 years ago, after the kilometers thick ice shield retreated, the first humans came. They were hunting the area's rich wildlife and left their marks on the cliffs and rocks. The paintings on the famous Hossa Värikallio (Colour Rock) are 4000 years old. The oldest habitation found is nearly 10 000 years old.

The most famous site in Hossa is the biggest canyon lake of Finland, called Julma-Ölkky. That name is difficult to translate, but maybe the closest meaning would be "Cruel Dark Water". The lake was formed when the ancient rock bed broke and is surrounded by 50 meter high cliffs. The lake itself is 50 meters deep, and its water looks truly black!

Because the trip was made in 2017, this film contains more still images than video clips. I took some spectacular drone videos and some not so high quality GoPro videos. The film contains also nature sound and music.

#hossa #kansallispuisto #HungryCatWilderness

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Jarmo