Isojoki: Village Church, Kuntopolku and Unusual Monuments

In Isojoki, you can shape your stay around local history, a specific route and unusual monuments. The church village is the starting point of the Kuntopolku jokaaselle; it is also home to the church and the Isojoki Local Heritage House and Museum. When combining your search for a holiday apartment with plans for an outing, you can consider whether historical places to visit, a path suitable for pushchairs, or the seasonal activities in Lauhanvuori should shape your stay.

History in the church village

The present-day church in Isojoki was completed in 1833 and has 900 seats. Two bells hang in its bell tower: the larger one was acquired in 1765 and the smaller one in 1756. Both acquisition dates predate the completion of the present-day church. Along with the soldiers' cemetery, located between the church and bell tower, the church and tower are worthwhile places to visit.

The Isojoki Local Heritage House and Museum is located in the centre of the church village, in a former vicarage. The building was constructed in the mid-19th century. This means that, alongside the church, Isojoki also offers a historic vicarage as a specific place to explore local heritage. The museum is scheduled to be open on Sundays from mid-June to mid-August, between 12 and 3 pm; visits can also be arranged by appointment. Please confirm your visit in advance.

Kuntopolku jokaaselle: a route with a clear direction

The Kuntopolku jokaaselle is 4.6 kilometres long and runs from the church village of Isojoki towards Lauhansarvi, as far as Kangasjärvi Road. The route has been renovated and widened. It is considered easy to walk and is also suitable for walking with a pushchair. This makes it a specific way to add outdoor exercise to your stay in the area without having to plan a long or challenging walk.

Along the route, about 1.5 kilometres from the church, there is a rotating kota (traditional Finnish hut). There is an opportunity to grill sausages there, and firewood is provided. Details about the length, direction and rest stop help you plan the route as a separate activity. If a pushchair-friendly path is important to your plans, the Kuntopolku is an explicitly suitable option.

Two distinctive monuments

Isojoki is home to the sculpture of what remains the world's largest potato peeler. It is located in the church village at Kristiinantie 9. A very different monument commemorates Kyllikki Saari: the stone Kyllikki Saari Monument stands at the site where she was found, at Kauhajoentie 175. The two addresses help distinguish between these different places to visit. The potato peeler stands out for its unusual appearance, while the other monument marks a specific historical site. Many people still visit the Kyllikki Saari Monument in summer.

Season and priorities when choosing accommodation

In the surrounding municipality, Lauhanvuori has several circular trails and mountain biking routes. In winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are available there. This offers a different focus for activities than the Kuntopolku: Lauhanvuori features several circular trails, cycling and winter activities, while the route by the church village is a clearly described path suitable for pushchairs.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Isojoki, you can therefore start by deciding what you want to focus on during your holiday. Local history and the Kuntopolku are directly connected to the church village; the circular trails, mountain biking and winter activities are among the options in Lauhanvuori, in the surrounding municipality. This lets you tailor your search to the experiences you want to plan, without grouping the different offerings together as one single excursion area.

Discover more destinations: Kauhava, Kuortane, Kurikka, Soini, Alajärvi, Lehtimäki, Peräseinäjoki, Ilmajoki

See the overview of the wider region: South Ostrobothnia.