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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Flatland Route touring cycle route
Liminka
Taigalampi Rental Villa
Pudasjärvi
Sports hall
Pudasjärvi
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Tunturi Pub
Syöte
Pikku-Koski - live like a local gottage
Vaala
Syötteen Mökit Cottages
Syöte
Villa Hilikkula
Vaala
Cottages in Riihikumpu area in Syöte
Syöte
Tunturimajakylä cottage area in Syöte
Syöte
Making of Individual Spice Mix
Syöte
Fell Top Cottages / Iso-Syöte hilltop
Syöte
Bike rental in summer
Syöte
Alpacafarm visit and walk in forest - Hanging out with alpacas in finnish nature!
Kempele
Countryside Hotel Merilä Manor
Utajärvi
Arctic Hilltop Boutique Hotel Iso-Syöte
Syöte
Rokuanhovi Cabins
Utajärvi
Guided Tour in Old Liminka
Liminka
Horseback riding
Liminka
Winter activities for groups
Syöte
A Relaxed Group Tour into Culture and Nature
Liminka
Syöte Taxi services
Syöte
Hotel Pohjankievari
Kempele
Hideouts Dining
Vaala
Charter buses to Syöte
Syöte
On The Traces Of The Ice Age - The Oulujoki River Valley
Muhos
Liminka Bay: Guided visit to birdtower
Liminka
Merilä Manor Saunas
Utajärvi
e-Fatbike Safari with Campfire Meal
Kempele
Guided E-Fatbike Safari in Liminka
Liminka
Relaxing Forest Mind trip in Syöte National Park
Syöte
Gym at KIDE Hotel
Syöte
Guided Mountain Biking tours from Pikku-Syöte
Syöte
Bistoria Iso-Syöte
Pudasjärvi
Taigalampi Log Villa in Syöte
Pudasjärvi
Cottages in Hulhava area in Syöte
Syöte
Syöte Taxi
Syöte
Rejuvenating Day Retreat by the Sea
Liminka
Gym & Group Activities
Kempele
Bowling
Kempele
Cottages around Syöte
Syöte
Villa Lichen
Vaala
Phoenix Suite / Arctic Hilltop Boutique Hotel Iso-Syöte
Syöte
Laukanranta B&B
Muhos
Adventure into the Goahti, Syöte National Park
Pudasjärvi
Guided walking & cycling tours in Liminka and in Oulu area
Liminka
Iso-Syöte Snow World
Syöte
Guided tours at Kempele
Kempele
Local crafts, wildherbs and baking
Pudasjärvi
Syötteen Mökit Cottages Tapio and Tellervo
Syöte
Enjoy a Relaxing Stay in the Peaceful Countryside
Liminka
Cottages in Ollukka area in Syöte
Syöte
Boreal Bird & Wildlife Photographing Tour
Syöte
Bike Park package
Syöte
Cottages in Pytkynharju and Arola cottage area in Syöte
Syöte
Stand Up Paddling
Pudasjärvi
Cottage area halfway into the Iso-Syöte fell
Syöte
Team Path in Liminka Bay Resort
Liminka
Kartanokahvila Kaisa Café
Liminka
Villa Salmi
Vaala
Work wellbeing day
Pudasjärvi
Food & drinks
Kempele
Bike Rental Shop - Lapland Bike Hotel Iso-Syöte
Syöte
Northern lights hunting by car in Syöte
Pudasjärvi
Accommodation in Utajärvi at the idyllic Pappila
Utajärvi
Cafe Abraham's
Liminka
Liminka Disc Golf Course
Liminka
Massage
Kempele
Canoeing Trip in Syöte
Syöte
Car Rental
Syöte
Merilä Manor restaurant upon request
Utajärvi
Eagle View Suite / Arctic Hilltop Boutique Hotel Iso-Syöte
Syöte
Kuuru Tunturilaakso Suites
Syöte
Heptathlon
Liminka
Bike Park guidance lesson
Syöte
Cottages in Kelosyöte area
Syöte
Fatbike / E-fatbike Rental
Syöte
Yoga Class
Liminka
Rosso Restaurant Kempele
Kempele
Restaurant at KIDE Hotel
Syöte
Restaurant Liminka Bay
Liminka
Local Taxi Services in Liminka
Liminka
Guided Tour from Oulu to the Rokua National Park with a private guide
Utajärvi
THE HUT EXPERIENCE
Syöte
Sightseeing ride - Iso-Syöte Express
Pudasjärvi
Geocaching in Liminka
Liminka
Narrated Escape Room of Pitojen Helmi
Liminka
Villa Swan
Vaala
Guided tour to the Eight Seasons of Birds' Year -exhibition in Liminka Bay
Liminka
Black Suites
Kempele
Kelosyöte/Aten mökit
Syöte
Through time and food - Culinary and cultural workshop
Muhos
The Head of Tribe
Liminka
Natureyoga
Pudasjärvi
Syöte Cottage
Syöte
Wine Tasting
Liminka
Cottages in Luokkavaara area in Syöte
Syöte
The Blue Pine Cottage – Sauna in the Tranquility of the Countryside
Liminka
Guided fatbike tour
Pudasjärvi
Restaurant Hilltop
Syöte
Panoramic Chalets with Sauna in Rokua UNESCO Geopark
Muhos
Go Arctic Events - Theme parties
Liminka
Fatbike trip in Liminka
Liminka
On the Traces of the Ice Age - Lake Oulujärvi
Vaala
KIDE Hotel by Iso-Syöte
Syöte
TRADITIONAL SMOKE SAUNA & ICE SWIMMING
Syöte
Arctic Spa
Syöte
Lake Oulu Luxury Hideouts
Vaala
Syöte Camping, seasonal space
Syöte
Syöte Booking Centre
Syöte
Bear Cave Suite / Arctic Hilltop Boutique Hotel Iso-Syöte
Syöte
Cafe Hilltop
Syöte
Rent a Canoe or Kayak in Syöte
Syöte
Airport Hotel Oulu
Kempele
Kurttila cottages
Utajärvi
Deep Healing Sound Journey: Singing Bowl Therapy & Gentle Movement
Liminka
Relax & Reconnect in Pure Finnish Nature
Liminka
Craft Upcycle Workshop
Liminka
Discover the Hidden Gems of Liminka – Cycling Tour Through Nature, Culture & History
Liminka
Aurora View Suite / Arctic Hilltop Boutique Hotel Iso-Syöte
Syöte
Pärjä Ski Suites – stylish accommodation next to slopes
Syöte
Hotel Liminka Bay
Liminka
Hanhilampi Wilderness Camp
Syöte
Trail biking experience in the Syöte National Park
Syöte
Akupuncture and energy healing treatments
Kempele
Riverside Lodge Vääräkorva
Vaala
Traditional tar olympics
Liminka
Guided summer safaris at Syöte
Syöte
Mountain biking and hiking route - Köykkyrin retkireitistö
Kempele
Feel the Power of Nature in Rokua - Naturest Oy
Utajärvi
Traditional Games
Liminka
Kelosyöte/Kotacafe
Syöte
Puikkari swimming hall
Pudasjärvi
Aurora Hut Pytkyigloos
Syöte
Rantakylä Recreational Area in Liminka
Liminka
Karsikkolampi smoke sauna
Syöte
GEOfood restaurant of Manamansalon Portti
Manamansalo
Family Accommodation at Rokua UNESCO Geopark
Muhos
Soundbath relaxation
Pudasjärvi
Hotel Pikku-Syöte
Syöte
Paintball Areena
Liminka
Educational Learning Programmes in Rokua UNESCO Global Geopark
Muhos
Aparment Kievarinhovi
Kempele
Guided bus tours in Liminka and neighbouring municipalities
Liminka
Park Hotel Liminka
Liminka
All Syöte's activities from Syöte Booking Centre
Syöte
Majatalo Varis - a guesthouse in the middle of Rokua Geopark
Vaala
Kelo Cottages / Iso-Syöte hilltop
Syöte
Wilderness hotel Rokuanhovi
Utajärvi
Merilä Manor View Sauna
Utajärvi
Forest Learning Camps for Student Groups in Rokua Geopark by Naturest
Utajärvi
Guided Mushroom Trip in Syöte area
Syöte
Syöte Booking Centre Cottages in Rokua
Utajärvi
Cottages in Pikku-Syöte area
Syöte
Holiday apartment accomodation in the heart of Muhos
Muhos
Leo's Kempele
Kempele
Villa Pine Point
Vaala
Iso-Syöte Bike Park
Syöte
SEES SCENT LAB
Syöte
Taikaloora Cottages
Vaala
Go Arctic activities - Fatbike trip in Liminka
Liminka
Three National Parks Summer Adventure
Syöte
Inhouse Derby
Liminka
Local Food Visit
Syöte
ATV Rental
Pudasjärvi
Meeting services
Syöte
Syöte Camping, short-term space
Syöte
Go Arctic Activities - Reindeer Farm Visit
Pudasjärvi
Manamansalon Portti caravan and apartments
Manamansalo
Summer activities for groups
Pudasjärvi
Guided Tour in Alakestilä Botanical Garden, Liminka
Liminka