Geological and Cultural sights and routes around Impact Crater Lake Lappajärvi UNESCO Global Geopark

At Impact Crater Lake Lappajärvi UNESCO Global Geopark area you’ll find the Europe’s Largest Crater Lake Lappajärvi - and dozens of interesting geological and cultural sights to visit around it! You can explore various attractions in Alajärvi, Evijärvi, Lappajärvi and Vimpeli area.

Remember: Geosites must respect the rights of every man: Everyman’s Right - Nationalparks.fi Soil materials must not be taken from geosites or soil and bedrock may be damaged.

The Crater Lake Geo-route

The Crater Lake Geotrail introduces geological sites around Lappajärvi lake.

Current Geo-route is designed by Ph.D. Teemu Öhman in cooperation with Geological Survey of Finland, which focuses on the Europe’s largest crater lake - Lappajärvi. The route presents a wide range of terrain and bedrock geology, as well as, a bit of history. The full report of Crater Lake Geotrail with descriptions you can find here.

Cultural Bike Trails of the Crater Lake

Local community and non-profit organization Järviseutu Seura has 10 cultural bike trails in Impact Crater Lake Lappajärvi UNESCO Global Geopark area: Two in Alajärvi, two in Evijärvi, three in Lappajärvi, two in Vimpeli and one that goes around the crater.

ALAJÄRVEN YMPÄRI AALLON JA NELIMARKAN JÄLJILLÄ - AROUND ALAJÄRVI ON THE FOOT STEPS OF AALTO AND NELIMARKKA

This route is designated to follow the foot prints of artist and designer Alval Aalto, and artist Eero Nelimarkka.

REITTI KRAATTERIN REUNALLA - A ROUTE AROUND THE CRATER RIM

This route takes you also around the impact crater rim, from Vimpeli to Alajärvi. You get to see beautiful Katajalahti with a bird watching tower and a summer kiosk, experience crater rim Lakeaharju and have a spectacular view from the viewing tower, visit peaceful Kellaripuro- stream and have a walk at the fascinating Pyhävuori, with interesting geology and an amazing view to Lappajärvi lake.

ALAJÄRVI, REITTI KRAATTERIN REUNALLA - A ROUTE ALONG THE CRATER RIM

In this Route you get to follow and explore the impact crater rim and sight around it. You’ll get to see for example a historic limekiln, visit a war memorial site and explore amazing nature attraction Pyhävuori with interesting history and beautiful views to Lappajärvi Lake. On the route to Pyhävuori you’ll go through Kirkkotie, an ancient church path where you’ll find marks of ice age along the way, for example an ancient shore line.

EVIJÄRVEN KULTTUURIREITTI - EVIJÄRVI CULTURAL TRAIL

This route in Evijärvi takes you around fascinating Valmosanneva Bird Tower, area vital to the bird populations on Impact Crater Lake Lappajärvi UNESCO Global Geopark are. You’ll also get to explore Ruurikkala, an original Evijärvi vicarage, Väinöntalo Local History Museum, The Church of Evijärvi with a clock tower built around 1760, and much more!

UITON MATKASSA - LOG DRIVER HERITAGE IN EVIJÄRVI

In this route you get to explore the traditional lod driving and it’s history in Evijärvi. Logs used to be driven by the river Välijoki by professional log drivers. The route takes you through interesting sites such as Pyövelin mänty, a historic court site, and Uittomieskämppä - a local history lodge that focuses on log driving.

ARTO MELLERI JA ITÄKYLÄ - ARTO MELLERI AND ITÄKYLÄ VILLAGE

Arto Melleri and Itäkylä Village route takes you around Itäkylä village on the foot steps of finnish poet and writer Arto Melleri. You get to explore Alajärvi’s highest point Vanha vuori - “the Old Mountain” and beautiful Itäkylä swimming beach at Lappajärvi shore, and also see places that Melleri used to write about in his books.

LAPPAJÄRVEN KULTTUURI- JA MAISEMAREITTI - A SCENIC CULTURAL ROUTE AROUND LAPPAJÄRVI

In this route around Lappajärvi, you get to see the Church of Lappajärvi, built in the end of 18th century - to the same spot where original church was built early as 1637. You also get to explore exciting sites such as Kärnän saari, the central elevation of the impact crater and a lovely lean-to-shelter by the lake.

LÄNSIRANNAN MAISEMAREITTI - A SCENIC ROUTE AROUND LAPPAJÄRVI’S WESTERN SHORE

This route takes you through beautiful country side sceneries. You can explore swimming beaches and see a 17th century church hut on the way!

VIMPELIN KULTTUURIREITTI - VIMPELI CULTURAL TRAIL

On this trail you get to explore Vimpeli village and it’s curiosities. You can visit The Old Ski Factory Museum or Pesäpallo museum- Pesäpallo is the “finnish baseball”!

SÄÄKSJÄRVEN LENKKI, KALKIN- JA TERVANPOLTTOA - SÄÄKSJÄRVI ROUTE WITH HISTORY OF LIME AND TAR BURNING

On this route in Vimpeli Sääksjärvi you get to explore old historical sights where tar and lime used to be burned. You get to visit Memorial Stone for Tar Burning, set on 1966, and a Memorial Stone for a Lime burner in 1973. You also get to visit beautiful and peaceful Kaakkurinjärvi lake, where you can walk by the shores on bog boards.