Nature trails

Kihniö offers wonderful cross-country trails for hiking, mountain biking, skiing or just relaxing outdoors. Kihniö's nature offers varied terrain, from hilly forest trails, through marshes and open fields to the rugged rocks of Käskyvuori. There are maintained rest areas along the trails where you can enjoy tasty snacks and stunning views.

All Kihniö routes can be found easily Lipas.fi-the sports parking system. 

Pyhäniemi-Käskyvuori nature trail

The Pyhäniemi-Käskyvuori cross-country trail starts from the Pyhäniemi holiday village and runs via the Eräveikkot hunting lodge in Kihniönkylä to Käskyvuori. The trail is a ski trail in winter and for hikers and cyclists in summer. The length of the trail in one direction is approximately 22 km. The trail is a linear trail, meaning that the outbound and return routes are the same. In winter, both sides are covered by a traditional ski track. Rest stops on the trail can be found at Annalanvuori between the city center and Erämaja (lean-back and campfire site), Erämaja (lean-back, campfire site and outdoor hut), Toivonen lean-back (campfire site) between Erämaja and Käskyvuori, and at Käskyvuori with a lean-back, rest hut, campfire site, hut and outdoor huts. There is also an observation tower on Käskyvuori, which rises from the top of the mountain to a height of approximately 200 meters above sea level. Parking spaces can be found in Pyhäniemi, the city center, Erämajä and Käskyvuori. The distance from the Käskyvuori parking lot is approximately 500 meters.

Käskyvuori Nature Trail

The Käskyvuori nature trail starts from the Käskyvuori parking lot towards Käskylamminneva. In the direction of Käskylamminneva, the trail heads towards the provincial border, from where it winds over the rocks and up the slope of Käskyvuori all the way to the lean-to and observation tower on the top of Käskyvuori. The route is quite challenging, as the climb to Käskyvuori is rocky and rather long.

There is a rest area with tables at Käskylamminneva where you can enjoy a snack. When climbing Käskyvuori, there are a couple of benches along the way where you can rest your feet. There are fire pits and outdoor huts on Käskyvuori. The nature trail is approx. 2km long.

Kihniö Geopark cross-country trail

The Kihniö Geopark cross-country trail connects the Kihniö Geopark sites, namely Pyhäniemi, Käskyvuori and Aitoneva, into a long circular trail.

The Pyhäniemi-Käskyvuori section is in use year-round, but the Käskyvuori-Aitoneva-Pyhäniemi sections are only in use during the thaw, because in winter there is a snowmobile trail along the route.

The route runs from Käskyvuori along the border of Kihniö and Virtai towards Aitoneva. The route follows the edges of the old peat bogs of Aitoneva, and the change in terrain from the barrenness of Käskyvuori is great! Between Käskyvuori and Aitoneva you will find the Lellunlaakso lean-to (fireplace and outdoor hut).

In Aitoneva, the peat museum's café and lean-to are open in the summer. There is also a toilet in the peat museum. The route passes the Aitoneva bird tower, which has a lean-to (fireplace). There are many picnic tables at the beginning of the Aitoneva-Pyhäniemi route, as the route runs along the edges of old peat bogs and through a couple of bogs.

Between Aitoneva and Pyhäniemi, you can stop at Päpsi's grill during the summer if you get hungry. There are toilets and restaurant services in Pyhäniemi. The total length of the route is 63 kilometers.

Aitoneva environmental trail

The Aitoneva environmental trail, which is approximately 1,5 km long, presents the species of bogs and forests in an old peat production field that is being re-boiled. A narrow path runs through dry areas, and wetter areas are crossed along boardwalks. There are information boards along the environmental trail that tell about, among other things, the typical animal and plant species of the area. A rare dragline excavator, which began operating in Aitoneva in the 1940s, can also be seen along the trail.

You can find the virtual presentation of the Environmental Trail in the left menu of the Peat Museum's presentation website: Go to the demo site.

Korpela Arboretum

Korpela Arboretum is located next to Puumila Taitotalo. The arboretum is a nature trail and grove forest built by gardener Uuno Korpela. A path paved with stone ash runs through the arboretum, from which you can admire the mainly woody plants planted by Uuno, such as: alders, willows, tufts, maples, birches, rowans and sparrows. Depending on the season, you can admire the splendor of flowers, as the arboretum also grows flowering plants, such as deer bells, marguerites and blue carpet-flowering pets.