Kemijärvi today: weather now, Kotavaara’s tower, Suomu’s slopes or summit trail by season, the night-train terminus, where to eat and aurora chance.
Kotavaara hill and observation tower: From the car park it is a steep walk of about 400 m to the top of Kotavaara hill, where a three-storey metal observation tower stands; you climb it at your own risk. Next to the tower are a lean-to shelter and a campfire site. The view takes in Lake Kemijärvi and the Kemijoki river, with Pyhätunturi fell to the north and Suomutunturi to the east. The 2.2 km on this card is the Kotavaara loop, partly on a built road and partly on a path worn into the terrain. In winter you can get there on snowshoes, but take care on the tower steps, which can be slippery. Visit Kemijärvi also names the tower one of its top three places in Kemijärvi to watch for the northern lights. The photo shows the view from the tower towards the village of Kelloniemi.
Suomu summit trail: A 7.1 km summer trail to the top of Suomutunturi fell, which rises to 409 m above sea level. It starts from Pyryrinteentie, near the ski slopes, and has one rest stop along the way. Around Suomutunturi there are about 30 km of hiking trails in all, with campfire sites along them. The photo shows the slopes of Suomutunturi in October, before the snow.
Kemijärvi railway station: Kemijärvi is the end of the line: Visit Kemijärvi calls the station the northernmost terminus of Finland’s eastern rail network. Night trains run here from Helsinki, and according to Visit Kemijärvi, night trains with car-carrier wagons run three times a week. Check the days and times in VR’s timetable. In Eastern Lapland, VR also sells tickets for onward buses towards Pyhä, Suomu and Salla. The photo shows the station building and its Car-Carrier Station sign.
Suomutunturi: Suomutunturi fell, in the municipality of Kemijärvi, rises to 409 m above sea level, and its ski centre has 11 slopes and 4 lifts; the longest slope is 1.7 km. The first lift and café on Suomu opened in the 1960s, and today Hotelli Suomutunturi runs the ski centre. The ski centre says that, thanks to snowmaking and stored snow, its season can start as early as the beginning of November. Suomu is about 45 km from the centre of Kemijärvi, and a bus runs between Kemijärvi railway station and Suomu once a day. In the same direction is the Räisälä ferry, which Visit Kemijärvi calls the only ferry in Lapland.
Kemijärvi Church: The old church was destroyed in the Lapland War as the German troops withdrew from Kemijärvi, but its bell tower survived. The present church was built in 1949–1950 with donations from Lutheran churches in America. It was designed by the architect Bertel Liljequist, consecrated at Midsummer 1951, and seats 850. The church is open in summer.
Puustelli art centre: Puustelli was built in 1865 as the official residence of the forester Johan Gebhard, on the shore of Lake Pöyliöjärvi. Kemijärvi’s international sculpture weeks began in 1985, and a selection of sculptures from them is shown in summer in an old log-driving boathouse that was moved to the Puustelli yard. Many more sculptures stand around the town and inside shops; one of them is Leena, a rhinoceros built of stones by Roger Gaudreau.
Kemijärvi local history museum: The museum yard has a farmhouse in the Peräpohjola style on its original site, with storehouses, a smithy, a smoke sauna, a cowshed and a stable. The museum is open in summer on some days of the week. It is 1 km from the town centre towards Rovaniemi and 500 m from the railway station.
Joutsijärvi bunkers: The fortified positions at Joutsijärvi are the northernmost bunker area of the Salpa Line. One of the bunkers is now a visitor site, with a photo exhibition on the building of the Salpa Line and military objects found in the area. Next to it are a nature trail and the Hunajalampi kota, a traditional Lapland hut. In the Winter War, the Red Army’s advance was stopped at Joutsijärvi on 16 December 1939. The site is about 27 km by road from the centre of Kemijärvi.
Mestarin Kievari: Central hotel restaurant; pub and nightclub side with karaoke.
Autogrilli Majakka: Roadside grill serving burgers and quick classics.
Pizzamestarit: Central pizzeria on Jaakonkatu.
Kebab Pizzeria Napoli: Kebab and pizza spot in the town centre.
Kebab Pizzeria Rosa: Kebab and pizzeria on Vapaudenkatu.
Susa's Bistro: Cafe and bistro on Vapaudenkatu in the centre.
Café ParrunPätkä: Cosy cafe by Taivaan Tulet square.
Murkina: Weekday lunch restaurant open to everyone, serving home-style lunches with options for special diets.
Ravintola Jauri (Jauri Resort): Lakeside restaurant on Lake Pöyliöjärvi for lunch, dinner or a coffee, with a summer terrace by the water.
Leipomokahvila Kiuaspulla: Bakery café with fresh pastries, coffee and a weekday soup lunch served with bread from its own bakery.