Kauhaneva-Pohjankangas National Park
Kauhaneva-Pohjankangas National Park is an interesting complex on the boundary of South Ostrobothnia and Satakunta Regions. The landscape can be clearly divided into two parts; the barren dry forests dominated by the Pine (Pinus sylvestris), and the many large open bogs, the most remarkable of which is Kauhaneva Mire. In South Ostrobothnia Region, Kauhaneva is the largest raised bog with hummocks. Together with Kampinkeidas Mire on its north-west side, it forms an internationally important mire complex.
Kauhaneva-Pohjankangas National Park is a Ramsar site, or an internationally significant wetland area. The Ramsar Convention protects wetlands, which are some of the most endangered habitats in the world. In addition to Kauhaneva-Pohjankangas, there are 49 other Ramsar sites in Finland.
Pohjankangas is part of the esker formation of Western Finland, which starts at Hämeenkangas running west, and continues as Pohjankangas running north up to the boundary of the South Ostrobothnia region. The forests are dry and barren heaths growing pine.Katikankanjoni gorge along the western side of the park was created in the last 9,000 years. The waters discharging from Kauhaneva mire and Kauhajärvi Lake have gouged a dense network of rivulets in the sandy soil. The steep slopes of the streams and the verdant spruce forests around them set the mood for this fairy-tale forest. The meandering stream at the bottom of the gorge continues to shape the landscape even today.
Kauhaneva-Pohjankangas National Park is located along the medieval Kyrönkangas road ,in the middle of some of the most breathtaking wetland scenery in Southern Finland. The park is a great destination for birdwatchers in the spring; at other times of the year, visitors get to enjoy the tranquillity of wetland wilderness. Kauhaneva-Pohjankangas National Park is suitable for short trips. There is a 2 km duckboard loop round the Lake Kauhalammi. For observing birds and the landscape there is a tower on the northern side of the lake, on the edge of mire.
MORE INFO: www.nationalparks.fi/en/kauhaneva-pohjankangasnp
