Isojoki – An honestly good municipality
The southernmost municipality of South Ostrobothnia with a population of a few thousand, Isojoki invites tourists to visit the enchanting beauty of Lauhanvuori National Park and other nature sites as well as enjoy the cultural offerings of the municipality. Experience breathtaking views from the top of the observation tower on Lauhanvuori hill, the highest point in Western Finland.
Taste the best burgers around at the Kangasjärvi camping area and dive into the crystal clear water of Kangasjärvi, one of our Geopark’s gems. Enjoy fishing the clean water of the Isojoki river and wonder at the spawning migration of sea trout as they climb their way to the river’s headwaters. Come and enjoy the Lauhan Spelit folk music festival, which is held in the heart of Geopark every year at the end of July. This is the largest traditional folk music event in South Ostrobothnia. Winter in Isojoki promises hikers, skis and other tourists experiences similar to those found in Lapland.
Jämijärvi – Small and vibrant
With a population of 1,700, the North Satakunta municipality of Jämijärvi is a treasure trove for those keen on active endeavours, and the Hämeenkangas area is Mother Nature’s gift to people who love the outdoors. The open heath forests are easy to hike and bike, and the area’s numerous huts and lean-to shelters offer visitors a place to rest or stay overnight. The beautiful lake tucked at the foot of an esker is the ideal spot for, among other things, paddling trips. A wide variety of aviation activities can be found in Jämi. So, having your head in the clouds is perfectly acceptable here!
Kankaanpää – Home of intelligence, art and well-being.
Kankaanpää is the centre of the North Satakunta sub-region. The city of art and culture with a population of about 12,500 inhabitants is a living and trading place characterised by nature. The award-winning cityscape of Kankaanpää is dominated by beautiful parks, brick architecture and the unique Circle of Art, which is an outdoor gallery with more than 100 artworks permanently placed in the urban environment.
Known for its Finnish baseball (pesäpallo), the city’s wide range of sporting activities offer challenges for fitness buffs and anyone wanting to get active. Located in the Honkajoki area, Huidankeidas has one of the most fascinating raised bog landscapes in Finland. Hämeenkangas offers excellent terrain for hikes. The agricultural history of the area can be seen in the nationally valuable landscape area of Vihteljärvi-Riihonlahti.
Kankaanpää municipality website
Karijoki – In the middle of a bit of everything
With its population of 1,200, the municipality of Karijoki is located on the south-west side of South Ostrobothnia. It offers tourists a glimpse into the distant past of humankind, not to mention wide-open landscapes and closeness to nature. Neanderthals may have inhabited Susiluola (Wolf Cave) in Karijoki as early as 120,000 years ago. This ancient settlement can be explored at Susiluola itself and the Wolf Cave Information Centre in Wanha Kunnantupa.
Karvia – Marching to the beat of its own drum
With a population of 2,300, Karvia, the northernmost municipality of Satakunta, offers tourists a taste of both art and nature. The cultural offerings in Karvia are impressive for such a small municipality. Inspired by the fortress that occupied the site in the Middle Ages, Cultural Centre Skantz is a venue for hosting a wide variety of high-profile events. Visitors will be enchanted by the area’s natural beauty, especially in Kauhaneva-Pohjankangas National Park.
Kauhajoki – Savour life with Ostrobothnian flair
Kauhajoki, with its two national parks, is a regional centre of 13,200 inhabitants in South Ostrobothnia. In Kauhajoki, visitors can experience the union of nature and culture in its magnificent destinations.
Hyypänjoki Valley is a nationally valuable landscape area and one of the largest natural formations in Western Finland. The valley describes the region’s long agricultural history. Katikankanjoni is an enchantingly beautiful and peaceful canyon carved into the rock by running water. Its mystical riverbeds form rare surface contours in the western Finnish landscape.
In Kauhajoki, you should also explore its many interesting museums, such as the museum of local history and the hall that served as the chamber of Parliament during the Winter War.
Kauhajoki municipality website
Kihniö – Enjoy restful nature and relaxation
With its population of 1,900, the north-west Pirkanmaa municipality of Kihniö offers visitors Pirkanmaa nature at its finest. The charming sandy beach of Pyhänniemi, stately Käskyvuori hill and Taimenkoski Rapids can’t be missed. Silent forests, expansive mires and dozens of lakes give the area a wilderness feel. You can familiarise yourself with the history of the area and its notable historical figures at the charming Aitoneva Peat Museum or at the Puumila Cultural Centre.
Parkano – In the middle of nature, close to services
With a population of 6,400, Parkano is a regional centre in the north-west of Pirkanmaa. For many visitors, the Parkano railway station is the gateway to Geopark. Visitors are spoilt for choice by Parkano’s wide variety of cultural offerings and great nature sites.
An interesting destination is the Forest Museum, which presents the history of forest work on the shore of Lake Kaitojenvesi. From the museum, you can start hiking on nature trails into wilderness-like lakeshore landscapes. Alkkianvuori’s hiking trails offer nature experiences in diverse forest nature.
Siikainen – Nature ahead
With its 1,300 residents, the North Satakunta municipality of Siikainen is a showcase for the area’s unique rustic architecture. A speciality of Siikainen, hexagonal, jewellery box-like glass verandas, tell of the prosperity that the area enjoyed in the 19th century. The valuable rural landscapes of Siikainen also include wilderness areas, raised bogs and lakes. From the Katselmankallio tower, visitors can take in views of the expansive Haapakeidas wetland conservation area.
