Osuustukkukauppa (OTK) Headquarters
- Helsinki
- 1933
Pyhä–Luosto, one of Finland’s oldest national parks, was extended in 2005, and recently new trail structures have been built to lead visitors through the fragile landscape. The park offers a view of billion-year-old rock formations and landscapes, with open fell and aapa mires, silent old-growth forests and rugged gorges.
The southernmost area of great fells in Finland offers a versatile glimpse of the northern nature. The Pyhä–Luosto National Park includes sites such as Isokuru Gorge, Lake Pyhäkasteenlampi, Pyhäkaste Waterfall and Uhriharju Ridge among others. The Forest Sámi people who used to live in the area had many sacred places in the nature. Also some of their built heritage remains, such as reindeer fences and storage holds. There are several hiking, biking and winter trails to choose from, one of which runs between the park’s two most famous fells, Pyhä and Luosto. A project of rebuilding all the trails is underway. The park is situated in the wilderness between the towns of Sodankylä and Kemijärvi.
The main challenge of the Pyhä–Luosto National Park is to protect the delicate nature while welcoming a great numbers of visitors to enjoy the nature. To protect the nature – as well as for the safety of visitors – hiking is only allowed on the constructed paths. The entire trail is rebuilt with sturdy metal structures and wooden boardwalks.