Rokua National Park is characterized by its rolling forests covered in silvery lichen atop sandy ridges. The gently undulating terrain is easy to navigate, offering enjoyable trails for both hiking and mountain biking.
Located in Northern Ostrobothnia, about 80 km southeast of Oulu near the village of Vaala, Rokua National Park is part of the Rokua Geopark, which belongs to UNESCO’s Global Geoparks Network. These Geoparks are internationally significant geological sites that tell regional stories of the Earth. Finland has five UNESCO Global Geoparks in total.
We visited Rokua in mid-July, the peak of Finland’s summer holiday season. Despite this, the park was exceptionally peaceful, with no signs of crowds.
Parking area
Pookivaara is one of the park’s most popular destinations and is easily accessible. It is the highest point in Rokua National Park and home to an old fire tower, now serving as a lookout tower with stunning views over endless forests.
The easiest way to reach the Pookivaara lookout tower is to park at the Pookivaara parking area. However, navigating there with Google Maps can be tricky, as the map may direct you to Erรคmaahotelli Rokuanhovi, from which the road does not lead to the parking area. Instead, from Erรคmaahotelli Rokuanhovi continue toward Rokua Health & Spa Hotel, drive past it, and turn left onto Salmisentie. Along this road, youโll find landmarks such as the Rokua Leirikeskus and eventually the Pookivaara parking area.
The parking area is relatively small, accommodating only a few cars. When we visited in mid-July, there were only a couple of cars besides ours.
To the Pookivaara lookout tower
The trail from the parking area to Pookivaara is about one kilometer and easy to walk, making it an ideal day-trip destination. The forested landscape along the trail is beautifully undulating and covered in silvery lichen.
The Pookivaara lookout tower is an old fire observation tower built in 1936 to monitor forest fires. The areaโs terrain is highly susceptible to wildfires, and during forest fire warnings, even fire pits with chimneys are off-limits. During the Winter War, the tower was also used for air surveillance. At the base of the tower, youโll find the firewatcherโs cabin, also built in 1936. Together, these are historically significant structures. The cabin offers a glimpse into the living conditions of the firewatchers of the past.
Visitors can freely climb the tower to admire the wilderness views stretching as far as the eye can see. The stairs leading up are steep, and the passage openings are small, so be cautious, leave your backpack at the bottom, and watch your head. The tower is made of metal, making it sturdy and safe.
In addition to the lookout tower and firewatcherโs cabin, the area has a day hut, a rental cabin, a woodshed, and a dry toilet. During our visit, a heavy rain shower forced us to seek shelter in the day hut, where we enjoyed the warmth of the fireplace while grilling sausages.
From Pookivaara to Syvyydenkaivo โ True tranquility in nature
After the rain subsided, we headed toward Syvyydenkaivo, a 1.6-kilometer hike from Pookivaara along the blue-marked Syvyydenkierros trail. Syvyydenkaivo is Finlandโs deepest kettle hole, over 50 meters deep, formed by melting glaciers during the Ice Age.
The trail to Syvyydenkaivo is relatively easy, with some elevation changes and varying widths, from wide paths to narrow forest trails. Along the way, informational boards provide insights into Rokuaโs unique nature and geology. The area offered a serene experience, with only the quiet forest surrounding us and no other visitors in sight.
At Syvyydenkaivo, long stairs lead along the edge, allowing a better perspective of the kettle holeโs magnitude as you climb higher.
The Syvyydenkierros trail is a pleasant addition to the Pookivaara visit, making it an excellent day-trip destination.
Pookivaara & Syvyydenkaivo Trail
Length: Approximately 5 km round trip from Pookivaara parking area
Duration: ~2 hours
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
The trail winds through gently rolling forests mostly covered in silvery lichen, offering beautiful and peaceful scenery. While generally easy to navigate, there are some elevation changes.
Rokua National Park impressed us with its stunning landscapes and pleasant terrain. The area is also ideal for mountain biking, and weโll surely return with bikes someday.
