Locals recommend
There’s plenty to see and do in Ylöjärvi, but what are the favourites of locals? Where do they eat, shop and go for outdoor recreation? What are their treasured places and what events are simply a must?
TAIJA HOLM
Promoter, Event Producer
Moision Kuntokellari fitness centre
A small and welcoming place! You can come as you are, no one cares what you’re wearing. Great people, skilled instructors and guaranteed sweat. You’ll see results, feel refreshed and your body will thank you.
Eppu Normaali sculpture
Different lighting and seasons bring out new aspects of the Alamökki sculpture. The band has more than earned this tribute. Over their 40-plus-year career, they’ve put Ylöjärvi on the rock’n’roll map of Finland.
Siivikkala Beach
Our nearest beach where we’ve gone swimming with our son for many summers. A nice, child-friendly beach, and the best part is our own little tradition: stopping at the ice-cream stall on the beach on our way home.
PASI KAUNISTO
Singer
Sailing on Lake Näsijärvi
One of the best inland waters in Finland for sailing. The strong winds of this ‘little sea’ guarantee good waves.
Ylöjärvi Library
Leija Library always has what you’re looking for. This piece of contemporary architecture provides access to a wealth of reading experiences.
Aku’s Factory
One of the best places in Finland for singing. A brilliant studio and highly professional staff. Everyone in this field knows Aku’s Factory.
PENTTI KESKITALO
Environmental Director, City of Ylöjärvi
Veittijärvi
A nearby destination just a walking distance away from the centre of Ylöjärvi. In summer 2019, nature trail boards will be installed along the lakeside path, describing the many uses of various tree species over more than one hundred years, from the treatment of scurvy to the lowering of cholesterol.
Petäjäjärvi
For those who want to see unspoilt nature, Petäjäjärvi Nature Reserve, some 10 kilometres from Kuru towards Parkano, is a perfect day-trip destination. This is the largest area of old-growth forest in Ylöjärvi, and it has many great paths, although they are no longer maintained. The extensive mosaic of forests, mires and lakes offers stunning scenery, and there’s a diverse population of birds that inhabit the wilderness.
Isoneva-Raitakulonneva
Isoneva-Raitakulonneva Nature Reserve, at the border of Ylöjärvi and Virrat, is a perfect choice for overnight trips if you’re after serenity and bog experiences. Having made your way through the bog and feasted on berries, you can spend the night in a wilderness cabin for rent by Kaakkolammi.
RIITTA IIPONEN
Bank Manager, Aito Säästöpankki
Teivo Esker
A beautiful walking trail, ideal for small walks.
Pimeesalmi Harbour
This gem of Lempiäniemi offers a genuine harbour ambience. A great place for eating out and enjoying live music.
Pikku-Ahvenisto
The main building of Pikku-Ahvenisto has an intriguing history, and the lakeside nature trail is ideal for nature excursions. There’s a lovely, family-friendly site by the lake for cooking sausages on a campfire.
ARON / JUHA SEPPÄNEN
Artist, ‘Elvis of Ylöjärvi’
Ylöjärvenharju Outdoor Recreation Area
A beautiful esker formed during the Ice Age, suitable for both summer and winter sports. To top it off, the views are magnificent. I would especially like to recommend Pikku-Ahvenisto.
Kuusela Beach
This is a clean, peaceful beach in a great spot where I used to go as a child – and still go. In summer, there’s also a kiosk/restaurant.
Seitseminen National Park
A unique place for those who love hiking and the outdoors. You can spend the night in a cabin, wander around, connect with nature and see rare animals.
JARKKO SORVANTO
Mayor of Ylöjärvi
Ylöjärvi Market
A true summer opening in Ylöjärvi, attracting up to 10,000 visitors to the area of Shopping Centre Elo.
Kuru Market
A popular, lively summer event with a distinctive atmosphere.
Ylöjärvi Church
Built in 1850, the beautiful Ylöjärvi Church in the centre of the town is the perfect place for taking a break from the day.
NEO KOPAKKALA
4-year-old motocross driver
Dynaset Offroad Areena
Finland’s best indoor motocross track. A child-friendly surface – thanks to which you can jump high even at low speeds.
Metsäkylä sandpits
The best ski slopes in Ylöjärvi – small and large slopes and high jumps. Big slopes for sledging!
Julkujärvi Outdoor Recreation Area and lean-to shelter at Pikku-Ahvenisto
Perfect for riding a bike in the forest. Good opportunities for taking breaks and playing.
ANNI KYTÖMÄKI
Writer
(Photo: Katriina Roiha)
Hiking route from Teivo to Julkujärvi
Running on top of the esker, this route takes you to a world of old, thick-barked pine trees and wild thyme – it’s wonderful to walk on a ridge that is part of a geological formation extending all the way from Hollola to Kankaanpää.
Kuru church boat
Church boat Kapee, anchored in the yard of Kuru Church, still retains memories of the waves from a hundred years ago, when there were no cars or asphalt roads for churchgoers to use.
Riuttaskorpi Recreational Forest
Between Seitseminen and Helvetinjärvi National Parks, you can find Riuttaskorpi, an ‘ecological stepping stone’ that offers glimpses of what it was like in a wilderness in times past.
JUHA KÄKELÄ
Winner of the Finnish Chainsaw Carving Championships 2016
Kovero Crown Tenant Farm
At the Kovero Farm, in Seitseminen National Park, you can see how people lived in the olden days and how wonderful traditional farm houses are.
Suojärvi Chocolate Farm
The farm shop sells treats that you won’t find anywhere else.
A drive around Lake Näsijärvi
It’s great to drive through the lovely countryside. Stop at the Murole Canal for refreshments.
JUHANI LATONIEMI
Editor-in-chief of local newspaper Kuru
Soljanen mires
One of the few places in Finland where disabled people can also explore unspoilt Finnish mires in all seasons. An easy-to-reach destination within Seitseminen National Park that has a cooking shelter, a 700-metre-long walking bridge built over the mire, and an observation platform by Kirkas-Soljanen. An ideal destination for day trips where you can also see and hear the black-throated diver.
Lake Aurejärvi
This is where the River Kokemäenjoki begins. A lake with little vegetation that brings to mind Lapland, and a popular place for recreational fishing. Two boat launch sites, and a public beach in Suolahti.
Haukanhieta
Haukanhieta in Helvetinjärvi National Park is the starting point of an old log-driving route. This beach stretching nearly one kilometre offers unique views of the clear-watered Lake Haukkajärvi. Descending gently into the lake, the beach is also ideal for families with children. There’s a cooking shelter, campfire site and well. Signposted trails lead to, for example, Helvetinkolu.