Discover Innala: Salussärkkä and the surrounding area

In Innala, Salussärkkä shapes the landscape: the approximately two-kilometre-long esker formation was created during the Ice Age and is bordered by a lake. Salussärkkä has been a nature reserve since 1968. If you are interested in nature and the geological history of the destination, it offers a specific starting point for planning your vacation. The nickname “Pikku-Punkaharju,” translated as “little Punkaharju,” is also among the names by which Salussärkkä is known.

Salussärkkä and the surrounding landscape

Salussärkkä was once a popular excursion destination. Members of the estates regularly visited the place to admire it—a historical role that differs from a visit today. Rantalansärkkä lies to the north, in Ylä-Kolkki, a few kilometres from Salussärkkä. Both are part of the same esker formation, created during the Ice Age. If you want to understand the landscape beyond a single place, you can compare these two named formations.

Rantalansärkkä also has a natural-geographical classification: within the Salmentaka-Innala A groundwater area, it is listed as a regionally valuable esker area in value class 3. This classification adds a distinct aspect to its geological connection with Salussärkkä. Salussärkkä itself remains the immediate landscape reference point for Innala.

History and culture in Pohjaslahti

Various places with their own histories lie in the vicinity of Innala. The church of Pohjaslahti was designed by Kauno Kallio and completed in 1931. It is also a stop on the Pohjaslahden mobiilireitti, a storytelling landscape trail in the village of Pohjaslahti. This makes it possible to combine an architectural attraction with a route that brings together landscape and storytelling.

The old parish granary also tells the story of a different use for the building: restored through voluntary work, it was inaugurated as Riihikappeli in 2004. The museum café Heikintupa displays historical objects and buildings from the surrounding area; the café is located in a farmhouse dating from 1850. These places cater to different interests, from architecture and building history to regional collections.

The Pohjaslahti-Seura association holds a Midsummer celebration every year on the Sunday of Midsummer weekend at Heikintupa. If you would like to include this event in your plans, check the date for the year in question. At Vehkaniemen tila, the history of the old family farm dates back to around the mid-16th century, or possibly even earlier. The buildings of the farmstead are open to groups by prior booking and arrangement.

Nature attractions and routes for different day plans

A lookout tower with far-reaching views stands on Palellusvuori. It was built between 2018 and 2022 and opened to the public on 30 April 2022. Palellusvuori is a natural attraction of scenic value; it is advisable to check the current visitor conditions before visiting the tower. This allows you to consider this viewpoint as a separate item in your itinerary, rather than assuming its conditions are the same as those of other attractions.

At the Kangaskoski Mill Museum in Salmentakanen, a path runs around the millpond. A wooden bridge also leads from Kangaskoski Mill across the rapids to a shelter. These details describe different ways to experience the area around the mill attraction. To find the mill: from Pohjaslahti, drive about five kilometres towards Salmentakanen; a sign then points to the right. Check the signposting before setting off, as it may change.

The Pohjaslahden mobiilireitti offers a storytelling approach to the landscape, while the path by the millpond and the bridge provide specific places to visit in the surroundings of the mill museum. When planning, you can therefore decide whether you would rather include a route with landscape storytelling, a viewpoint, or a destination around the millpond and rapids.

Choose the right search location for your holiday rental

If Salussärkkä is the main landscape attraction, start by looking for holiday rentals in Innala. If you would also like to include destinations in Pohjaslahti and the wider surrounding area, take these into account when choosing your location. The places described offer a range of cultural and landscape connections; which ones matter most to you depends on whether nature, architecture, history or a specific route is your priority.

These differences can also help structure your plans: a historical visit in Pohjaslahti, the annual Midsummer celebration and an excursion to a natural attraction are different kinds of activities. Prior booking and arrangement are important for group visits to Vehkaniemen tila; for the celebration, check the date for the relevant year. This way, you can base your holiday rental search on the destinations you actually want to include, without limiting your stay to a single activity.

For the broader travel overview: Mänttä.