When did huts.fi research the data for Murhisalo Trail?

Huts.fi

Murhisalo Trail

—•Hiking Trails

7.3 km

Route

P 1

Description

Visit Suomussalmi – Murhisalon reitti+

Description

Murhisalo Trail is a 7.3 km point-to-point hiking route near Murhijärvi and Kirnulampi in Suomussalmi, Kainuu. For closures, mileage signposts, and the latest practical notes, start with Visit Suomussalmi. Murhisalo is mostly older spruce forest and open mire landscapes inside Lososuo–Saarijärvi mire reserve and old-growth forest reserves, framed by Kalevalapuisto and the Hietajärvi–Kuivajärvi landscape area to the south. Jalkaisin’s on-the-ground account along the same Itärajan retkeilyreitti corridor mentions long stretches of duckboards beside Lososuo and Kuivasuo and easy-to-follow blue paint marks on the forest leg toward Aittojärvi. About 1 km from the start the route runs through the Kirnulampi rest cluster: Kirnulammen laavu sits beside Kirnulampi halkovaja käymälä for firewood storage and dry-toilet service during an early break. The same junction links into Itärajan retkeilyreitti and Saarisuon luontopolku, so you can stitch a longer day if you plan carefully. Kirnulampi pysäköintialue sits farther along for drivers who want to approach from the south. Toward the north end, Murhijärven laavu faces the lake with Murhijärvi polttopuusuoja -kuivakäymälä grouped nearby for a longer lunch or shelter stop. Visit Suomussalmi pitches Murhisalo to hikers who already read terrain and like quiet trails rather than crowded main trails. There is no winter maintenance, and the unmaintained continuation toward Martinselkonen should be treated as off-duty tread unless you verify current status.

Length & route

The trail is about 7.3 km on one continuous path. Wider Murhisalo path upkeep totals roughly 9 km of marked walking tread in municipality materials. Expect duckboards through open mires beside Lososuo and Kuivasuo plus ordinary forest foot tread elsewhere. Blue paint marks are used in the wider trail network.

Getting there

From Suomussalmi centre, follow Visit Suomussalmi’s turn-by-turn directions: Viitostie (E63) south about 2.2 km, left on Juntusrannantie 2.7 km, left on Suomussalmentie 1.8 km, right on Kuhmontie 48 km, then left on Kuivajärventie; after 15.7 km the car park sits on the left at Kuivajärventie 158, 89840 Yli-Vuokki. Kirnulampi pysäköintialue offers another entry nearer the Kirnulampi lean-to cluster. Forestry roads such as Malahviantie–Marjokyläntie–Holstinniementie also reach the area from several directions.

Good to know

The ground lies in a reindeer herding district and forest reindeer also roam the landscape; large wetland birds such as black-throated diver, whooper swan, and crane are typical highlights. Angling opportunities nearby are highly regarded. There is no winter maintenance, and the route section continuing north from Murhisalo toward Martinselkonen is no longer serviced. Aittojärvi has a maintained lean-to and related spots on the wider Murhisalo circuit listed by Visit Suomussalmi.

History

Via Karelia describes Murhijärvi as the shared “fish pantry” lake of the historic Viena Karelian villages Kuivajärvi and Hietajärvi; shoreline traditions include old fishing sheds on Murhijärvi’s islands. Vienan reitti likewise notes long use of Murhisalo as common village ground between those settlements.

Managed by

Suomussalmi

Official Maintenance

GPX data from: © Metsähallitus, 2024

Trail info

Lake

Wilderness Area

blue

Route Signs

Open / Good Condition

Activities allowed

Hike / Walk

Activity

Public Transport

Activity

Terrain & conditions

7.3 km

Distance

About 3–5 hours with normal breaks on forest and mire tread.

Est. Time

Dirt / Duckboards

Surface

Point-to-Point, Single Track

Route Type

Partial Shade

Shade

Light Traffic

Traffic

Location

64.64201°N, 30.00502°E

Parking coordinates

FinlandCountry

KainuuRegion

SuomussalmiCity

Yli-VuokkiVillage

Hiking TrailsCategory

Rate & Review

Be the first to write a review for "Murhisalo Trail"

Share a photo from a recent trip

Answers to your questions

Our data was researched from Suomussalmi, and other trusted sources, in March 2026. Our route / place GPX data comes from Metsähallitus / Lipas, last updated March 2026. Always check their official website for safety-critical updates.

Finland Kainuu Suomussalmi Hiking TrailsMurhisalo Trail