Experience Nature destinations on the Pohjola route - Pohjolan Rengastie

Perspectives into Northern nature on seashores, fells, ridges and dunes

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.

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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Manamansalon Portin camping-alueen ranta

Manamansalon Portti caravan and apartments

Manamansalo

Sports hall

Pudasjärvi
Birdwatching tower at Liminka Bay and people watching the birds.

Geocaching in Liminka

Liminka
Syvyydenkaivo, Rokua

Guided Tour from Oulu to the Rokua National Park with a private guide

Utajärvi
Olohuone

Holiday apartment accomodation in the heart of Muhos

Muhos

Akupuncture and energy healing treatments

Kempele

Go Arctic Activities - Reindeer Farm Visit

Pudasjärvi
KIDE Finland's Best Ski Hotel

KIDE Hotel by Iso-Syöte

Syöte
Cafe Abraham's

Cafe Abraham's

Liminka
Olden Vicarage in winter

Accommodation in Utajärvi at the idyllic Pappila

Utajärvi

Leo's Kempele

Kempele

Making of Individual Spice Mix

Syöte

SEES SCENT LAB

Syöte
Syötteen Eräpalvelut kesäsafarit river tubing

Guided summer safaris at Syöte

Syöte

Rent a Canoe or Kayak in Syöte

Syöte
Syöte keskusvaraamo kelomökit tykkypuut

Tunturimajakylä cottage area in Syöte

Syöte
Hotel Iso-Syöte Phoenix Suite Winter View

Phoenix Suite / Arctic Hilltop Boutique Hotel Iso-Syöte

Syöte
Luxury Hideouts offers unique villas and private hotel. When you book accommodation for us we offer our guests also activities and fine dining (starts from Sept.) Oulujärvi is our deepest love and offers it`s beauty in every season.

Lake Oulu Luxury Hideouts

Vaala

Guided tours at Kempele

Kempele

Wine Tasting

Liminka
Kelosyöte Aten mökit/Satu 31

Kelosyöte/Aten mökit

Syöte
Aappola, Old Liminka

Guided Tour in Old Liminka

Liminka
RockMachine E90 E-FatBike

Fatbike / E-fatbike Rental

Syöte
group excursion in Syöte national park

Trail biking experience in the Syöte National Park

Syöte
Wellamo kesä

Syötteen Mökit Cottages

Syöte

Guided tour to the Eight Seasons of Birds' Year -exhibition in Liminka Bay

Liminka

Taigalampi Log Villa in Syöte

Pudasjärvi
boulisvadilla

Food & drinks

Kempele
Bridge in Alakestilä Botanical Garden

Guided Tour in Alakestilä Botanical Garden, Liminka

Liminka

Taikaloora Cottages

Vaala
bouliskeilaus

Bowling

Kempele
Revontulet

All Syöte's activities from Syöte Booking Centre

Syöte
Nuori seisoo kaatuneen puunrungon päällä metsässä. Toinen auttaa pitämään tasapainon.

Forest Learning Camps for Student Groups in Rokua Geopark by Naturest

Utajärvi
Pikku-Koski

Pikku-Koski - live like a local gottage

Vaala
Twin room

Hotel Pohjankievari

Kempele
Premium cabin at Lake Oulujärvi in Rokua Geopark.

Villa Swan

Vaala

A Relaxed Group Tour into Culture and Nature

Liminka
Boreal bird and wildlife tour - brown bear

Boreal Bird & Wildlife Photographing Tour

Syöte
Kelosyöte

Cottages in Kelosyöte area

Syöte

Team Path in Liminka Bay Resort

Liminka
Taigalampi Syöte

Taigalampi Rental Villa

Pudasjärvi
Iso-Syöte Express talvella

Sightseeing ride - Iso-Syöte Express

Pudasjärvi

Feel the Power of Nature in Rokua - Naturest Oy

Utajärvi
Aamiainen

Merilä Manor restaurant upon request

Utajärvi
In the living room, you can enjoy the sight of both the fireplace and the lake view at the same time.

Villa Pine Point

Vaala
Näkymä Iso-Syötteelle Luokkavaaran mökkialueelta

Cottages around Syöte

Syöte

Cottage area halfway into the Iso-Syöte fell

Syöte

Kartanokahvila Kaisa Café

Liminka
Two men playing Disc Golf in the forest.

Liminka Disc Golf Course

Liminka
Oulujoki on Suomen 7. suurin joki.

On The Traces Of The Ice Age - The Oulujoki River Valley

Muhos

Local crafts, wildherbs and baking

Pudasjärvi
Pllukka Syötteen keskusvaraamo vuokramökit

Cottages in Ollukka area in Syöte

Syöte
Hotel Iso-Syöte Hanhilampi Erämaaleiri

Hanhilampi Wilderness Camp

Syöte

Inhouse Derby

Liminka

Guided bus tours in Liminka and neighbouring municipalities

Liminka
Goahti is top of hill, next to the Syöte national park

Adventure into the Goahti, Syöte National Park

Pudasjärvi
pitojen helmi

The Blue Pine Cottage – Sauna in the Tranquility of the Countryside

Liminka
View from bird tower

Liminka Bay: Guided visit to birdtower

Liminka
Yoga class

Yoga Class

Liminka
The luxury cabin has been thoughtfully built with respect for the environment.

Villa Lichen

Vaala

Traditional tar olympics

Liminka
Hotel Iso-Syöte Aurora Suite Aurora View

Aurora View Suite / Arctic Hilltop Boutique Hotel Iso-Syöte

Syöte

Heptathlon

Liminka
Kotakahvio sisältä

Kelosyöte/Kotacafe

Syöte
Hotel Iso-Syöte Kelomökki kesä

Kelo Cottages / Iso-Syöte hilltop

Syöte
Alpaca walking in a forest

Alpacafarm visit and walk in forest - Hanging out with alpacas in finnish nature!

Kempele
Room of Aittahotelli

Countryside Hotel Merilä Manor

Utajärvi

Craft Upcycle Workshop

Liminka

Kurttila cottages

Utajärvi

Gym at KIDE Hotel

Syöte

Park Hotel Liminka

Liminka
Syöte Cottage

Syöte Cottage

Syöte

Fatbike trip in Liminka

Liminka

Syöte Taxi services

Syöte

Northern lights hunting by car in Syöte

Pudasjärvi

Hotel Liminka Bay

Liminka
Iso-Syöte Bike Park at the top

Iso-Syöte Bike Park

Syöte
Main building

Laukanranta B&B

Muhos
Manamansalon Portin ravintola

GEOfood restaurant of Manamansalon Portti

Manamansalo

Guided walking & cycling tours in Liminka and in Oulu area

Liminka

Wilderness hotel Rokuanhovi

Utajärvi

Kuuru Tunturilaakso Suites

Syöte
Hulhava mökkialue Syöte

Cottages in Hulhava area in Syöte

Syöte
Pikku-Syöte offers exceptional trails and sceneries for Mountain Biking around the year.

Guided Mountain Biking tours from Pikku-Syöte

Syöte
Hotel Iso-Syöte Bear Cave Suite Hot tube

Bear Cave Suite / Arctic Hilltop Boutique Hotel Iso-Syöte

Syöte

Iso-Syöte Snow World

Syöte

Rejuvenating Day Retreat by the Sea

Liminka
Hotel Iso-Syöte Arctic Spa Sauna

Arctic Spa

Syöte
Pytkynharju mökkialue Syöte järvi talvi

Cottages in Pytkynharju and Arola cottage area in Syöte

Syöte

Natureyoga

Pudasjärvi

Guided fatbike tour

Pudasjärvi
CanAm Outlander MAX 570 XU+

ATV Rental

Pudasjärvi

Winter activities for groups

Syöte
Forest Mind Trip in winter with snowshoes

Relaxing Forest Mind trip in Syöte National Park

Syöte
Savusauna

Merilä Manor Saunas

Utajärvi
easymove-kuntoutus-hieronta

Massage

Kempele
cooking by open fire

THE HUT EXPERIENCE

Syöte

Restaurant Liminka Bay

Liminka

Go Arctic activities - Fatbike trip in Liminka

Liminka

e-Fatbike Safari with Campfire Meal

Kempele
Auringonnousu

Aurora Hut Pytkyigloos

Syöte
pitojenhelmi

Enjoy a Relaxing Stay in the Peaceful Countryside

Liminka

Paintball Areena

Liminka

Karsikkolampi smoke sauna

Syöte

Car Rental

Syöte
Hotel Iso-Syöte wellbeing

Work wellbeing day

Pudasjärvi
Pikku-Syöte

Hotel Pikku-Syöte

Syöte
Hotel Iso-Syöte Meeting room

Meeting services

Syöte
Aparment Kievarinhovi

Aparment Kievarinhovi

Kempele
Kolme pyöräilijää pyöräilemässä soratiellä.

Flatland Route touring cycle route

Liminka

Syöte Booking Centre

Syöte
Luxury rental cabin on the shore of Lake Oulujärvi with a private sandy beach.

Villa Salmi

Vaala
Ilmakuva

Airport Hotel Oulu

Kempele

Family Accommodation at Rokua UNESCO Geopark

Muhos
Sijattu vuode ja pyyhkeet kuuluvat huoneen hintaan. Kuvassa sviitin parivuode sijattuna.

Majatalo Varis - a guesthouse in the middle of Rokua Geopark

Vaala
Sauna

Pärjä Ski Suites – stylish accommodation next to slopes

Syöte

Bike Park package

Syöte

Through time and food - Culinary and cultural workshop

Muhos

Horseback riding

Liminka

Local Food Visit

Syöte

Syötteen Mökit Cottages Tapio and Tellervo

Syöte
KIDE hotellilla pyöräilijöitä Iso-Syötteellä

Summer activities for groups

Pudasjärvi
Luokkavaaran mökkialuekartta

Cottages in Luokkavaara area in Syöte

Syöte

Local Taxi Services in Liminka

Liminka
Fireplace summer

Arctic Hilltop Boutique Hotel Iso-Syöte

Syöte

Narrated Escape Room of Pitojen Helmi

Liminka
Metsänkävijä -mökki Riihikummussa

Cottages in Riihikumpu area in Syöte

Syöte

Rokuanhovi Cabins

Utajärvi
Two men playing frisbee golf

Rantakylä Recreational Area in Liminka

Liminka

Soundbath relaxation

Pudasjärvi

Canoeing Trip in Syöte

Syöte
The living room offers views of the river.

Riverside Lodge Vääräkorva

Vaala
easymove-kuntosali-ryhmaliikunta

Gym & Group Activities

Kempele

Syöte Camping, seasonal space

Syöte

Guided Mushroom Trip in Syöte area

Syöte
Hotel Iso-Syöte Eagle View Suite

Eagle View Suite / Arctic Hilltop Boutique Hotel Iso-Syöte

Syöte

Syöte Camping, short-term space

Syöte
Oulujärvellä on upeita melontapaikkoja.

On the Traces of the Ice Age - Lake Oulujärvi

Vaala
Sun shines through the pine forest in Liminka

Relax & Reconnect in Pure Finnish Nature

Liminka

Guided E-Fatbike Safari in Liminka

Liminka
Liminka's church in the summer

Discover the Hidden Gems of Liminka – Cycling Tour Through Nature, Culture & History

Liminka
Merilä Näköalasauna

Merilä Manor View Sauna

Utajärvi

Traditional Games

Liminka

Bike Park guidance lesson

Syöte
Hideouts Dining is the private dining service for Lake Oulu Luxury Hideouts guests.

Hideouts Dining

Vaala

Deep Healing Sound Journey: Singing Bowl Therapy & Gentle Movement

Liminka

Syöte Taxi

Syöte
Fell Top Cottage

Fell Top Cottages / Iso-Syöte hilltop

Syöte
Savusauna

TRADITIONAL SMOKE SAUNA & ICE SWIMMING

Syöte
Café Hilltop cakes pies smoothies

Cafe Hilltop

Syöte
Fatbikeretki Syötteellä

Fatbike Tour in Syöte National Park

Pudasjärvi
Saimaa SUP Sun 10.6

Stand Up Paddling

Pudasjärvi
Big terrace area invites you to spend time outdoor.

Villa Hilikkula

Vaala
Three National Parks Summer Adventure in South Lapland - canoeing

Three National Parks Summer Adventure

Syöte

Restaurant at KIDE Hotel

Syöte

Panoramic Chalets with Sauna in Rokua UNESCO Geopark

Muhos
Hotel Iso-Syöte Pyörävuokraamo

Bike Rental Shop - Lapland Bike Hotel Iso-Syöte

Syöte

Black Suites

Kempele
Kyyhkylä 2

Syöte Booking Centre Cottages in Rokua

Utajärvi

Go Arctic Events - Theme parties

Liminka
Students studying winter nature in Rokua Geopark.

Educational Learning Programmes in Rokua UNESCO Global Geopark

Muhos
Seafood pasta.

Bistoria Iso-Syöte

Pudasjärvi
Puikkari julkisivu.

Puikkari swimming hall

Pudasjärvi
Saaga Travel largest charter bus is a 79-seater double-decker.

Charter buses to Syöte

Syöte
Mountain biking , Köykkyrin retkireitistö

Mountain biking and hiking route - Köykkyrin retkireitistö

Kempele

Bike rental in summer

Syöte
Bar / lobby area, entrance to restaurant

Restaurant Hilltop

Syöte
Rosso seating area

Rosso Restaurant Kempele

Kempele

Tunturi Pub

Syöte

The Head of Tribe

Liminka
Pikku-Syöte mökkialue keskusvaraamo talvi

Cottages in Pikku-Syöte area

Syöte