recommended route
South Ostrobothnia Geopark tour
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Pyöräilijöitä Hämes-Havusessa KauhajoellaPhoto: Mirja Koivisto, Lauhanvuori - Hämeenkangas UNESCO Global Geopark
A 174 km long cycling route that runs through plains and river valleys to the mires and hills of the watershed. The ring route starting from Kauhajoki bus station connects the services and attractions of the area and leads to the phenomena and events of the cultural history of the southern part of Southern Ostrobothnia.
The route goes through following towns: Kauhajoki, Karvia, Isojoki and Karijoki. There aretwo National Parks along the route: Lauhanvuori and Kauhaneva-Pohjankangas.
The section of road that runs through Lauhanvuori National Park rises to the highest point of the Geopark area and is open all year round. Kauhanevan-Pohjankangas National Park can be accessed from Nummikangas and Salomaa via road connections open during the summer season. The section of the medieval Kyrönkankaantie that runs through the Kauhaneva can only be reached by bicycle or on foot and offers an alternative route during the summer. Other Geopark destinations on the route are Hyypänjokilaakso, Susiluola and Iso-Kakkori.
The recommended direction of travel is clockwise. The route is a ring route and runs mainly along permanently paved and well-surfaced gravel roads.
Author’s recommendation
Track types
Rest stops
Helmin KortteeriSanssinkartano
Kotipata Kauhajoki
Nummijärvi Camping
Anne's Art Café
Kotipata Karvia
Lauhansarvi Nature Tourism Center
Café Meteora
Kangasjärvi camping site
Toron Kievari
Valkoinen Puu Cafe & Shop Kauhajoki
Hotel Kauhajoen Krouvi
Safety information
www.lhgeopark.fi/enTips and hints
www.lhgeopark.fi/enStart
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
Continue along the park road and at about 100 m continue straight from the junction. About 100 m away you reach the T-junction. Turn right and immediately right again onto Sussoonkuja street. Continue for about 400 m and then join Hyypäntie and continue for about 700 m to the south, turn left onto the pedestrian/cycle lane, continue for about 400 m and then turn right. Cross the road junction and continue straight on the light traffic lane for about 4 km.
When turning on road 44 towards Kankaanpää, turn right and follow the road for 200 m. Then turn left onto Jokimäentie, towards Hautalankylä. At the crossroads on the left side of the road as a landmark Hämes-Havunen. Continue on Jokimäentie for 13 kilometers to Hautalankylä. At 10 km it is possible to deviate to the right to the observation tower of the Hyypänjoki Valley, the distance from Jokimäentie is about 700 m along Pantintie.
In Hautalankylä, the name of the road changes to Hautalankyläntie, continue the road for about 1.3 km and then turn left towards Nummijärvi. Continue for about 6 km on Kivijärventie, and then turn left at the intersection of Nummilahdentie. Continue on Nummilahdentie for about 6 km, and then turn right onto Nummijärventie. Continue it for about 6 km. The route passes through the village of Nummijärvi. After the village, the name of the road changes to Karviantie, continuing for the next 10 km. Along the road at 1.2 km on the right side of the road are Lapinkaivo and Lapinharju as well as a famine monument.
1.7 km to the right is Kauhanevantie, which is part of the medieval Kyrönkankaantie. Kauhanevantie and Kyrönkankaantie on the Karvia side are an alternative route in the direction of Karvia via Elliharju. The section of the route crossing Kauhaneva can only be ridden by bicycle and the entire route can only be ridden during the summer season.
At the border of Karvia municipality, the name of the road changes to Ämmäläntie, it continues for 9 km. Arrive at the T-junction, switch to the light traffic lane, cross Sarvelantie and continue on the light traffic lane to the right, towards Karvia church village. After about 3 km on the left side of the road is Karvia Church.
The route continues from Karvia towards Kantti, along a pedestrian/cycle lane. In Kantti, the route moves for 1 km to Karviantie, but then switches back to the light traffic route. The light traffic route ends at Kauraharjuntie. Turn right and follow Kauraharjuntie for 200 m. Turn right after Kantti's barns, reach the bridge over the Karvianjoki River and continue on. After about 400 m from the river, continue left at the crossroads on Skanssitie. Continue for about 4.5 km until the name of the road changes to Aunesluomantie at the municipal border. Continue for about 8.5 km.
In Jyllinkoski, at the crossroads of four roads, turn right onto Jyllinkoski village road and continue for 3 km. Arrive at the intersection of road 44, turn right and continue on road 44 towards Kauhajoki for about 6 km. Then turn left in the village of Muurahainen towards Lauhanvuori National Park and continue on Lauhanvuori Road for 17 km towards Isojoki.
The road through Lauhanvuori National Park rises about 230 m above sea level and is the highest terrain in the area. It is about 5 km from Muurahainen villgae to the top of Lauhanvuori. From the top about 1.5 on the left side of the road towards Isojoki, there are signs for Lake Spitaalijärvi, which is one of the most popular attractions in the national park. About 1.7 km further on the right side of the road, there is a road connection to the Lauhanvuori deer fence. About 1.9 km ahead on the left side of the road signs for Kivijata. About 500 m ahead on the left side of the road signs for Aumakivi. About 1.7 km ahead on the right side of the road Lauhansarvi Nature Tourism Center. About 1.4 km ahead, signposted to the Kangasjärvi camping.
When you reach Isojoki town, turn right and continue on the pedestrian/cycle lane to the center of Isojoki, after about 1.3 km on the left side of road there is the parish church. The route continues along the light traffic route for about 2 km until you cross the Kauhajoentie junction to Kristiinantie. Continue the route for 14.5 km to the municipal border, where the name of the road will change to Isojoentie. Continue for 2 km and turn right towards Karijoki.
Continue on Alakyläntie, about 1 km away you will reach the bridge over the Isojoki. From the bridge, continue for 8 km towards Karijoki, then turn left onto Riitaluhdantie and continue for 1.3 km. Turn left onto Dagsmarkintie and continue for about 1.5 to the center of Karijoki. Upon reaching the center, turn left at the junction into Susiluola. The route continues to the right along the light traffic lane on the left side of the road. About 400 m away on the right side of the road is Susiluola information center.
From Susiluola information center, the route continues on Kauhajoentie. The pedestrian/cycle lane ends at the intersection after about 300 m. To the left of the junction, there is a road connection to Karijoki Church. The route continues directly along Kauhajoentie for about 10 km. At this section, at a distance of about 3.3 km, turn left to visit the Iso-Kakkori hill.
When the route arrives at the municipal border, the name of the road changes to Karijoentie. Continue for about 4.3 km, then turn left onto Keturinkyläntie. Continue it for about 6.8 km. In the center of Päntäne village, the name of the road changes to Päntäne local road. Continue for about 1.7 km, then turn right and after about 100 m turn left onto Päntäneentie. Continuing it for about 5 km, the route switches to the light traffic lane on the left side of the road.
On this section, about 2.6 km on the right side of the road, a monument to the Battle of Parjakanneva in 1808. At the beginning of the light traffic is on the left side of the road a monument to the Battle of Samelinlakso.
The route continues on the pedestrian/cycle lane for about 3 km. Arrive at the intersection, cross Teknologiapuistontie, turn right, cross Topeeka, turn left and follow the light traffic lane for about 200 m and follow the right branch to Kauhajoki Church. Continue from the church to Topeeka for about 100 m, on the right the Kauhajoki homeland house. Continue for about 350 m, when on the left side of the road there is a parking area at Kauhajoki bus station. Cross Topeeka before the roundabout and be at the end of the route.
Note
Public transport
Bus connection to Kauhajoki e.g. From Seinäjoki and Pori. Bicycle transport must be booked in advance at Matkahuolto.Getting there
From Seinäjoki in the north, take road 67 to Aronkylä in Kauhajoki, turn onto road 44, continue for 2.8 km, turn right onto Lellavantie, continue for 1.1 km, turn left onto Topeeka and continue for 850 m, making the destination on the right.From the direction of Pori from the south, take road 8 north, about 55 km north of Pori, turn right towards Kauhajoki. Continue to Isojoki and continue to Kauhajoki according to the signs. In the center at the church, turn right and continue to Topeeka. After about 500 m the destination on the left.
From Tampere in the south, take road 3 to Parkano, from where, according to the signs, go to Karvia from the north of the city center. From Karvia, continue through the church village to Kauhajoki according to the signs, from the Karijoki junction to the connecting road 663, continue for 1.3 km and turn right towards the Center. After about 400 m, turn right at the crossroads at the church and follow Topeeka for about 500 m until your destination on the left.
Parking
IlmainenCoordinates
Equipment
www.lhgeopark.fi/enStatistics
- 90 Waypoints
- 90 Waypoints
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