On The Traces Of The Ice Age - The Oulujoki River Valley
The Oulujoki Valley enchants with its idyllic rural landscape, lush grove forests and colorful history.
The story of the Oulujoki river valley combines a nationally valuable agricultural landscape, unique geology, pure nature and its rich cultural history.
The Oulujoki water basin is known as an ancient route of travel, tar and tourism, and many important cultural sites have survived from this time, such as the Lamminaho farm and the wooden churches of Muhos and Utajärvi. Today, the Oulujoki River generates a lot of hydropower, and the Oulujoki power plants and their residential areas designed by architect Aarne Ervi, form an interesting entity in terms of architecture and history. Part of the Oulujoki river valley area is also classified as a nationally valuable landscape area.
The finest hiking destinations in the Oulujoki Valley include Lemmenpolku Nature Trail, Liimanninkoski Nature Trail, and the hiking and skiing Oulujoki River Valley Tar Route from Oulu to Rokua. The Oulujoki River is also a great recreational fishing area and ideal for various water activities.
In the Turn-by-turn directions you will find places to visit and the services of our companies along The Oulujoki River Valley route. Check out the area's activities and experiences in our Discovery shop!
Author’s recommendation
Along The Oulujoki River Valley route, you can stay comfortably at Merilä Manor and Kurttila holiday cottages in Utajärvi, as well as at the Montta Active Camping campsite in Muhos, where you can also rent fat bikes, kayaks, SUP-boards, and have the opportunity to climb on adventure tracks suspended between trees and play an escaperoom in nature. Guided nature tours in the Oulujoki River Valley are organized by Marjikko.

Track types
Safety information
If you travel the route by bike, bring a mobile phone, a powerbank, and something to drink. Take food and equipment with you, according to the season, the weather and the duration of the trip. Along the route, there are services in businesses as well as Muhos and Utajärvi municipal centers.
Tips and hints
You can start the route from anywhere. In this description, the route runs counterclockwise, but you can also travel the route clockwise. You can travel the route both by car and by bike. Note that there are some gravel road sections on the route:
- Suokyläntie to Liimanninkoski between VT22 - Liimanninkoski p-area 6.3 km
- Nuojuantie between VT22 - Nuojua 11.5 km (the road takes you to Lamminaho from the south, if you want you can also go to Lamminaho from VT22)
- Lamminahontie 4km (Lamminaho farm by the road)
- Pyhänsivuntie between Pälli power plant -Leppiniemi 8km (along the road Halinsaari lean-to shelter and lookout)
If you ride a bike, you can arrive at Muhos and Utajärvi municipal centers by bus or train (Note: riding with a bike is only allowed on the InterCity train).
Along the route you will find one electric car charging point in the center of Utajärvi, at Koulutie 5, 91600 Utajärvi.
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
Click here for more information on the attractions, hiking spots and services of The Oulujoki River Valley route:
Koivu and Tähti cultural center: library, exhibitions and events, as well as the Rokua Geopark Time Travel exhibition point.
- Liimanninkoski Nature Trail 1,4 km and Liimanninkoski Threshing Barn (Liimanninkoski is about 6 km from Route 22, Suokyläntie 633, Muhos).
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Decapitation Memorial
- Merilä Manor: accommodation, restaurant and sauna services in an idyllic setting on the banks of the Oulujoki River.
- Utajärvi church: a magnificent wooden church completed in 1762.
- The Museum of Local History and Culture of Utajärvi
- Utajärvi Marketplace and Old Warehouse: downstairs in the old warehouse there is a kiosk and an exhibition about the history of Utajärvi. Upstairs is the Rokua Geopark Time Travel exhibition, which tells the story of the birth of Rokua Geopark's landscapes.
- Geological time trail
- Lamminaho Historical Farm: Lamminaho farm presents the peasant culture and building heritage of the Oulujoki river from the 18th century.
- Kurttila holiday cottages: comfortable cottage accommodation on the banks of the Oulujoki River.
- Veljesranta cottage: atmospheric cottage by the Oulujoki river. In the yard there is a wood-heated outdoor sauna, a hot tub and a big pier.
- Halinsaari lean-to shelter and lookout spot.
- Marjikko nature excursions: Guided themed nature excursions in the Oulujoki Valley.
- Pyhäkoski power plant
- Lemmenpolku Nature Trail 2,2 km
- Montta Active Camping: Comfortable and relaxed camping and cottage accommodation, cafe and facilities for water and land activities.
- Memorial stone of Toppelius
- The Museum of Local History and Culture of Muhos
- Kirkkosaari beach
Oulujoki River Valley Tar Route runs through the Oulujoki Valley from Oulu to Rokua.
Note
Public transport
Trains and buses stop at Muhos and Utajärvi municipal centers.
Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
You can get acquainted with the formation of the Oulujoki River Valley landscape on Rokua Geopark Youtube channel and along the route at the Aikamatka exhibition at the Koivu and Tähti Cultural Center and in the old warehouse at Utajärvi Marketplace.
Oulujoki River Valley Tar Route map and brochure
Equipment
Choose equipment according to the mode of transport; the route can be traveled by car and bicycle.
Statistics
- 21 Waypoints
- 21 Waypoints
Questions and answers
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