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Harjavalta Vammala

Pori

Turku

Rauma

Kankaanpää

Hämeenlinna Lahti

Vaasa

Hollola

Nastola

Orimattila

Mäntsälä

Järvenpää

Kerava

Nurmijärvi

Vantaa

Riihimäki

Hyvinkää

Janakkala

Kangasala

Valkeakoski

Toijala

Ylöjärvi

Pirkkala

Nokia

Loimaa

Kokemäki

Eura

Uusikaupunki

Laitila

Huittinen

Salo

Tammisaari

Hanko

Parainen

Kaarina

Raisio

Naantali Paimio

Ulvila

Somero

17

Lohja

Tampere

Karkkila

Padasjoki

Leivonmäki National Park

Helvetinjärvi National Park

Seitseminen National Park

Kauhaneva-PohjankangasNational Park

Lauhanvuori National Park

Kurjenrahka National Park

LiesjärviNational Park

Bothnian Sea National Park

ValkmusaNational Park

Repovesi National Park

Ekenäs Archipelago National Park

Archipelago Sea National Park

Puurijärvi- Isosuo National Park

Kolovesi National Park

Linnansaari National Park

Tiilikkajärvi National Park

HiidenporttiNational Park

Sipoonkorpi National Park

KeuruuVirrat

Ähtäri

Seinäjoki

Alavus

Kurikka

Ikaalinen

Kaskinen

Kristiinankaupunki

Närpiö

Parkano

Kauhajoki

Kauhava

Alahärmä

Lapua

Uusikaarlepyy

Korsholm

Kokkola

Pietarsaari

Kalajoki

Raahe

Kannus

Ylivieska

Oulainen

Haapavesi

Nivala

HaapajärviPyhäjärvi

Kiuruvesi

Iisalmi

Kajaani

Haukipudas

Nilsiä

SiilinjärviJuankoski

SuonenjokiRautalampi

Varkaus

Äänekoski

Pieksämäki

Kuopio

Viitasaari

Kannonkoski

MikkeliLappeenranta

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Kouvola

Kotka

Heinola

Hamina

LoviisaPorvoo

Imatra

Orivesi

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TeijoNational Park

Laukaa

Kärsämäki

Reisijärvi

Lestijärvi

Kinnula

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Päijänne National Park

Isojärvi National Park

RokuaNational Park

Nuuksio National Park

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KONNEVESI

KIVIJÄRVI

SAARIJÄRVI

Southern KonnevesiNational Park

SalamajärviNational Park

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Day 1

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Torronsuo NP 2The Häme Nature Centre

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Day 7

Day 9

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177 km - 2h 30min

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45 km - 35min

155 km - 2h

82 km

- 1h 10min

74 km - 1h 15m

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225 k

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88 km - 1h 15min

79 km- 1h 50min

7LIMINKA7

8

9

The age-old forests of Pyhä-Häkki — the clear waters of Southern Konnevesi — unbeatable birdwatching at Liminka Bay

Day 1 Highlights of Finland’s wild attractions  in the

Nature Centre Haltia

The Finnish Nature Centre Haltia lies beside lovely Lake Pitkäjärvi on the edge of Nuuksio National Park, which  is an excellent setting for hikes and rambles. Haltia’s exhibitions give visitors a profound insight into Finland’s natural attractions. Haltia  is a new type of  visitor centre, bringing all of Finland’s natural highlights under one roof through  its stunning facilities and exhibitions. Haltia’s premises signify the start of a new era for timber construction.

Services, activities, relaxation in natural settings: Sights, hiking, excursions and experiences offered by local firms, lakeside saunas www.haltia.com www.nationalparks.fi/nuuksionp

accommodation: Hotels, hostels, cottages and campsites in Espoo or Helsinki: www.visitespoo.fi www.visithelsinki.fi

Day 2 Finland’s fenlands: explore Finland’s deepest

bog on safe trails

7 Finnish national parks

Start your  visit at Häme Nature Centre where you can ask for tips about Torronsuo National Park.

Finland’s fenlands are among the world’s most beautiful wetlands. Walk safely over the country’s deepest bog at Torronsuo on an easy 1.5-km trail that runs along duckboards. Climb the viewing tower to enjoy magnificent vistas over the bog, and a soundscape of the wind and birdsong.

Services and activities: www.eerikkila.fi www.nationalparks.fi/hamenaturecentre Guided tours, hiking, birdwatching. Sports activities at Eerikkilä Training Centre

accommodation: Hotels, hostels, cottages in Forssa or Tammela www.forssanseutu.fi Eerikkilä Training Centre: www.eerikkila.fi

Day 3 Timeless Finnish landscapes, lakes and forestsThe rote first follows the ancient Hämeen Härkätie

road, which led between the castles of Turku and Hämeenlinna in the Middle Ages. You then head on through peaceful countryside and forests to Isojärvi National Park. On the way you could stop in the historic city of Hämeenlinna or the small town of Padasjoki. At the destination the  idyllic summer café at Heretty Loggers’ Cabin await. Inviting and easy hiking trails lead off from the cabin’s yard into the national park.

10 days

We recommend following the foresters’ footsteps along the 3.5-km Heretyn luontopolku trail. The only loggers working  in the park today are beavers. It’s hard to spot these shy animals, but you can’t miss the impressive results of their labours.

Services and activities: Heretty Loggers’ Cabin, summer café: www.nationalparks.fi/isojarvinp Hiking, canoeing, picking berries and mushrooms, enjoying sights and scenery

accommodation: B&B Majatalo Villanen in Längelmäki www.majatalovillanen.fi/en Many kinds of lodgings around Himos and Jyväskylä www.visitjyvaskyla.fi

Tourist information: www.jamsa.fi, www.visitjyvaskyla.fi www.nationalparks.fi/seitseminennaturecentre

Day 4 The crystal clear waters of Lake Southern

Konnevesi

On the way to Southern Konnevesi National Park you can  visit the shops and restaurants of the city of Jyväskylä.

On reaching Konnevesi we recommend swimming from the sandy shore by Häyrylänranta Harbour, and a cruise on lovely Lake Southern Konnevesi, where you might spot a magnificent osprey soaring overhead.

Services and activities: Häyrylänranta Harbour, cruises, restaurant and camping www.hayrylanranta.com www.nationalparks.fi/southernkonnevesinp

Lake cruises, swimming, sandy beach, canoeing, fishing, picking berries and mushrooms

accommodation: Many kinds of lodgings in Jyväskylä area www.visitjyvaskyla.fi In Laukaa village Varjola guesthouse www.varjola.com

Tourist information: www.visitjyvaskyla.fi www.konnevesi.fi

Day 5 The age-old forests of Pyhä-Häkki National Park

Pyhä-Häkki National Park  is renowned for having the best preserved old-growth forests anywhere  in Southern Finland. See 400-year-old pine trees that bear scars of ancient forest fires. Such sights give you a sense of timelessness, encouraging you to slow down and savour the natural scene.

Sauna treatments and wild food: At Lakomäki Forest Manor close to the National Park you can soak in a smoke sauna or an outdoor hot-tub.

You can also try a soothing peat treatment with your sauna, and sample special local dishes made using wild ingredients. www.lakomaki.fi

activities: Hiking on well-marked trails (round routes of 1.4, 3.5  or 6.5  km), picking berries and mushrooms. Fishing and other activities at Lakomäki Forest Manor.

accommodation: Lakomäki Forest Manor www.lakomaki.fi Hotels in Saarijärvi www.visitsaarijarvi.fi

Tourist information: www.nationalparks.fi/pyha-hakkinp www.nationalparks.fi/seitseminennaturecentre

Day 6 Follow the hoof-prints of wild forest reindeer in

Salamajärvi National Park

In Salamajärvi National Park you walk on paths also used by wild forest reindeer. The shortest trail, the 2.3-km Vasan kierros, is suitable for kids. More experienced hikers can choose longer routes to explore the park’s fine forests, rocky outcrops and atmospheric marshes.

Services and activities: Hiking, rowing, fishing, canoeing, sauna and swimming www.koirasalmi.fi

accommodation: Cottages, apartments and hotel  in Kivijärvi village

Tourist information: www.nationalparks.fi/seitseminennaturecentre

Day 7 Rokua Geopark

The road from Salamajärvi National Park to Rokua leads through the geographical centre of Finland at Piippola. When you explore the esker ridges, sandy hills and kettle hole lakes of Rokua it’s easy to see the clear traces of the Ice Age that justify Rokua’s status as Finland’s first UNESCO Geopark. Family-friendly trails  invite you to walk to “the Well of Depth” — a deep hole formed by a huge ice block buried under sand that slowly melted after the Ice Age.

Services and activities: Information Center Suppa, hotels, restaurants, spa

In the national park: hiking and sightseeing.In Rokua Geopark: mountain biking, spaaccommodation: Rokua Health & Spa or Wilderness

Hotel Rokuanhovi www.rokuageopark.fiTourist information: www.nationalparks.fi/rokuanp

www.rokuageopark.fi

Day 8 Birdwatching at Liminka BayWatch the winged  inhabitants of Finland’s

best bird wetlands at Liminka Bay. This  internationally  important wetland reserve  is blessed with rich bird life, especially during the spring and autumn migration seasons, when huge flocks of geese, cranes and graceful whooper swans arrive. An attractive  visitor centre spotlights the wonderful world of birds.

Services and activities: Hotel and restaurant at the  visitor centre, 5  birdwatching towers, many services available in the nearby city of Oulu.

accommodation: By Liminka Bay: Hotel Lintunen at the visitor centre or Sippa Inn www.liminganlahti.fi;

Hotels in the Oulu area www.visitoulu.fiTourist information: www.liminganlahti.fi

www.visitoulu.fi www.nationalparks.fi/liminkabayvisitorcentre

Day 9 The sandy shores of Hailuoto — the largest island

of the Bothnian Bay

Hailuoto  island  is famous for  its fishing  villages and for the features of  its emergent coastlines. The largest island in the Bothnian Bay can be reached on a free ferry from Oulunsalo, about 24 km southwest of Oulu. Trek on Hailuoto’s trails, or just enjoy the  island’s natural seaside sights and beautiful beaches. Near an old lighthouse (built in 1871) at the western end of Hailuoto, in Marjaniemi, you can visit an interactive exhibition about nature. The island is also great for birdwatching.

Services and activities: Hotel, restaurant and exhibition at Marjaniemi

Hiking, sunbathing, swimming, sightsaccommodation: Hotels  in Hailuoto and the Oulu

regionTourist information: www.hailuoto.fiwww.nationalparks.fi/liminkabayvisitorcentre/hailuotonatureexhibition

Day 10Back to Oulu and on homeward

For more  information: Finnish Nature Centre Haltia haltia@metsa.fi, www.haltia.com

Nationalparks.fi Up-to-date information about Finnish national parks and their facilities

VisitFinland.com The official travel guide of Finland

Outdoorsfinland.com Find the best hiking, cycling and canoeing trails in Finland