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The Musical Forest (Soiva Metsä)

—•Hiking Trails

1.6 km

Route

P 1

Description

City of Suomussalmi – Soiva Metsä+

Description

The Musical Forest is about 1.6 km as an easy loop through piney Kaunisniemi ridge in Suomussalmi, Kainuu. Along the path you circle a compact art park of oversized playable instruments—bells, swinging chimes, thunder sheets, and drum-like pieces—blended into heath forest with small ponds and deep ice-age kettle holes. For brochures, a printable instrument map, and driving directions, start from City of Suomussalmi’s Soiva Metsä page. Visit Suomussalmi’s trail notes add context on how the Seitenahveninen walking corridor links toward this site and how the ridge opens west over Lake Hietajärvi. Lyhyenä hetkenä describes arriving at Suomussalmen kesäteatteri, following the wide forest path, and trying instruments such as Metsäkirkon kello before climbing to the tall rain-calling sadeputki with a sweeping lakeland view. Yle Egenland recounts how a central suppa bowl carries sound like a natural amphitheatre, how some sculptures sway and ring in the wind, and that the builders return on a roughly two-year rhythm to maintain the outdoor works. Practically, the loop threads the instrument field and ridge viewpoints before finishing near Suomussalmen kesäteatteri; Suomussalmen kesäteatteri parkkipaikka sits steps from the summer stage for drivers. The area is a cultural trail as much as a nature walk—families, school groups, and curious adults all stop to experiment. If you want a longer workout in the same landscape, Kaunisniemen kuntopolku and Pitämän kuntopolut are nearby running circuits that share parking options around Kaunisniemi. Read more on our pages for Suomussalmen kesäteatteri and Suomussalmen kesäteatteri parkkipaikka for access details beside the stage. Suomussalmi lies on the Kainuu shore route between Kajaani and Kuusamo; combine this stop with Hossa farther north or other local culture sites when you are touring the region.

Length & route

The trail is about 1.6 km as a loop on our map, circling the instrument park and Kaunisniemi ridge above Lake Hietajärvi. Published hiking sheets sometimes round the forest circuit to about 2 km while describing the same easy grade.

Getting there

From central Suomussalmi follow Highway 5 (E63) south roughly 4 km, turn right onto Lomakyläntie, and continue about 3 km toward Suomussalmen kesäteatteri; brown signs point to Soiva Metsä at the intersection and along the road. Drivers typically leave the car at Suomussalmen kesäteatteri parkkipaikka beside the summer theatre and walk the short access to the loop. Address for navigation: Lomakyläntie 26–28, 89600 Suomussalmi.

Good to know

Admission to walk and play the outdoor instruments is free. Carry respect for the sculptures—metal and wood surfaces weather outdoors, and aggressive climbing can damage mechanisms that caretakers refurbish on a maintenance cadence described in Yle’s feature reporting. Summer theatre performances and festivals use the same Kaunisniemi yard; check schedules if you want a quiet visit during show days. Yle Egenland mentions informal performances and costumed guides during some events; ordinary day visits are self-guided.

History

The City of Suomussalmi commissioned the installation in 1996 through its cultural services. Commercial artist Markku Penttilä drew the instruments and helped plan their placement; instrument builders Pekka Westerholm and Olli Penttilä fabricated and erected the sculptures with field support. Yle Egenland traces the concept to cultural director Jalo Heikkinen, who engaged professor Heikki Laitinen and the EtnoPojat artists to realise the idea; the opening week in 1996 drew roughly three thousand visitors across three days. What began as a temporary experiment has remained for decades, with television coverage spreading nationwide recognition according to the municipality’s own history notes.

Managed by

Suomussalmi

Official Maintenance

Trail info

Stroller Friendly

Accessibility

Wheelchair Accessible

Accessibility

Open / Good Condition

Activities allowed

Hike / Walk

Activity

Run

Activity

Terrain & conditions

1.6 km

Distance

About 45–90 minutes with time to play the instruments

Est. Time

Gravel

Surface

Loop, Wide Track

Route Type

Light Traffic

Traffic

1996

Construction year

Location

64.84460°N, 28.92955°E

Parking coordinates

FinlandCountry

KainuuRegion

SuomussalmiCity

Hiking TrailsCategory

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Answers to your questions

CC BY-NDArto Heikkinen, Outdoors Kainuu

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 TrailsThe Musical Forest (Soiva Metsä)