Military history sites

Visitors in Kuhmo can experience authentic battle sites and other locations connected to the events of the Winter War. Below, you’ll find grouped listings for the Kuhmo Winter War Tour, additional battle sites outside the main route, and memorials in the Kuhmo area.

Most of the battle sites remain in their natural state, shaped by decades of time. Restored defensive positions and structures can be explored at three locations:

At the Jyrkänkoski defensive position, restored features include anti-tank obstacles, trenches, and other fortifications. The area also displays Winter War-era equipment. Kuhmon Reserviläiset maintain the Jyrkänkoski site, where they operate a Winter War Base, a Lotta Museum, and a kiosk during the summer.

At the Saunajärvi defensive position, a bunker, machine gun nest, and part of a trench north of Saunajärventie were rebuilt in 1984 by the Kainuu Brigade. The structures were further renovated by the City of Kuhmo between 1997–1999 and 2006–2008.

At the Paloaho encirclement site, one bunker and two automatic weapon nests north of the road were reconstructed by the City of Kuhmo in 1998–1999.

Jyrkänkoski defensive position then and now.