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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Summer activities for groups
Pudasjärvi
On the Traces of the Ice Age - Lake Oulujärvi
Vaala
Kuuru Tunturilaakso Suites
Syöte
Hanhilampi Wilderness Camp
Syöte
Fatbike rental Liminka
Liminka
Pärjä Ski Suites – stylish accommodation next to slopes
Syöte
Park Hotel Liminka
Liminka
Restaurant Hilltop
Syöte
Rosso Restaurant Kempele
Kempele
On The Traces Of The Ice Age - The Oulujoki River Valley
Muhos
Guided summer safaris at Syöte
Syöte
GEOfood restaurant of Manamansalon Portti
Manamansalo
Kurttila cottages
Utajärvi
Local Taxi Services in Liminka
Liminka
Fell Top Cottages / Iso-Syöte hilltop
Syöte
Bike Park guidance lesson
Syöte
Fatbike rental
Kempele
Guided Tour from Oulu to the Rokua National Park with a private guide
Utajärvi
Wilderness hotel Rokuanhovi
Utajärvi
Meeting services
Syöte
Horse riding in Syöte
Syöte
Bike rental in summer
Syöte
Food & drinks
Kempele
Massage
Kempele
Merilä Manor Saunas
Utajärvi
Arctic Spa
Syöte
Cottages in Riihikumpu area in Syöte
Syöte
Syöte Visitor Centre
Pudasjärvi
Liminka Disc Golf Course
Liminka
Bike Park package
Syöte
Manamansalon Portti caravan and apartments
Manamansalo
Through time and food - Culinary and cultural workshop
Muhos
Syöte Cottage
Syöte
Narrated Escape Room of Pitojen Helmi
Liminka
Through time and food - Holiday Package Chalet stay + culinary and cultural workshop
Muhos
Cottages in Kelosyöte area
Syöte
Kelosyöte/Kotacafe
Syöte
Kelo Cottages / Iso-Syöte hilltop
Syöte
Syöte Camping, short-term space
Syöte
Syötteen Mökit Cottages
Syöte
Aurora View Suite / Arctic Hilltop Boutique Hotel Iso-Syöte
Syöte
Taigalampi Log Villa in Syöte
Pudasjärvi
Akupuncture and energy healing treatments
Kempele
Cafe Hilltop
Syöte
Syötteen Mökit Cottages Tapio and Tellervo
Syöte
ATV Rental
Pudasjärvi
Phoenix Suite / Arctic Hilltop Boutique Hotel Iso-Syöte
Syöte
Syöte Booking Centre
Syöte
Bike Rental Shop - Lapland Bike Hotel Iso-Syöte
Syöte
Rokuanhovi Cabins
Utajärvi
Deep Healing Sound Journey: Singing Bowl Therapy & Gentle Movement
Liminka
The Blue Pine Cottage – Sauna in the Tranquility of the Countryside
Liminka
Panoramic Chalets with Sauna in Rokua UNESCO Geopark
Muhos
Iso-Syöte Snow World
Syöte
Taikaloora Cottages
Vaala
Go Arctic activities - Fatbike trip in Liminka
Liminka
Charter buses to Syöte
Syöte
Mountain biking and hiking route - Köykkyrin retkireitistö
Kempele
Relaxing Forest Mind trip in Syöte National Park
Syöte
Guided Tour in Historical Liminka
Liminka
Arctic Hilltop Boutique Hotel Iso-Syöte
Syöte
Riding
Liminka
Syöte Booking Centre Cottages in Rokua
Utajärvi
Taigalampi Rental Villa
Pudasjärvi
Aurora Hut Pytkyigloos
Syöte
Liminka Bay Visitor Centre
Liminka
Natureyoga
Pudasjärvi
Cottages in Hulhava area in Syöte
Syöte
Alpacafarm visit and walk in forest - Hanging out with alpacas in finnish nature!
Kempele
Rantakylä Recreational Area in Liminka
Liminka
Aparment Kievarinhovi
Kempele
Puikkari swimming hall
Pudasjärvi
Sports hall
Pudasjärvi
Soundbath relaxation
Pudasjärvi
Syöte Taxi services
Syöte
Forest Nature School in Rokua - Naturest Oy
Utajärvi
Go Arctic Activities - Reindeer Farm Visit
Pudasjärvi
Restaurant Liminka Bay
Liminka
Stand Up Paddling
Pudasjärvi
Three National Parks Summer Adventure
Syöte
Trail biking experience in the Syöte National Park
Syöte
Cottages around Syöte
Syöte
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Tunturi Pub
Syöte
Enjoy a Relaxing Stay in the Peaceful Countryside
Liminka
Karsikkolampi smoke sauna
Syöte
Pikku-Koski - live like a local gottage
Vaala
Airport Hotel Oulu
Kempele
Bistoria Iso-Syöte
Pudasjärvi
Restaurant at KIDE Hotel
Syöte
KIDE Hotel by Iso-Syöte
Syöte
Guided Mountain Biking tours from Pikku-Syöte
Syöte
Kelosyöte/Aten mökit
Syöte
Rent a Canoe or Kayak in Syöte
Syöte
Syöte Camping, seasonal space
Syöte
Hotel Pohjankievari
Kempele
Cottage area halfway into the Iso-Syöte fell
Syöte
Gym & Group Activities
Kempele
Guided fatbike tour
Pudasjärvi
Restaurant Romekievari - Tennessee BBQ house and the home of waffles
Syöte
Liminka Bay: Guided visit to birdtower
Liminka
Geocaching in Liminka
Liminka
Canoeing Trip in Syöte
Syöte
Liminka Bay: Guided tour to the Eight Seasons of Birds' Year -exhibition
Liminka
Black Suites
Kempele
Eagle View Suite / Arctic Hilltop Boutique Hotel Iso-Syöte
Syöte
Hotel Liminka Bay
Liminka
Adventure into the Goahti, Syöte National Park
Pudasjärvi
Bistro Pikku-Syöte
Syöte
Hotel Pikku-Syöte
Syöte
Winter activities for groups
Syöte
Nature Power from a forest in Rokua - Naturest Oy
Utajärvi
Cottages in Pikku-Syöte area
Syöte
Northern lights hunting by car in Syöte
Pudasjärvi
Gym at KIDE Hotel
Syöte
Bowling
Kempele
Iso-Syöte Bike Park
Syöte
Cottages in Ollukka area in Syöte
Syöte
Countryside Hotel Merilä Manor
Utajärvi
Local crafts, wildherbs and baking
Pudasjärvi
Cottages in Pytkynharju and Arola cottage area in Syöte
Syöte
Holiday apartment accomodation in the heart of Muhos
Muhos
Guided Tour in Alakestilä Botanical Garden, Liminka
Liminka
Local Taxi Services in Muhos
Muhos
Go Arctic group activities - Team Path in Liminka
Liminka
Boreal Bird & Wildlife Photographing Tour
Syöte
Kerkkä Cafe & Lunch
Pudasjärvi
Bear Cave Suite / Arctic Hilltop Boutique Hotel Iso-Syöte
Syöte
Fatbike / E-fatbike Rental
Syöte
All Syöte's activities from Syöte Booking Centre
Syöte
Laukanranta B&B
Muhos
Tunturimajakylä cottage area in Syöte
Syöte
Fatbike Tour in Syöte National Park
Pudasjärvi
Syöte Taxi
Syöte