Kauhajoki

Kauhajoki is a town in Southern Ostrobothnia, Finland.

Understand

The history of Kauhajoki is strongly linked to events in Finnish history. The town has been part of Finland's independence and its subsequent development.

During the Second World War, when the Soviet Union attacked Finland in the Winter War, the Parliament was evacuated and temporarily relocated to Kauhajoki, far away from the frontline. After the war, Kauhajoki grew rapidly thanks to industry; several factories were established in the town.

The town is known for its agricultural roots, with farming continuing to play an essential role in the local economy.

One of the town's most notable attractions is the Kauhaneva-Pohjankangas Nature Reserve, which covers an area of 57 square kilometers and features peatlands, forests, and wetlands. The reserve is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including several threatened species. Visitors can explore the reserve on foot, by bike, or on horseback, taking in the stunning natural beauty of the area.

Get in

By train

Nearest railway stations are Seinäjoki and Parkano. Timetables are available from VR website.

By bus

Long-distance buses from Seinäjoki and Vaasa. Nearest stop of Onnibus line M3 is in Jalasjärvi. For timetables of ordinary coaches, see Matkahuolto.

Get around

See

• 1 Eduskuntamuseo, Eduskunnankatu 5, ☏ +358 400-825-223. Museum on the evacuated parliament and related stories. (updated Nov 2022)
• 2 Alpon savanni, Sarantie 672, ☏ +358 50-308-9304, alponsavanni@gmail.com. Sculpture park. Also gallery, café and campfire site. Wheelchair-accessible outhouse toilet. (updated Nov 2022)
• Bookmobile, ☏ +358 400-162-853, tarja.turpeinen@kauhajoki.fi. M–F, mostly 9:15–18:15. Mobile library, stopping for half an hour or so at its stops, allowing borrowing of books, with a running scheme over two weeks. If you happen to be around, seize the chance to take a look. Free. 

Do

• 1 Lauhanvuori National Park (at the border to Isojoki). High hill with peculiar geology.  

Kauhaneva-Pohjankangas National Park

2 Kauhaneva-Pohjankangas, Kyrönkankaantie 357, Karvia (the park lies between Kauhajoki and Karvia; a 54-km biking route leads between them through the park, combining with one from Lauhanvuori; parking lots by the trailheads), ☏ +358 20-639-5270 (M–F 09:00–15:00), sisasuomi@metsa.fi. 24 hr daily. Free.  

The park is included in the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. Kauhaneva is parly a large risen bog, partly an open aapa-like mire, while Pohjankangas is a forested esker. Watch the bog, wood sandpipers, cranes, whooper swans and other birds (especially during the spring migration).

The 2.6-km Kauhalammi trail by Kauhaneva is accessible by assisted wheelchair, although demanding with that setup. The Salomaa campsite at the trailhead is likewise accessible. There are also duckboard variant of this trail (3.5–5 km) and a steep 2-km circle trail through the ravine Katikankanjoni in the north-west of the park.

A museum road with medieval heritage, used by the biking route, leads by Kauhaneva and the Salomaa and Nummikangas campfire sites. There is a lean-to shelter at Katikanluoma by the ravine-esker trail. The water of the well at Nummikangas campfire site is potable, water from other sources (such as brooks or the Salomaa well) should be boiled. There are no restrictions on berry and mushroom picking in the park (common warnings apply). There is a jetty that can be used for swimming in Kauhalammi.

Events

• Nummirock: June (Nummijärvi). Midsummer's metal festival.

Connect

• Kauhajoki library (Kauhajoen kirjasto), Prännärintie 2 C (by the municipal office), ☏ +358 40-674-8152, kirjasto@kauhajoki.fi. May–Aug M–Th 11:00–19:00 F 11:00–17:00; Sep–Apr probably longer hours. Library services, public computers, Wi-Fi. Free.