Take a city break in Haukipudas and experience diverse natural surroundings, including the plains, forests and rivers of Ostrobothnia and expansive marshlands.
Haukipudas is well connected: it is only 28 miles (45 kilometres) from Oulu Airport.
River Kiiminkijoki flows through the centre of the town with an abundance of islands offering stunning landscapes for nature-lovers. You can take an unforgettable canoe trip down the river. Trips are available for canoeists of all skill levels, including beginners. More experienced canoeists may go on a multi-day trip, which can also include fishing. You can spend the night in lean-to shelters, traditional kota huts, hotels and rental cabins.
Stop off at Kiviniemi fishing harbour for shopping or to taste some fresh fish. Kalapuohi, a traditional fish restaurant, attracts diners from far and wide with its salmon soup. Kalapuohi also smokes its own fish.
The number one site for active holiday-makers is Virpiniemi Sports Institute, which offers accommodation on a campsite or in cottages, apartments or villas. You can get involved in almost any sport at Virpiniemi, from golf to wall climbing, from strength-building sports to forest climbing and from ball games, to fitness, gymnastics and dance.
Haukipudas local history museum was recently renovated and is worthy of the highest praise. You can make friends with the sheep wandering the grounds or learn to card wool. Do you know how to walk on stilts or spin yarn? In the summer, you may be able to help make hay. In the winter time, the museum is open subject to booking.
If you would like to experience something a little different – perhaps even mystic – visit Isoniemi Troy Town, which was restored a few years ago. Its eleven concentric rings are now clearly distinct from the terrain. Around 500 rocks were used to build it.
The Luuppi Museum and Science Centre belongs to the Museum of Northern Ostrobothnia, the Oulu Museum of Art and the Tietomaa Science Centre. It encompasses nine different sites. Of these, the Orava School Museum is in Kello in Haukipudas. It offers three classrooms and a teacher's quarters.
Haukipudas church is on the bank of River Kiiminkijoki. The current wooden building is from the 18th century, although it has been repaired and changed over the centuries. It is a cruciform church that is well worth a visit on your holiday in Haukipudas.