Nastola: Nature, Culture and Active Experiences

Nastola combines nature experiences with cultural sites and a wide range of ways to enjoy active days. Here you’ll find trails through a nature reserve, a birdwatching tower on the lakeshore, a cultural centre and historical landmarks. The options vary in scale, from a boardwalk about 600 metres long to a network of hiking trails with five marked routes and a total of 23 kilometres.

Nature trails and waterside observation

The Sammalsillansuo Nature Reserve covers 22.33 hectares. A boardwalk about 600 metres long runs through the area, connecting to Sammalsillantje at both ends. This distance gives you a concrete point of reference when planning a route through the protected area as part of your day.

Another nature trail leads north from Sammalsillantie to the shore of Lake Sylvöjärvi. The trail is accessible, and there is a birdwatching tower on the shore. If you’re especially interested in birdwatching, you can plan to visit this trail and the tower as a nature experience in its own right in Nastola.

The Lapakiston suojelualue Nature Reserve covers 230 hectares. It borders the shore of Lake Pitkäjärvi to the west, Ahvenlampi to the north and the shore of Lake Kalliojärvi to the east. Five marked hiking trails have a combined length of 23 kilometres. This figure refers to the total length of the trails, not the length of a single path.

The facilities at Lapakisto also offer practical guidance: the nature reserve has five campfire sites and a shelter. An accessible path leads from the car park on Ristikankaantie to a campfire site; there is also a dry toilet at the car park. This makes it possible to accommodate different interests in nature, from hiking on marked trails to visiting the campfire site via the accessible route.

Cultural sites and history

Nastolan kirkko is a wooden cruciform church completed in 1804. The bell tower has its own history, too: it was originally built before 1760 and moved to its present location in 1804. These two dates refer to different stages in the history of the church and its tower.

Taidekeskus Taarasti, a versatile cultural centre in Nastola, lies on the shore of Lake Pikku-Kukkasjärvi. Its exhibition hall covers 240 square metres. The grounds also feature a covered stage with a seating area, providing a fitting setting for concerts and other events. Exhibitions and stage events offer different ways to experience the area’s cultural offerings.

At Immilänkosket, ancient watermill sites recall the use of water power. The oldest frame saw there was already operating in the 1770s. In summer, Myllykahvila operates at Immilänkosket. Exhibitions and various events are also held there in summer. In recent years, these have included popular open-air concerts and Myllyjazz.

Active options in Pajulahti

Pajulahti offers indoor and outdoor sports facilities. The activities are for people of all ages and ability levels, and are suitable for both groups and individuals. Options include an adventure park and StarJump. If you’d like to add some exercise to your trip, you can include these options alongside Nastola’s nature and culture attractions.

More destination pages under the same main navigation: Arvaja, Juuma, Pyhäntä, Paimio, Oulu, Jokioinen, Apukka, Kronoby.

Back to the main travel overview: Northern Ostrobothnia.