Wild Taiga Finland

Wild Taiga Finland is a tourism brand and cooperative network operating in the wilderness region of eastern Kainuu, Finland, covering the municipalities of Kuhmo, Suomussalmi and surrounding areas. The brand is a registered trademark owned by Idän Taiga ry, a tourism association founded in 2004. Its purpose is to develop tourism products and carry out joint marketing domestically and internationally under the Wild Taiga trademark, while also promoting cooperation among its members and advancing the professional interests of the tourism sector. The network brings together more than 50 tourism operators, including small and family-owned businesses active in accommodation, restaurants, programme services and events. Wild Taiga offers visitors a rare opportunity to see and photograph brown bears, wolves, wolverines and other wildlife in their natural habitat, alongside a wide range of nature activities and a colourful cultural offering that includes music festivals and local traditions. The region is marketed as a place of untouched nature, clear lake waters and rapids, with space and time to enjoy peace and uncrowded conditions throughout the year. Wild Taiga gained national and European recognition in 2008 when it was selected as Finland's emerging tourism destination in the European Destinations of Excellence competition organised by the European Commission. Finland participated in the competition for the first time that year. The destination was also awarded as a media favourite by the Finnish Travel Journalists' Guild. The evaluation group praised Wild Taiga for its core of local everyday culture and way of life, its strong cultural and artistic events, its networked operating model, its clear organisation and systematic pursuit of jointly set goals, and its sustainable and ecologically responsible approach. The brand continues to be active, promoting routes, an interactive map service and events across the region. Its website highlights seasonal activities, a route guide for outdoor recreation in summer and winter, and news about cultural events such as the Sommelo festival and the Kuhmo Chamber Music festival. Wild Taiga presents itself at promotional events in Finnish cities such as Joensuu, Kuopio and Iisalmi, and maintains a social media presence under the hashtag #visitwildtaiga.

Wild Taiga Finland is a tourism network and registered trademark operating in the Kainuu region of eastern Finland. Its history is tied to Idän Taiga ry, a tourism association founded in 2004. The association was established to carry out tourism product development and joint marketing domestically and abroad under the Wild Taiga brand, as well as to promote cooperation among its members and improve the professional conditions of the tourism trade. The network grew steadily. By 2010, it included 61 private small and family enterprises representing accommodation, restaurant and programme services as well as events. The brand's purpose is to offer visitors authentic experiences in the wilderness of eastern Kainuu, including the rare chance to see and photograph brown bears, wolves and wolverines in their natural habitat, alongside a rich cultural offering. A major turning point came in 2008, when Wild Taiga was selected as Finland's emerging tourism destination in the European Destinations of Excellence competition organised by the European Commission. Finland participated in the competition for the first time that year. The destination was also recognised by the Finnish Travel Journalists' Guild as a media favourite. The evaluation group noted that the destination's core is local everyday culture and way of life, with a strong relationship to nature as one dimension. It highlighted the use of local cultural knowledge, the presence of strong cultural and artistic events, and a new networked way of operating. The group also praised the destination's clear organisation, its systematic pursuit of jointly set goals with monitoring, and its sustainable and ecologically responsible actions. The region itself is historically and culturally significant. It is located along the same line as the Russian border that existed until 1595, and includes the international border crossing at Vartius, through which cultural trips to Russian poem-singing villages are organised by Juminkeko, as well as the Friendship Park that crosses the Finnish-Russian border. In the 2020s, Wild Taiga continues to operate as a cooperative marketing network. Its website promotes year-round nature experiences, a route guide for summer and winter outdoor recreation, an interactive map service showing all destinations, and news about cultural events such as the Sommelo festival and the Kuhmo Chamber Music festival. The brand presents itself at promotional events in Finnish cities including Joensuu, Kuopio and Iisalmi, and maintains a social media presence under #visitwildtaiga. The network now brings together more than 50 tourism operators in Kuhmo, Suomussalmi and nearby areas.

• 2026

  Wild Taiga presents at promotional events in Joensuu, Kuopio and Iisalmi, and continues to promote cultural events such as Sommelo and Kuhmo Chamber Music.

• 2010

  The network includes 61 private small and family enterprises representing accommodation, restaurant and programme services and events.

• 2008

  Wild Taiga is selected as Finland's emerging tourism destination in the European Destinations of Excellence competition organised by the European Commission; Finland participates for the first time.

• 2008

  Wild Taiga is awarded as a media favourite by the Finnish Travel Journalists' Guild.

• 2004

  Idän Taiga ry is founded to develop tourism products and carry out joint marketing under the Wild Taiga brand.

A networked, sustainable tourism destination brand offering rare wildlife encounters and authentic local culture in the wilderness of eastern Kainuu, Finland.

• Wildlife watching and photography

  Rare opportunities to see and photograph brown bears, wolves, wolverines and other animals in their natural habitat.

• Accommodation and restaurant services

  Provided by member small and family enterprises across the Kuhmo and Suomussalmi area.

• Guided nature activities and excursions

  Year-round outdoor activities including hiking, skiing and nature excursions.

• Cultural events and festivals

  Includes the Sommelo festival and Kuhmo Chamber Music festival, among other cultural offerings.

• Route guide and interactive map service

  Recommended outdoor routes for summer and winter, and an interactive map showing all destinations.

1. 1Koe ainutlaatuinen erämaaluonto ja kulttuuri, näe karhu ja susi - Wild Taigawildtaiga.fi
2. 2Wild Taiga Finland - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Wild Taiga Finland - Wikipedia (Finnish)fi.wikipedia.org