Lauhanvuori National Park
Lauhanvuori National Park features one of the highest places in Western Finland, Lauhanvuori Hill, the equal of the hills of Northeast Finland and Lapland. Visitors can walk up Lauhanvuori Hill to the viewing tower to get panoramic views over the forested lowlands stretching off to the shores of the Gulf of Bothnia. The hillside forests contain geological traces showing how the scenery has changed since the Ice Age, including extensive boulder fields and banks formed along ancient shorelines. The park’s ski-trails are well maintained during the winter.
Lauhanvuori Hill stands out in the flat landscape of the Ostrobothnia Region, and its vegetation and geology differ from the surrounding areas. The park is well known for its rugged dry pine forests, springs and spring-fed brooks, bogs full of puddles, and barren stone deposits at the ancient coastline.
Lauhanvuori National Park is a good destination for day trips and camping. All the campfire places and the most important sights are along the trail going through the park. There are about 10 km of marked trails, although hiking trips can be extended to trails that are maintained by the surrounding municipalities. There is a National Bike Trail going through the Park. The bike trail network connects the National Parks of Lauhanvuori and Kauhaneva-Pohjankangas. The network uses old forest roads. On other trails or outside trails, cycling is not recommended.
In the winter there are maintained trails in Lauhanvuori, suitable for classical skiing. You can choose between 3 km, 5 km and 10 km trails. The trails are maintained by the municipalities of Isojoki and Kauhajoki.
MORE INFO: www.nationalparks.fi/en/lauhanvuorinp/