recommended route
Pilpasuo Nature Trail (sense-invigorating route) 7 km, Oulu Finland
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Pilpasuo kaikilla aisteillaPhoto: Harri Tarvainen, Pohjolan Rengastie
The nature experience in the Pilpasuo trail is very diverse. Most of Pilpasuo lies on a 3000-year-old coastal meadow, which was at the time part of the Oulujoki river estuary. The flora and fauna are very diverse and wilderness-like for a place so close to the hustle and bustle of the city.
Along the trail, you will encounter large mires, lush spruces, a pine forest, and a rare black alder forest. The mires and forests of the route are teeming with life. The diverse nature makes Pilpasuo a favorite of birds. Meadow pipits and western yellow wagtails are especially prevalent. Pilpasuo is also home to many flowers, like the pink bog rosemary, bogbean, and leatherleaf, which blooms when May turns to June.
The Pilpasuo nature trail is suitable for nature lovers of all levels and as a day trip destination for families. There are only slight altitude differences on the route and there are duckboards over marshlands. The route has two marked campfire sites along the trail.
Author’s recommendation
Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
The duckboards are in good condition, but in rain, they can be slippery.
Mountain bikes should not be ridden along the duckboards as they go into poor condition due to cycling.
Tips and hints
The pine forest areas of the route serve berries as well as mushrooms in the fall time.Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
The Pilpasuo nature trail is described to go clockwise. It is also the recommended direction of the route. The route is marked on the terrain with blue paint markings.
The Pilpasuo nature trail starts with an easy duckboard section of about 2 km long. The characteristics of the beginning of the route are lush spruces and beautiful open marshlands. The first part of the route has three small tasks. The route continues to the ancient beach of Ala-Korkiakangas. The route to Ala-Korkiakangas is easy to navigate, but there are rhizomes that can slow down, especially in bad weather. From Ala-Korkiakangas, the trail continues towards the Pilpakangas pine forest. Along this section of the route, you can admire the Siltasaari nature reserve. The nature reserve is a prehistoric residence.
When you reach Pilpakangas, turn right at the intersection, which is about 500 meters from Pilpakangas lean-to shelter. From lean-to, the route continues towards a rare black alder forest. The rest of the route is very easy to navigate. Thanks to the duckboards, you don't have to think about every step you take. The rest of the route has four small tasks which challenge your skills. Pahalampi pond, on the last part of the route, is covered with moss. On the shore of Pahalampi is the second lean-to shelter of the route, from which the starting point is only 200 meters away.
Note
Public transport
The route is poorly accessible by public transport. See the Oulu public transport website for more information.
Getting there
When coming from Oulu direction, drive north on road Vaalantie and immediately after crossing the river Sanginjoki turn left onto road Peräkyläntie, which is driven 1,5 km and further on a gravel road 2,3 km to the nature trail parking place.Parking
Pilpasuo parking place.Coordinates
Equipment
Normal hiking footwear, but be prepared for wet ground.
Campfire is allowed in campfire sites. The firewood is stocked frequently, but may temporarily run out during peak months.
Camping is not allowed in the conservation area, but you can stay overnight in lean-to shelters.
There are no waste bins along the trail. If you can take it there, you can also take it back.
Statistics
- 2 Waypoints
- 2 Waypoints
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