Kauhaneva-Pohjankangas National Park is ideal for both a day trips and camping. Two circle trails of different types introduce visitors to the diverse nature of the area.
Starting points for trails
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Salomaa parking area, Kyrönkankaantie 345, Karvia
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Nummikangas parking area, Kauhajoki
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Katikankanjoni parking area, Kiviluomantie 461, 61950 Juonikylä (Kauhajoki)
Accessible trail
Kauhalammi demanding accessible trail, 2.6 km
Difficulty: demanding accessible nature trail
Estimated travel time: In the snow-free season. Travel time 1 to 2 hours. No winter maintenance.
The diverse accessible trail of Kauhalammi takes visitors to the heart of a charming raised bog and the shores of Kauhalammi Lake. In spring, visitors are treated to concerts of birdsong. Salomaa accessible campsite is located close to the beginning of the trail.
Trail starting point
Salomaa parking area, Kyrönkankaantie 357, Karvia
The parking area is a flat gravel field with separate parking spaces marked with vertical posts.
The total length of the trail from Salomaa parking area via Salomaa campsite to the viewing platform at Kauhalammi and directly back to the parking area is 2.6 km.
Kauhaneva-Pohjankangas brochure map (julkaisut.metsa.fi)
Map of Kauhalammi accessible trail (excursionmap.fi)
Hiking structures
At Salomaa campsite, hikers will find a half hut, a campfire site open on one side as well as a table and benches. The firewood shed is not accessible.
There is an accessible toilet near the parking area. The gradient of the ramp leading to the toilet is less than 8%. There is enough space in front of the toilet seat for an assistive device. The seat is 46 cm high and attached directly to the back wall. On each side of the seat, there is more than 80 cm of free space. The seat has support rails on both sides.
The trail crosses the mire along a boardwalk, at the end of which there is a viewing platform. The viewing platform is flat and has two benches (height 45 cm) as well as a safety handrail along the edge. Wider trail sections for passing and benches for resting (height 45 cm) can be found along the boardwalk.
Trail description
The trail leads from Salomaa parking area to Salomaa campsite and on to a viewing platform in Kauhalammi mire area. From the mire, visitors return directly back to Salomaa parking area. The trail is marked with black and white symbols.
The trail starts at the information board in Salomaa parking area and heads towards Salomaa campsite. The initial section of the trail follows a path covered with rock dust that is 1 to 1.2 metres wide for approx. 300 metres. There are some gentle uphill and downhill sections on the trail with a 5% gradient. The cross slope is up to 7% to 10% in places. The path profile is rounded and slopes towards the edges.
From the campfire site, the trail continues for approx. 400 metres as a 1 to 1.2 metres wide gravel path. The cross slope on this trail section is up to 10% in places, and the gradient varies between 0% and 5%. There are some depressions and ruts on the trail. The edges are very steep in places. After reaching a junction, the trail continues to the left towards Kauhalammi mire area.
The next section of approx. 300 metres in the direction of Kauhalammi follows a gravel road. The trail then comes to a small bridge. To reach the bridge, visitors must negotiate a steep climb for the length of a few boards with a 33% gradient, and a steep 42% descent when going down at the other end. The trail continues along the gravel road for a while. The cross slope after the bridge is 14%.
At the beginning of the boardwalk section, there is a steep 23% climb for the length of a few boards. The boardwalk is 1 m in width and has a 6-centimetre edging. The boardwalk continues for slightly more than 400 metres until it reaches the viewing platform. There are three resting areas on this section where passing/turning is possible. These resting areas have wooden benches (height 45 cm). The viewing platform is flat and has two benches (height 45 cm) and a safety handrail around the edges.
The boardwalk continues for a short way after the platform, but there are no more turning or passing points. Visitors return from the platform to the junction leading to Salomaa campsite following the same trail.
At the junction leading to Salomaa campsite and campfire site, the trail continues straight along a wide sandy road for approx. 500 metres towards Salomaa parking area. The cross slope on the sandy road is 5% in places. The gradient on the trail is 8% to 10% in places. On this road section, large rocks have pushed up, and their height from the road surface is at maximum 8 cm. At the end of the trail before the parking area, visitors come to a gate. On the right-hand side of the gate, there is a 850 mm wide passage with a cross slope of 8%. On the left-hand side there is a 800 mm wide passage with a 10% gradient and 8% cross slope.
The trail is easily visible. This depends on the season, however, and in the autumn leaves and needles falling on the trail may make it more difficult to see. The rounded edges and steep cross slope on the sides may make the trail difficult for some visitors.
Circle trails
Kauhalammin kierros, 2.7 km circle trail
In the snow-free season, walking time 2 hours.
An easy trail.
Kauhalammin kierros trail brings you to the very essence of the mire. The trail introduces visitors to the geology, nature and cultural history of raised bogs and is one of the finest duckboard paths in Southern Finland. Magnificent mire landscapes can be admired from a viewing tower on the way.
Starting points
The trail has two official starting points:
Starting point 1, address: Nummikangas Kyrönkangas museum road, Kauhajoki (pdf, julkaisut.metsa.fi, in Finnish)
Coordinates: (WGS84) N62° 12.9374' E22° 26.8403'
Starting point 2, address: Salomaa Kyrönkankaantie 357, Karvia (pdf, julkaisut.metsa.fi, in Finnish)
Coordinates: (WGS84) N62° 11.6893' E22° 26.9694'
Hiking structures
Campfire sites, dry toilets and wells in Salomaa and Nummikangas. The water in Salomaa well should be boiled before drinking. There is also an area for tents and an accessible dry toilet in Salomaa. Please bring your own toilet paper.
Sights
Kauhaneva-Pohjankangas National Park is one of the most unspoilt wilderness destinations in Southern Finland with its mires and arid pine heaths. The best views over Kauhaneva raised bog can be enjoyed from the viewing tower in Nummikangas.
Route description
Although the section of the circular trail is 2.7 km, the trail will have some additional length depending on the parking area. Starting from the Salomaa parking area, the total length of the trail is about 3.5 km, and from Nummikangas about 5 km. The trail is marked with signposts.
From Salomaa parking area, the trail follows a forest path to a campfire site.
The trail continues counter-clockwise, as an accessible trail section along the forest and the edge of the mires towards Kauhalammi. A wide wooden structure runs along the route. If you wish, you can take a detour to the nature tower located a short distance from Nummikangas. The trail continues with a duckboard section of 1.6 km across the open mires of Kauhaneva.
Katikankanjoni, 2 km circle trail
In the snow-free season, walking time 1 to 2 hours.
A challenging trail.
Katikankanjonin polku trail leads visitors to a mysterious ravine eroded by flowing water and shaded by spruce forests. Over 9,000 years, streams have gouged their way through the sandy heath and carried away enormous quantities of soil. What remains is a network of 20-metre canyons with exceptionally steep walls.
Starting point
Address: Katikankanjoni parking area, Kiviluomantie 461, 61950 Juonikylä (Kauhajoki) (pdf, julkaisut.metsa.fi, in Finnish)
Coordinates: (WGS84) N62° 14.3616' E 22° 19.4232'
Hiking structures
Katikanluoma lean-to shelter, campfire site and dry toilet. Please bring your own toilet paper.
Sights
Katikankanjoni canyons and steep slopes. Kolmentuulenlakki sand ridge.
Route description
The trail is marked with signposts. It takes in the slopes and valleys of Katinkankanjoni. While the path has been levelled, there are a few extremely steep slopes on the way. Rather than steps, a rope is provided for support on these sections. The trail goes through dry heath terrain, with duckboards to take visitors across a few wet areas. The trail crosses Katinkaluoma stream along sturdy bridges.
Cycling trails
National cycling trail no 44 goes along Kyrönkangas summer road through Kauhaneva-Pohjankangas National Park. Kyrönkangas summer road is an unpaved museum road. National cycling trail no 47 leads to nearby Lauhanvuori National Park. Trail 47 joins route 44 in Kantti village, Karvia. The national cycling trails are marked with brown signs of the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency.
