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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Iso-Syöte Snow World

Canoeing Trip in Syöte

Winter activities for groups

Life at Liminka Bay Multimedia Presentation

Mountain biking and hiking route - Köykkyrin retkireitistö

Paddling in Rokua Geopark

Airport Hotel Oulu

E-fatbiking and fatbiking in Rokua Geopark area
Gym at KIDE Hotel

Rent an electric fatbike

Relaxing Forest Mind trip in Syöte National Park

Cafe Hilltop

Restaurant at Hotel Pikku-Syöte
Kelosyöte/Kotacafe

Black Suites

Park Hotel Liminka

Horse riding in Syöte

Bike Rental Shop - Lapland Bike Hotel Iso-Syöte

Cottages in Pikku-Syöte area

Binocular Lending Liminka Bay Visitor's Centre

All Syöte's activities from Syöte Booking Centre

Kuuru Tunturilaakso Suites

On the Traces of the Ice Age - Lake Oulujärvi

Restaurant Romekievari - Tennessee BBQ house and the home of waffles

Taigalampi Rental Villa

Kelo Cottages / Iso-Syöte hilltop

Local Taxi Services in Liminka
Active camping Montta

Gym & Group Activities

Bistoria Iso-Syöte

Iso-Syöte Bike Park

Three National Parks Summer Adventure

Taxi services Syote

Syöte Camping, seasonal space

Bike Park package

Laukanranta B&B

Taxi services

Rosso Restaurant Kempele

Guided summer safaris at Syöte

Rantakylä Recreational Park - Liminka

Aurora View Suite / Arctic Hilltop Boutique Hotel Iso-Syöte

Cottage area halfway into the Iso-Syöte fell

Youth centre Pikku-Syöte

Bowling

Food & drinks

Bike Park guidance lesson

Rent a canoe or kayak

Cottages in Hulhava area in Syöte

Hanhilampi Wilderness Camp

Tapas Dinner for two

Massage

Tunturimajakylä cottage area in Syöte

Rent a fatbike

Fell Top Cottages / Iso-Syöte hilltop

Karsikkolampi smoke sauna

Bike rental in summer

Akupuncture and energy healing treatments

Pärjä Ski Suites – stylish accommodation next to slopes

Arctic Spa

Syöte Booking Centre

Taigalampi log villa

Arctic Hilltop Boutique Hotel Iso-Syöte

Meeting services

Restaurant Hilltop

Restaurant at KIDE Hotel

Pikku-Syöte caravan area

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

Boreal Bird & Wildlife Photographing Tour

Cottages in Pytkynharju and Arola cottage area in Syöte

Syötteen Mökit Cottages

Liminka Disc Golf Course

Cottages in Ollukka area in Syöte

Hotel Pikku-Syöte

Fatbike / E-fatbike Rental

Trail biking experience in the Syöte National Park

Meeting facilities at Hotel Pikku-Syöte

Eagle View Suite / Arctic Hilltop Boutique Hotel Iso-Syöte

Syöte Camping, short-term space
Syötteen Mökit Cottages Tapio and Tellervo

Kelosyöte/Aten mökit

Charter buses to Syöte

Bear Cave Suite / Arctic Hilltop Boutique Hotel Iso-Syöte

Syöte Cottage

Aparment Kievarinhovi

Hotel Pohjankievari

Pytkyigloos Aurora Hut

Cottages in Kelosyöte area

Cottages in Riihikumpu area in Syöte

Local Taxi Services in Muhos

Pancake trip in Syöte National Park

Puikkari swimming hall

Cottages around Syöte

Phoenix Suite / Arctic Hilltop Boutique Hotel Iso-Syöte

KIDE Hotel by Iso-Syöte
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Tunturi Pub

Geocaching Liminka

Guided Mountain Biking tours from Pikku-Syöte
