Hossa (Finland)

The village is a popular outdoor tourist destination and is known for the oldest rock paintings in Northern Finland, dating back to 1500-2500 BC (Värikallio).

The trailhead of the 162 km long Eastern Border Hiking Trail (Itärajan retkeilyreitti) is in Hossa National Park.

The Värikallio rock paintings are on a cliff near the eastern end of Lake Somerjärvi in the Hossa Hiking Area.

Discovered in 1977 by two skiers, it is one of the two northernmost sites of rock art in Finland, as well as one of the largest collections with over 60 figures discerned.

The last Ice Age left its mark in Hossa; for example, the chain of ridges that traverses the area is pocked with kettle ponds created by receding glaciers.