Harjuluontopolku trail

Distance 5,1 km

Duration 1h 30min

Easy

The route follows the highest ridge of Hämeenkangas, Soininharju, and leads through open heath meadows and pine forests to the top of the spruce forested Niiniharju, where a shelter provides is a good place for a pause. From Niiniharju, the route moves to the northern slopes of Hämeenkangas and follows it to the starting point. Along the way, you’ll explore a landscape shaped by the ice age and ancient coastline, featuring numerous kettle holes, ridges, sand and dunes of various sizes. The slopes of the upper parts of Hämeenkangas are steep and landscapes open up from the ridge in some places. Hämeenkangas and its sites are part of Lauhanvuori - Hämeenkangas UNESCO Global Geopark.

In addition to the Niiniharju shelter, there is two lean-to shelters along the route: Soininharju and Jämi-Jukola.

More about the route

Difficulty

Easy

Distance

5,1 km

Duration

1:30 h

Ascent

43 m

Descent

43 m

Highest point

185 m

Lowest point

142 m

Information maintained by

Metsähallitus

Plan your trip

Turn-by-turn directions

Behind the Jämi arena is a gate with information boards, behind which the path to Soininharju begins. Follow the path up to an open hill and from there continue following the path to the along the ridge. After a while, the path crosses a sand area. After that, the path widens and follows the Soininharju until it connects to the bottom of the trail. Follow the trail bottom until the path forks to the right into the spruce forests towards Niiniharju shelter.

From Niiniharju shelter, continue following the nature trail signs. After the old cart track, the path continues downhill, turning slightly to the left, and finally leads to the northern slope of Hämeenkangas. The trail continues to follow the northern slope up to the Jämi-Jukola lean-to shelter. After the lean-to shelter, the path descends below the north slope, and continues in gently undulating terrain towards Jämi. After about 800 m after the shelter the trail winds back up the ridge, close to the observation tower. From the tower, the path continues down by the lean-to shelter of Soininharju and descends back to the gate where the route started.

Directions

Public transport

No public transport.

By roadFrom the south or north along Highway 3 to Ikaalinen, where from the Kilvakkala junction follow the signs to Hämeenkangas to the west on road no. 261 to Jämijärvi. From Jämijärvi, follow the signs for Hämeenkangas to the parking area of the Jämi Arena (Jämintie 657, Jämijärvi).

From the main road 44 to the Kankaanpää roundabout, where you turn towards Parkano. After about 8 km, turn towards Jämijärvi. After about 13 km, follow the signs towards Hämeenkangas, and continue to the parking area of the Jämi Arena.

From the west, take Highway 23 8 km past Kankaanpää and turn towards Lake Jämijärvi. After about 13 km, follow the signs towards Hämeenkangas, and continue to the parking area of the Jämi Arena.

From the east, following highway 23, drive about 18 km from Parkano, turn towards Jämijärvi at Kuusijoki. Follow the signs to Jämijärvi and continue from the agglomeration following the signs to Hämeenkangas to the parking area of the Jämi Arena.

Parking

Free

Equipment

see www.nationalparks.fi

Open in Outdooractive

'Healthy climate'

Cultural/historical interest

Dog-friendly

Family-friendly

Fauna

Geological highlights

Refreshment stops available