Finland is the land of natural parks and the Pohjola route takes you to two of them – and a Unesco Geopark on top of that.
Perspectives into Northern nature on seashores, fells, ridges and dunes
Along the route, visit one of the most significant wetlands in Europe. For a chance to relax in the lap of mother nature, take a road trip into Northern Finland at its best.
Start from Oulu and make a tour clockwise or counterclockwise. In a couple of days, be prepared to see reindeer, migratory birds depending on the season, ancient formations shaped by the ice age and the crystal clear waters and sky of the north.
The pure wonders of the forest and fells
The nature parks of Syöte and Rokua on the inland legs of the Pohjola route will both entice you with arctic nature, but with their own traits and sights.
Syöte, northeast of Oulu, is the southernmost fell area in Finland. There’s no need to travel all the way up to Lapland to see reindeer and arctic forests! On the hiking routes, nature trails and campfire sites of Syöte National Park the brisk northern air is full of scents and sounds: firewood crackling, smoke with a scent of tar, the mesmerising blossoms of wild arctic flowers and berries, taking in the sunlight 24/7 before the magic of the short arctic summer is gone.
Greetings from the ice age
From Syöte head southwest towards Rokua Geopark. This Unesco Global Geopark is the first of its kind in Finland, awarded for its outstanding geology, ridges and dunes sculpted by the last ice age. For a geology enthusiast, Rokua offers the chance to visit a gneiss bedrock and some of the oldest rocks in Europe. For fresh air fanatics, the Geopark is ideal with its mountain biking trails and the freedom to roam foraging for berries and mushrooms. You’re in Finland, so pick your lunch from the forest – it’s as clean and healthy as it gets.
The birds’ and birdwatcher’s place to be
Liminka, on the coast of the Bothnian bay, half an hour’s trip south of Oulu, is the place to visit if you’re a migratory bird or birdwatcher wishing to see them in hundreds, thousands even.
Liminka bay is one of Europe’s most important wetlands and a nature reserve that is home to many other seaside species. You’ll be amazed at how quiet, and in the next moment, filled with birdsong the Liminka seashore can be, and what magnificent views it offers on the Bothnian Bay. Climb up to the birdwatching tower or rent a mountain bike to get around this unique seaside location.
The Vihiluoto beach and bird watching area in Kempele, right next to Oulu, is a nice little seaside oasis. Vihiluoto has a nature trail accessible to everyone, a birdwatching tower and a nice sandy beach. In the summer, you can spot a herd of sheep in the field near the sea.
So for a road trip to many worlds in one go, choose the Pohjola route and become a forever fan of northern Finnish nature.
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Syöte Camping, seasonal space
Syöte
Paddling in Rokua Geopark
Muhos
Gym & Group Activities
Kempele
Cottages in Ollukka area in Syöte
Syöte
Active camping Montta
Muhos
Adventure into the Goahti, Syöte National Park
Pudasjärvi
Relaxing Forest Mind trip in Syöte National Park
Syöte
Geocaching in Liminka
Liminka
Syöte Taxi
Syöte
Cottages in Hulhava area in Syöte
Syöte
Syötteen Mökit Cottages
Syöte
Liminka Disc Golf Course
Liminka
Taikaloora Cottages
Vaala
Syöte Taxi services
Syöte
Meeting services
Syöte
Guided Mountain Biking tours from Pikku-Syöte
Syöte
Bistoria Iso-Syöte
Pudasjärvi
Fatbike rental Liminka
Liminka
Rent a Canoe or Kayak in Syöte
Syöte
GEOfood restaurant of Manamansalon Portti
Manamansalo
Akupuncture and energy healing treatments
Kempele
Laukanranta B&B
Muhos
Taigalampi Rental Villa
Pudasjärvi
Karsikkolampi smoke sauna
Syöte
Eagle View Suite / Arctic Hilltop Boutique Hotel Iso-Syöte
Syöte
Rokuanhovi Cabins
Utajärvi
Cottages in Pikku-Syöte area
Syöte
Kelosyöte/Kotacafe
Syöte
Syöte Booking Centre
Syöte
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Tunturi Pub
Syöte
Horse riding in Syöte
Syöte
Kerkkä Cafe & Lunch
Pudasjärvi
Canoeing Trip in Syöte
Syöte
E-fatbiking and fatbiking in Rokua Geopark area
Muhos
Guided fatbike tour
Pudasjärvi
Cafe Hilltop
Syöte
Nature Power from a forest in Rokua - Naturest Oy
Utajärvi
Mountain biking and hiking route - Köykkyrin retkireitistö
Kempele
Syöte Cottage
Syöte
Restaurant Romekievari - Tennessee BBQ house and the home of waffles
Syöte
Bear Cave Suite / Arctic Hilltop Boutique Hotel Iso-Syöte
Syöte
Forest Nature School in Rokua - Naturest Oy
Utajärvi
On The Traces Of The Ice Age - The Oulujoki River Valley
Muhos
Kelosyöte/Aten mökit
Syöte
Holiday apartment accomodation in the heart of Muhos
Muhos
Restaurant Liminka Bay
Liminka
Kurttila cottages
Utajärvi
Bike Park guidance lesson
Syöte
Food & drinks
Kempele
Liminka Bay: Guided tour to the Eight Seasons of Birds' Year -exhibition
Liminka
Syöte Visitor Centre
Pudasjärvi
Restaurant Hilltop
Syöte
Phoenix Suite / Arctic Hilltop Boutique Hotel Iso-Syöte
Syöte
Iso-Syöte Bike Park
Syöte
Winter activities for groups
Syöte
Restaurant at KIDE Hotel
Syöte
Rosso Restaurant Kempele
Kempele
All Syöte's activities from Syöte Booking Centre
Syöte
Manamansalon Portti caravan and apartments
Manamansalo
Trail biking experience in the Syöte National Park
Syöte
Bike rental in summer
Syöte
Airport Hotel Oulu
Kempele
Sports hall
Pudasjärvi
Montta treasure hunt - nature escape
Muhos
Rantakylä Recreational Area in Liminka
Liminka
Local Taxi Services in Liminka
Liminka
Kelo Cottages / Iso-Syöte hilltop
Syöte
Kuuru Tunturilaakso Suites
Syöte
Northern lights hunting by car in Syöte
Pudasjärvi
Liminka Bay Visitor Centre
Liminka
Gym at KIDE Hotel
Syöte
Fatbike / E-fatbike Rental
Syöte
Bowling
Kempele
Tapas Dinner for two
Kempele
Syöte Booking Centre Cottages in Rokua
Utajärvi
Park Hotel Liminka
Liminka
Cottages in Kelosyöte area
Syöte
Taigalampi Log Villa in Syöte
Pudasjärvi
Local crafts, wildherbs and baking
Pudasjärvi
Merilä Manor Saunas
Utajärvi
Hanhilampi Wilderness Camp
Syöte
STORY OF THE RIVER – adventure in Oulujoki
Muhos
Natureyoga
Pudasjärvi
Arctic Hilltop Boutique Hotel Iso-Syöte
Syöte
KIDE Hotel by Iso-Syöte
Syöte
Countryside Hotel Merilä Manor
Utajärvi
Cottage area halfway into the Iso-Syöte fell
Syöte
Alpacafarm visit and walk in forest - Hanging out with alpacas in finnish nature!
Kempele
Tunturimajakylä cottage area in Syöte
Syöte
Local Taxi Services in Muhos
Muhos
Boreal Bird & Wildlife Photographing Tour
Syöte
Aparment Kievarinhovi
Kempele
Hotel Pohjankievari
Kempele
Summer activities for groups
Pudasjärvi
Black Suites
Kempele
Fatbike rental
Kempele
Three National Parks Summer Adventure
Syöte
Cottages around Syöte
Syöte
ATV Rental
Pudasjärvi
Geo-x-on Outdoor Equipment Rental
Muhos
Bike Park package
Syöte
Iso-Syöte Snow World
Syöte
Cottages in Pytkynharju and Arola cottage area in Syöte
Syöte
Hotel Liminka Bay
Liminka
Pärjä Ski Suites – stylish accommodation next to slopes
Syöte
Wilderness hotel Rokuanhovi
Utajärvi
Charter buses to Syöte
Syöte
Syötteen Mökit Cottages Tapio and Tellervo
Syöte
Puikkari swimming hall
Pudasjärvi
Aurora View Suite / Arctic Hilltop Boutique Hotel Iso-Syöte
Syöte
Soundbath relaxation
Pudasjärvi
Arctic Spa
Syöte
Aurora Hut Pytkyigloos
Syöte
Youth centre Pikku-Syöte
Pudasjärvi
Fell Top Cottages / Iso-Syöte hilltop
Syöte
Guided summer safaris at Syöte
Syöte
On the Traces of the Ice Age - Lake Oulujärvi
Vaala
Massage
Kempele
Cottages in Riihikumpu area in Syöte
Syöte
Liminka Bay: Guided visit to birdtower
Liminka
Bike Rental Shop - Lapland Bike Hotel Iso-Syöte
Syöte
Syöte Camping, short-term space
Syöte