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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Go Arctic activities - Fatbike trip in Liminka

Three National Parks Summer Adventure

Puikkari swimming hall

Aurora View Suite / Arctic Hilltop Boutique Hotel Iso-Syöte

Restaurant Liminka Bay

Rejuvenating Day Retreat by the Sea

Forest Nature School in Rokua - Naturest Oy

Bike Park package

Massage

Soundbath relaxation

Cottages in Kelosyöte area

Bike rental in summer

Syöte Visitor Centre

Fatbike / E-fatbike Rental

KIDE Hotel by Iso-Syöte

Nature Power from a forest in Rokua - Naturest Oy

Cottages in Ollukka area in Syöte

Karsikkolampi smoke sauna

Narrated Escape Room of Pitojen Helmi

Rent a Canoe or Kayak in Syöte

Guided summer safaris at Syöte

Fatbike rental Liminka

Guided Mountain Biking tours from Pikku-Syöte

Adventure into the Goahti, Syöte National Park

Rokuanhovi Cabins

Syöte Booking Centre Cottages in Rokua

Taigalampi Log Villa in Syöte

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

Cottages around Syöte

Gym & Group Activities

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

Black Suites

Cafe Hilltop

Hotel Liminka Bay

Aurora Hut Pytkyigloos

Syöte Camping, seasonal space

Wilderness hotel Rokuanhovi

Restaurant at KIDE Hotel

Kerkkä Cafe & Lunch

Boreal Bird & Wildlife Photographing Tour

Akupuncture and energy healing treatments

Restaurant Hilltop

Trail biking experience in the Syöte National Park

Guided fatbike tour
Syötteen Mökit Cottages Tapio and Tellervo

Horseback riding

Cottage area halfway into the Iso-Syöte fell

Geocaching in Liminka

Park Hotel Liminka

Fatbike Tour in Syöte National Park

Guided Tour in Alakestilä Botanical Garden, Liminka

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

Go Arctic Activities - Reindeer Farm Visit

Rosso Restaurant Kempele

Paintball Areena

Pärjä Ski Suites – stylish accommodation next to slopes

Laukanranta B&B

Syöte Taxi

Panoramic Chalets with Sauna in Rokua UNESCO Geopark

Syöte Taxi services

Fell Top Cottages / Iso-Syöte hilltop

Bear Cave Suite / Arctic Hilltop Boutique Hotel Iso-Syöte

On the Traces of the Ice Age - Lake Oulujärvi

Horse riding in Syöte

Charter buses to Syöte

Work wellbeing day

Kelosyöte/Aten mökit

Taigalampi Rental Villa

Cottages in Pikku-Syöte area

Tunturimajakylä cottage area in Syöte

Arctic Hilltop Boutique Hotel Iso-Syöte

Phoenix Suite / Arctic Hilltop Boutique Hotel Iso-Syöte

Winter activities for groups

GEOfood restaurant of Manamansalon Portti

Food & drinks
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Tunturi Pub

Bike Rental Shop - Lapland Bike Hotel Iso-Syöte

Holiday apartment accomodation in the heart of Muhos

All Syöte's activities from Syöte Booking Centre

Manamansalon Portti caravan and apartments

Liminka Disc Golf Course

Canoeing Trip in Syöte

Aparment Kievarinhovi

Rantakylä Recreational Area in Liminka

Restaurant Romekievari - Tennessee BBQ house and the home of waffles

Wine Tasting

Summer activities for groups

Yoga Class

Countryside Hotel Merilä Manor

Fatbike rental

Cafe Abraham's

Liminka Bay Visitor Centre

Enjoy a Relaxing Stay in the Peaceful Countryside

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

Deep Healing Sound Journey: Singing Bowl Therapy & Gentle Movement

Kurttila cottages

Cottages in Hulhava area in Syöte

Taikaloora Cottages

Cottages in Pytkynharju and Arola cottage area in Syöte

Hanhilampi Wilderness Camp

Kuuru Tunturilaakso Suites

Relax & Reconnect in Pure Finnish Nature

Pikku-Koski - live like a local gottage

Kelo Cottages / Iso-Syöte hilltop

Bistoria Iso-Syöte

Eagle View Suite / Arctic Hilltop Boutique Hotel Iso-Syöte

Local Taxi Services in Liminka

Syöte Cottage

Hotel Pohjankievari

Local crafts, wildherbs and baking

Syötteen Mökit Cottages

Hotel Pikku-Syöte

Natureyoga

Through time and food - Culinary and cultural workshop

Bistro Pikku-Syöte

Sports hall

Cottages in Riihikumpu area in Syöte

Northern lights hunting by car in Syöte

Bike Park guidance lesson

Airport Hotel Oulu

Merilä Manor Saunas

Meeting services
Gym at KIDE Hotel

Syöte Booking Centre

Guided Tour in Old Liminka

Go Arctic group activities - Team Path in Liminka

Iso-Syöte Bike Park

Mountain biking and hiking route - Köykkyrin retkireitistö

Liminka Bay: Guided visit to birdtower

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

Bowling

Iso-Syöte Snow World

ATV Rental

Kelosyöte/Kotacafe

Syöte Camping, short-term space

Arctic Spa

Relaxing Forest Mind trip in Syöte National Park

Local Taxi Services in Muhos

Stand Up Paddling

Through time and food - Holiday Package Chalet stay + culinary and cultural workshop
